Data collection and publication - age: guidance

Recommended questions

The recommended question for collection of information on age in Scotland is:

Question: What was your age last birthday?

Answer:

1: Refusal (spontaneous only)

2: Prefer not to say (non-interviewer led questionnaires only)

Alternative question

If more detail is required then the recommended question for collecting date of birth is:

Question: What is your date of birth?

Answer:

1: Refusal (spontaneous only)

2: Prefer not to say (non-interviewer led questionnaires only)

ONS harmonised standard

The ONS harmonised standard is to ask "What is your date of birth?", followed by "What is your age" only if the respondent refuses to give their date of birth.^[5] This is provided for information only and is not the recommendation of the Scottish Government.