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This page was last updated on 23 July 2007
Ethnic monitoring categories for England and Wales
If you operate in England and Wales, or in England or Wales only, you will need to use a question that is the same as, or very similar to, the England and Wales census question, and compare your data with England and Wales census output data.
Devolution reflects an increasing national consciousness in England and Wales, with many people wanting their national identity to be acknowledged.
Furthermore, the CRE recommends that local authorities and housing associations add two separate categories for Gypsies and Irish Travellers in all ethnic monitoring arrangements. Other public bodies may wish to consider doing this too.
The second list below is a slightly expanded version of the ethnic questions used in the 2001 census in England and Wales, which you can use if you need to take these into account.
Census question
| What is your ethnic group? Choose ONE section from A to E, then tick the appropriate box to indicate your cultural background. | ||
| A | White | |
| British | ||
| Irish | ||
| Any other White background, please write in | ||
| B | Mixed | |
| White and Black Caribbean | ||
| White and Black African | ||
| White and Asian | ||
| Any other Mixed background, please write in | ||
| C | Asian or Asian British | |
| Indian | ||
| Pakistani | ||
| Bangladeshi | ||
| Any other Asian background, please write in | ||
| D | Black or Black British | |
| Caribbean | ||
| African | ||
| Any other Black background, please write in | ||
| E | Chinese or other ethnic group | |
| Chinese | ||
| Any other, please write in | ||
Alternative, expanded question
| What is your ethnic group? Choose ONE section from A to E, then tick the appropriate box to indicate your cultural background. | ||
| A | White | |
| British | ||
| English | ||
| Scottish | ||
| Welsh | ||
| Other, please write in | ||
| Irish | ||
| Gypsy | ||
| Irish Traveller | ||
| Any other White background, please write in | ||
| B | Mixed | |
| White and Black Caribbean | ||
| White and Black African | ||
| White and Asian | ||
| Any other Mixed background, please write in | ||
| C | Asian, Asian British, Asian English, Asian Scottish, or Asian Welsh | |
| Indian | ||
| Pakistani | ||
| Bangladeshi | ||
| Any other Asian background, please write in | ||
| D | Black, Black British, Black English, Black Scottish, or Black Welsh | |
| Caribbean | ||
| African | ||
| Any other Black background, please write in | ||
| E | Chinese, Chinese British, Chinese English, Chinese Scottish, Chinese Welsh, or other ethnic group | |
| Chinese | ||
| Any other background, please write in | ||
