Northern Ireland

Census stats on religion and national identity to be published in autumn 2022

More than 80 per cent of 2021 census returns were made online
More than 80 per cent of 2021 census returns were made online More than 80 per cent of 2021 census returns were made online

NO firm date has been given for the publication of much-anticipated census figures on the north's religious breakdown.

The Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) yesterday published its schedule for the release of Census 2021, saying only that the key data on religion and national identity would be available in "autumn 2022".

There has been widespread speculation that the 10-yearly statistics could see Catholics outnumber their Protestant counterparts for the first time.

The 2011 census found that the Protestant population had declined to 48 per cent and the Catholic minority had risen to 45 per cent.

Last month Irish News columnist Brian Feeney cast doubt on the expectation that the census would reveal a Catholic majority.

Nisra plans to release the first tranche of statistics, a breakdown of the population by age, sex and number of households, by June this year.

It said the data covering issues such as demography, passports held, religion, national identity, language and sexual orientation would be released later in the year, in line with its practice in the past.

The remainder of statistics will be published over subsequent months, right up to the summer of next year.

With a return rate of 97 per cent, Nisra said last year's census had the highest level of engagement for 30 years.

More than 80 per cent of returns were made online, compared to less than 20 per cent a decade ago.

"We have had a fantastic response to the census and I want to thank everyone who responded," said census director Dr David Marshall

"It was great to see people playing their part in shaping public services and helping government departments, businesses, charities and other organisations understand the needs of our population."