The population passed 200,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Barking and Dagenham increased by 17.7%, from just over 185,900 in 2011 to around 218,900 in 2021.
This means Barking and Dagenham's population saw the third-largest percentage increase in England, behind Tower Hamlets (where the population increased by 22.1%) and Dartford (19.9%). The population of London increased by 7.7%, while the population of England rose by 6.6%.
In 2021, Barking and Dagenham was home to around 43.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 36.8 in 2011. This area was among the top 10% most densely populated English local authority areas at the last census.
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 Barking and Dagenham than across London
Percentage population change, Barking and Dagenham and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% London ▲7.7% Barking and Dagenham ▲17.7%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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Median age in Barking and Dagenham
Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Barking and Dagenham increased by one year, from 32 to 33 years of age.
This area had a lower average (median) age than London as a whole in 2021 (35 years) 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 35 to 49 years rose by around 10,200 (an increase of 25.2%), while the number of residents aged 4 years and under fell by around 1,400 (7.6% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 35 and 49 years increased by 1.4 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.6%
1.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 3.8 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 3.8%
2.7% |
| 65 to 74 years | 5.0 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 5.0%
4.9% |
| 50 to 64 years | 13.2 | 15.4 | 14.4 | 16.9 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 13.2%
15.4% |
| 35 to 49 years | 21.8 | 23.1 | 22.4 | 22.7 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 21.8%
23.1% |
| 25 to 34 years | 16.3 | 15.2 | 19.9 | 18.1 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 16.3%
15.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.7 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 7.0%
6.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 5.4 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 5.4%
5.4% |
| 10 to 15 years | 8.2 | 9.8 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 8.2%
9.8% |
| 5 to 9 years | 7.7 | 8.4 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 7.7%
8.4% |
| 4 years and under | 10.0 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 10.0%
7.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
More couples with dependent children
Barking and Dagenham saw England's joint second-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Dartford) in the proportion of households including a couple with dependent children (from 20.9% in 2011 to 24.1% in 2021).
England's largest increase in the percentage of households including a couple with dependent children occurred in Slough (from 23.3% to 27.5%).
The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Barking and Dagenham increased by 3.2 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 10.5 | 8.1 | 9.6 | 9.1 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 10.5%
8.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 17.0 | 15.6 | 22.0 | 20.1 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 17.0%
15.6% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 10.1 | 8.4 | 13.8 | 14.2 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 10.1%
8.4% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 20.9 | 24.1 | 17.8 | 18.8 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 20.9%
24.1% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 5.8 | 6.5 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 5.8%
6.5% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 19.0 | 19.1 | 12.7 | 13.3 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 19.0%
19.1% |
| Other household types | 16.6 | 18.1 | 19.1 | 18.7 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 16.6%
18.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Marriage and civil partnership in Barking and Dagenham
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership) increased in Barking and Dagenham, but fell across England.
In Barking and Dagenham, the percentage that said they were married (or in a civil partnership) rose from 42.1% in 2011 to 42.8% in 2021, while across England it fell from 46.8% to 44.7%. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 40.2% to 40.0%.
The percentage of adults who had never married or registered a civil partnership in Barking and Dagenham increased from 38.8% to 41.8%, while the percentage of adults who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership decreased from 8.7% to 8.1%.
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 Barking and Dagenham increased by 0.8 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 38.8 | 41.8 | 44.1 | 46.2 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 38.8%
41.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 42.1 | 42.8 | 40.2 | 40.0 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 42.1%
42.8% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 4.1 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 4.1%
2.9% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 8.7 | 8.1 | 7.4 | 7.3 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 8.7%
8.1% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 6.4 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 6.4%
4.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Employment in Barking and Dagenham
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed increased here, but fell across England.
In Barking and Dagenham, the percentage who were employed rose from 52.2% in 2011 to 55.8% in 2021, while across England it fell from 56.5% to 55.7%. During the same period, the regional percentage increased from 58.6% to 59.4%.
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were unemployed (excluding full-time students) in Barking and Dagenham fell from 6.8% to 4.7%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) decreased from 14.7% to 10.5%.
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 employed (excluding full-time students) in Barking and Dagenham increased by 3.6 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 52.2 | 55.8 | 58.6 | 59.4 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 52.2%
55.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 6.8 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 6.8%
4.7% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 2.7%
2.7% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.3%
0.9% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 14.7 | 10.5 | 13.7 | 12.9 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 14.7%
10.5% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 6.9 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 7.2 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 6.9%
7.8% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 6.9 | 8.2 | 4.9 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 6.9%
8.2% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 4.8 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.8%
4.5% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 3.6 | 4.8 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 3.6%
4.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Change in work hours
In 2021, 8.7% of Barking and Dagenham residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked over 49 hours per week. This figure decreased from 9.5% in 2011.
In 2021, just over one in nine people (11.4%) said they worked 15 hours or less per week, compared with 9.0% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week decreased from 61.4% to 58.7%.
This area had Greater London's lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week. Enfield had London's next lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week (9.6%), while City of London had the region's highest percentage (31.9%).
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in Barking and Dagenham decreased by 0.8 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over and in employment
by the number of hours worked per week,
| 15 hours or less worked | 9.0 | 11.4 | 8.8 | 10.7 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 9.0%
11.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 20.1 | 21.2 | 17.0 | 17.4 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 20.1%
21.2% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 61.4 | 58.7 | 58.4 | 58.6 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 61.4%
58.7% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 9.5 | 8.7 | 15.9 | 13.3 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 9.5%
8.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Barking and Dagenham residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 127,400 Barking and Dagenham residents said they were born in England. This represented 58.2% of the local population. The figure has risen from just under 126,800 in 2011, which at the time represented 68.2% of Barking and Dagenham's population.
Nigeria was the next most represented, with around 9,400 Barking and Dagenham residents reporting this country of birth (4.3%). This figure was up from just under 8,700 in 2011, which at the time represented 4.7% of the population of Barking and Dagenham.
The number of Barking and Dagenham residents born in Romania rose from around 1,300 in 2011 (0.7% of the local population) to just over 9,400 in 2021 (4.3%).
In 2021, 58.2% of Barking and Dagenham residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 68.2 | 58.2 | 61.1 | 57.7 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 68.2%
58.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 4.7 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 4.7%
4.3% |
| Romania | 0.7 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.7%
4.3% |
| Bangladesh | 1.9 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.9%
4.2% |
| Pakistan | 2.3 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.3%
3.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Barking and Dagenham in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
Ethnic groups in Barking and Dagenham
In 2021, 25.9% of Barking and Dagenham residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 15.9% in 2011. The 9.9 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.
Across London, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 18.5% to 20.7%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.
In 2021, 44.9% of people in Barking and Dagenham identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 58.3% in 2011), while 21.4% identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category (compared with 20.0% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category increased from 4.2% in 2011 to 4.3% 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, 25.9% of usual residents in Barking and Dagenham identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 15.9 | 25.9 | 18.5 | 20.7 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 15.9%
25.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 20.0 | 21.4 | 13.3 | 13.5 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 20.0%
21.4% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 4.2 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 4.2%
4.3% |
| White | 58.3 | 44.9 | 59.8 | 53.8 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 58.3%
44.9% |
| Other ethnic groups | 1.6 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 6.3 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 1.6%
3.6% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in Barking and Dagenham
In 2021, 24.4% of Barking and Dagenham residents described themselves as Muslim, up from 13.7% in 2011. The rise of 10.7 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Barking and Dagenham. 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 London, the percentage of residents who described themselves as Muslim increased from 12.6% to 15.0%, while across England the percentage increased from 5.0% to 6.7%.
In 2021, 45.4% of people in Barking and Dagenham described themselves as Christian (down from 56.0%), while 18.8% reported having "No religion" (down from 18.9% 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, 24.4% of usual residents in Barking and Dagenham described themselves as Muslim
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 18.9 | 18.8 | 21.0 | 27.1 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 18.9%
18.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 56.0 | 45.4 | 48.7 | 40.7 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 56.0%
45.4% |
| Buddhist | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5%
0.4% |
| Hindu | 2.4 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.4%
3.0% |
| Jewish | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2%
0.1% |
| Muslim | 13.7 | 24.4 | 12.6 | 15.0 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 13.7%
24.4% |
| Sikh | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.6%
2.0% |
| Other | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3%
0.4% |
| Not answered | 6.4 | 5.5 | 7.7 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.4%
5.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Change in unpaid care provision
Barking and Dagenham saw England's joint largest percentage-point fall (alongside Tower Hamlets) in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care (from 3.5% in 2011 to 2.9% 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.
Barrow-in-Furness (from 3.6% to 3.1%) and Newham (from 3.1% to 2.6%) saw the country's next largest decreases in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.
Despite the decrease, Barking and Dagenham was in the highest 35% of English local authority areas for the share of people (aged five years and over) providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in 2021.
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 those providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Barking and Dagenham decreased by 0.6 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents (aged five years and over)
by hours per week of unpaid care provision,
| Does not provide weekly unpaid care | 89.0 | 91.9 | 89.7 | 92.2 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 89.0%
91.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 5.6 | 3.0 | 6.4 | 3.8 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 5.6%
3.0% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.0%
2.1% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 3.5 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 3.5%
2.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in Barking and Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham saw London's third-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 19.5% in 2011 to 23.8% in 2021).
Across the region, only City of London (from 25.4% to 33.1%) and Havering (from 5.7% to 10.3%) saw a greater increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK.
Because of its small size, comparisons to City of London should be made with caution.
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 Barking and Dagenham increased by 4.4 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 26.7 | 56.8 | 30.9 | 56.9 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 26.7%
56.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1%
0.0% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0%
0.0% |
| English only identity | 46.8 | 10.1 | 37.1 | 8.2 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 46.8%
10.1% |
| English and British only identity | 4.9 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 6.8 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 4.9%
6.3% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.6%
0.2% |
| Non-UK identity only | 19.5 | 23.8 | 22.4 | 22.5 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 19.5%
23.8% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 1.5 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 1.5%
2.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Rise in private renting
The increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes was greater in Barking and Dagenham (6.5 percentage points) than across England (3.6 percentage points).
In Barking and Dagenham, the percentage of private renting increased from 17.7% in 2011 to 24.2% in 2021. During the same period, the percentage across England increased from 16.8% to 20.5%.
The rate of social renting in Barking and Dagenham fell from 33.7% to 31.5%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 46.4% to 42.4%.
Private renting in Barking and Dagenham increased by 6.5 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 46.4 | 42.4 | 48.3 | 45.2 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 46.4%
42.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.3%
1.7% |
| Social rented | 33.7 | 31.5 | 24.1 | 23.1 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 33.7%
31.5% |
| Private rented | 17.7 | 24.2 | 25.1 | 30.0 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 17.7%
24.2% |
| Lives rent free | 1.0 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.0%
0.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability in Barking and Dagenham
In 2021, 9.0% of Barking and Dagenham residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 12.2% 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 11 people (8.9%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 11.0% in 2011. The proportion of Barking and Dagenham residents who were not disabled increased from 76.9% to 82.1%.
The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot was greater in Barking and Dagenham (3.2 percentage points) than across London (2.3 percentage points, from 9.4% to 7.1%). Across England, the proportion fell by 1.6 percentage points, from 9.1% to 7.5%.
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 lot in Barking and Dagenham decreased by 3.2 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 12.2 | 9.0 | 9.4 | 7.1 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 12.2%
9.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 11.0 | 8.9 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 11.0%
8.9% |
| Not disabled | 76.9 | 82.1 | 80.8 | 84.3 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 76.9%
82.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health in Barking and Dagenham
In 2021, 43.3% of Barking and Dagenham residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 39.1% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 34.7% to 34.2%. 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 Barking and Dagenham residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 2.0% to 1.7%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 6.7% 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 very good health in Barking and Dagenham increased by 4.2 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 39.1 | 43.3 | 44.5 | 49.0 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 39.1%
43.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 34.7 | 34.2 | 34.3 | 32.9 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 34.7%
34.2% |
| Fair health | 17.5 | 15.2 | 14.6 | 12.6 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 17.5%
15.2% |
| Bad health | 6.7 | 5.6 | 5.1 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 6.7%
5.6% |
| Very bad health | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 2.0%
1.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
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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xlsx (1.5 MB)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.
Related links
Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022
What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.
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
census.customerservices@ons.gov.ukTelephone: +44 1329 44 4972