The 2021 census asked questions about self-reported health, as well as questions on longstanding illness and disability.
The Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle survey (JOLS) provides more recent estimates for these health questions.
Self-reported general health
The self-reported health question brings together a person’s perception of all aspects of their health and wellbeing and is a useful indicator of general wellbeing and health-related quality of life.
The 2021 Jersey Census asked ‘How is your health in general?’, with a choice of responses:
- very good
- good
- fair
- poor
- very poor
The majority of the population rated their health as very good or good.
Percent of population by self-assessed general health:
The number of people rating their health as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ increased with age.
Around 1 in 10 (10%) residents aged 65+ rated their health as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.
Percent of population by self-assessed general health, by age
Longstanding physical or mental health conditions or illnesses
Residents were asked whether they had any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses, lasting or expecting to last twelve months or more.
Around 1 in 5 residents (21,382 people) reported that they did have a longstanding physical or mental health condition.
Percent of population with longstanding physical or mental health conditions or illnesses, by age
Activity limiting health condition or illness
Residents who answered that they had a longstanding physical or mental health condition or illness were asked a supplementary question: ‘Do any of your conditions or illnesses reduce your ability to carry out day-to-day activities?’. The response options were ‘yes, a lot’, ‘yes, a little’ or ‘no’.
The response ‘yes, a lot’ could indicate a person usually needs regular, continuing support from family, friends, or personal social services for a number of normal daily activities
Overall, 15,782 residents (15% of Jersey’s population) reported some level of activity limitation, with 5% (5,153 people) reporting that their activities were limited 'a lot'.
Of those with an activity limiting health condition or illness, percent with a lot, a little, or no activity limits
Almost a third (31%) of residents aged 65 or over who had a longstanding condition or illness reported that it affected their day-to-day activities ‘a lot’.
Find data and past reports
You can find census data tables on the open data website.
Find past reports on our release calendar.
Find census reports from 1821 to 2001 on the Jersey Archive website.