Together with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), we have published
a new report capturing insights from a roundtable discussion on the future of UK population statistics and the 2031 Census.
The roundtable, held in November 2025, connected senior figures from across the UK statistical system with statistics users to explore how population statistics must evolve. With declining survey response rates, fast-changing user needs, and growing use of administrative data, the discussion focused on how to ensure statistics remain robust, relevant and trusted. The discussion aimed to inform early thinking around the design of the 2031 Censusand to support the production of tcoherent population statistics that serve the public good.
Participants examined the balance between traditional census approaches and the growing role of administrative and alternative data sources, as well as what users need from population statistics in the years ahead. Clear priorities emerged: inclusivity, transparency, methodological coherence and the communication of uncertainty.
Key suggestions from the roundtable included:
- Strengthening engagement and accessibility by broadening outreach, improving digital and language accessibility and moving towards more open, iterative dialogue with users
- Modernising methods and data integration, including updating questionnaire content to reflect modern living and working patterns, embedding experiments to inform future censuses, and making greater use of administrative data in a carefully governed way
- Improving communication of uncertainty and revisions, with clearer narratives explaining differences between population estimates, transparent revision strategies and better education for users about quality and uncertainty
- Preserving geographic continuity and trust, particularly in light of planned local government changes, through the development of stable mid-scale geographies and coordinated UK-wide outputs.
The report underscores the value of early, collaborative engagement between producers, regulators and users, and the importance of planning population statistics as a coherent system rather than a single point-in-time exercise.
Reflections from ONS and OSR emphasise a shared commitment to openness, user engagement and high-quality outputs as planning for the 2031 Census continues.
Read the full report.