Northern Ireland census records more Catholics than Protestants

The Northern Ireland Census has recorded more Catholics than Protestants for the first time ever. The results showed 45.7% of Northern Ireland's population is or was raised Catholic, while 43.5% are Protestant or another Christian religion.

This is the first time in NI's 100-year history that the Catholic population has surpassed Protestants. The census also revealed a decrease in UK passports and an increase in Irish passports.

“Over the last decade the number of people holding a UK passport, either solely or jointly, has decreased from 1,070,400 in 2011 to 1,000,200 in 2021,” said the Census bulletin. “The number of people holding an Ireland passport, either solely or jointly, has increased from 375,800 in 2011 to 614,300 in 2021."

Secularism has also seen an increase this year, with 17.4% of the population declaring 'no religion' compared to 2011's 10.1% 'no religion'.

On national identity, in 2011, 40% said they had British-only identity, 25% Irish-only identity, and 21% Northern Irish-only. This year, 31.9% said British-only, 29.1% Irish-only, and 19.8% Northern Irish-only: showing an increase in the population identifying as Irish over British.