The Annual Population Survey (APS) datasets were updated on 15 August 2023 with new figures for the Apr 2022 - Mar 2023 survey period. At the same time, occupational estimates have been revised and new Related Vocational Qualification (RFQ) estimates added.

Occupation revisions: occupational estimates have been revised back to the Apr 2020 - Mar 2021 period to correct the coding error identified in the SOC estimates. For more detail on the new methodology used and its impact, see Revision of miscoded occupational data in the ONS Labour Force Survey.

Qualification estimates: National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) estimates have been replaced with estimates on a Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) basis. RQF based estimates are available for the Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 survey period, while estimates prior to Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 remain on an NVQ basis.

Qualification data are only be available from the APS for calendar year periods (i.e. Jan to Dec periods). This is because the questions in the survey relating to qualifications change. These changes occur at the start of January each year, so the calendar year will be the only period not be affected by them. Qualifications figures are shown as missing in other periods.

Accessing APS data

Headline APS figures for an area are available in local authority profiles and parliamentary constituency profiles.

The headline national and regional figures are available as a separate spreadsheet download (xls).

Use the query tool to access the full APS datasets which contain a much wider range of variables than provided in the profiles:

  • Annual Population Survey: the main data set with the largest set of variables. Use this to get information about people living in an area.
  • Annual Population Survey - workplace analysis: use this to get employment information about the population working in an area.

Topics covered in the APS dataset include:

  • Country of birth
  • Disability level
  • Economic activity (employment, unemployment and economic activity)
  • Ethnic group
  • Health problems
  • Hours worked weekly
  • Industry of employment
  • Job-related training
  • National identity and Welsh language
  • Nationality
  • Occupation of employment
  • Public and private sector employment
  • Qualifications

Regional APS

There are Regional APS data sets with detailed data on country of birth, employment by occupation, ethnicity by industry, labour market status by age and also nationality data.

About the APS

The Annual Population Survey (APS) is a combined survey of households in Great Britain. Its purpose is to provide information on key social and socioeconomic variables between the 10-yearly censuses, with particular emphasis on providing information relating to sub-regional (local authority) areas. Due to sample size limitations, APS data is not available below local authority level i.e. data is not available for wards and super output areas.

The first publication of APS data covered the survey period January to December 2004. Subsequently, APS data has been published on a quarterly basis, but with each publication covering a year's data. For example, data relating to the survey period April 2004 to March 2005 was published in September 2005, whereas data relating to July 2004 to June 2005 was published in December 2005.

Sample Size

When the APS was introduced in 2004 it comprised the annual Local Area Labour Force Survey (LALFS) supplemented by an extra boost, the APS(B), designed to obtain a sample of 500 economically active adults in each local authority district. As a cost saving measure, the APS(B) was scaled back in mid-2005 and was withdrawn from January 2006.

APS estimates for the April 2005 to March 2006 period onwards revert to the sample used for the previous annual LALFS. The last period which contains APS(B) cases is that covering January to December 2005, as this is the last period for which a complete year's boost is available.

Sample sizes by local authority are available in a spreadsheet from the link below.

Qualification Data

Qualification data are only be available from the APS for calendar year periods (i.e. Jan to Dec periods). This is because the questions in the surveyrelating to qualifications change. From Jan 2006, these changes occur at the start of January each year, so the calendar year will be the only period not be affected by them. Qualifications figures will be shown as missing in other periods.

Further Information

The ONS Labour Market Guide has a section about the Annual Population Survey:

The LFS user guide is available from the link below and Volume 6 covers local area data and covers the APS. The methodology for the APS is the same as for the former local area annual LFS. - LFS User Guide ``