Population

Sociodemographic inequalities of dying by suicide

Categories: Census, Health, Population, Research

Reducing the number of people who die by suicide is of paramount importance. Every death from suicide is a tragedy, and behind every statistic is an individual, a family, and a community devastated by their loss. Today we have produced analysis estimating the rates of suicide by sociodemographic characteristics to understand which groups of people are at the highest risk. Here, Isobel Ward explains the research and why it is so important.

Read more on Sociodemographic inequalities of dying by suicide

Revolutionising administrative data: a look into the future of population and migration statistics

Categories: Census, migration, Office for National Statistics, Population
Crowds of people walking through a busy street

Census 2021 has delivered a wealth of insight over recent months and will soon embark on an innovative new ‘open source’ phase. In addition, the Office for National Statistics is evolving to deliver more frequent, timely and relevant population statistics to better meet user needs. Underpinned by a suite of research and evidence, this year will see a call for views on our ambitious work. Here, Jen Woolford explains what’s coming in 2023. 

Read more on Revolutionising administrative data: a look into the future of population and migration statistics

How many people have had COVID-19? The challenge of reinfections

Categories: Coronavirus, Data, Health, Office for National Statistics, ONS, Population

Since the appearance of Omicron variants in December 2021, the number of people being reinfected with COVID-19 has increased markedly. As Leanne Massie explains, this affects our ability to estimate the total number of people who have had COVID-19 at least once.

Read more on How many people have had COVID-19? The challenge of reinfections

How do we measure expected and excess deaths?

Categories: Coronavirus, Health, Office for National Statistics, ONS, Population, Research, Wellbeing
Close up image of death certificate

There has been widespread interest in the number of excess deaths across the UK. That is, the difference between the actual number of deaths observed and the number that was expected. But how do you calculate the expected number of deaths? Sarah Caul explains a new cross-UK initiative to take stock of how we calculate expected, and excess, deaths.  

Read more on How do we measure expected and excess deaths?

What matters most to people in the UK and has that changed over time?

Categories: Data, Economy, Environment, ONS, Population, Public Policy, Wellbeing
A group of people looking happy, they have their arms around each other and are in a park type setting with sunlight behind them

Since 2011, the ONS has been measuring ‘National Well-being’ to evaluate how we are doing as a nation. National Well-being includes the things that people have told us matter most to them, across the environment, society and economy. Here Liz McKeown looks at our GDP & Beyond work, focusing on responses to our recent online survey reviewing how we measure National Well-being. 

Read more on What matters most to people in the UK and has that changed over time?