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      The census and worldviews in the UK

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe what census information can tell us about worldviews in the UK.

      Key learning points

      1. Social scientists use data to investigate religion and worldviews.
      2. The census takes place every 10 years and asks people to state the religion they belong to.
      3. We can use census data to look at changes over time in worldviews.
      4. Census data shows a decline in Christianity and a rise in non-religion and other religions.

      Keywords

      • Worldview - the way someone understands, interprets and inhabits the world

      • Census - a national survey held every 10 years in the UK

      • Data - information that can be collected and analysed

      • Reliable - information that can be used with confidence

      • Survey - a method of collecting data by asking questions through a form

      Common misconception

      All religion is declining in the UK.

      Christianity has declined in the UK, whilst other religions have increased. There are differences in different geographical contexts.

      Teacher tip

      The census website from the Office for National Statistics contains huge amounts of useful information to help build up a picture of religion and worldviews in the UK. You could look at data from 2001 to see how worldviews have changed over time.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      A worldview is the way someone understands and interprets the around them.

      Correct Answer: world, World

      Q2.
      Which of these statements is true?

      Only religious people have a worldview.
      Worldviews never change.
      Correct answer: Everyone has a worldview.

      Q3.
      Which of these is an example of a non-religious worldview?

      Islam
      Hindu Dharma
      Correct answer: humanism

      Q4.
      How can we learn more about different worldviews?

      by ignoring people with different views
      Correct answer: by interviewing people and asking about their beliefs
      by only studying religious books

      Q5.
      What is the difference between an organised worldview and a personal worldview?

      Correct answer: organised worldviews have a set of beliefs, personal worldviews are unique
      organised worldviews are only for religious people
      personal worldviews are chosen by a group

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      The census happens every years in England and Wales.

      Correct Answer: 10, ten

      Q2.
      What does the census help us to do?

      count how many schools there are
      Correct answer: compare changes in religion over time
      decide what people should believe

      Q3.
      What is the largest worldview in the UK, according to the latest census?

      Islam
      Hindu Dharma
      Correct answer: Christianity

      Q4.
      How has the number of people with a non-religious worldview changed over time in the UK?

      it has stayed the same
      Correct answer: it has increased
      it has decreased

      Q5.
      In the UK, which religious groups have grown since 2011?

      Correct answer: Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists
      only Christians
      no religious groups have grown

      To help you plan your 6 religious education lesson on: The census and worldviews in the UK, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...