What is the census?

Scotland's Census usually takes place every 10 years and is the official count of every person and household in the country.

The census collects information about where you stay and the people who stay there.

The answers you give to the census questions will help shape Scotland's future public services.

Find out more about:

You can find out more about the history of the census on the Scotland's Census website.

Census day

Census day is 20 March 2022. This does not mean that everybody needs to complete their census on that date.

You can complete your questionnaire as soon as you receive your letter but you will be asked to answer questions with information that is correct as of census day.

This is important as it provides a snapshot of Scotland on that day.

A legal responsibility

Every household in Scotland must complete the census questionnaire.

As a householder, you have a legal responsibility to complete the questionnaire. You may be prosecuted if you:

refuse to complete the questionnaire
neglect to answer a question (other than those shown to be voluntary)
provide a false answer to a question
sign a false document

In some cases you may receive a criminal record and fine.

Your responses do not otherwise affect your legal rights, obligations or status, or those of the people to whom the responses relate.

Find out more about who has responsibility for completing the census at your address.

Who runs the census

In Scotland, the National Records of Scotland is responsible for the census.

In England and Wales, the Office for National Statistics is responsible.

And in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency is responsible.

Key points

The answers you give to the census questions will help shape Scotland's future public services.

The census counts everybody in Scotland, including people who were not born here.

The censuses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are run by different parts of Government.