New Publication: 20 years as a devolved nation - how has Wales changed?

Published 16/05/2019   |   Last Updated 27/05/2021   |   Reading Time minutes

Much has changed in Wales in the twenty years that have passed since the first National Assembly for Wales was elected in May 1999. This publication, prepared by Senedd Research as part of the Assembly’s activity to mark 20 years of devolution, describes some of that change. The articles presented together here have already been published individually.

One of our articles tells the story of how the Assembly as an institution has evolved from one with very limited powers into the full legislature it is today. Another looks at how the characteristics of people living in Wales have changed since 1999. The remaining articles explore change in some of the major areas of devolved public policy such as health, education, the economy, the environment and transport and each one highlights the Assembly’s role in that change.

Together, these articles tell some of the story of the first twenty years of devolution and also attempt to point the way to what might happen in the coming years.

New Publication: 20 years as a devolved nation - how has Wales changed? (PDF, 8945KB)


Article by Senedd Research, National Assembly for Wales