Approximated Social Grade on the 2021 - 22 Censuses

Approximated Social Grade (ASG) has been produced for the last three censuses – 2001, 2011 and now 2021-22.  ASG uses an algorithm, developed by members of the MRS Census & GeoDems Group, that assigns a likely Social Grade value to each household based on the characteristics of the Household Reference Person (HRP).  The HRP is the Census equivalent to the Chief Income Earner used for social grading in market research.  ASG data exists for HRPs aged 16-64;  outside this age range, the predicted social grade is not sufficiently accurate.

The 2021-22 ASG approach is broadly similar to that taken for 2011, however the 2020’s development employs different modelling techniques using different variables.  Therefore, it would be misleading to use Census outputs to examine trends in Social Grade profiles since 2011. Further details of the 2011 Social Grade model may be found here here.

Development Report
This document summarises how Social Grade has been mapped to the 2021 Census for England & Wales. The same algorithm was applied to the 2021 Northern Ireland Census and a similar approach was used for the 2022 Scotland Census.

England & Wales

The Office for National Statistics has released a series of Census 2021 output tables and datasets on Approximated Social Grade (ASG).    The outputs on ASG includes cross-tabs on HRPs and characteristics of usual residents.  All ASG datasets and tables are for households containing Household Reference Persons aged 16 to 64.  

The datasets are downloadable from the Nomis website, at various levels of geography from total England & Wales down to Output Areas.  See Census 2021 data on Nomis here. 

Alongside this release, ONS has published a statistical bulletin on the new ASG data – the bulletin is available from here. 

Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency has released two output tables on ASG.  NISRA applied the same algorithm as ONS and the tables are also for households containing Household Reference Persons aged 16 to 64.

Further information and to download the outputs see here 

Scotland

The ASG algorithm was rebuilt for application to the Scotland 2022 Census due to differences in the data map for a couple of the predictor variables.  The same modelling approach was followed as for England & Wales and the quality of the results was very similar.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) has made ASG data available initially via its Flexible Table Builder tool see here

This allows the user to analyse and download ASG by other variables, both for Household Reference Persons (HRPs) and Persons. Various levels of geography are available, from total Scotland down to Scottish Data Zones. A Data Zone is equivalent to a Lower Super Output Area (LSOA). 

When using Flexible Table Builder: for HRP’s, first select Households within a geographical level, and Household Reference Persons then appears as a selectable heading.  Social Grade is listed and may be selected to build a table.  For Individuals, select Person to obtain an expanded list of variables, and Social Grade appears in the Labour Market Group.  

Several bulk output tables on ASG for Output Areas have been requested from NRS. Once these have been approved and created, they will be available in the set of pre-defined tables, available from here.

For further information, the Scotland Census may be contacted via:  www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/contact-us

Applying the Social Grade approximation to other data

The Social Grade approximation can be modelled onto an external dataset, such as a market research survey, using the algorithm that was applied to the 2021 Census in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

To achieve this, it is essential that the dataset exactly follows a required data map, i.e. contains all the necessary variables, presented in a required order and coded exactly as specified.   

The algorithm may also be applied to data for Scotland, provided that it exactly follows the same data map.

The process and data map are explained in this document. The algorithm involves running a set of R scripts which may be downloaded here.

A regional comparison of Census Approximated Social Grade vs. Barb Establishment Survey data

This report, prepared for JICPOPS by Ipsos, was produced to examine the ability of Approximated Social Grade (ASG) to predict Social Grade at regional level. The report has been updated to include 2022 Census ASG results for Scotland and additional data for Northern Ireland on ASG of individuals.

The analysis is in line with the corresponding evaluation carried out on the 2011 Census ASG output.  The report includes comparable results on the 2011 measure, where available.

The report provides strong evidence that Approximate Social Grade is a good predictor of Social Grade at a regional level. The report can be downloaded from here.