Religion Data from Australia's 2016 Census: The Case of Judaism with Broader Implications for Comparisons with Earlier Census Results

Abstract

Abstract The number of people reporting “Judaism” in Australia's 2016 Census was 6.5 percent lower than the previous census in 2011. Following a long period of growth, this Jewish population contraction represented an unprecedented turnaround in Jewish demographic fortunes, of concern to Jewish community leaders and service providers alike. However, a detailed examination of multiple data sources indicates this conclusion is incorrect. Rather, the size of Australia's Jewish population remained relatively stable over this period and the apparent contraction can be attributed to changes in the census’ religion question and highly publicized concerns about data privacy in the run‐up to the troubled 2016 Census, culminating in attempted sabotage of the online instrument. These findings may have wider implications for the comparison of 2016 Census data on religion with earlier census data relating to other groups including “No religion.”

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