Ex Service
Definition
An indicator for whether a person has previously served in the UK Armed Forces including whether or not they served in the Regular or Reserve Armed Forces.
Classification
Total number of categories 5
| Code | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Yes, previously served, Reserve Armed Forces |
| 10 | Yes, previously served, Regular Armed Forces |
| 011 | Yes, previously served, Regular Armed Forces and Reserve Armed Forces |
| 100 | No, never served in Armed forces |
| -5 | No code required - comprises children under 16 and full-time students living away from home during term time. |
Source question or variables
Question 26 - Have you previously served in the UK Armed Forces?
- No
- Yes, previously served in the Regular Armed Forces
- Yes, previously served in the Reserve Armed Forces
Reason for asking
During Census 2022 question development, a user need was identified for data on the ex service community in Scotland. This data will be used to commission and deliver appropriate services to meet the needs of this community and monitor the effectiveness of these, as outlined in the Armed Forces Covenant. Specifically data is required to understand employment, education and health outcomes. In Scotland there is a requirement for this data to be split by type of service (regular or reserve)
as these groups may have differing needs.
England & Wales and Scotland (2011) Comparisons
The ex-service question was asked for the first time in Scotland's Census 2022 as no such question was asked in Census 2011.
This question is identical to the one asked in England & Wales in 2021.