Scotland's New Official Ethnicity Classification for Scottish Official Statistics and for Scotland's 2011 Census
In 2002 the then Communities Minister promised to review the way that Scottish surveys classify ethnicity, to ensure that they reflect modern circumstances, meets users' information needs and have broad community support.
This followed recommendations by the Race Equality Advisory Forum (REAF) in 2001 and some community concerns about the classification used in Scotland's 2001 Census - in particular the different use of colour and geography across ethnic group categories.
The Scottish Government (SG) worked in partnership with the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) to conduct the review. The review identified benefits in developing a separate national identity question for use on the Census and relevant Scottish Official Statistics. When used with the classification this would allow people to self-express their 'Scottish-ness', 'British-ness' or any other national identity, more fully, before they go on to express their ethnic origin or heritage.
The original version of the new ethnicity classification was finalised in July 2008 was recommended for Scotland's 2011 Census and relevant Scottish Official Statistics. Details of the background to the development of the classification together with the wide ranging evidence (including research, consultation and question testing) are set out in the detailed report below.
The classification was discussed by Members of the Scottish Parliament during considerations of the 2011 Census in Scotland and was subsequently amended for use in the Census. Details of the committee discussions can be seen in the Official Reports of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee (9th and 12th meetings) http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/eet/2010.htm
After further consultation and consideration, the Scottish Government has revised the ethnicity classification for use in Scottish Official Statistics to be consistent with the new Census question. Details of the classification can be found in the guidance document below.
Many organisations who collect ethnicity statistics will wish to adopt the new classification. It is also recommended that, where feasible, they also ask the national identity question (before the ethnic group questionurther details on the benefits of asking a national identity question, as well as some questions that have been tested so far, are also outlined in the report.
Practical guidance on using the new ethnic group classification has been published and can be found in the collecting equality information section.
Further Information