Census reveals UK family life

The number of dependent children in England and Wales, at 11.7 million, is greater than the total population of many European countries, including Belgium, Greece and Sweden, according to figures just released from the UK's 2001 census. Nearly one in four of these dependent children live in lone-parent families, with more than 90 per cent of them headed by the mother. The statistics also show the number of very young children living in high-rise accommodation. More than 58,000 children aged under two live in homes on the second floor or above, and over 11,000 on the fifth floor or above. The census reveals a snapshot of society in England and Wales as it was on 29 April 2001, including who was living within different households and statistics about older people, carers, ethnicity and information specific to Wales. This is the third release of data taken from the census and more will be released in June. When the data release is complete, the National Statistics Online website will become the main source of the information, making Census 2001 the most easily accessible census ever to the public.