Orkney Islands Council : Socio-Economic Group

Socio-Economic Group

Data cube chart.

Socio-Economic Groups 1971 1981 1991
SEG 1: Employers & managers - large establishments 16 Show data context 42 Show data context 19 Show data context
SEG 2: Employers & managers - small establishments 59 Show data context 53 Show data context 79 Show data context
SEG 3: Professional workers - self-employed 8 Show data context 5 Show data context 7 Show data context
SEG 4: Professional workers - employees 5 Show data context 14 Show data context 26 Show data context
SEG 5: Intermediate non-manual workers 44 Show data context 67 Show data context 103 Show data context
SEG 6: Junior non-manual workers 102 Show data context 112 Show data context 120 Show data context
SEG 7: Personal service workers 54 Show data context 74 Show data context 36 Show data context
SEG 8: Foremen & supervisors - manual 13 Show data context 8 Show data context 17 Show data context
SEG 9: Skilled manual workers 109 Show data context 133 Show data context 118 Show data context
SEG 10: Semi-skilled manual workers 72 Show data context 100 Show data context 101 Show data context
SEG 11: Unskilled manual workers 61 Show data context 61 Show data context 93 Show data context
SEG 12: Own account workers (other than professional) 31 Show data context 38 Show data context 62 Show data context
SEG 13: Farmers - employers & managers 41 Show data context 39 Show data context 30 Show data context
SEG 14: Farmers - own account 135 Show data context 125 Show data context 55 Show data context
SEG 15: Agricultural workers 76 Show data context 51 Show data context 35 Show data context
SEG 16: Members of armed forces 1 Show data context 1 Show data context 2 Show data context
SEG 17: Indefinite 124 Show data context 54 Show data context 18 Show data context
Date Source
1971 UK Data Service, Census 1971 data (Table SAS23: "SEG and economic position (10% Sample): Economically Active residents")
1981 UK Data Service, Census 1981 data (SAS50: "Socio-Economic group and economic positions (10% Sample): Economically active residents")
1991 Office for National Statistics, NOMIS - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics (Table S92 "SEG and economic position (10% sample): Economically active residents)

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nCube definition


Here we present how the economic foundations of each locality have changed over time, identifying the traditional sectors of Agriculture, Mining and Manufacturing which dominated many areas in the nineteenth century, but also breaking down Services into those which, broadly, sell directly to consumers; those which deal mainly with other buinesses, including financial services; and public services, including education and health.


How to reference this page:

GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, Orkney Islands Council through time | Historical Statistics on Social Structure | Socio-Economic Group, A Vision of Britain through Time.

URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10197247/cube/SEG

Date accessed: 08th April 2026