Disability (5 categories)

Description: People who assessed their day-to-day activities as limited by long-term physical or mental health conditions or illnesses are considered disabled. This definition of a disabled person meets the harmonised standard for measuring disability and is in line with the Equality Act (2010).

Comparability with 2011: Broadly comparable. The question related to this variable was split into two parts for Census 2021. In Census 2021 we asked people completing the questionnaire if they have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses. In the 2011 Census, people were asked if they have a health problem or disability. We also removed the option to include information about problems related to old age.

National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) (10 categories)

Description: The National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) indicates a person's socio-economic position based on their occupation and other job characteristics.

It is an Office for National Statistics standard classification. NS-SEC categories are assigned based on a person's occupation, whether employed, self-employed, or supervising other employees.

Full-time students are recorded in the "full-time students" category regardless of whether they are economically active.

Quality information: As Census 2021 was during a unique period of rapid change, take care when using this data for planning purposes.

Comparability with 2011: Not comparable. This variable is derived from the occupation variable. It cannot be compared with the one from the 2011 Census because the classifications in the occupation variable have changed

Age (4 categories)

Description: A person's age on Census Day, 21 March 2021 in England and Wales.

Quality information: Estimates for single year of age between ages 90 and 100+ are less reliable than other ages. Estimation and adjustment at these ages was based on the age range 90+ rather than five-year age bands.

Comparability with 2011: Highly comparable