Key points

  • The proportion of respondents who agreed that asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Northern Ireland increased significantly between 2018, the first year of the current time series, and 2024 (from 54% to 60%). The 2024 figure was not significantly different to the corresponding figure for 2023 (61%) but was a significant decrease from the time series peak in 2022 (70%).
  • In 2024, approximately one-third (33%) of respondents agreed that Northern Ireland is a society that welcomes refugees escaping persecution in their home country. This was a significant decrease from 2019 (the first year of the current time series; 39%), 2022 (the time series peak; 51%) and 2023 (39%).
  • In 2024, almost two-thirds (66%) of respondents agreed that it is “our duty to provide protection to refugees who are escaping persecution in their home country”. This was similar to the figures for both 2019 (the first year of the current time series; 65%) and 2023 (68%), with neither difference being statistically significant. The 2024 figure was, however, a significant decrease from the time series peak in 2022 (76%).
  • The proportion of respondents who agreed that refugees and asylum seekers are not respected in Northern Ireland increased significantly between 2023, the first year the question was asked, and 2024, from 50% to 60%.

Background and introduction

This publication uses data from the Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey to examine public attitudes to asylum seekers and refugees in Northern Ireland. The NILT survey is an annual, representative survey of the population of Northern Ireland, aged 18 and above.

This publication presents the results of 10 questions. Full details on each, including when they were first asked, are available in the Technical notes.

Comparisons are made over time for the full sample as far back as the data is available. Analysis by Local Government District (LGD) is also provided, with the 2023 and 2024 datasets combined to ensure the sample size was sufficient for analysis.

Supplementary data tables accompanying this publication, with breakdowns by sub-population groups, are available on the Executive Office website.

Technical overview

Because NILT is a representative survey, the results presented in this report can be considered to be estimates of the views of the adult population of Northern Ireland.

Changes over time and between LGDs have been tested for statistical significance. Where possible, these have been mentioned in the commentary.

Further information on weights applied to the data and statistical uncertainty (confidence intervals and significance differences) have been provided in the Technical notes, with full detail provided in the supplementary data tables.

The Technical notes also include further information on the NILT survey, definitions and analysis provided.

Note: Throughout the publication, response options ‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Agree’ were merged into an ‘Agree’ category. Response options ‘Strongly disagree’ and ‘Disagree’ were merged into a ‘Disagree’ category. ‘Prefer not to say’ response options were coded as missing.

Responses to the question: “Thinking about people who come to Northern Ireland to get away from persecution in their own country. How much do you agree or disagree that these asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Northern Ireland?”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that “asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Northern Ireland”. In 2024, 60% agreed with this statement, 21% neither agreed nor disagreed, 16% disagreed and 4% said they didn’t know.

The proportion of all respondents who agreed with the statement increased significantly from 54% in 2018 to 60% in 2024. The 2024 figure was not significantly different to the corresponding figure for 2023 (61%) but was a significant decrease from the time series peak in 2022 (70%).

Figure 1. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Northern Ireland: 2018 to 2024

Note: The survey methodology changed between 2019 and 2020, when the survey moved from a face-to-face to an online mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move to an online survey is not considered to constitute a break in the time series. For more information please see Technical notes

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 2, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 54% in Mid and East Antrim to 68% in Belfast.

The estimate for Belfast was significantly higher than the estimates for six other LGDs. Full details of significant differences between LGDs are available in Worksheet 11a of the supplementary data tables.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 61% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement.

Figure 2. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Northern Ireland: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement “It should be easier for asylum seekers to obtain refugee status in Northern Ireland.”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that “it should be easier for asylum seekers to obtain refugee status in Northern Ireland”. In 2024, 36% agreed with the statement, 28% neither agreed nor disagreed, 31% disagreed and 5% said they didn’t know.

Figure 3 shows that the proportion of all respondents who agreed was similar in 2023 (37%) and 2024 (36%) - this difference was not statistically significant.

Figure 3. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that it should be easier for asylum seekers to obtain refugee status in Northern Ireland: 2023 to 2024

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 4, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 29% in Mid and East Antrim to 46% in Belfast.

The estimate for Belfast was significantly higher than the estimates for seven other LGDs. Full details of significant differences between LGDs are available in Worksheet 11d of the supplementary data tables.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 36% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement.

Figure 4. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that it should be easier for asylum seekers to obtain refugee status in Northern Ireland: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement: “Asylum seekers should have the same access to employment as the rest of the Northern Ireland population.”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that “asylum seekers should have the same access to employment as the rest of the Northern Ireland population”. In 2024, 55% agreed with this statement, 19% neither agreed nor disagreed, 22% disagreed and 4% said they didn’t know.

The difference between the proportion of respondents who agreed with this statement in 2023 (57%) and 2024 (55%) was not statistically significant.

Figure 5. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that asylum seekers should have the same access to employment as the rest of the Northern Ireland population: 2023 to 2024

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 6, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 49% in Causeway Coast and Glens to 67% in Belfast.

The estimate for Belfast was significantly higher than the estimates for nine other LGDs. Full details of significant differences between LGDs are available in Worksheet 11e of the supplementary data tables.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 56% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement.

Figure 6. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that asylum seekers should have the same access to employment as the rest of the Northern Ireland population: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement: “Northern Ireland is a society that welcomes refugees escaping persecution in their home country.”

Overall responses

Respondents were then asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that “Northern Ireland is a society that welcomes refugees escaping persecution in their home country”. In 2024, 33% agreed with this statement, 28% neither agreed nor disagreed, 35% disagreed and 4% said they didn’t know.

In 2024, approximately one-third (33%) of respondents agreed with this statement - a significant decrease from both the 2019 and 2023 figures (39% for both years). This was also a significant decrease from the time series peak in 2022 (51%).

Figure 7. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that Northern Ireland is a society that welcomes refugees escaping persecution in their home country: 2019 to 2024

Note: The survey methodology changed between 2019 and 2020, when the survey moved from a face-to-face to an online mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move to an online survey is not considered to constitute a break in the time series. For more information please see Technical notes

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

Figure 8 shows that, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 29% in Fermanagh and Omagh, to 44% in Derry City and Strabane.

The estimate for Derry City and Strabane was significantly higher than the corresponding figures for three other LGDs (Causeway Coast and Glens, Fermanagh and Omagh and Mid and East Antrim). No other significant differences existed in the proportions who agreed with this statement across LGDs. Full details of significant differences between LGDs are available in Worksheet 11b of the supplementary data tables.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 36% of all respondents agreed that Northern Ireland is a society that welcomes refugees escaping persecution in their home country. It is particularly important to consider the combined figure for this question, as the proportion who agreed decreased significantly between 2023 and 2024.

Figure 8. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that Northern Ireland is a society that welcomes refugees escaping persecution in their home country: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement: “I think it is our duty to provide protection to refugees who are escaping persecution in their home country.”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the statement “I think it is our duty to provide protection to refugees who are escaping persecution in their home country”. In 2024, 66% agreed with this statement, 18% neither agreed nor disagreed, 15% disagreed and 2% said they didn’t know.

In 2024, almost two-thirds (66%) of respondents agreed with this statement. This was similar to the figures for both 2019 (65%) and 2023 (68%), with neither difference being statistically significant. The 2024 figure was, however, a significant decrease from the time series peak in 2022 (76%).

Figure 9. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that “it is our duty to provide protection to refugees who are escaping persecution in their home country”: 2019 to 2024

Note: The survey methodology changed between 2019 and 2020, when the survey moved from a face-to-face to an online mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move to an online survey is not considered to constitute a break in the time series. For more information please see Technical notes

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 10, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 61% in three LGDs (Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid Ulster), to 72% in Ards and North Down. The estimate for Ards and North Down was significantly higher than the estimates for these three LGDs. Full details of significant differences between LGDs are available in Worksheet 11c of the supplementary data tables.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 67% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement.

Figure 10. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that “it is our duty to provide protection to refugees who are escaping persecution in their home country”: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement: “Refugees contribute to our society.”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that “refugees contribute to our society”. In 2024, 50% agreed with the statement, 29% neither agreed nor disagreed, 16% disagreed and 5% said they didn’t know.

Figure 11 shows that the proportion of respondents who agreed decreased from 53% in 2023 to 50% in 2024 - this difference was not statistically significant.

Figure 11. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that refugees contribute to our society: 2023 to 2024

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 12, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 44% in Causeway Coast and Glens to 61% in Belfast.

The estimate for Belfast was significantly higher than the estimates for eight other LGDs. Full details of significant differences between LGDs are available in Worksheet 11f of the supplementary data tables.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 51% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement.

Figure 12. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that refugees contribute to our society: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement: “Refugees and asylum seekers are not respected in Northern Ireland.”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that “refugees and asylum seekers are not respected in Northern Ireland”. In 2024, 60% agreed with the statement, 26% neither agreed nor disagreed, 9% disagreed and 5% said they didn’t know.

The proportion of respondents who agreed with this statement increased significantly between 2023 and 2024, from 50% to 60%.

Figure 13. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that refugees and asylum seekers are not respected in Northern Ireland: 2023 to 2024

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 14, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 48% in Derry City and Strabane to 59% in Ards and North Down and Newry, Mourne and Down.

The estimates for both of these LGDs (Ards and North Down and Newry, Mourne and Down) were significantly higher than the estimates for two other LGDs (Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon and Derry City and Strabane) - see Worksheet 11g of the supplementary data tables for full details. No other significant differences existed in the proportions who agreed with this statement across LGDs.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 55% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement. It is particularly important to consider the combined figure for this question, as the proportion who agreed increased significantly between 2023 and 2024.

Figure 14. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that refugees and asylum seekers are not respected in Northern Ireland: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement: “I would like more opportunities to get to know asylum seekers or refugees.”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the statement “I would like more opportunities to get to know asylum seekers or refugees”. In 2024, 47% agreed with the statement, 36% neither agreed nor disagreed, 14% disagreed and 4% said they didn’t know.

Figure 15 shows that the proportion of respondents who agreed in 2024 (47%) was slightly higher than 2023 (44%), although this increase was not statistically significant.

Figure 15. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that they would like more opportunities to get to know asylum seekers or refugees: 2023 to 2024

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 16, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 39% in Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid and East Antrim to 52% in Belfast.

The estimate for Belfast was significantly higher than the estimates for six other LGDs - see Worksheet 11h of the supplementary data tables for full details. No other significant differences existed in the proportions who agreed with this statement across LGDs.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 45% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement.

Figure 16. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that they would like more opportunities to get to know asylum seekers or refugees: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement: “People’s perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers are negatively affected by the media.”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed with the statement “People’s perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers are negatively affected by the media”. Figure 17 shows that in 2024, over two-thirds (69%) of all respondents agreed with this statement. A further 17% neither agreed nor disagreed, 10% disagreed and the remaining 4% said they didn’t know.

Whilst there was a small increase in the proportion of those who agreed between 2023 (66%) and 2024 (69%), this was not a significant increase.

Figure 17. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that people’s perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers are negatively affected by the media: 2023 to 2024

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 18, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 58% in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon to 73% in both Antrim and Newtownabbey and Lisburn and Castlereagh.

The estimate for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon was significantly lower than the estimates for seven other LGDs. Full details of significant differences between LGDs are available in Worksheet 11i of the supplementary data tables.

For context when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 68% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement.

Figure 18. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that people’s perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers are negatively affected by the media: 2023 and 2024 combined

Responses to the statement: “People fleeing the war in Ukraine should be allowed to come to Northern Ireland.”

Overall responses

Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the statement “People fleeing the war in Ukraine should be allowed to come to Northern Ireland”. In 2024, 77% agreed with the statement, 13% neither agreed nor disagreed, 9% disagreed and 2% said they didn’t know.

Figure 19 shows that the proportion of respondents who agreed in 2024 (77%) was similar to 2023 (78%). The difference between the two years was not significant.

Figure 19. Percentage of all respondents who agreed that people fleeing the war in Ukraine should be allowed to come to Northern Ireland: 2023 to 2024

Responses by Local Government District in 2023 and 2024

As shown in Figure 20, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, the percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement ranged from 65% in Derry City and Strabane and Mid Ulster to 86% in Ards and North Down.

The estimate for Ards and North Down was significantly higher than the estimates for five other LGDs. The estimates for Derry City and Strabane and Mid Ulster were both significantly lower than eight other LGDs. Full details of significant differences between LGDs are available in Worksheet 11j of the supplementary data tables.

For context, when 2023 and 2024 datasets were combined, 77% of all respondents across Northern Ireland agreed with the statement.

Figure 20. Map of the percentage of respondents, by Local Government District, who agreed that people fleeing the war in Ukraine should be allowed to come to Northern Ireland: 2023 and 2024 combined

Technical notes

Methodology

Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) is an annual survey run by Access Research Knowledge (ARK). ARK is a social policy hub, established in 2000 by researchers at Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast. Every year, ARK administer the survey to a representative sample of adults, aged 18 years or over, living in Northern Ireland.

In the questionnaire, an asylum seeker was defined as “someone seeking refugee status who has not yet received a decision from the Immigration Authorities on whether their application has been successful or not.” Refugees were defined as “people who have been given permission to stay in the UK because they have been persecuted in their home country.”

After being provided with these definitions, respondents were asked: ‘Thinking about people who come to Northern Ireland to get away from persecution in their own country. How much do you agree or disagree that these asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Northern Ireland?’ (Question also asked each year since 2018).

They were then asked how much they agree or disagree with the following statements:

  • It should be easier for asylum seekers to obtain refugee status in Northern Ireland (Question asked each year since 2023)
  • Asylum seekers should have the same access to employment as the rest of the Northern Ireland population (Question asked each year since 2023)
  • Northern Ireland is a society that welcomes refugees escaping persecution in their home country (Question asked each year since 2019)
  • I think it is our duty to provide protection to refugees who are escaping persecution in their home country (Question asked each year since 2019)
  • Refugees contribute to our society (Question asked each year since 2023)
  • Refugees and asylum seekers are not respected in Northern Ireland (Question asked each year since 2023)
  • I would like more opportunities to get to know asylum seekers or refugees (Question asked each year since 2023)
  • People’s perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers are negatively affected by the media (Question asked each year since 2023)

Respondents were then asked: ‘How much do you agree or disagree that people fleeing the war in Ukraine should be allowed to come to Northern Ireland?’ (Question asked each year since 2023).

The response options for all ten questions were: Strongly agree; Agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Disagree; Strongly disagree; I don’t know; Prefer not to say.

This publication presents findings for the overall sample and LGD. Further breakdowns by sex, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, urban/rural area and ethnic identity are available in the supplementary data tables.

Move to online survey

Prior to 2020, the survey was administered face-to-face. This changed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is now conducted primarily online. The move to an online survey was fully tested and is not considered to constitute a break in the time series.

Sample

The 2024 NILT survey sample was a systematic random sample of addresses selected from the Postcode Address File (PAF). The PAF is the most up-to-date and complete list of addresses in the UK. Prior to sample selection, non-residential addresses and businesses were removed from the list, where possible. A total of 8,000 addresses, stratified proportionately by LGD, were selected and issued with an invitation letter. The letter indicated that only the adult with the next birthday within the household was eligible for participation. The survey was conducted online, and the letter contained a URL survey link, unique to each household. To ensure that the survey was as inclusive as possible, participants could also ask to complete by telephone. Of the 8,000 addresses, 1,199 completed the survey, which is a response rate of 15%. The asylum seeker and refugee questions were answered by between 1,188 and 1,198 respondents.

2024 NILT data collection period

Data for the 2024 NILT survey was collected between 6 September 2024 and 19 November 2024.

Variable coding

Refugee and asylum seeker questions

Response options ‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Agree’ were merged into an ‘Agree’ category. Response options ‘Strongly disagree’ and ‘Disagree’ were merged into a ‘Disagree’ category. ‘Prefer not to say’ response options were coded as missing.

Statistics

When interpreting the findings in this publication, please note the following:

Rounding

Percentages within this publication have been rounded to the nearest integer and may therefore not sum to 100%.

Sampling error and weights

As NILT is a sample survey, there is a certain level of sampling error. This means that the characteristics of the group sampled will differ from the population as a whole. To account for this sampling error, and to ensure that reported estimates better represent the population, the data have been weighted by age, gender, and location, based on information from the Northern Ireland Census.

Confidence intervals and statistical significance

The supplementary data tables include detail on the 95% confidence intervals for each estimate. A confidence interval gives an indication of the degree of uncertainty of an estimate and helps to explain how precise it is. The wider a confidence interval is, the less precise the associated estimate is.

Statistically significant differences over time and between LGDs have been highlighted throughout the report, with full detail presented in worksheets 11a to 11j in the supplementary data tables. If two groups are significantly different from each other, it means that the difference between them is unlikely to have occurred by chance. All tests were conducted at .05 significance level. This means that if a difference between two groups is reported as significant, there is less than (<) 5% probability that the result was due to chance. The unweighted base numbers and weighted percentage estimates have an effect on statistical significance. Therefore, on occasion, a difference between two groups may be statistically significant while the same difference in percentage points between two other groups may not be statistically significant. The reason for this is that the larger the unweighted base numbers or the closer the percentages are to 0 or 100, the smaller the standard errors. This leads to increased precision of the estimates which increases the likelihood that the difference is significant.

More information on statistical uncertainty can be found on the ONS website

Publication threshold

It is the nature of sampling variability that the smaller the group whose size is being estimated, the less precise (proportionately) that estimate is. Estimates for groups where the sample base is less than 50 have been omitted from the report, as they are likely to be unreliable. This is denoted by ‘[u]’ in the supplementary data tables.

Disclosure control

Statistical disclosure control has been applied to instances of small cell counts (less than five). Data are not presented for confidentiality purposes. This is denoted by ‘[c]’ in the supplementary data tables.

Official statistics

These official statistics are produced in compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. Our Statistical policies and statements provide further details of how we apply the principles and practices of the Code in the production and publication of our official statistics.

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics. that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing or via the OSR website.

Reader information


Date of publication 25 September 2025
Coverage Northern Ireland
Frequency Annual
Reporting period Data are from 2018 - 2024
Statistical quality Information detailed in this report has been quality assured prior to release.
Target audience The Executive Office (TEO), other government departments, public bodies, community and voluntary sector organisations, educational professionals, academics, media and the public.
Web page The Executive Office
Copyright This publication is Crown copyright and may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium. Acknowledgement should be given for any material used, and the title of the publication specified.
Feedback Comments on this publication are welcome. Please fill in our user survey or contact analyticalunit@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk
Acknowledgement Thanks are offered to all the individuals who took part in the surveys contributing to the findings presented in this report. Without their help this report would not have been possible.

Contact Details

Status: Official Statistics

Published by: Analytical Unit, The Executive Office (TEO)

Contact: TEO Analytical Unit

Email: analyticalunit@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

Publication date: 25 September 2025

Theme: Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Coverage: Northern Ireland

Frequency: Annual

Media enquiries should be directed to The Executive Office press office: