The 2021 Northern Ireland Census marked the first time since records began where the Catholic share of the population was larger than the combined Protestant share. In 2021, over 42 percent of the population classified themselves as Catholic or from a Catholic background, in comparison with 37 percent classified as Protestant or from a Protestant background. Additionally, the share of the population with no religion (or those who did not answer) was 19 percent; larger than any individual Protestant denomination. This marks a significant shift in demographic and societal trends over the past century, as Protestants outnumbered Catholics by roughly 2:1 when Northern Ireland was established in the 1920s. Given the Catholic community's historic tendency to be in favor of a united Ireland, many look to the changing religious composition of the population when assessing the potential for Irish reunification. Religion's historical influence A major development in the history of British rule in ireland was the Plantation of Ulster in the 1600s, where much of the land in the north (historically the most rebellious region) was seized from Irish Catholics and given to Protestant settlers from Britain (predominantly Scots). This helped establish Protestant dominance in the north, created a large section of the population loyal to the British crown, and saw a distinct Ulster-Scots identity develop over time. In the 1920s, the republican movement won independence for 26 of Ireland's 32 counties, however, the six counties in Ulster with the largest Protestant populations remained part of the UK, as Northern Ireland. Following partition, structural inequalities between Northern Ireland's Protestant and Catholic communities meant that the Protestant population was generally wealthier, better educated, more politically empowered, and had better access to housing, among other advantages. In the 1960s, a civil rights movement then emerged for equal rights and status for both sides of the population, but this quickly turned violent and escalated into a the three-decade long conflict now known as the Troubles.

The Troubles was largely fought between nationalist/republican paramilitaries (mostly Catholic), unionist/loyalist paramilitaries (mostly Protestant), and British security forces (including the police). This is often described as a religious conflict, however it is more accurately described as an ethnic and political conflict, where the Catholic community generally favored Northern Ireland's reunification with the rest of the island, while the Protestant community wished to remain in the UK. Paramilitaries had a large amount of support from their respective communities in the early years of the Troubles, but this waned as the conflict progressed into the 1980s and 1990s. Demographic and societal trends influenced the religious composition of Northern Ireland's population in these decades, as the Catholic community had higher fertility rates than Protestant communities, while the growing secularism has coincided with a decline in those identifying as Protestant - the dip in those identifying as Catholic in the 1970s and 1980s was due to a protest and boycott of the Census. The Troubles came to an end in 1998, and divisions between both sides of the community have drastically fallen, although they have not disappeared completely.

This table provides Census 2021 estimates that classify people by Country of birth (12 categories) by Religion (8 categories) for Northern Ireland. The table contains 96 counts.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

Notes

1. 'EU' is the European Union and is as defined on census day (21 March 2021).
2. People who gave 'Cyprus' as their country of birth are included within the 'Europe: Other EU countries' category.
3. 'Europe: Other Non-EU countries' includes United Kingdom (part not specified) and Ireland (part not specified).
4. 'Religion' indicates religion, religious denomination or body.
5. 'Catholic' includes those who gave their current religion as Catholic or Roman Catholic.

Quality assurance report can be found here

This feature layer was created using Census 2016 data produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Electoral Divisions national boundary data (generalised to 20m) produced by Tailte Éireann. The layer represents Census 2016 theme 2.4, population by religion. Attributes include population breakdown by religion (e.g. catholic, other religion, no religion). Census 2016 theme 2 represents Migration, Ethnicity and Religion. The Census is carried out every five years by the CSO to determine an account of every person in Ireland. The results provide information on a range of themes, such as, population, housing and education. The data were sourced from the CSO. There are 3,440 Electoral Divisions (EDs) which are the smallest legally defined administrative areas in the State. One ED, St. Mary's, straddles the Louth-Meath county border, and is presented in two parts in the SAPS tables, with one part in Louth and the other in Meath. There are 32 EDs with low population, which for reasons of confidentiality have been amalgamated into neighbouring EDs giving a total of 3,409 EDs which appear in the SAPS tables. The graphic file contains the boundaries for 3,409 EDs.

This feature layer was created using Census 2016 data produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Constituency boundary data (generalised to 50m) produced by Tailte Éireann. The layer represents Census 2016 theme 2.4, population by religion. Attributes include population breakdown by religion (e.g. catholic, other religion, no religion). Census 2016 theme 2 represents Migration, Ethnicity and Religion. The Census is carried out every five years by the CSO to determine an account of every person in Ireland. The results provide information on a range of themes, such as, population, housing and education. The data were sourced from the CSO. Constituency Boundaries generalised to 50m are based on the Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2013.

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents in Northern Ireland by their religion, and by broad age bands.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

'Religion' indicates religion, religious denomination or body.

'Age' is age at last birthday.

'Catholic' includes those who gave their current religion as Catholic or Roman Catholic.

Quality assurance report can be found here

This feature layer was created using Census 2016 data produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Municipal Districts boundary data (generalised to 50m) produced by Tailte Éireann. The layer represents Census 2016 theme 2.4, population by religion. Attributes include population breakdown by religion (e.g. catholic, other religion, no religion). Census 2016 theme 2 represents Migration, Ethnicity and Religion. The Census is carried out every five years by the CSO to determine an account of every person in Ireland. The results provide information on a range of themes, such as, population, housing and education. The data were sourced from the CSO. The Municipal District Boundary dataset generalised to 50m has been generated from the Tailte Éireann National Statutory Boundary dataset.

This feature layer was created using Census 2016 data produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Province boundary data (generalised to 100m) produced by Tailte Éireann. The layer represents Census 2016 theme 2.4, population by religion. Attributes include population breakdown by religion (e.g. catholic, other religion, no religion). Census 2016 theme 2 represents Migration, Ethnicity and Religion. The Census is carried out every five years by the CSO to determine an account of every person in Ireland. The results provide information on a range of themes, such as, population, housing and education. The data were sourced from the CSO. Province Boundaries Generalised to 100m. Ireland is divided into four provinces called Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. Although they presently do not have any administrative functions, they are relevant for a number of historical, cultural and sporting reasons. The borders of the provinces coincide exactly with the boundaries of the administrative counties. Three of the nine counties in Ulster are within the jurisdiction of the State.

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents in Northern Ireland by their religion. The estimates are as at census day, 21 March 2021. The religion classification used is a 32-category classification corresponding to the tick box options and write-in responses on the census questionnaire with at least 1,000 responses.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

This table reports responses for which there are 1,000 or more usual residents.

'Religion' indicates religion, religious denomination or body. 'Catholic' includes those who gave their current religion as Catholic or Roman Catholic.

This table provides Census 2021 estimates that classify people by Country of birth (12 categories) by Religion or religion brought up in for Northern Ireland. The table contains 48 counts.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

notes

1. 'EU' is the European Union and is as defined on census day (21 March 2021).
2. People who gave 'Cyprus' as their country of birth are included within the 'Europe: Other EU countries' category.
3. 'Europe: Other Non-EU countries' includes United Kingdom (part not specified) and Ireland (part not specified).
4. 'Religion' indicates religion, religious denomination or body.
5. 'Catholic' includes those who gave their current religion as Catholic or Roman Catholic.

Quality assurance report can be found here

Please be advised that there are issues with the Small Area boundary dataset generalised to 20m which affect Small Area 268014010 in Ballygall D, Dublin City. The Small Area boundary dataset generalised to 20m is in the process of being revised and the updated datasets will be available as soon as the boundaries are amended. This feature layer was created using Census 2016 data produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Small Areas national boundary data (generalised to 20m) produced by Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi). The layer represents Census 2016 theme 2.4, population by religion. Attributes include population breakdown by religion (e.g. catholic, other religion, no religion). Census 2016 theme 2 represents Migration, Ethnicity and Religion. The Census is carried out every five years by the CSO to determine an account of every person in Ireland. The results provide information on a range of themes, such as, population, housing and education. The data were sourced from the CSO. The Small Area Boundaries were created with the following credentials. National boundary dataset. Consistent sub-divisions of an ED. Created not to cross some natural features. Defined area with a minimum number of GeoDirectory building address points. Defined area initially created with minimum of 65 – approx. average of around 90 residential address points. Generated using two bespoke algorithms which incorporated the ED and Townland boundaries, ortho-photography, large scale vector data and GeoDirectory data. Before the 2011 census they were split in relation to motorways and dual carriageways. After the census some boundaries were merged and other divided to maintain privacy of the residential area occupants. They are available as generalised and non generalised boundary sets.

This feature layer was created using Census 2016 data produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Municipal Districts boundary data (generalised to 50m) produced by Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi). The layer represents Census 2016 theme 2.3, the population usually resident in Ireland by usual residence 1 year before Census Day. Attributes include population breakdown by usual residence (e.g. same address, outside Ireland). Census 2016 theme 2 represents Migration, Ethnicity and Religion. The Census is carried out every five years by the CSO to determine an account of every person in Ireland. The results provide information on a range of themes, such as, population, housing and education. The data were sourced from the CSO. The Municipal District Boundary dataset generalised to 50m has been generated from the OSi National Statutory Boundary dataset.

Population by Statistic, Religion, CensusYear and Sex

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This table provides Census 2021 estimates that classify people by National identity (8 categories) by Religion (8 categories) for Northern Ireland. The table contains 64 counts.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

'Religion' indicates religion, religious denomination or body. 'Catholic' includes those who gave their current religion as Catholic or Roman Catholic.

Quality assurance report can be found here

This table provides Census 2021 estimates that classify people by National identity (8 categories) by Religion or religion brought up in for Northern Ireland. The table contains 32 counts.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

'Religion' indicates religion, religious denomination or body. 'Catholic' includes those who gave their current religion as Catholic or Roman Catholic.

Quality assurance report can be found here

Percentage Change in Population by Sex, Religion, Statistic and CensusYear

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Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner. The Northern Ireland Grid-Square Product comprises population counts for a regular grid of 1km and 100m cells for 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001. It is a unique data resource, which has previously been under-utilised because it has been held in an inaccessible format, where data have had to be extracted by the manual entry of each cell's co-ordinates. The data are valuable because they permit the analysis of change through time using geographical units that are consistent between censuses. The Linking Northern Ireland Census of Population Data project sought to make these data more widely available by extracting all counts for all years and subsequently reformatting the data to make them more amenable for general analysis with commonly used software. Linkages between variables through time have been documented, and basic look-up tables linking the 1km and 100m cell counts to Census 2001 output geographies have been provided. All variable counts for all years are given. The data make it possible to trace local patterns of social, demographic and economic change in Northern Ireland through time, using a consistent geography between 1971 and 2001. Main Topics: The data comprise variables covering economic and labour markets, housing conditions, migration, religion and other topics, and population counts. Users should note that the data files are for use with ArcInfo software.

Population by religion by Local Electoral Areas. (Census 2022 Theme 2 Table 4 )Census 2022 table 2.4 is the total population by religion. Details include population by religion. Census 2022 theme 2 is Migration, Ethnicity, Religion and Foreign Languages. For the purposes of Local Authority elections, each county and city is divided into Local Electoral Areas (LEAs) which are constituted on the basis of Orders made under the Local Government Act, 1941. Statutory Instruments 610-638 of 2018 and 6-8, 27-28, 156-157 of 2019 state the current composition of LEAs.In general, LEAs are formed by aggregating Electoral Divisions. However, in a number of cases, Electoral Divisions are split between LEAs and in order to render them suitable for the production of statistics, the CSO has amended some LEA boundaries to ensure that statistical disclosure does not occur. As a result of these amendments, Census 2022 LEAs are comprised of whole Census 2022 Electoral Divisions.Coordinate reference system: Irish Transverse Mercator (EPSG 2157). These boundaries are based on 20m generalised boundaries sourced from Tailte Éireann Open Data Portal. CSO Local Electoral Areas 2022

This table provides Census 2021 estimates that classify people by Economic activity by Religion (8 categories) for Northern Ireland. The table contains 112 counts.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

'Religion' indicates religion, religious denomination or body. 'Catholic' includes those who gave their current religion as Catholic or Roman Catholic.

Quality assurance report can be found here

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates about the religion or religion brought up in of the usual resident population of Northern Ireland. The estimates are as at census day, 21 March 2021. The religion or religion brought up in classification used is a 7-category classification corresponding to the tick box options and write-in responses on the census questionnaire for the religion belong to and the religion brought up in questions.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

Population (Number) by Religion, Socio Economic Group, CensusYear and Sex

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