In the UK, census data is collected every 10 years in order to provide information on the population. This data is important government, commerce, and industry. Since 1841, respondents provide information about their country of birth, and nationality, this information on is important to determine the makeup of country. In the 1970s, anti-discrimination laws were concretized, and it became clear that questions on the country of birth and nationality were not sufficient to capture the ethnic and cultural diversity of the country. Some members of ethnic minorities can trace their ancestors in the UK for several generations, and still belong as a part of thevisible minority, but yet could still not be recognized as being part of a group with the potential for discrimination experience. 

The question of ethnic origin could have been introduced in the 1981 census, but was postponed after some discussions. The debate focused on the possibility, and legitimacy of classifying people in racialized and ethnic categories. Some argued that it would be politically, and morally reprehensible, as the concept of race would be revived, and surveys could lead to further disadvantage minorities. The ‘Commission for Racial Equality’ (CRE) could not support and examine the implementation of anti-discrimination guidelines without data. Some tests on surveys were carried out between 1975 and 1989. These showed that minorities had generally no objections regarding the questions being surveyed, but were against the interrogation methods.

In the 1991 census, the question of ethnic origin was incorporated into the census. Over time, the categories available were modified. The affiliation to an ethnic group is seen as a personal identity, instead of as an objective fact. Therefore, self-identification is a central component of any survey. Respondents are given the possibility to choose between a selection of predetermined categories, ‘other’, or the option to specify more precisely.

In the 1991 census, respondents could choose between the following categories: White, Black Caribbean, Black African, Black, other Black: please describe, Indian, Pakistani Bangladeshi, Chines, or other ethnic group with a possibility to add on. People coming from different groups were instructed to select the category which they most associated with, or to specify further.

It was criticized that categories were partly built on ethnic and racialized elements, and as a result lead to the racialization of ethnic groups. Other groups started campaigns for the inclusion of additional categories that reflect their collective identity. Since the 2001 census, some amendments have been implemented. The category ‘White’ was further split into ‘British’, ‘Irish’, and ‘other white backgrounds’ with supplementary resources. This was done in order to make diversity within this category visible. The category ‘Asian or Asian-British’ contained the specifications ‘Indian’, ‘Pakistani’, “Bangladeshi’ and ‘other Asian backgrounds’. The category ‘Black or Black British’ included ‘Caribbean’, ‘African’ or ‘other black backgrounds’. There were other options of ‘Chinese’ and ‘other ethnic groups’. The possibility for the further breakdown of ‘mixed race’ was provided in the options ‘white and black Caribbean’, ‘white and black African’, ‘white and Asian’, or ‘other mixed backgrounds: please specify’.

The 2011 census introduced the category ‘Traveller/Gyspy’. Questionnaires varied depending on the location of the survey, distinguishing specific questions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Only the sub-categories can be harmonized.