2021 Census data
The 2021 Census was the first to ask people if they had previously served in the UK armed forces. People aged 16 years and over were asked whether they had previously served in the regular or reserve UK armed forces, or both. People currently serving in the UK armed forces and those who had never served were both advised to tick "no".
In 2021, around 1 in 40 people (2%, 5,618 people) aged 16 years or over in the city had previously served in the UK Armed Forces. Of these, 70% (3,949 people) served in the regular armed forces, 25% (1,423 people) in the reserves and 246 (4%) in both. There are 5,292 households (4%) in the city with at least one person who has previously served.
The percentage of people who have previously served is lower in Brighton & Hove than England and the South East (both 4%).
Information from Census 2021, including different geographical levels, maps and 2011 census data is available at:
Brighton & Hove is ranked 267th out of 309 local authorities in England, with 1st being areas with the most people who have previously served and 309th the least.
| Ex-service personnel | 2021 Census, Brighton & Hove (n) | 2021 Census, Brighton & Hove: Percentage of total population | 2021 Census, South East: Percentage of total population | 2021 Census, England: Percentage of total population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Previously served in UK regular armed forces | 3,949 | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Previously served in UK reserve armed forces | 1,423 | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Previously served in both regular and reserve UK armed forces | 246 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Previously served in regular or reserve armed forces | 5,618 | 2% | 4% | 4% |
| Has not previously served in any UK armed forces | 229,749 | 98% | 96% | 96% |
Explore key information about physical disabilities and impairment in Brighton & Hove.
Those who have served in the armed forces are predominantly male (85%) in comparison to those who have not served (49%).
People who have served in the armed forces are older than those who have not, with 57% of those who have served aged 65 years or older compared with 18% of those who have not served. Among those who have served, 3% are 16 to 24 years of age, compared with 19% of those who have not.
Information on the gender identity of those who have previously served is not available from the Office for National Statistics at local authority level.
Information on the sexual orientation of those who have previously served is not available from the Office for National Statistics at local authority level.
People who have served in the UK armed forces are more likely to be of White British ethnicity (92%) than those who have not served (74%), and less likely to be from any other ethnic group.
Those who have served in the UK armed forces are more likely to be affiliated with Christianity (56%) than those who have not served (31%) and less likely to be affiliated with no religion (34%) than those who have not served (55%).
People who have served in the armed forces were more likely to report that they have a disability under the equalities act (day-to-day activities limited a little or a lot, 37%) than those who have not served (20%). This was more pronounced in those who served in the regular armed forces (40%) than the reserves (29%). Those who have served were more likely to say that their activities are limited a lot (52% of those who reported a disability) than those who have not served (39%).
People who have previously served in the UK armed forces (regular, 10%, or reserve, 13%, either, 11%) were more likely to report that they provide some level of unpaid care than those who have not served (9%).
Of those aged 16 years or above, people born outside the UK were less likely to have served in the UK armed forces (regular or reserve, 1%) than people who were born in the UK (3%).
People who have previously served are more concentrated in certain areas. In areas of Woodingdean, Rottingdean and Saltdean, Mile Oak, Hangleton and Patcham 4% of adults had previously served in the UK armed forces.