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Last updated

13 Jun 2024

Census outputs consultation

Census outputs consultation

We published our plans for Scotland’s Census 2022 outputs. This included detail on the data we will publish and the tools we will use. These plans were built on previous stakeholder engagement held by NRS. We asked users to provide feedback on these plans, to help us to align them with users’ needs. 

Feedback received through the consultation 

We received 146 responses to the consultation from a range of organisations and individuals.  

The overall response to the consultation was positive and users were happy with our plans for publishing outputs. However, some of the feedback did highlight changes we could make or investigate further.  

NRS response to feedback

We reviewed all feedback received through the consultation to determine if any changes are required to our plans. Where necessary we prioritised responses by considering how we maximise the value and public benefit gained from census outputs.

Changes we will make based on user feedback received include:

  • We aim to publish additional pre-defined tables where we identify strong user need to do so. We will review requests for additional tables. Where appropriate and feasible, we will add these to our plans for pre-defined tables.
  • We aim to publish two versions of some multivariate tables where we identify a user need for this, and it is in line with our statistical disclosure control policy.
  • We will investigate further if it is possible to publish origin destination data at more disaggregated levels.
  • We will add an additional analytical report to our list covering the health topic. We will continue to work with stakeholders to determine the content of each report and whether any additional topic reports are required.
  • Following feedback from users we will produce three new derived variables:
    • Adult student indicator
    • Not in employment, education or training indicator
    • Key or critical worker indicator

 

You can read more detail on the response to the consultation in the Scotland’s Census 2022 - Outputs consultation report.

Plans that were shared as part of the consultation are presented in the consultation document and spreadsheet. These documents reflect the plans proposed at the time of the consultation. The most up to date versions are available on the census outputs schedule page.

 

Response to feedback on sexual orientation

As part of the consultation we asked users to review the proposed classifications for the sexual orientation variable. We received feedback on the grouping of bisexual and pansexual.

“There are potential issues with the lower-level classifications of sexual orientation outputs, particularly the decision to group the sexual orientation descriptors, ‘bisexual’ and ‘pansexual’ together."

In our response to the consultation we said we would investigate this further. After review with stakeholders including Scottish Government, we have updated the classification so that pansexual is no longer grouped with bisexual. Pansexual will be grouped with 'Other sexual orientation'. 

The classification that will be published as part of the topic release on 27 June:

  • Heterosexual/Straight
  • Gay/Lesbian
  • Bisexual
  • Other sexual orientation
  • Missing/not stated

 

Response to feedback on trans status or history

As part of the consultation we asked users to review the proposed classifications for the trans status or history variable. We received feedback on the grouping of ‘trans masculine’ and ‘trans feminine’.

“The descriptors, ‘trans masculine’ and ‘trans feminine’ are currently
categorised in the ‘non-binary person’ category. There is evidence that the descriptor, ‘trans masculine’ is used synonymously with ‘trans man’ in Scotland. "

In our response to the consultation we said we would investigate this further. After review with stakeholders including Scottish Government, we have updated the classification and 'Trans masculine' and 'Trans feminine' will be grouped in the 'Other trans status or history' category. 

Where responses include more than one distinct category we have used a first codable response methodology. This means a response of 'Non-binary Trans Masculine' will be categorised as 'Non-binary' only. This is consistent with how other write in questions are processed from the census.

The classification that will be published as part of the topic release on 27 June:

  • No - Not trans and does not have trans history
  • Trans man
  • Trans woman
  • Non-binary person
  • Trans status or history: not otherwise specified
  • Other trans status or history
  • Missing/not stated

Next steps

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback on our plans for producing outputs from Scotland’s Census 2022. The feedback provided will help to ensure that outputs meet the user needs identified.

Where we have indicated that we will investigate further we will provide updates to users before outputs are published.

To keep users informed we will publish updates on our census outputs schedule page. This will include any changes to plans shared as part of this consultation.

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