Sex question guidance

Guidance for answering the sex question in Scotland’s Census 2022, has been published by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

This guidance, as previously outlined in Parliament, has been informed by stakeholder feedback and testing, and will enable participation of all of Scotland’s people in the census.

The guidance includes the fact that people may self-identify when answering the sex question in the census. 

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson said:

“Scotland’s Census helps build a picture of our population - Government, Local Authorities and other organisations use this data to make important decisions about the future of our country. The publication of the guidance for the sex question provides welcome clarity for people filling in the census and supports participation by enabling all people across Scotland to complete the census next year."