2011 Census, First Results for Wales

ONS have also published a statistical bulletin summarising the key results for Wales.

The key results for Wales are:

• On census night the population in Wales was 3.06 million. This was the largest the population had ever been.
• The population grew by 153,000 in the 10 years since the last census, rising from 2.9 million in 2001, an increase of 5.3 per cent. This was the largest growth in the population since 1921.
• While the difference between births and deaths led to a small increase in the population, migration accounted for over 90 per cent of the population increase between 2001 and 2011. This includes both international migration and migration from elsewhere within the UK.
• The percentage of the population in Wales aged 65 and over was the highest seen in any census at over 18 per cent, a total of 563,000 people. This was an increase of 57,000 people in this age category since 2001, and an increase of 450,000 since 1911 when there were 113,000 people aged 65 and over.
• There were 25,000 residents in Wales aged 90 and over in 2011, compared with 19,000 in 2001 and 700 in 1911.
• In 2011, there were 178,000 children under five in Wales, 11,000 more than in 2001.
• There were 1.3 million households in Wales on census night. The average household size was 2.3 residents per household, in 2011, the same as in England and unchanged from 2001. In 1911, households in England and Wales had an average of 4.3 residents, almost double the current total.
• All areas of Wales saw population growth between 2001 and 2011 except Blaenau Gwent, which saw a small decline.
• The unitary authorities with the largest percentage growth in population were Cardiff (12 per cent), Pembrokeshire (8 per cent), and Bridgend (8 per cent).

Summary tables for Welsh Local Authorities have also been published on StatsWales.

The Census was held on Sunday 27th March 2011. It captured information about people usually resident in England and Wales and is a major, important source of information about the population and households. It provides detailed information about the population as a whole and for small geographical areas and small populations.

There will be further releases of data from the 2011 Census over the next 18 months; information is available online in the 2011 Census prospectus. These will examine further data and cover topics such as detailed ethnic group, religion, travel to work, health and families, identity, Welsh language, employment and education. 

Further information

Office for National Statistics website: 2011 Census

Office for National Statistics website: 2011 Census, Population and Household Estimates for Wales

Office for National Statistics website: 2011 Census prospectus

StatsWales website

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 3220
E-mail: stats.popcensus@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

November 2012 (provisional - to be confirmed on the 'Due Out Soon' page)