Changes in self-reported health associated with demographic and socioeconomic factors: Census 2011 and Census 2021 Wales

The analysis uses linked data from Census 2011, Census 2021 and death registrations.

Full data tables are published by the ONS, Changes in individual self-reported health between Census 2011 and Census 2021 (ONS).

• Age and health status of adult respondents to the Census in 2011 were the main factors associated with reporting good health, not good health or death status in 2021.
• 9 out of 10 people aged 16 to 19 in 2011 who reported good health remained in good health in 2021, this dropped to around 3 in 4 adults aged 55 to 59 years. 
• For older age groups 19.6% and 16.4% respectively for females and males aged 80 to 84 years remained in good health from 2011 to 2021.
• Around half of adults aged 16 to 24 years who reported being in not good health in 2011 transitioned into good health in 2021; this proportion declined across older age groups to around one in five for adults aged 60 to 64 years.
• The likelihood of reporting a change in health in 2021 varied considerably by ethnic group, deprivation, labour market engagement and household circumstances for adults in Wales
• Males and females who were in good health in 2011 and living in the lowest area-level deprivation had higher percentages remaining in good health (WIMD quintile 5: female 81.8%, male 80.3%) compared with those in the highest area-level deprivation (WIMD quintile 1: female 74.1%, male 74.5%). 
• Among males and females, the odds of transitioning from good health in 2011 into not good health were highest for those who were “economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled” when compared with those who were employed. 
• Both males and females living in social rented accommodation were almost twice as likely to transition from good health to not good health from 2011 to 2021 than those who owned their home. 
• Of those who reported good health in 2011, those living in a lone parent household had the highest odds of transitioning to not good health in 2021 when compared with those living as a couple.

Community and population health statistics
Email: stats.healthinfo@gov.wales

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