Official Statistics

Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26 - archives: report

Updated 14 August 2026

Applies to England

This report summarises the key findings for the archives sector in the Community and Engagement Survey (CES) for 2025/26.^{[footnote 1]} Reports for other sections within the CES are available on the annual web page.

The CES asked about physical engagement with archives, such as visiting an archive or records office in person, and digital engagement with archives, such as using an archive or records office online. The full list of included activities we asked about are in Annex A.

The CES is representative of people aged 16 and over in England. For simplicity, we will sometimes refer just to “people” in our reporting.

For information on how to use and interpret these statistics see the note available on the supplementary documents page.^{[footnote 2]}

1. Key findings

1.1 Headline

9% of people aged 16+ in England engaged with archives or record offices physically or digitally at least once in the last 12 months, no significant change from 2024/25.

3% of people aged 16+ engaged with archives or record offices physically at least once in the last 12 months, no significant change from 2024/25.

By ITL2 area, there was a 3 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who physically engaged with archives or record offices, from 5% in Surrey, East and West Sussex to 1% in Norfolk. 

7% of people aged 16+ engaged with archives or record offices digitally at least once in the last 12 months, no significant change from 2024/25.

By ITL2 area, there was a 5 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who digitally engaged with archives or record offices, from 10% in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly to 5% in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. 

1.2 Physical and digital engagement

As shown in Figure 1, of the 9% of people who engaged with archives or record offices, 1% engaged both physically and digitally, 6% of people engaged exclusively physically, while 2% of people engaged exclusively digitally.

Figure 1: Physical and digital engagement with the archives or record offices sector: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

1.3 Timeseries

As shown in Figure 2, overall engagement with the archives sector has remained consistent from 2024/25 (when this question was first asked) to 2025/26 (9%). 

Breaking this down by physical and digital engagement over time, both physical and digital engagement with the archives sector has remained consistent from 2024/25 to 2025/26 (3% and 7% respectively). 

Figure 2: Engagement with the archives sector: England: 2024/25 to 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

1.4 Frequency of engagement

As shown in Figure 3, respondents who engaged with archives were asked about the frequency of their engagement. The most common frequency for visiting an archive or records office was ‘once in the last 12 months’ (42%). The most common frequency of engaging with the archives sector digitally was ‘three to four times a year’ (30%) or ‘once a year’ (29%).

Figure 3: Frequency of physical and digital engagement with archives or record offices: England 2025/26: (Base: people aged 16 and over who physically or digitally engaged with the archives or record offices)

1.5 Forms of physical engagement

As shown in Figure 4, the most popular forms of physical engagement with archives or record offices was researching local history (33%), researching family history (31%) and looking at original historic documents (27%).^{[footnote 3]}

Figure 4: Forms of physical engagement with the archives sector: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

1.6 Forms of digital engagement^{[footnote 3]}

As shown in Figure 5, the most popular form of digital engagement with archives or record offices was researching family history (54%). This was followed by researching local history (29%) and looking at historic documents (28%). 

Figure 5: Forms of digital engagement with the archives sector: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

1.7 Barriers to engagement^{[footnote 4]}

As shown in Figure 6, respondents who did not engage with archives or record offices were asked about the barriers preventing them from engaging. For physical engagement, “No reason in particular” (38%) and “I’m not interested” (35%) were the most common barriers identified. For digital engagement, “I’m not interested” (39%) and “No reason in particular” (37%) were the most common barriers identified. 

Figure 6: Barriers to engagement with the archives sector by reason: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2. Demographics: Who engaged with archives

Demographic questions in the survey are voluntary and self-reported by the respondent.

2.1 Age

As shown in Figure 7, people aged 70 to 74 (4%) were more likely to engage with archives or record offices physically compared with the average for people in England (3%). People aged 50 to 54 (2%) were less likely to engage with the archives or record offices physically compared with the average for people in England (3%).

As shown in Figure 7, people aged 55 to 59 (9%), 60 to 64 (11%), 65 to 69 (11%), 70 to 74 (11%) and 75 to 79 (11%) were more likely to engage with the archives or record offices digitally compared with the average for people in England (7%). People aged 25 to 29 (5%), 30 to 34 (5%), 35 to 39 (4%), 40 to 44 (5%) and 85 or over (3%) were less likely to engage with the archives digitally compared with the average for people in England (7%).

Figure 7: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by age, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2.2 Disability status

As shown in Figure 8, there were no significant differences observed between the proportion of disabled people (3%) and non-disabled people (3%) who engaged with archives or record offices physically. Disabled people (9%) were more likely to engage with archives or record offices digitally than non-disabled people (7%).

Figure 8: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by disability status, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2.3 Sex^{[footnote 5]}

As shown in Figure 9, there were no significant differences observed between the proportion of males (3%) and females (3%) who engaged with archives or record offices physically. Males (8%) were more likely to engage with archives or record offices digitally than females (6%).

Figure 9: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by sex, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2.4 Gender identity^{[footnote 6]}

As shown in Figure 10, for both physical and digital engagement with archives or record offices, there were no significant differences observed between the proportion of people whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth and people whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth. 

Figure 10: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by gender identity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2.5 Sexual orientation^{[footnote 7]}

As shown in Figure 11, there were no significant differences observed between the proportions of people by different sexual orientations who engaged with archives or record offices physically or digitally.

Figure 11: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by sexual orientation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2.6 Religion

As shown in Figure 12, compared with the average for people in England (3%), Muslim people (5%) were more likely to engage with archives or record offices. People with no religion (2%) were less likely to engage with archives or record offices compared with the average for people in England (3%).

As shown in Figure 12, compared with the average for people in England (7%), there were no significant differences observed between the proportion of people of different religions who engaged with archives or record offices digitally. 

Figure 12: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by religion, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2.7 Ethnicity

As shown in Figure 13, people from the Black African (5%) and Arab (8%) ethnic groups were more likely to engage with archives or record offices physically compared with the average for people in England (3%). People from the White British^{[footnote 8]} ethnic group (2%) were less likely to engage with archives or record offices physically compared with the average for people in England (3%).

As shown in Figure 13, people from the Any other ethnic group (2%) and Any other White background (4%) were less likely to engage with archives digitally compared with the average for people in England (7%). 

Figure 13: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by ethnicity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2.8 Socio-economic classification^{[footnote 9]}

As shown in Figure 14, people from higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (3%) were more likely to engage with archives physically than people from the intermediate occupations and the routine and manual occupations (2%).

As shown in Figure 14, people from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (8%) were more likely to engage with archives or record offices digitally than people from the routine and manual occupations classification (5%) and the never worked and long-term unemployed classification (6%).

Figure 14: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by socio-economic classification, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

2.9 Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 10]}

As shown in Figure 15, for physical engagement with archives or record offices, there were no significant differences observed between the proportion of people from the least deprived and most deprived areas. 

As shown in Figure 15, people from the least deprived areas (10th decile, 8%) were most likely to engage with archives digitally, while people from the more deprived areas (1st and 2nd deciles, 5%) were less likely to engage with archives digitally. 

Figure 15: Physical and digital engagement with the archives sector, by Index of Multiple Deprivation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3. Physical engagement with archives by ITL1 and ITL2 area

3.1 Regional differences^{[footnote 11]}

As shown in Figure 16, there were no significant differences between ITL1 regions and the average for people in England who physically engaged with archives or record offices (3%).

3.2 ITL2 area differences

By ITL2 area, there was a 3 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who physically engaged with archives or record offices, from 5% in Surrey, East and West Sussex to 1% in Norfolk. 

The proportion of people who physically engaged with archives or record offices was in line with the England average in the vast majority of ITL2 areas (33 ITL2 areas), higher than the England average in 2 ITL2 areas, and lower than the England average in 1 ITL2 area.

Figure 16: Physical engagement with the archives or record offices by ITL1 and ITL2 area: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

4. Digital engagement with archives by ITL1 and ITL2 area

4.1 Regional differences^{[footnote 11]}

As shown in Figure 17, compared with the average for people in England (7%), people living in the East Midlands ITL1 area (6%) were less likely to digitally engage with archives or record offices. 

4.2 ITL2 area differences

By ITL2 area, there was a 5 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who digitally engaged with archives or record offices, from 10% in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly to 5% in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. 

The proportion of people who digitally engaged with archives or record offices was in line with the England average in the vast majority of ITL2 areas (34 ITL2 areas), higher than the England average in 1 ITL2 area, and lower than the England average in 1 ITL2 area.

Patterns of digitally engaging with archives or record offices at the ITL1 level are also observed at the ITL2 level.

Figure 17: Digital engagement with the archives or record offices by ITL1 and ITL2 area: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

5. Annex A

We define archives as collections of important documents that have been created by people, families, businesses or organisations, and kept forever. Archive records can include paper or digital records, letters, diaries, maps, photographs, videos or sound recordings and more. Archives are stored in places like record offices, archive centres, businesses or universities.

5.1 Physical engagement: 

Respondents were asked in which of these ways have you used archives or records offices (not including paid work, school or college or structured academic activities): 

• to research family history or genealogy, for example tracing their family tree
• to learn about their local area or community
• to inspire creative projects, for example books, films or art
• for journalism and investigative reporting
• to gather evidence for personal legal claims
• to support national inquiries and justice processes
• for school, college, or university study
• for academic research
• for personal enjoyment, or wellbeing
• for another reason

5.2 Digital engagement:

Respondents were asked in which of these ways have you used archives or records offices online (not including paid work, school or college or structured academic activities): 

• researched family history
• researched local history
• other types of research
• looked at original historic documents
• looked at a display/exhibition
• listened to sound recordings or watched videos
• attended an event or talk
• something else

1. The headline physical and digital archives engagement estimates are based on data collection from April 2025 to March 2026 through the Participation Survey (April to September 2025) and the Community and Engagement Survey (October 2025 - March 2026). ↩

2. The majority of estimates in this report are rounded to the nearest whole number. As data are rounded, some changes may appear bigger or smaller than they are. The unrounded numbers are available in the corresponding data tables. ↩

3. This question was not included in the paper questionnaire and was asked of respondents online, so the results are only representative of the online population. Respondents are able to select multiple forms of engagement. ↩ ↩²

4. This question was not included in the paper questionnaire and was asked of respondents online, so the results are only representative of the online population. Respondents are able to select multiple reasons for barriers to engagement. ↩

5. This data is based on the respondent’s sex. The Community and Engagement Survey respondents were asked the question “What is your sex?”. The response options were ‘Male’, ‘Female’ and ‘Prefer not to Say’. This closely follows the ONS Census 2021 question for sex, where the target concept was certificated sex meaning a person’s sex at birth or as modified by a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), but has been slightly amended to include a ‘Prefer not to Say’ option as we do for all demographic questions in the Community and Engagement Survey. ↩

6. This data is based on the respondent’s gender identity. The Community and Engagement Survey respondents were asked the question ‘Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?. The response options were ‘Yes’, ‘No, type in gender identity’ or ‘Prefer not to say’. This closely follows the ONS Census 2021 question for England and Wales, but has been slightly amended to include a ‘Prefer not to Say’ option as we do for all demographic questions in the Community and Engagement Survey. It should be noted that in the Census 2021 data for England and Wales, patterns were identified that suggest that some respondents may not have interpreted the question as intended, notably those with lower levels of English language proficiency. Analysis of Scotland’s Census 2022, where the gender identity question was different, has added weight to this observation. More information can be found in the ONS sexual orientation and gender identity quality information report and the additional guidance and quality information for users of gender identity estimates from Census 2021 in England and Wales. Similar respondent error may have occurred during the data collection for these statistics so comparisons between subnational and other smaller group breakdowns should be considered with caution. ↩

7. Sexual orientation is an umbrella term covering sexual identity, attraction, and behaviour. For an individual respondent, these may not be the same. For example, someone in an opposite-sex relationship may also experience same-sex attraction, and vice versa. This means the statistics should be interpreted purely as showing how people responded to the question, rather than being about whom they are attracted to or their actual relationships. ↩

8. The White British ethnic group includes people from an English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British ethnic group. ↩

9. This is a form of socio-economic classification based on the employment status and occupation of the respondent. ↩

10. The Index of Multiple Deprivation is a geographical measure which classifies the relative deprivation of an area. It combines seven indices to produce one overall measure for the area (rather than the individual). It takes into account income, employment, education, skills and training, health and disability, crime, barriers to housing and services, and living environment. For this commentary, the most and least deprived deciles have been compared. There may be some other significant differences between deciles in between which have not been commented on here. The analysis of the index of Multiple Deprivation was conducted using the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. ↩

11. The questions on engagement with Archives were not asked to all respondents. This means that data are not available at LA level. Data are however available by ITL2 area level (summary commentary provided in this report) and by combined authority level in the corresponding data tables. ↩ ↩²