Census test to take place in 2027

National Records of Scotland (NRS) will conduct a census test in March 2027, as part of its preparations for the full census across Scotland in 2031.

The test will cover around 12,000 households and student accommodation in areas of Glasgow with findings from the test directly informing operational planning for 2031.

This will include testing approaches to engaging communities and how people find the experience of completing the census online.

Participation in the test is voluntary. The test will not produce data outputs and responses to the questionnaire will not be evaluated at this stage.

The test will be held at the same time as tests by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) for the 2031 censuses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This alignment will allow for shared learning across the UK.

NRS will publish their findings from the test once evaluation is complete.

A full rehearsal will follow in Scotland in 2029.