Guides and databases: Data and Statistics: Census and population

Census and population

Cross-National Time-Series Data Archive (CNTS Archive)
The CNTS archive has 196 variables and contains data for over 200 countries from 1815 onward (excluding 1914-1918 and 1940-1945). Data covers economic, political, population and demographic variables. Emphasis is on domestic conflict (events occurring within a particular country), political, legislative and economic data.
EIU Viewpoint
Combines the EIU’s expert political insights, policy analysis and economic outlook with forward-looking forecasts and proprietary data. Includes EIU Country Reports.
PolicyMap
PolicyMap offers easy-to-use online mapping with data on demographics, real estate, health, jobs and more in communities across the US.
Statista
Statista is an online portal for statistics consolidating statistical data on over 80,000 topics from more than 22,500 sources and covering over 170 different industries. Users can quickly find statistics of worldwide countries as well as obtain an overview of demographics from industry reports.

UK Data Service: Census data
The UKDS holds a range of different data, such as aggregate data, flow (of people from place to place) data, microdata and boundary data, as well as data related to the census, such as Experian data and deprivation data. All of the aggregate data and most of the flow and boundary data are available to anyone under the Open Government Licence. Census microdata has different access conditions depending on the dataset. For the 2021 Census, view the ONS site below, their Census mapping tool and Nomis.

UK census longitudinal data can be found at:

CeLSIUS: England and Wales (ONS LS)
SLS-DSU: Scotland (SLS)
NILS-RSU: Northern Ireland (NILS)
CALLS Hub: information on all three census longitudinal studies

UK Parliamentary Papers (ProQuest)
All census reports published as Parliamentary Papers are available in this database.

Selected websites:

Census Hub (Eurostat)
Contains the 2011 Census database (the results of the Population and Housing Censuses in Europe), providing users with easy access to detailed census data that are structured in the same way and methodologically comparable between countries. It should be noted that the census data disseminated here are not microdata; they are aggregated data structured according to the tables agreed with Member States and defined in the legal implementing rules for the census.
Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)
The DHS Program has collected, analysed, and disseminated accurate and representative data on population, health, HIV, and nutrition through more than 400 surveys in over 90 countries.
Gateway to Global Aging Data
A platform for population survey data on aging around the world.
Generations & Gender Programme
Longitudinal survey of 18-79 year olds in 19 countries that aims to improve our understanding of the various factors which affect the relationships between parents and children (generations) and between partners. A broad array of topics including fertility, partnership, the transition to adulthood, economic activity, care duties and attitudes are covered by the survey. Includes a separate contextual database that is organised around central topics closely linked to the program.
IPUMS TERRA (Integrated population and environmental data)
Integrates the world's population and environmental data, including population censuses and surveys, land cover information from remote sensing, climate records from weather stations and land use records from statistical agencies. Currently includes over 80 countries.
Nomis
Nomis is a service from the ONS that provides statistics related to population, society and the labour market at national, regional and local levels.
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
This is the principal source of official statistics and social research on Northern Ireland available to social scientists, policy makers and researchers. Thematic groupings of statistics include agriculture, fishing and forestry, crime and justice, labour market and population and migration.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) for England and Wales
The ONS is the official site of the UK government for census and other government surveys. Visitors are able to search statistics by area, region or place. Browsing by themes such as agriculture, business and energy, children, economy and health is also available.
Online Online Historical Population Reports (OHPR or Histpop)
The Online Historical Population Reports (OHPR) collection provides online access to the complete British population reports for Britain and Ireland from 1801 to 1937. It includes a wealth of textual and statistical material and provides an in-depth view of the economy, society (through births, deaths and marriages) and medicine during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is also popularly known as the Histpop project.
Oxford Institute of Population Ageing: Data

Collen Programme Data: The Collen Programme has developed interactive data visualisation tools to help explore key statistics on fertility. Interactive graphics on international population statistics and specific country profiles for Sub Saharan Africa are also available.

Global Ageing Survey (GLAS) contains interviews with 44,000 people aged 40-80 in 25 countries drawn from Asia, Americas, Europe and Africa carried out in 3 waves. It comprises cross comparative modules with HRS and SHARE on health and retirement, explores attitudes, expectations and behaviours towards later life and retirement, including financial planning for retirement.

Future of Retirement is a series of corporate reports produced for HSBC by the Institute.

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA): Population division
Produces constantly updated demographic estimates and projections for all countries, including population databases, population datasets, and data booklets.
United States Census Bureau
The official pages of the US government allowing data to be accessed according to topics such as population, economy, education, employment, housing, health, housing, international trade and population. Data may be downloaded or analysed using onsite geographic frameworks, mapping software and data visualisation tools.
World Population Prospects
Official UN population estimates and projections, the main results are presented in a series of Excel files displaying key demographic indicators for each development group, income group, region, sub-region and country or area for selected periods or dates within 1950-2100. A publication labelled Key findings and advance tables, which provide insights on the results of this latest revision, is also made available.