Official Statistics

Civilian personnel biannual diversity dashboard report 1 October 2020

Updated 10 December 2020

Main Points and Trends

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Female representation rate at 1 October 2020, 43.8 per cent, this is a rise of 2.7 percentage points compared with October 2016.

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Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) representation rate at 1 October 2020, 5.9 per cent, this is a rise of 1.6 percentage points compared with October 2016

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Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual (LGB) representation rate at 1 October 2020, 2.8 per cent, this is a rise of 0.8 percentage points compared with October 2016.

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Disability representation rate at 1 October 2020, 12.2 per cent, this is a rise of 0.2 percentage points compared with October 2019.

From April 2011 to October 2018 the declaration rate for disability was not sufficiently populated for the representation rate to be reported on.

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Part-time personnel representation rate at 1 October 2020, 11.2 per cent, this is a rise of 0.5 percentage points compared with October 2016.

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Religion & Faith representation rate at 1 October 2020, the proportion of MOD Main civilian personnel who self-declared as Christian was 60.3 per cent. This is a fall of 8.6 percentage points compared with October 2016.

The proportion who self-declared as Non-Christian was 5.7 per cent, a rise of 0.5 percentage points compared with October 2016. The proportion who self-declared as Secular was 34.0 per cent, a rise of 8.1 percentage points

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Average Age at 1 October 2020, 47.9 years, this is a reduction of 0.1 years compared with October 2016.

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Figure 1 – Age distribution of civilian personnel at 1 October 2020

Introduction

This bulletin examines data relating to MOD Diversity statistics. It is produced as part of the transparency and accountability of the Ministry of Defence to Parliament and the Public.

The Information in this Bulletin has a wide range of users including the media, politicians, academic researchers and the general public who use the information to:

• understand the size and distribution of core MOD organisations by individual diversity categories

• assist in understanding the effect of changes in Defence policy, for instance changes to diversity analysis within recruiting

In the report we will analyse the current diversity range within core MOD.

Core MOD – Entities within the MOD Departmental Boundary based on civilians with active personnel records on the Human Resources Management System (HRMS) within a MOD Main TLB.

This data excludes personnel in organisations with delegated personnel functions, UK Hydrographic, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Defence Nuclear Organisation (including Submarine Delivery Agency), Defence Electronic Components Agency and DE&S Trading Entity.

Gender Representation

Table 2a – Female representation of MOD Main civilian personnel, as at 1 October 2016 to 2020

	Oct-16	Oct-17	Oct-18	Oct-19	Oct-20
Headcount	15,090	15,300	15,290	15,760	16,130
Proportion of total (%)	41.1	42.0	42.9	43.0	43.8

Age Group Distribution

The proportion of females by age band in October 2020 has increased for all age bands apart from age 40 - 49. The largest increase was for personnel aged 60 and over, an increase of 2.9 percentage points, while the proportion for personnel aged 40 – 49 years fell by 5.0 percentage points.

The proportion of males by age band in October 2020 has increased for all age bands apart from age 40 – 49 and 50 - 59. The largest increase was for personnel aged 60 and over, an increase of 3.3 percentage points, while the proportion for personnel aged 40 – 49 years fell by 5.5 percentage points.

Grade Band Distribution

The proportion of females at each grade in October 2020 has increased, with the exception of Band E and Industrial grades which decreased compared with October 2016. The largest proportion increases were for the Band C, which increased by 3.8 percentage points, while Band E decreased by 5.5 percentage points.

The proportion of males at each grade in October 2020 has increased for all Non Industrial grade bands, while Industrial grades decreased compared with October 2016. The largest proportion increases were for the Band C, which increased by 3.0 percentage points, while Band E decreased by 6.0 percentage points.

Figure 2 – Female representation of MOD Main civilian personnel by grade, as at 1 October 2020

Ethnicity Representation

Table 3a – BAME representation of MOD Main civilian personnel, as at 1 October 2016 to 2020

	Oct-16	Oct-17	Oct-18	Oct-19	Oct-20
Headcount	1,290	1,340	1,340	1,680	1,860
Proportion of total (%)	4.3	4.6	4.8	5.4	5.9

Age Group Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of BAME and White personnel across age band shows higher proportions of BAME personnel aged 16 years up to 49 years, accounting for 58.1 per cent of the BAME population compared to 44.7 per cent of the White population. While BAME personnel aged 50 years and over, account for 41.9 per cent of the BAME population compared to 55.3 per cent of the White population

Grade Band Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of BAME and White personnel across grade was broadly similar for all Non-industrial grades. The proportion of White personnel who were Industrial was 9.7% compared with 4.3% for BAME personnel.

Figure 3 – BAME and White personnel distributions across grade, as at 1 October 2020

Sexual Orientation Representation

Table 4a – LGB representation of MOD Main civilian personnel, as at 1 October 2016 to 2020

	Oct-16	Oct-17	Oct-18	Oct-19	Oct-20
Headcount	460	490	510	750	800
Proportion of total (%)	2.0	2.1	2.3	2.7	2.8

Age Group Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of LGB and Heterosexual/Straight personnel across age band shows higher proportions of LGB personnel aged 16 years up to 49 years, accounting for 69.2 per cent of the LGB population compared to 45.8 per cent of the Heterosexual/Straight population. While LGB personnel aged 50 years and over, account for 30.8 per cent of the BAME population compared to 54.2 per cent of the Heterosexual/Straight population

Grade Band Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of LGB and Heterosexual personnel across grade was broadly similar for all Non-industrial and Industrial grades.

Figure 4 – Comparison of LGB and Heterosexual personnel distributions across grade, as at 1 October 2020

Religion and Belief Representation

Age Group Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of personnel across age band shows lower proportions of Christian personnel aged 16 years up to 49 years, accounting for 34.6 per cent of the Christian population compared to 52.2 per cent of the Non-Christian population, and 64.7 per cent of the Secular population.

While personnel aged 50 years and over, account for 65.4 per cent of the Christian population, 47.8 per cent of the Non-Christian population, and 35.3 per cent of the Secular population.

Grade Band Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of Religion / Belief group distributions across grade was broadly similar for all Non-industrial and Industrial grades.

Figure 5 – Comparison of Religion / Belief group distributions across age groups, as at 1 October 2020

Disability Representation

Table 5a – Disability representation of MOD Main civilian personnel, as at 1 October 2016 to 2020

	Oct-16	Oct-17	Oct-18	Oct-19	Oct-20
Headcount	2,240	2,420	2,600	3,190	3,370
Proportion of total (%)	*	*	*	11.9	12.2

Age Group Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of Disabled and Not Disabled personnel across age band shows lower proportions of Disabled personnel aged 16 years up to 49 years, accounting for 42.5 per cent of the Disabled population compared to 48.4 per cent of the Not Disabled population. While Disabled personnel aged 50 years and over, account for 57.5 per cent of the Disabled population compared to 51.6 per cent of the Not Disabled population

Grade Band Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of Disabled and Non-disabled personnel across grade was broadly similar for all Non-industrial and Industrial grades.

Figure 6 – Comparison of Disabled and Non-disabled personnel distributions across grade, as at 1 October 2020

Full Time and part Time Representation

Table 6a – Part-time representation of MOD Main civilian personnel, as at 1 October 2016 to 2020

	Oct-16	Oct-17	Oct-18	Oct-19	Oct-20
Headcount	3,930	4,140	4,140	4,210	4,130
Proportion of total (%)	10.7	11.4	11.6	11.5	11.2

Age Group Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of Part Time and Full Time personnel aged 16 years up to 49 account for similar proportions at 46.3 per cent and 47.3 per cent respectively. However, within that range for personnel aged 16 - 29 years Part Time personnel recorded a lower proportion at 2.6 per cent compared to 10.3 per cent for Full Time personnel.

By comparison, the distribution of Part Time and Full Time personnel aged 50 years and over account for similar proportions at 53.7 per cent and 52.7 per cent respectively. However, within that range for personnel aged 60 years and above Part Time personnel recorded a higher proportion at 27.2 per cent compared to 13.4 per cent for Full Time personnel.

Grade Band Distribution

As at October 2020, the distribution of Part-time and Full-time personnel across grade was broadly similar for Non-Industrial grades. The proportion of Full-time personnel who were Industrial is 10.2% compared with 5.0% for Part-time personnel.

Figure 7 – Comparison of Part-time and Full-time personnel distributions across grade, as at 1 October 2020

Age Distribution

Table 7a –Average age of MOD Main civilian personnel, as at 1 October 2016 to 2020

	Oct-16	Oct-17	Oct-18	Oct-19	Oct-20
Headcount	36,710	36,410	35,640	36,680	36,790
Average Age (years)	48.0	48.1	48.1	47.9	47.9

Age Group Distribution

Almost two fifths (37.8%) of MOD Main personnel were aged 50 – 59 years of age as at 1 October 2020. In comparison with October 2016 this age group has decreased by 1.4 percentage points. Whilst personnel aged 40 – 49 years of age have fallen by 5.1 percentage points (26.6% to 21.5%).

Figure 8a – Age group distribution of MOD Main personnel, as at 1 October 2020

Figure 8b – Age Profile of MOD Main civilian personnel by age group, as at 1 October 2016 and 1 October 2020

Declaration Rates

‘Ethnicity’, ‘Sexual Orientation’, ‘Religion & Faith’, and ‘Disability’ are based on self-declaration. Each member of personnel can choose from the following options:

One of the available diversity data fields (an active declaration)

Choose not to declare (no declaration)

No response (no declaration)

Declaration rate is the number of personnel who make an ‘active declaration’ as a proportion of the total personnel. To ensure meaningful representation rates for a diversity field, a minimum 60 per cent declaration level is required.

Declaration rates by Percentage, as at 1 October 2016 to 2020

	Oct-16	Oct-17	Oct-18	Oct-19	Oct-20	ppt change *
Ethnicity	82.1	80.6	78.9	85.2	85.8	3.7
Sexual Orientation	63.1	62.8	63.6	75.4	77.0	13.8
Religion & Faith	62.7	62.2	62.6	73.3	74.9	12.2
Disability	54.7	57.1	59.1	73.0	75.4	20.8

^{* ppt change for 2016 – 2020}

The low declaration rate for disability is mainly down to the department’s Human Resource Management System (HRMS) resetting in April 2011 to accommodate the new disability reporting requirements resulting from the 2011 census exercise. Consequently, all disability records were reset and personnel were requested to re-declare their disability status.

Improvements in the declaration rates for all four diversity measures from April 2018 to April 2020 are largely as a result of a policy strategy designed to encourage people to complete their diversity records. People still had the option to positively opt-out of providing details by selecting ‘Choose not to declare’.

Definitions

MOD Main Total:

• Includes: Top Level Budgetary Areas (TLBs)
• Excludes: Trading funds, DE&S Bespoke Trading Entity, Executive Agency, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Locally engaged civilians (LECs)

For a more detailed description of these groups please refer to the glossary.

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) : BAME is now the widely used terminology, as a collective descriptor for non-white citizens, across Whitehall, other public sector bodies and the third sector, as well as among civil service race staff networks and their cross-Whitehall umbrella body, the Civil Service Race Forum. See also Ethnic Origin.

Christian: includes personnel who self-identify their religion as any Christian denomination or following a religion which follows a Christian tradition.

Declaration rates : Ethnic background, disability, religion and sexual orientation are self-declared. Therefore, representation rates are calculated from known declarations and exclude ‘choose not declare’ and ‘unknown’.

Ethnic origin : is the ethnic grouping to which a person has indicated that they belong. The classifications used were revised for the 2001 Census of Population when a classification of nationality was also collected.

Full-time : civil servants are those working 37 hours a week (36 hours or over in London), excluding meal breaks.

Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual (LGB): Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual (LGB): the term referring to those who self-identify their sexual orientation as being other than Heterosexual, including, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and other orientations. Transgender people may or may not identify as one of these orientations.

Non-Christian : includes all personnel who self-identify their religion, belief or faith as any which is not Christian. This includes those who have self-identified as Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Kirati, Muslim, Sikh or any other religious belief which is not Christian.

Part-time: civil servants are those working fewer than 37 hours a week (36 hours in London), excluding meal breaks.

Secular : includes personnel who have self-identified as having no religion or any other beliefs (e.g. humanist).

Grade structures

Since 1 April 1996 all departments and agencies have had delegated responsibility for the pay and grading of their employees, except for those in the Senior Civil Service (SCS). The MOD grades are shown here against levels broadly equivalent (in terms of pay and job weight) to the former service-wide grades.

MOD grades	Former service-wide grades
SCS – Senior Civil Service	SCS – Senior Civil Service
B1 & equivalents	Grade 6
B2 & equivalents	Grade 7
C1 & equivalents	SEO – Senior Executive Officer
C2 & equivalents	HEO – Higher Executive Officer
D & equivalents	EO – Executive Officer
E1 & equivalents	AO – Administrative Officer
E2 & equivalents	AA – Administrative Assistant

Rounding

Tables and Charts within this document

Where rounding has been used, totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts. This also applies to Civilian personnel data expressed in terms of Full-Time Equivalents (FTE).

When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Excel tables accompanying this publication

An updated MOD Disclosure Control and Rounding policy has been published on GOV.UK and we have applied this policy to the statistics on Civilian personnel in the accompanying Excel tables. Please read the Defence Statistics Policy for more information.

Disclosure control will still be applied to statistical or numeric information to safeguard the confidentiality of individuals. ‘Disclosure control’ refers to the efforts made to reduce the risk of disclosure, such as applying statistical methods to protect ‘personally identifiable information’ (PII) in aggregate data tables. These safeguards can take many forms (e.g. data suppression, rounding, recoding etc.).

Revisions

Occasionally errors can occur in statistical processes; procedures are constantly reviewed to minimise this risk. Should a significant error be found the publication on the website will be updated and an errata slip published documenting the revision.

Responsible statistician: Civilian Personnel Head of Branch Telephone 020 7218 4535 Further information/mailing list

DefStrat-Stat-Civ-Hd@mod.gov.uk

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