Scotland’s Census for 2022 was launched yesterday, on February 28, with households across the country to complete their return.
The Scottish Census is a unique count of everyone in the country. It is used to plan major public services and guide investment in areas like education, transport, health and social care. For the first time, it is anticipated that most census responses will be made in online mode, with paper questionnaires available for those who wish to use them.
From yesterday more than 2.5 million households representing 5.5 million people will receive a letter with information on how to participate.
Although Census Day is on March 20, households can complete their return now, with responses reflecting their circumstances on that date.
The unveiling of a large-scale artwork will mark the launch of the Census in Glasgow by Pilar Garcia de Leaniz, a Spanish artist based in Edinburgh.
In addition, ‘Scotland Connected’ is an artwork that represents the fabric of Scotland, its people, and the role of the Census. The ‘Scotland Connected’ artwork will tour several communities across Scotland during March, with each community adding to the artwork before it arrives in Edinburgh on census day.
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson MSP, stated, “Scotland’s Census is unique in asking the whole nation important questions that help us better understand our communities’ future needs.”
The Census helps the Scottish Government, local governments, and other service providers in planning services and making decisions on how public funds will be spent on important community services like schools, roads, and hospitals.
“It’s important we maximise participation and ensure that all individuals are heard and their needs captured.”
The Scottish Census will include various range of topics, such as the types of accommodation people stay in, household relationships, age, sex, health and employment status. Furthermore, new questions will be added in the 2022 census, including the use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, sexual orientation, trans status and previous armed forces service history.
