Census 2021 results for specified ethnic groups

FOI Ref: ​FOI/2022/4109

You asked

Please supply the results of the 2021 Census for the following ethnic groups:

1. Black

2. Black British

3. Caribbean

4. African

5. Indian

6. Chinese

We said

Thank you for your request.

We aim to release the first results for Census 2021 data on the population of England and Wales in early summer 2022, and to publish all other main Census 2021 data within two years of census.

As such, the information you have requested for Census 2021 data is exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. Furthermore, as a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.

This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.

However, we have attached 2011 Census table KS201 - Ethnic Group for England and Wales which you may find useful.

For more information about the planned release schedule please see the Office for National Statistics website here.