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Last updated

10 Mar 2026

Census 2031

We’re holding the next census in Scotland in 2031. 

The census in Scotland will be at the same time as censuses in the rest of the UK. 

We’ll confirm the exact dates closer to 2031.

Our objectives

Our strategic objectives for the 2031 census are to:

  • produce high quality census results that meet user needs
  • deliver timely results to maximise benefits
  • enable and support participation from everyone in Scotland
  • protect confidential information
  • provide best value for Scotland
  • make recommendations for future population statistics

Getting involved

We’ll create opportunities for people to get involved in helping shape and design the census. We’ll be speaking to lots of people, including:

  • data users
  • members of the public
  • community groups and representatives

We’ll advertise opportunities to get involved on our events page.

How we’re designing the census

We’re working on the 2031 census in partnership with:

  • Office of National Statistics (ONS)
  • Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

Before 2031 we’ll carry out a:

  • test in 2027
  • rehearsal in 2029

You can read more about the 2027 test.

In 2025 we carried out a topic consultation to ask what topics the next census should cover. We’ll publish the results later this year.

Design principles

We’ll follow a series of design principles when designing the 2031 census.

For the 2031 census, we will:

  • produce a complete, consistent and protected dataset that represents 100% of the population meeting our quality targets
  • prioritise high-quality population estimates by age and sex, at local authority level
  • deliver a census that maximises public value and ensures fiscal sustainability
  • recognise the importance of timeliness in decision making
  • build on the lessons of previous censuses in Scotland, the UK and internationally
  • design for online first, but only online only, making participation as straightforward and user-friendly as possible
  • embrace the best fit digital technologies and methods, and adopt a secure by design approach
  • validate the census design readiness through iterative testing as well as end-to-end rehearsal
  • assess the benefit of using administrative data in all areas of the operation, processing and outputs