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Diversity Topic Data

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There are many definitions available for the term 'diversity' but they all cover the same fundamental issues. These include the recognition of differences, respecting those differences and appreciating the fact that different perspectives are valuable and can bring real benefits to society in general.

You can learn more about equality and diversity across Dorset on the Dorset Council Equality and Diversity pages.

There are nine protected characteristics to which the general public sector equality duty apply:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Sex
  • Religion & Belief
  • Gender Reassignment
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Marriage & Civil Partnership
  • Pregnancy & Maternity
  • Ethnicity
Download this report (PDF)

Age & Religion

  • Dorset has a much greater proportion (30%) of the population aged 65 and over than England and Wales (18%)1.
  • West and East former districts have almost one in three residents 65 and over1.
  • The five major non-Christian world religions Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism constitute 1% of Dorset's residents' religious beliefs2.
  • Dorset’s main non-Christian religious groups are concentrated in Dorset’s towns. 0.5% of Weymouth’s residents are of Muslim faith. There are also concentrations around military establishments such as Blandford Camp where the Gurkhas and their families live who are predominantly Buddhist or Hindu in their religious belief2.

Ethnic minorities - residents of Dorset who are not 'White British'

  • 6.1% of Dorset residents are from an ethnic minority, much lower than the country as a whole2.
  • The highest proportion (40%) of Dorset’s ethnic minority population are classified as 'White Other'2. This classification includes people who identify as white but who do not have UK national identity (English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish and British). An example would be Polish or Bulgarian. The next highest are Mixed Multiple ethnic groups which make up 19% of ethnic minorities followed by Asian, Asian British that make up 18% of the ethnic minority groups in Dorset Council area.
Diversity chart
Makeup of non-White British residents in Dorset

Disability

  • 20% of Dorset's population are classified as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition2.
  • Another method for looking at the number of residents with a disability is to consider those claiming either Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independance Payments or Attendance Allowance.3.

Gender, sexual and relationship diversity

  • The Census 2021 asked new questions about sexual orientation and whether an individual’s gender identity differed from how they were assigned at birth4.
  • The new Census questions reflects how our understanding of different experiences and the language that goes with these changes over time. In recent years there has been an increase in the terminology surrounding gender identity and expression.
  • In Dorset, 2.2% of our population shared they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or had another, non-heterosexual, sexual orientation, approximately 7,000 residents. This compared to 3.1% in both England and Wales and the South West5.
  • 0.2-0.4% of residents in Dorset, the South West and England and Wales shared their gender identity differed from how they were assigned at birth. Dorset residents identifying as gender diverse were lowest at 0.2%. Both questions on sexual orientation and gender identity were voluntary, for those aged 16 and over only.

Headline Figures

30%

Of Dorset's population is aged 65+

6.1%

Of Dorset's population are from an ethnic minority

2.2%

Identify as LGBTQ+

0.3%

Have a gender identity that is different from that assigned at birth

6,820

Follow a non-Christian religion

20%

Of all residents have a health condition that limits their day to day activities

Headline Figures

30%

Of Dorset's population is aged 65+

6.1%

Of Dorset's population are from an ethnic minority

2.2%

Identify as LGBTQ+

0.3%

Have a gender identity that is different from that assigned at birth

6,820

Follow a non-Christian religion

20%

Of all residents have a health condition that limits their day to day activities

Sources

  • 1 Mid–year population estimates (2023), ONS
  • 2 Census 2021, ONS
  • 3 Stat-Xplore, Department of Work and Pensions, May and July 2023 and 2021 Census, ONS
  • 4 Preparing for the 2021 census (England and Wales), UK Parliament
  • 5 Census 2021, ONS

21 Reports

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8 Related Datasets

Order by: Newest first

  • NINO Registrations 2021

    Published: 18 July 2022

    This dataset includes total NINO registrations 2002 to 2021 as well as the most common country of origin in 2021.

    Downloads: 397

    Download (Excel)

  • National Insurance Registrations to overseas Nationals 2019-20

    Published: 09 December 2020

    National Insurance Registrations to overseas Nationals 2019-20

    Downloads: 912

    Download (Excel)

  • International Migration for Mid-Years 2002-2019

    Published: 08 December 2020

    International Migration by 5 year age group for Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council

    Downloads: 804

    Download (Excel)

  • ONS Sexual Orientation Data at LA Geography (experimental dataset)

    Published: 27 November 2020

    Office for National Statistics experimental data on sexual orientation at LA Geography 2016-2018

    Downloads: 709

    Download (Excel)

  • Data for EqIAs (diversity data)

    Published: 14 November 2020

    Various diversity data for Dorset with national comparators. For assistance in completing Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs).

    Downloads: 861

    Download (Excel)

  • Indices of Deprivation 2019- National and Dorset Council Ranks

    Published: 03 January 2020

    The English Indices of Deprivation helps identify and prioritise areas to assist the government and other agencies both national and local in narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country.

    Downloads: 1867

    Download (Excel)

  • Subnational Sexual Identity Tables (ONS Research)

    Published: 17 May 2017

    Data on sexual identity at subnational level produced by the Office for National Statistics, published as part of a piece of research.

    Downloads: 1597

    Download (Excel)

  • Equality and Diversity Community Research and Consultation

    Published: 11 January 2017

    View the consultation, research and information on the equality and diversity of our communities used in setting our equality objectives.

    Downloads: 1739

    Download (Website)

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