/visualisations/censusareachanges/E08000025/

The population passed 1,100,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Birmingham increased by 6.7%, from just over 1,073,000 in 2011 to around 1,144,900 in 2021.

The population here increased by a greater percentage than the overall population of the West Midlands (6.2%), but at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, Birmingham was home to around 30.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 28.6 in 2011. This area was the most densely populated local authority area across the West Midlands.

This article generally uses percentages to enable comparisons over time and between areas. The percentage point change is also used to show the difference between the 2011 and 2021 percentages.

Population growth was higher in Birmingham than across the West Midlands

Percentage population change, Birmingham and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% West Midlands ▲6.2% Birmingham ▲6.7%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Median age increased

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Birmingham increased by two years, from 32 to 34 years of age.

This area had the lowest average (median) age in the West Midlands and a lower average (median) age than England (40 years).

The median age is the age of the person in the middle of the group, meaning that one half of the group is younger than that person and the other half is older.

The number of people aged 50 to 64 years rose by just over 30,900 (an increase of 20.0%), while the number of residents aged 4 years and under fell by around 6,900 (8.4% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 1.8 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

Percentage of usual residents by age group,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 1.8 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.2 2.4 1.8%
1.9%
75 to 84 years 4.6 4.3 5.7 6.4 5.5 6.1 4.6%
4.3%
65 to 74 years 6.5 7.0 9.0 9.9 8.6 9.8 6.5%
7.0%
50 to 64 years 14.4 16.2 18.0 19.3 18.1 19.4 14.4%
16.2%
35 to 49 years 19.7 19.4 20.9 18.7 21.3 19.4 19.7%
19.4%
25 to 34 years 15.4 14.6 12.6 13.0 13.5 13.6 15.4%
14.6%
20 to 24 years 8.8 8.1 6.8 6.1 6.8 6.0 8.8%
8.1%
16 to 19 years 6.1 6.2 5.3 4.8 5.1 4.6 6.1%
6.2%
10 to 15 years 8.2 8.6 7.4 7.5 7.0 7.2 8.2%
8.6%
5 to 9 years 6.9 7.1 5.8 6.2 5.6 5.9 6.9%
7.1%
4 years and under 7.6 6.6 6.3 5.6 6.3 5.4 7.6%
6.6%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Family in Birmingham

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children increased in Birmingham, but fell across the West Midlands.

In Birmingham, the percentage of households including a couple with dependent children rose from 18.9% in 2011 to 19.3% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 19.7% to 19.0%.

The percentage of households including a couple without children in Birmingham fell from 12.0% to 11.5%, while the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children increased from 5.6% to 6.0%.

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Birmingham increased by 0.4 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 11.6 11.1 12.6 13.1 12.4 12.8 11.6%
11.1%
One-person household: Other 20.4 20.3 16.9 16.8 17.9 17.3 20.4%
20.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 12.0 11.5 16.9 15.9 17.6 16.8 12.0%
11.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 18.9 19.3 19.7 19.0 19.3 18.9 18.9%
19.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 5.6 6.0 6.7 6.9 6.1 6.3 5.6%
6.0%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 14.6 15.2 11.3 11.8 10.6 11.1 14.6%
15.2%
Other household types 16.9 16.6 15.9 16.6 16.1 16.9 16.9%
16.6%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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More people looking after their family or home

Birmingham saw England's joint largest percentage-point rise (alongside Sandwell) in the proportion of people who were economically inactive because they were looking after their family or home (from 5.9% in 2011 to 8.2% in 2021).

Luton (from 6.2% to 8.4%), Pendle (from 5.2% to 7.4%) and Oldham (from 5.2% to 7.4%) saw the country's next largest increases in the percentage of people who were economically inactive because they were looking after their family or home.

During this period, Birmingham overtook four local authority areas, including Blackburn with Darwen and Slough, to become the English local authority area with the joint fourth-highest percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were looking after their family or home (alongside Barking and Dagenham).

Census 2021 took place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a period of rapid and unparalleled change; the national lockdown, associated guidance and furlough measures will have affected the labour market and our ability to measure it.

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were looking after their family or home (economically inactive) in Birmingham increased by 2.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over by economic activity status,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 48.6 47.4 54.4 53.3 56.5 55.7 48.6%
47.4%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 6.5 4.7 4.6 3.2 4.0 2.9 6.5%
4.7%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 2.8 2.4 2.2 1.7 2.4 1.7 2.8%
2.4%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 1.3 1.2 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.3%
1.2%
Economically inactive: Retired 17.3 15.6 22.0 22.1 21.2 21.5 17.3%
15.6%
Economically inactive: Student 9.0 10.0 5.4 5.8 5.3 5.6 9.0%
10.0%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 5.9 8.2 4.1 5.4 4.0 4.8 5.9%
8.2%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 5.0 5.4 4.1 4.5 3.8 4.1 5.0%
5.4%
Economically inactive: Other 3.6 5.1 2.3 3.4 2.2 3.1 3.6%
5.1%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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More adults worked short hours

Birmingham saw the West Midlands' largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week (from 10.0% in 2011 to 11.2% in 2021).

Sandwell saw the West Midlands' next largest increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week (from 8.0% in 2011 to 9.0% in 2021).

Across the West Midlands, the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week increased from 9.6% to 9.9%, while the percentage in nearby Solihull increased from 9.7% to 10.0%.

Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Birmingham increased by 1.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over and in employment by the number of hours worked per week,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 10.0 11.2 9.6 9.9 9.7 10.3 10.0%
11.2%
16 to 30 hours worked 21.5 21.9 20.2 20.0 19.5 19.5 21.5%
21.9%
31 to 48 hours worked 58.7 59.1 58.1 60.1 57.5 59.1 58.7%
59.1%
49 or more hours worked 9.9 7.9 12.1 10.1 13.3 11.1 9.9%
7.9%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Religion in Birmingham

In 2021, 29.9% of Birmingham residents described themselves as Muslim, up from 21.8% in 2011. The rise of 8.0 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Birmingham. Because the census question about religious affiliation is voluntary and has varying response rates, caution is needed when comparing figures between different areas or between censuses.

Across the West Midlands, the percentage of residents who described themselves as Muslim increased from 6.7% to 9.6%, while across England the percentage increased from 5.0% to 6.7%.

In 2021, 34.0% of people in Birmingham described themselves as Christian (down from 46.1%), while 24.1% reported having "No religion" (up from 19.3% the decade before).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as a changing age structure or residents relocating for work or education. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals chose to self-identify between censuses. Religious affiliation is the religion with which someone connects or identifies, rather than their beliefs or religious practice.

Read the bulletin Religion, England and Wales: Census 2021.

In 2021, 29.9% of usual residents in Birmingham described themselves as Muslim

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
No religion 19.3 24.1 22.0 32.9 24.8 36.7 19.3%
24.1%
Christian 46.1 34.0 60.2 46.6 59.4 46.3 46.1%
34.0%
Buddhist 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.4%
0.4%
Hindu 2.1 1.9 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.1%
1.9%
Jewish 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.2%
0.1%
Muslim 21.8 29.9 6.7 9.6 5.0 6.7 21.8%
29.9%
Sikh 3.0 2.9 2.4 2.9 0.8 0.9 3.0%
2.9%
Other 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.5%
0.6%
Not answered 6.5 6.1 6.6 5.7 7.1 6.0 6.5%
6.1%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Birmingham residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 824,000 Birmingham residents said they were born in England. This represented 72.0% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 815,900 in 2011, which at the time represented 76.0% of Birmingham's population.

Pakistan was the next most represented, with around 67,400 Birmingham residents reporting this country of birth (5.9%). This figure was up from around 55,900 in 2011, which at the time represented 5.2% of the population of Birmingham.

The number of Birmingham residents born in India rose from around 27,200 in 2011 (2.5% of the local population) to around 27,700 in 2021 (2.4%).

In 2021, 72.0% of Birmingham residents reported their country of birth as England

Percentage of usual residents by country of birth,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
England 76.0 72.0 86.1 82.6 83.5 80.3 76.0%
72.0%
Pakistan 5.2 5.9 1.6 1.9 0.9 1.1 5.2%
5.9%
India 2.5 2.4 1.8 2.1 1.3 1.6 2.5%
2.4%
Bangladesh 1.3 1.7 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.3%
1.7%
Romania 0.1 1.1 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.9 0.1%
1.1%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
  1. This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Birmingham in 2021
  2. Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings

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Disability in Birmingham

Birmingham saw the West Midlands' second-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little (from 11.6% in 2011 to 10.4% in 2021). These are age-standardised proportions.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.

Across the region, only Sandwell saw a greater fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little (from 11.7% to 10.1%).

Across the West Midlands, the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little fell from 10.6% to 10.4%, while the proportion in nearby Solihull increased from 9.7% to 9.8%.

Census 2021 was undertaken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived their health status and activity limitations, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.

Caution should be taken when making comparisons between 2011 and 2021 because of changes in question wording and response options.

The percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a little in Birmingham decreased by 1.2 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents by long-term health condition or illness,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 11.8 9.6 9.9 8.0 9.1 7.5 11.8%
9.6%
Disabled and limited a little 11.6 10.4 10.6 10.4 10.2 10.2 11.6%
10.4%
Not disabled 76.6 80.1 79.4 81.5 80.7 82.3 76.6%
80.1%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Health in Birmingham

In 2021, 42.3% of Birmingham residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 39.3% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 34.9% to 34.6%. These are age-standardised proportions.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.

The proportion of Birmingham residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 2.1% to 1.8%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 6.5% to 5.6%.

These data reflect people’s own opinions in describing their overall health on a five point scale, from very good to very bad.

Census 2021 was conducted during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and rated their health, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.

The percentage of people in bad health in Birmingham decreased by 0.9 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents by self-reported health,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
Very good health 39.3 42.3 42.8 45.2 45.0 47.5 39.3%
42.3%
Good health 34.9 34.6 35.4 35.0 34.8 34.2 34.9%
34.6%
Fair health 17.2 15.7 15.1 13.9 14.2 13.0 17.2%
15.7%
Bad health 6.5 5.6 5.1 4.5 4.6 4.1 6.5%
5.6%
Very bad health 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.2 2.1%
1.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Marriage and civil partnership in Birmingham

Of Birmingham residents aged 16 years and over, 40.0% said they were married or in a registered civil partnership in 2021, down from 41.2% in 2011.

In 2021, just over 4 in 10 people (44.9%) said they had never been married or in a civil partnership, compared with 41.6% in 2011. The percentage of adults in Birmingham that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership decreased from 7.5% to 7.3%.

This area had the region’s lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership). Coventry had the West Midlands' next lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership) (40.2%), while Stratford-on-Avon had the region's highest percentage (52.5%).

These figures include same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships in 2021, neither of which were legally recognised in England and Wales in 2011. Same-sex marriages have been legally recognised in England and Wales since 2014 and opposite-sex civil partnerships have been recognised since 2019.

The percentage of adults who were married or in a civil partnership in Birmingham decreased by 1.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over by legal partnership status,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 41.6 44.9 33.7 37.1 34.6 37.9 41.6%
44.9%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 41.2 40.0 47.7 45.3 46.8 44.7 41.2%
40.0%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 3.2 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.7 2.2 3.2%
2.6%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 7.5 7.3 8.7 8.8 9.0 9.1 7.5%
7.3%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 6.5 5.3 7.3 6.5 6.9 6.1 6.5%
5.3%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Ethnic groups in Birmingham

In 2021, 31.0% of Birmingham residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 26.6% in 2011. The 4.4 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the West Midlands, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 10.8% to 13.3%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.

In 2021, 48.6% of people in Birmingham identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 57.9% in 2011), while 11.0% identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category (compared with 9.0% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category increased from 4.4% in 2011 to 4.8% in 2021.

There are many factors that may be contributing to the changing ethnic composition of England and Wales, such as differing patterns of ageing, fertility, mortality, and migration. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals chose to self-identify between censuses.

Read the bulletin Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021.

In 2021, 31.0% of usual residents in Birmingham identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category

Percentage of usual residents by ethnic group,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 26.6 31.0 10.8 13.3 7.8 9.6 26.6%
31.0%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 9.0 11.0 3.3 4.5 3.5 4.2 9.0%
11.0%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 4.4 4.8 2.4 3.0 2.3 3.0 4.4%
4.8%
White 57.9 48.6 82.7 77.0 85.4 81.0 57.9%
48.6%
Other ethnic groups 2.0 4.5 0.9 2.1 1.0 2.2 2.0%
4.5%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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National identity in Birmingham

In 2021, 13.6% of Birmingham residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 11.2% in 2011.

In 2021, just under 1 in 40 people (2.4%) identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 1.1% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Birmingham that identified as "British only" increased from 30.5% to 63.0%.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK in Birmingham (2.3 percentage points) was similar to the increase across the West Midlands (2.5 percentage points, from 6.2% to 8.7%). Across England, the percentage increased by 1.7 percentage points, from 8.2% to 10.0%.

In Census 2021, “British” was moved to the top response option and this may have influenced how people described their national identity. For further information, please see our quality report.

The percentage of people who did not identify with at least one UK national identity in Birmingham increased by 2.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents by national identity,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
British only identity 30.5 63.0 19.2 56.9 19.2 56.8 30.5%
63.0%
Welsh only identity 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.4%
0.2%
Welsh and British only identity 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1%
0.1%
English only identity 49.1 10.5 63.2 16.9 60.4 15.3 49.1%
10.5%
English and British only identity 6.7 9.7 8.7 14.6 9.1 14.3 6.7%
9.7%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.0 0.6 1.1 0.7 1.6 1.1 1.0%
0.6%
Non-UK identity only 11.2 13.6 6.2 8.7 8.2 10.0 11.2%
13.6%
UK identity and non-UK identity 1.1 2.4 0.6 1.5 0.9 2.0 1.1%
2.4%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Rise in private renting

Of Birmingham households, 22.6% rented privately in 2021, up from 17.9% in 2011.

In 2021, just under one in four households (23.5%) lived in socially rented housing, compared with 24.2% in 2011. The percentage of Birmingham households that owned their home (outright or with a mortgage or loan) decreased from 55.2% to 52.7%.

This area had the region’s second highest percentage of privately-rented homes. Across the region, only Coventry, with 24.7%, had a higher percentage.

Private renting in Birmingham increased by 4.7 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 55.2 52.7 64.9 62.8 63.3 61.3 55.2%
52.7%
Shared ownership 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.0%
0.9%
Social rented 24.2 23.5 19.0 18.2 17.7 17.1 24.2%
23.5%
Private rented 17.9 22.6 14.0 17.9 16.8 20.5 17.9%
22.6%
Lives rent free 1.7 0.4 1.5 0.2 1.3 0.1 1.7%
0.4%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Unpaid care in Birmingham

In 2021, 3.9% of Birmingham residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 6.8% in 2011. These are age-standardised proportions.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.

In 2021, just under 1 in 40 people (2.3%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.0% in 2011. The proportion of Birmingham residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care decreased from 3.4% to 3.2%.

This area had the region’s second lowest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care. Across the region, only Sandwell, with 3.8%, had a lower proportion.

Census 2021 was undertaken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and managed their provision of unpaid care, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.

Caution should be taken when making comparisons between 2011 and 2021 because of changes in question wording and response options.

The percentage of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in Birmingham decreased by 2.9 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents (aged five years and over) by hours per week of unpaid care provision,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Birmingham_% 2021_Birmingham_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Birmingham Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 87.8 90.5 87.8 90.5 88.7 91.1 87.8%
90.5%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 6.8 3.9 7.4 4.5 7.2 4.4 6.8%
3.9%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 2.0 2.3 1.7 2.1 1.5 1.8 2.0%
2.3%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 3.4 3.2 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 3.4%
3.2%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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About the data

Census data are adjusted to reflect estimated non-response so that the published results relate to the entire usually resident population as it was on Census Day (21 March 2021).

Those respondents who were on furlough because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were asked to classify themselves as "temporarily away from work" to ensure they remained in the economically active population.

Students are counted as usually resident at their term-time address even if they were not physically present there on Census Day.

The questions relating to disability differed slightly between 2011 and 2021 to ensure that data were more closely aligned with the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010). There was also a change to question wording for unpaid care, for more information read the health, disability and unpaid care quality information.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout the health, disability and unpaid care sections. They allow for fairer comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure. The 2013 European Standard Population is used to standardise proportions.

Percentages and percentage point changes have been individually rounded to one decimal place. This means they may not sum exactly.

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About these articles

There is an article like this for every local authority district in England and Wales. The articles have been written and semi-automated by our data journalists and are a new publishing format for the Office for National Statistics.

Topics are chosen and ordered automatically based on how relevant they are for each area, however all data are checked before publishing.

We have not included topics that were new for Census 2021 or where there is no comparability with the 2011 Census. Read about how we developed and tested the questions for Census 2021.

These articles were first published on 8 December 2022 covering topics such as demography, country of birth, ethnic groups, religion, national identity and economic activity status. They were updated on 19 January 2023 following the release of more data from Census 2021 and now include housing tenure, general health, disability and unpaid care.

All versions of this article

Related links

Census 2021 topic summaries

Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022

What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.

Census maps

Interactive tool | Released 8 December 2022

Use our interactive map to find out what people’s lives are like across England and Wales.

How well do you know your area?

Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022

Test your knowledge of where you live with our Census quiz.

Contact

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