Welcome guide
An overview of what the census is and what it collects.
Census and teachers
Scotland’s Census is a landmark event.
It’s the official count of every person and household in the country.
There has been a census in Scotland every 10 years since 1801. The answers people give to census questions help build up a picture of the population. Government and other service providers rely on census data to make important decisions.
We want to make sure everyone’s voice is counted in the census to make sure we have a detailed and accurate snapshot of the nation.
That’s why we’d love for you and your pupils to get involved in Scotland’s Census 2022, learning all about its benefits.
So let’s get started!
Census history
An official census of the British population has taken place, as ordered by an Act of Parliament, every 10 years since 1801, with the exception of 1941 and 2021.
Prior to this, early censuses were inconsistent, little more than population counts, but since 1801 censuses have offered a deeper and more extensive picture of the Scottish population.
A lot has changed since 1801, especially the amount of detail the census questions go into, such as how many cars you have and if you use British Sign Language. But all this gives a very detailed picture of the Scottish population and helps the Government make decisions that will benefit the country as whole.
After 100 years, all census returns become available for the public to access, meaning we can study how Scotland’s past has changed, and discover more about the individuals who have lived here before us.
For more information on the census visit the National Records of Scotland and Scotland’s Census.
And for more historical information, please visit Scotland’s People.
Scotland's Census 2022
Scotland’s Census has constantly evolved since 1801.
These days, you can complete the census questionnaire for your household online or on paper. The census still collects details of the names and ages of people who live in your household but has developed to capture more information, such as what job you have, what passports you hold and how many cars you have.
Government and other service providers rely on this data to make important decisions.
Please see the toolkit to find out more information and to download your classroom guide, which has a range of resources to help you build lesson plans, in-class activity suggestions and much more.