Census 2021 proposals document

Date published: 03 April 2019

Download the Census 2021 proposals document.

Overview

This section outlines the Registrar General’s proposals for the design and delivery of the 2021 Census in Northern Ireland. It highlights the topics planned for inclusion, improvements since the 2011 Census, and how the public can participate - especially through online completion.

What’s included in the proposals?

The proposals document covers:

• Topics for the Census 2021 questionnaire, including updates from 2011
• Guidance on how to complete the census, with a focus on online participation
• Plans to support full participation, including:
  • Help for individuals completing the form
  • Community liaison initiatives
  • A national publicity campaign
  • Field staff follow-up for non-respondents

Learn more

For more details on the key elements of the 2021 Census, visit the NISRA website.

Supporting documents

A series of topic-specific reports were developed to present the research and evidence supporting recommendations for the inclusion of new questions in Census 2021.

These reports cover the following areas:

• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• UK Armed Forces veterans

NISRA has also published the 2017 Census Test report, which provides insights from a preparatory test that informed Census 2021 planning.

Documents

• Census 2021 Northern Ireland proposals document Adobe PDF (964 KB)
• Use of administrative data in the 2021 census Adobe PDF (251 KB)
• Census 2021 topic report on sexual orientation Adobe PDF (437 KB)
• Census 2021 topic report on gender identity Adobe PDF (228 KB)
• Census 2021 topic report on UK Armed Forces Veterans Adobe PDF (610 KB)
• Census 2021 topic report on UK Armed Forces Veterans - update Adobe PDF (135 KB)
• Census 2021 proposals information event presentation Adobe PDF (4 MB)

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