The population passed 92,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Torfaen increased by 1.3%, from around 91,100 in 2011 to around 92,300 in 2021.
This means Torfaen's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of Wales. The population of Wales increased by 1.4%, from 3,063,000 to 3,107,000.
In 2021, Torfaen was home to around 5.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This area was the third-most densely populated out of all 22 local authority areas across Wales (after Cardiff and Newport).
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 similar in Torfaen to Wales as a whole
Percentage population change, Torfaen and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
Wales ▲1.4% Torfaen ▲1.3%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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Median age in Torfaen
Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Torfaen increased by one year, from 41 to 42 years of age.
This area had a lower average (median) age than nearby Monmouthshire (49 years) and had a similar average (median) age to Wales as a whole (42 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 65 to 74 years rose by around 1,800 (an increase of 20.9%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 2,200 (12.0% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 1.8 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.4%
2.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 6.1%
6.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 9.5 | 11.3 | 9.8 | 11.6 | 9.8 | 11.6 | 9.5%
11.3% |
| 50 to 64 years | 19.6 | 20.7 | 19.4 | 20.5 | 19.4 | 20.5 | 19.6%
20.7% |
| 35 to 49 years | 20.3 | 17.6 | 20.1 | 17.6 | 20.1 | 17.6 | 20.3%
17.6% |
| 25 to 34 years | 11.7 | 13.1 | 11.8 | 12.3 | 11.8 | 12.3 | 11.7%
13.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6.1 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 6.0 | 6.1%
5.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 5.3 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 5.3%
4.1% |
| 10 to 15 years | 7.5 | 7.3 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.5%
7.3% |
| 5 to 9 years | 5.5 | 5.9 | 5.3 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 5.7 | 5.5%
5.9% |
| 4 years and under | 5.9 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 5.0 | 5.8 | 5.0 | 5.9%
5.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fall in proportion of Welsh speakers
The percentage of Welsh speakers in Torfaen fell from 9.8% in 2011 to 8.2% in 2021.
In 2021, there were around 1,300 fewer Welsh-speaking Torfaen residents (over the age of three years) compared with 2011. The number of people who did not speak Welsh increased by 2,800.
In nearby Monmouthshire, 8.7% of people over the age of three years could speak Welsh, down from 9.9% at the 2011 Census. Across Wales, the percentage of Welsh speakers fell from 19.0% to 17.8%.
The percentage of people who could speak Welsh in Torfaen decreased by 1.6 percentage points
Percentage of people aged three years and over
by ability to speak Welsh,
| Cannot speak Welsh | 90.2 | 91.8 | 81.0 | 82.2 | 81.0 | 82.2 | 90.2%
91.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can speak Welsh | 9.8 | 8.2 | 19.0 | 17.8 | 19.0 | 17.8 | 9.8%
8.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care in Torfaen
Torfaen saw Wales' joint second-largest percentage-point fall (alongside Neath Port Talbot and Monmouthshire) in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (from 7.9% in 2011 to 4.9% 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.
Wales' largest decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care occurred in Vale of Glamorgan (from 8.3% to 5.1%).
Every local authority area across Wales saw a fall in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care, as the proportion across Wales fell from 7.4% to 4.7%.
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 Torfaen decreased by 3.0 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 | 85.9 | 88.6 | 87.0 | 89.5 | 87.0 | 89.5 | 85.9%
88.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 7.9 | 4.9 | 7.4 | 4.7 | 7.4 | 4.7 | 7.9%
4.9% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 2.1%
2.5% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 4.2 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 4.2%
4.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in Torfaen
Torfaen saw Wales' largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people who identified as "Welsh and British only" (from 8.3% in 2011 to 10.1% in 2021).
Rhondda Cynon Taf saw the country's next largest increase in the percentage of people who identified as "Welsh and British only" (from 8.1% in 2011 to 9.8% in 2021).
Every local authority area across Wales saw a rise in the percentage of people who identified as "Welsh and British only", as the percentage across Wales grew from 7.1% to 8.1%.
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 identified as "Welsh and British only" in Torfaen increased by 1.9 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 15.2 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 18.5 | 16.9 | 18.5 | 15.2%
16.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 66.2 | 63.1 | 57.5 | 55.2 | 57.5 | 55.2 | 66.2%
63.1% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 8.3 | 10.1 | 7.1 | 8.1 | 7.1 | 8.1 | 8.3%
10.1% |
| English only identity | 6.5 | 5.5 | 11.2 | 9.1 | 11.2 | 9.1 | 6.5%
5.5% |
| English and British only identity | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.7%
1.1% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.5%
1.4% |
| Non-UK identity only | 1.4 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 1.4%
1.9% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.2%
0.6% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
More adults never married or in a civil partnership
Torfaen saw Wales' joint third-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Blaenau Gwent) in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership (from 31.1% in 2011 to 35.7% in 2021).
Wales' largest increases in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership occurred in Neath Port Talbot (from 31.2% to 36.6%) followed by Rhondda Cynon Taf (from 33.9% to 38.8%).
During this period, Torfaen remained the 11th-lowest for the share of adults who had never been married or in a civil partnership (out of all 22 Welsh local authority areas). In 2021, Torfaen was ranked 12th-highest out of the 22 Welsh local authority areas for the percentage of adults who had never been married or in a civil partnership. In 2011, it was ranked 12th-lowest.
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 had never married or registered a civil partnership in Torfaen increased by 4.5 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 31.1 | 35.7 | 33.5 | 37.2 | 33.5 | 37.2 | 31.1%
35.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 47.9 | 44.3 | 46.7 | 43.8 | 46.7 | 43.8 | 47.9%
44.3% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 2.2 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.2%
2.1% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 10.4 | 10.6 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 10.4%
10.6% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 8.3 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 8.3%
7.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Rise in private renting
In 2021, 11.2% of Torfaen households rented privately. This figure increased from 8.6% in 2011.
In 2021, just under one in four households (23.8%) lived in socially rented housing, compared with 23.6% in 2011. The percentage of Torfaen households that owned their home (outright or with a mortgage or loan) decreased from 66.2% to 64.4%.
This area had the country's lowest percentage of privately-rented homes and the highest percentage of households in the social rented sector. Flintshire had Wales' next-lowest percentage of privately-rented homes (13.2%), while Cardiff had the country's highest percentage (24.3%).
Private renting in Torfaen increased by 2.6 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 66.2 | 64.4 | 67.4 | 66.1 | 67.4 | 66.1 | 66.2%
64.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5%
0.6% |
| Social rented | 23.6 | 23.8 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 23.6%
23.8% |
| Private rented | 8.6 | 11.2 | 14.1 | 17.0 | 14.1 | 17.0 | 8.6%
11.2% |
| Lives rent free | 1.0 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 1.0%
0.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in Torfaen
In 2021, 50.8% of Torfaen residents reported having "No religion", making it the most common response in this local authority area (up from 35.8% in 2011). 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 Wales, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 32.1% to 46.5%.
In 2021, 41.5% of people in Torfaen described themselves as Christian (down from 55.4%), while 6.1% did not state their religion (down from 7.6% 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, 50.8% of usual residents in Torfaen reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 35.8 | 50.8 | 32.1 | 46.5 | 32.1 | 46.5 | 35.8%
50.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 55.4 | 41.5 | 57.6 | 43.6 | 57.6 | 43.6 | 55.4%
41.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2%
0.3% |
| Hindu | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3%
0.3% |
| Jewish | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0%
0.0% |
| Muslim | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.3%
0.4% |
| Sikh | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| Other | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3%
0.5% |
| Not answered | 7.6 | 6.1 | 7.6 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 6.3 | 7.6%
6.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Torfaen residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 77,300 Torfaen residents said they were born in Wales. This represented 83.8% of the local population. The figure has decreased from around 77,500 in 2011, which at the time represented 85.1% of Torfaen's population.
England was the next most represented, with around 10,900 Torfaen residents reporting this country of birth (11.8%). This figure was up from just over 10,200 in 2011, which at the time represented 11.3% of the population of Torfaen.
The number of Torfaen residents born in Scotland fell from around 600 in 2011 (0.7% of the local population) to just over 550 in 2021 (0.6%).
In 2021, 83.8% of Torfaen residents reported their country of birth as Wales
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| Wales | 85.1 | 83.8 | 72.7 | 70.9 | 72.7 | 70.9 | 85.1%
83.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 11.3 | 11.8 | 20.8 | 21.2 | 20.8 | 21.2 | 11.3%
11.8% |
| Scotland | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7%
0.6% |
| Germany | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3%
0.3% |
| Poland | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.1%
0.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Torfaen in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
Disability in Torfaen
In 2021, 11.9% of Torfaen residents were identified as being disabled and limited a little. This figure increased from 11.4% 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 over one in nine people (11.2%) were identified as being disabled and limited a lot, compared with 13.6% in 2011. The proportion of Torfaen residents who were not disabled increased from 75.1% to 76.9%.
Torfaen saw Wales' joint third-largest rise (alongside Conwy) in the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little. This area had the country's highest proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little and the sixth highest proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot.
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 Torfaen increased by 0.5 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 13.6 | 11.2 | 12.3 | 10.0 | 12.3 | 10.0 | 13.6%
11.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 11.4 | 11.9 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 11.4%
11.9% |
| Not disabled | 75.1 | 76.9 | 76.6 | 78.9 | 76.6 | 78.9 | 75.1%
76.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health in Torfaen
In 2021, 42.7% of Torfaen residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 42.0% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" rose from 32.9% 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 Torfaen residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 2.2% to 1.8%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 6.8% to 6.0%.
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 bad health in Torfaen decreased by 0.4 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 42.0 | 42.7 | 45.7 | 46.6 | 45.7 | 46.6 | 42.0%
42.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 32.9 | 34.2 | 31.4 | 32.5 | 31.4 | 32.5 | 32.9%
34.2% |
| Fair health | 16.1 | 15.4 | 15.0 | 14.1 | 15.0 | 14.1 | 16.1%
15.4% |
| Bad health | 6.8 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.1 | 6.0 | 5.1 | 6.8%
6.0% |
| Very bad health | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 2.2%
1.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Family in Torfaen
Of Torfaen households, 16.6% included a couple but no children in 2021, down from 17.3% in 2011.
In 2021, Torfaen was ranked 10th-highest out of the 22 Welsh local authority areas for the percentage of households including a couple without children. In 2011, it was ranked 14th-lowest.
The decrease in the percentage of households including a couple but no children was greater in nearby Monmouthshire (1.5 percentage points) than in Torfaen (0.7 percentage points). In nearby Monmouthshire, the percentage fell from 20.0% in 2011 to 18.4% in 2021, while across Wales, the percentage fell from 17.2% to 16.5%.
The percentage of households including a couple without children in Torfaen decreased by 0.7 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 13.6 | 14.1 | 13.7 | 14.6 | 13.7 | 14.6 | 13.6%
14.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 15.4 | 16.5 | 17.1 | 17.3 | 17.1 | 17.3 | 15.4%
16.5% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 17.3 | 16.6 | 17.2 | 16.5 | 17.2 | 16.5 | 17.3%
16.6% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 19.8 | 17.5 | 18.4 | 16.9 | 18.4 | 16.9 | 19.8%
17.5% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 7.5 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.5%
7.6% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 12.3 | 13.2 | 11.4 | 12.0 | 11.4 | 12.0 | 12.3%
13.2% |
| Other household types | 14.1 | 14.5 | 15.4 | 15.8 | 15.4 | 15.8 | 14.1%
14.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Employment in Torfaen
Of Torfaen residents aged 16 years and over, 52.9% said they were employed (excluding full-time students) in 2021, a similar percentage as in 2011 (53.0%).
In 2021, just over 1 in 40 people (2.7%) said they were unemployed, compared with 4.3% in 2011. The percentage of retired Torfaen residents increased from 24.7% to 24.9%.
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed fell from 55.9% to 53.7% in nearby Monmouthshire. Across Wales, the percentage fell from 52.5% to 51.9%.
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.
In 2021, 52.9% of usual residents aged 16 years and over said they were employed (excluding full-time students) in Torfaen
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 53.0 | 52.9 | 52.5 | 51.9 | 52.5 | 51.9 | 53.0%
52.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 4.3 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 2.5 | 4.3%
2.7% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 1.8%
1.2% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5%
0.4% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 24.7 | 24.9 | 24.0 | 24.7 | 24.0 | 24.7 | 24.7%
24.9% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 3.6 | 3.7 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 3.6%
3.7% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 4.0 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.0%
4.6% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 6.3 | 6.8 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 6.3%
6.8% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 1.9%
2.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Change in work hours
The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week was greater in nearby Monmouthshire (3.0 percentage points) than in Torfaen (0.9 percentage points).
In Torfaen, the percentage of long hours workers decreased from 9.4% in 2011 to 8.5% in 2021. During the same period, the percentage in nearby Monmouthshire decreased from 15.8% to 12.8%.
The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Torfaen fell from 8.2% to 7.5%, while the percentage of adults in employment who worked 31 to 48 hours increased from 61.9% to 64.3%.
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 Torfaen decreased by 0.9 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 | 8.2 | 7.5 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 8.2%
7.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 20.6 | 19.8 | 21.0 | 20.9 | 21.0 | 20.9 | 20.6%
19.8% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 61.9 | 64.3 | 57.8 | 59.8 | 57.8 | 59.8 | 61.9%
64.3% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 9.4 | 8.5 | 11.9 | 10.2 | 11.9 | 10.2 | 9.4%
8.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in Torfaen
In 2021, 1.1% of Torfaen residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 0.7% in 2011. The 0.4 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.
Across Wales, the percentage of people from "Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" increased from 1.0% to 1.6%.
In 2021, 97.1% of people in Torfaen identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 98.0% in 2011), while 1.3% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 1.1% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 0.1% in 2011 to 0.3% 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, 1.1% of usual residents in Torfaen identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.1%
1.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.2%
0.2% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.7%
1.1% |
| White | 98.0 | 97.1 | 95.6 | 93.8 | 95.6 | 93.8 | 98.0%
97.1% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.1%
0.3% |
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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Download the data used in this article
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