Constituency data: Disability (Census 2021, 2022)

This dashboard presents constituency estimates of the disabled population based on census data.

The most recent census was carried out in March 2021 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and in March 2022 in Scotland. This dashboard shows the results for constituencies across the UK.

For the 2021 census in England and Wales, the wording of the disability question was changed compared with 2011 to align more closely with the definition of disability in the Equality Act 2010.

The question had two parts. Respondents were first asked whether they had any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting or expected to last 12 months or more. People who said they did have one of these conditions, and also said that it limited their activities in some way, were classed as disabled under the Equality Act 2010.

Scotland and Northern Ireland’s censuses used the same question as in 2011. Respondents were asked if their day-to-day activities were limited because of a health problem or disability lasting or expected to last at least 12 months, including problems relation to old age.

Because of differences in the questions asked, results from each census are presented separately on this dashboard.

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Use the dropdown menu below to select the constituency you’re interested in and view statistics.

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Definitions

The Equality Act (2010) defines an individual as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Notes

The most recent UK censuses were undertaken during the coronavirus pandemic, which may have influenced how people perceive their health status and activity limitations.

Sources

England and Wales: ONS, 2021 Census, Create a custom dataset: disability variable

Northern Ireland: NISRA, 2021 Census, Build a custom table: health problem or disability (long term) variable

Scotland: Scotland’s Census, Search census data: Table UV303 – long term health problem or disability

Data updates

This dashboard uses census data. The census is currently the only source of constituency-level data on this topic, which means that there aren’t any updates planned for the near future.