Report Published On Minority and Religious Groups

Research published investigating outcomes for minority ethnic and minority religion groups in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) has today published research investigating outcomes for minority ethnic and minority religion groups in Northern Ireland.

Using data from the 2021 Census, the research examined key socioeconomic and self-reported health outcomes to better understand differences between groups and when compared to the majority population.

The key findings include:

• People from minority ethnic and minority religion groups often had different socioeconomic and self-reported health outcomes than those in the majority population in Northern Ireland, at the time of the 2021 Census.

• The Filipino and Indian ethnic groups had more positive outcomes than the White ethnic group on several measures. For example, a smaller share reported a disability, poor general health, and having no formal qualifications.

• Among the minority religion groups examined, the Hindu population generally had more positive outcomes. A higher share had degree-level qualifications and worked in high-skilled occupations.

• Findings for the Irish Traveller ethnic group showed poorer outcomes across several areas. Among the minority ethnic groups studied, Irish Travellers had the highest share reporting: a disability; poor general health; and economic inactivity.

• Across the minority religion groups in focus, the Muslim group generally had less positive outcomes. This included the highest share living in overcrowded accommodation and the lowest employment rate. The Muslim population also had the highest share reporting low English language proficiency.

Further analysis using secure research data from the 2021 Census accounted for differences in demographic, socioeconomic, and area characteristics of the ethnic groups in focus.

This allowed outcomes to be assessed on a more like-for-like basis, showing whether differences relative to the White ethnic group remained after adjusting for these factors. The results showed that differences in outcomes persisted:

• The Chinese, Filipino and Indian groups were among the minority ethnic groups least likely to report a disability, poor general health, and a mental health condition, relative to the White group.
• Within the working-age population aged 16 to 64 years, the Roma, Filipino, and Black Other groups were more likely to be economically active (i.e. participating in the labour market) relative to the White group.
• Compared to the White group, the Roma group was 1.7 times and the Filipino group 1.5 times more likely to be in employment (among those aged 16-64 years and economically active).
• The Chinese and Indian groups were more likely than the White group to live in owner-occupied housing.
• The Irish Traveller group was more than twice as likely as the White group to report a disability, poor general health, and a mental health condition.
• Of the 12 minority ethnic groups examined, eight were less likely to be in employment than the White group among people active in the labour market.
• Among people with degree-level and above qualifications, the Black Other, Filipino and Black African groups were more likely than the White group to work in low-skilled jobs (termed underemployment).

The research supports TEO’s ongoing work on developing a new strategic approach to racial equality in Northern Ireland.

The draft Framework for Race Relations and its associated two-year Delivery Plan aim to tackle racial inequalities and help create a more prosperous society for everyone.

The findings from the statistical modelling help to improve understanding of the differences between minority ethnic groups and the majority White group, regarding key socioeconomic and self-reported health outcomes.

Statistical modelling was not applied to religion groups due to limited religion data breakdowns in the secure research data. Note that the research does not and cannot identify causes of the identified differences between groups.

The research was conducted under the Administrative Data Research NI (ADR NI) initiative, part of the wider ADR UK. NISRA, together with the Administrative Data Research Centre Northern Ireland (comprising Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University), form ADR NI.

The ‘Investigating outcomes for minority ethnic and minority religion groups in Northern Ireland using the 2021 Census’ main and summary research reports and policy brief are available on the NISRA website.