England and Wales Census 2021 - Workforce qualification levels across England and Wales data

Census 2021 data on the highest qualification levels of the economically active population, by region and local authority. These tables also include a composite index score used to compare the qualification levels of the workforces in different areas, and the most similar local authorities in terms of qualification level profile.

Figures are individually rounded to the nearest 5. Figures may not add exactly due to this rounding. The composite index score is based on unrounded counts, so when calculated based on rounded counts will not be exactly the same.

Figures are for economically active usual residents aged 16 and above. The current workforce are economically active people who are employed and unemployed (including those who are looking for work and could start in the next two weeks, and those who are waiting to start a job that has been offered and accepted).

Figures are based on geography boundaries as of 1 April 2022.

Quality notes can be found here

Economically Active (referred to as ‘total workforce’ in data tables)

People aged 16 years and over are economically active if, between 15 March and 21 March 2021, they were

• in employment (an employee or self-employed)
• unemployed, but looking for work and could start within two weeks 
• unemployed, but waiting to start a job that had been offered and accepted 

Highest Level of Qualification

The highest level of qualification is derived from the question asking people to indicate all qualifications held, or their nearest equivalent This may include foreign qualifications where they were matched to the closest UK equivalent.

See a more detailed description here

Highest Level of Qualification Index Score

For Census 2021, we use a qualification rank index score to compare how highly qualified population groups are. It converts a person's highest qualification into a single metric and creates an average rank score for the population.

See more details here

Usual Resident

A usual resident is anyone who on Census Day, 21 March 2021 was in the UK and had stayed or intended to stay in the UK for a period of 12 months or more, or had a permanent UK address and was outside the UK and intended to be outside the UK for less than 12 months