I am extremely grateful to the hundreds of thousands of households across the country who have already come forward and added their voices to this important national dialogue. However, I know many have yet to complete their return and with Census Day on March 20, I want to explain why the Census is still vital in 21st Century Scotland and why we need your participation.

The Scottish census provides the government and other key decision-makers with important information about the population, so they can decide where best to invest billions of pounds of public money. For example, population growth in your area may reveal that a new school is needed, or perhaps your community’s results show that more support is needed for people whose English language skills make it more difficult to learn. access to services.

The census provides a unique national and local snapshot of Scotland’s population at any given time. This is not an abstract search, census data shapes many services that we rely on in our daily lives. But it is only effective if it correctly reflects the size and needs of our society.

For example, census data previously benefited the community of Loanhead, Midlothian, where they acquired a new center to support continued regeneration. The £15.6m center brought together Paradykes Primary School, Loanhead Library, Loanhead Medical Practice, community and leisure facilities, and a learning and childcare center . Having all of these facilities together has broken down barriers to use and provides a more integrated approach to those accessing these services.

In Edinburgh, the charity Dads Rock used census information to help them reach groups of fathers to raise awareness of the charity and better interact with those where language was a barrier to participation.

Planning for the £1.35billion Queensferry Crossing used census data to decide on the need for the bridge, its location and its size. Planners consulted census data on the type of vehicles households own, travel patterns and population information.

Completing the census is one of the most important things you can do for your local community, as well as a civic responsibility, it is also a legal responsibility.

We are here to help and support you with more information via our website or our freephone number 08000308308.

Thank you for taking part in the Scottish Census 2022.

Paul Lowe is Registrar General and Managing Director of National Records of Scotland