Over two million households return Scottish census online as return rate exceeds 85%

Scotland’s online census return has hit its two million milestone mark as 99% of households have opted to return the once in a decade form digitally.

According to the latest figures released by National Records of Scotland (NRS), the current national completion figure stands at 86%, with the majority submitting the form online and around 250,000 households returning it by paper.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Scotland’s census 2022 passed the 85% return rate milestone in 25 local authority areas.

It is the first time that Scots have had the chance to complete the census, which happens every ten years, online.

It provides data which in turn has an impact on areas such as public services and funding and is intended to reflect Scotland’s varied society.

Paul Lowe, chief executive of NRS, said that the online return rate of 99% “reflects the popularity and acceptability” of the approach and will inform how the census is run in the future.

He said: “As the first ever principally digital census in Scotland, it’s been fantastic to see more than two million households choose to complete their census successfully online.

“Earlier this week we also crossed a number of milestones, with over 2.2 million household responses received, exceeding an 85% national return rate and 25 local authorities exceeding 85%. I want to thank everyone who has already filled in their census.”

He went on to urge those who have not already completed the census to do so.

Mr Lowe added: “You only have until the end of the month to make sure that your voice is heard. Census data is used to make important decisions on vital public services like schools, hospitals, housing and public transport, so filling it in really makes a difference to you, your family and your community.”

There have been over 1.58 million visits by census field staff to the doorsteps of people who have not already filled the census in and 370,000 calls to the contact centre as well as 65,000 emails and web chat enquiries answered.

If you haven’t completed your census visit the website census.gov.scot or call the freephone helpline number on 0800 030 8308.