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Northern Ireland Good Relations Indicators 2019 Report

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Originally published on 4 August 2022, revised on 24 November 2022

Our Children and Young People
Our Shared Community
T:BUC Strategy
Key Priority Areas
Our Safe Community
Our Cultural Expression

The Good Relations Indicators 2019 Report was revised on 24th November 2022 to correct an error which was identified in how religion and gender breakdowns were calculated. Full details can be found in the Corrections Notice.

The Together: Building a United Community Strategy (2013) outlines a vision of a united community, based on equality of opportunity, the desirability of good relations and reconciliation.

This publication monitors indicators for the four key priorities of the T:BUC Strategy: our children and young people; our shared community; our safe community; and our cultural expression.

Click here to view guidance on the interactive figures used throughout this report

Executive Summary

Our Children and Young People

  • 39% of adults and 44% of young people think that relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago. There was a significant decrease on the corresponding 2018 figure of 43% for adults but there was no significant difference in the change for young people.

  • 54% of young people have ‘done projects’ with pupils from other schools; 52% have ‘shared classes’; and 26% ‘shared sports facilities or equipment’ where the pupils are from a different religious background.

Our Shared Community

  • 90% of adults think that leisure centres in their area are ‘shared and open’ to both Catholics and Protestants; 92% think this about parks; 95% think this about libraries and 96% think this about shopping centres.

  • 88% of respondents said they would prefer a mixed religion workplace; 77% a mixed religion neighbourhood; and 61% mixed religion schools.

Our Safe Community

  • 63% of respondents said that they see town centres as safe and welcoming places for people of all walks of life. This is a significant decrease of 4 percentage points since 2018.

  • 91% of respondents say they feel ‘very’ or ‘quite’ safe going to events held in a Protestant secondary school; 89% to events held in a Catholic secondary school; 70% to events held in a GAA club; and 66% to events held in an Orange Hall.

Our Cultural Expression

  • 76% of respondents think that the culture and traditions of Protestant communities add to the richness and diversity of Northern Ireland society; 73% think this about Catholic communities; and 61% think this about Minority Ethnic communities.

  • Since 2018 there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who feel they have an influence on decisions in their neighbourhood (6 percentage point increase to 25%) and Northern Ireland decisions (6 percentage point increase to 22%).

1. Our Children and Young People

Indicator 1.1a

Percentage (%) who think that relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago


Why is this indicator important?

Improving attitudes, as perceived by young people responding to the Young Life and Times (YLT) survey, is an invaluable measure of attitudinal change. Direct comparisons can be made with adults using the Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey.

Current Year (2019):

In 2019, 39% of adults and 44% of young people think that relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago.

Figure 1:

% who think that relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago

Download data:

Source: NILT/YLT

How we got here:

Since 2018, there has been a significant decrease (of 4 percentage points to 39%) in the proportion of adult respondents who think relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago. The proportion of young people who think relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago has not undergone any significant change since 2018. This is the second lowest proportion for young people since the launch of the T:BUC strategy in 2013.

From 2018 to 2019 there was no significant change in the proportion of adults identifying as Protestant who think relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago (2019: 42%), however there was a significant increase of 9 percentage points among young people who identify as Protestant (2019: 48%). There was no significant change in the proportion of either adults or young people who identify as neither Protestant nor Catholic who think relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago. Adult respondents identifying as Catholic who think relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago has significantly decreased (8 percentage points to 41%). There was no significant change among young people identifying as Catholic who think relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago.


Indicator 1.1a

Percentage (%) who think that relations between Protestants and Catholics will be better in five years' time


Why is this indicator important?

Improving attitudes, as perceived by young people responding to the Young Life and Times (YLT) survey, is an invaluable measure of attitudinal change. Direct comparisons can be made with adults using the Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey.

Current Year (2019):

In 2019, 28% of adults and 34% of young people think that relations between Protestants and Catholics will be better in five years’ time.

Figure 2:

% who think that relations between Protestants and Catholics will be better in five years' time

Download data:

Source: NILT/YLT

How we got here:

Since 2018, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adult respondents who think relations will be better in five years' time; the corresponding figure for young people has also not changed significantly. For adults this is the lowest proportion since the launch of the T:BUC strategy in 2013, while for young people this is the second lowest.


Indicator 1.1b

Percentage (%) who feel favourable towards people from: Catholic communities, Protestant communities, Minority Ethnic communities


Why is this indicator important?

Improving attitudes, as perceived by young people responding to the Young Life and Times (YLT) survey, is an invaluable measure of attitudinal change. Direct comparisons can be made with adults using the Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey.

Current Year (2019):

63% of young people responded that they feel favourable towards people from Catholic communities; 57% towards people from Protestant communities; and 55% towards people from Minority Ethnic communities. This remains significantly lower than the proportion of adults who feel favourable towards people from: Catholic communities, 81%; Protestant communities, 86%; and Minority Ethnic communities, 69%.

Figure 3:

% who feel favourable towards people from: Catholic communities, Protestant communities, Minority Ethnic communities

Download data:

Source: NILT/YLT

How we got here:

Young people's attitudes towards people from Catholic, Protestant, and Minority Ethnic communities have shown a significant improvement since 2018.

Young people in 2019 are more positive than their counterparts in 2013 towards Catholic communities (19 percentage points), Protestant Communities (15 percentage points) and Minority Ethnic communities (14 percentage points).


Indicator 1.2a

Percentage (%) of young people who regularly socialise or play sport with people from a different religious community


Why is this indicator important?

The number of young people regularly socialising or playing sport with people from a different community shows the extent of positive cross-community contact.

Current Year (2019):

66% of young people ‘very often’ or ‘sometimes’ socialise or play sport with people from a different religious community. A significantly lower proportion of Catholic young people report this than Protestant young people or young people with no religion. There is no significant difference in the proportions of young male people and young female people who report this.

Figure 4:

% of young people who regularly socialise or play sport with people from a different religious community

Download data:

Source: YLT

How we got here:

The proportion of young people who regularly socialise or play sport with young people from a different religious background has increased for the first time since 2015. This is a significant increase of 4 percentage points on this proportion in 2018.


Indicator 1.2b

Percentage (%) of young people who have: shared sports facilities or equipment; shared classes; or done projects, with pupils from other schools where the pupils are from a different religious background


Why is this indicator important?

Finding out the opinions of young people who have done projects, and shared classes or facilities with pupils from other schools where the pupils are from a different religious background helps to show what works, and where resources are best allocated.

Current Year (2019):

54% of young people have ‘done projects’ with pupils from other schools, while 52% have ‘shared classes’, and 26% ‘shared sports facilities or equipment’.

Figure 5:

% of young people who have: shared sports facilites or equipment; shared classes; or done projects, with pupils from other schools where the pupils are from a different religious background

Download data:

Source: YLT

Note: % of young people refers to those who took part in shared education.

How we got here:

A shared education model is included in alternating 'Young Life and Times' surveys. Data from previous years are not directly comparable due to changes in the wording and ordering of questions.


2. Our Shared Community

Indicator 2.1a

Percentage (%) who think that Protestants and Catholics tend to go to different local shops or use different GP surgeries and other services in their area


Why is this indicator important?

It is important that all public services and shared spaces are seen as accessible to the whole community.

Current Year (2019):

63% of respondents do not think Protestants and Catholics use different shops and services in their area, while 23% of respondents think this does tend to happen. A higher proportion of Catholic respondents (28%) think that this happens ‘a little’ or ‘a lot’ compared to Protestant respondents (19%) but there was no significant difference between Catholic respondents and those with no religion (23%). There was no significant difference between male and female respondents who think that this happens ‘a little or a lot’.

Figure 6:

% who think that Protestant and Catholics tend to go to different local shops or use different GP surgeries and other services in the area

Download data:

Source: NILT

How we got here:

Since 2018, there has been no significant difference in the proportion of adults who think Catholics and Protestant tend to go to different local shops or use different GP surgeries and other services in their area (25% in 2018; 23% in 2019). There was also no significant change in the proportion of adults who think this does not happen (61% in 2018; 63% in 2019).

Since 2013, there has been a significant overall decrease in the proportion who think this happens either a little or a lot (34% in 2013; 23% in 2019).


Indicator 2.1b

Percentage (%) who think that leisure centres, parks, libraries, and shopping centres in their area are 'shared and open' to both Protestants and Catholics


Why is this indicator important?

It is important that all public services and shared spaces are seen as accessible to the whole community.

Current Year (2019):

Considering leisure centres, parks, libraries and shopping centres in their area, the vast majority of respondents report that these are ‘shared and open’ to both Protestants and Catholics. Protestants (93%) are significantly more likely than Catholics (89%) to say leisure centres in their area are shared and open but there is no significant difference between Protestants who say this and those respondents with no religion (91%). Protestants (94%) and respondents with no religion (94%) are significantly more likely than Catholics (89%) to say parks in their area are shared and open. Protestants (97%) are significantly more likely than Catholics (94%) to say shopping centres in their area are shared and open but there is no significant difference between Protestants who say this and those respondents with no religion (96%). There were no significant differences based on the gender of the respondent.

Figure 7:

% who think that leisure centres, parks, libraries, and shopping centres in their area are 'shared and open' to both Protestants and Catholics

Download data:

Source: NILT

Note: Figures include respondents who responded “Yes, definitely” and “Yes, probably”, and exclude those who responded “None in this area” to ensure comparability with previous years.

How we got here:

Since 2013, there have been significant increases in the proportion of respondents who think leisure centres (86% in 2013; 90% in 2019), parks (86% in 2013; 92% in 2019), and shopping centres (93% in 2013; 96% in 2019) in their area are 'shared and open' to both Protestants and Catholics.


Indicator 2.1c

Percentage (%) of those who have children at school who think that their child's school is somewhere they can be open about their cultural identity


Why is this indicator important?

With education playing such a fundamental role in the development of children, it is important that schools are seen as places where they feel they can be open about their cultural identity.

Current Year (2019):

85% of respondents who have children at school think that their child’s school is somewhere their children can be open about their cultural identity. There are no differences in responses when analysed by religion or gender.

Figure 8:

% of those who have children at school who think that their child's school is somewhere they can be open about their cultural identity

Download data:

Source: NILT

Note: Please note that there was an error in the Good Relations Indicators Annual Update 2019 in relation to the 2018 figure for Indicator 2.1c. The correct figure is included in the chart/table above.

How we got here:

Since 2018, there has been a significant increase (10 percentage points) in the proportion of those with children at school who think that their child's school is somewhere they can be open about their cultural identity.


Indicator 2.1d

Percentage (%) whose school has been involved in shared education with another school in the last academic year, broken down by type of activity


Why is this indicator important?

Shared education is being taken forward as one of the key elements of the Together: Building a United Community strategy.

Current Year (2018):

63% of schools were involved in shared education with another school in the last academic year. Of those schools who were involved in shared education with another school in the last academic year; 80% had participated in projects; 63% shared resources; 54% have shared classes which are provided other than through the entitlement framework; 37% have shared extra-curricular activities; 33% have shared classes under the entitlement framework; 31% of schools have developed shared policies; 25% shared teachers; 25% share equipment; and, 20% have shared education in ‘other’ ways.

Figure 9:

% whose school has been involved in shared education with another school in the last academic year, broken down by type of activity

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*entitlement framework sets out the minimum number and range of courses a school should offer at Key Stage 4 and Post-16

Source: School Omnibus Survey 2018

Note: Following the 2016 School Omnibus Survey a decision was taken to move the School Omnibus Survey from an annual survey to a biennial survey.

How we got here:

Since 2016 there has been a 5 percentage point increase in the proportion of schools involved in shared education (58% in 2016 to 63% in 2018). The two main areas in which education is shared is in schools that have done projects with other schools (80%, up 8 percentage points from 2016) and shared resources (63%, up 16 percentage points from 2016).


Indicator 2.1e

Percentage (%) who see the area they live in as Protestant, Catholic or mixed


Why is this indicator important?

If shared spaces in Northern Ireland are to thrive, perception of segregation in housing needs to be reduced.

Current Year (2016):

38% of respondents see the area they live in as “totally” or “mainly” Protestant. A significantly lower proportion 25% see the area they live in as “totally” or “mainly” Catholic. 31% see their area as mixed.

Figure 10:

% who see the area they live in as Protestant, Catholic or mixed

Download data:

Source: House Condition Survey 2016

Note: The House Condition Survey is generally only conducted every 5 years. An additional run of the survey was conducted in 2009 due to emerging data needs at that time following which the survey returned to its original 5 year cycle which it continues to follow. The next House Condition Survey is not due until 2022.

How we got here:

Since 2001, there has been little change in how people describe the religious make-up of the area they live in.


Indicator 2.2a

Percentage (%) who would define their neighbourhood/workplace as somewhere they can be open about their cultural identity


Why is this indicator important?

The accessibility of Shared Space to all, including neighbourhoods and workplaces is a central tenet of good relations policy going forward.

Current Year (2019):

91% of respondents define their neighbourhood as somewhere they can be open about their cultural identity. There is no significant difference in the proportion of people who say this about their workplace (89%).

Figure 11:

% who would define their neighbourhood/workplace as somewhere they can be open about their cultural identity

Download data:

Source: NILT

How we got here:

Since this question was first asked, in 2014, the proportion who define their workplace as a shared space has seen a significant increase of 6 percentage points. Those who say the same of their neighbourhood is consistently higher and has seen a 3 percentage point increase since 2014.


Indicator 2.2b

Percentage (%) who would prefer mixed religion neighbourhoods, workplaces, and schools


Why is this indicator important?

Preference for mixed neighbourhoods and workplaces is an important indicator of attitudes towards other communities, as well as an indicator of preference for a shared community.

Current Year (2019):

Preference for mixed religion workplaces among all survey respondents is currently 88%. This is significantly higher than the proportion of all survey respondents who prefer to live in a mixed religion neighbourhood (77%). A significantly lower proportion of all survey respondents would prefer to send their children to a mixed religion school (61%) than work in a mixed religion workplace or live in a mixed religion neighbourhood. A significantly higher proportion of those with no religion (76%) would prefer mixed religion schools when compared with Catholic respondents (53%) and Protestant respondents (62%).

Figure 12:

% who would prefer mixed religion neighbourhoods, workplaces, and schools

Download data:

Source: NILT

How we got here:

There has been a significant decrease in preference for mixed religion workplaces (3 percentage points) and schools (7 percentage points) since 2018 but there has been no significant change in preference for mixed religion neighbourhoods. Since 2013, preference for all three has increased significantly – preference for mixed religion neighbourhoods increasing 6 percentage points, workplaces 10 percentage points, and preferences for mixed religion schools increasing 5 percentage points.


Indicator 2.2c

Percentage (%) of first preference applications to post-primary integrated schools that do not result in admissions


Why is this indicator important?

Preference for integrated education is an important indicator of attitudes towards other communities, as well as an indicator of preference for a shared community.

Current Year (2019/20):

In 2019/20, 20% of first preference applications to post-primary integrated schools did not result in admission to that particular school. Of all pupils enrolled at grant-aided schools in 2019/20, 7.4% attended integrated schools.

Figure 13:

% of first preference applications to post-primary integrated schools that do not result in admissions

Download data:

Source: NI School Census

How we got here:

In 2019/20, there has been no significant change in the proportion of first preference applications to post-primary integrated schools that did not result in admission to that particular school in 2018/19.

Since 2013/14, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of first preference applications to post-primary integrated schools that do not result in admissions to that particular school – an increase of 10 percentage points. This represents an increasing over-subscription to popular post-primary integrated schools.


3. Our Safe Community

Indicator 3.1a

Number of hate crimes


Why is this indicator important?

An increase in good relations should result in lower numbers of hate crimes and incidents being committed.

Current Year (2019/20):

In 2019/20, 639 sectarian, and 626 racially motivated hate crimes were recorded. Sectarian and racially motivated hate crimes are each around twice the total number of all other categories of hate crimes combined.

Figure 14:

Number of hate crimes

Download data:

Source: PSNI

How we got here:

Unlike last year, the number of sectarian hate crimes has surpassed that of racially motivated hate crimes. While racially motivated hate crimes have shown a decrease of 76 since 2018/19 and sectarian hate crimes have shown an increase of 17, it should be noted that increases or decreases in the number of crimes may be attributed to changes in reporting; detection; or confidence in the police.


Indicator 3.1b

Number of people presenting as homeless as a result of intimidation


Why is this indicator important?

The number presenting as homeless due to intimidation is an indicator of people's fears around safety, as well as allowing us to measure the prevalence of intimidation.

Current Year (2019/20):

73% of the 335 households that presented as homeless due to intimidation in 2019/20 did so because of paramilitary intimidation.

Figure 15:

Number of NIHE clients presenting as homeless due to intimidation

Download data:

Source: NIHE

*other includes anti-social behaviour, disability, and sexual orientation

How we got here:

Between 2018/19 and 2019/20, there has been a decrease in the number of NIHE clients presenting as homeless due to paramilitary intimidation, sectarian intimidation and other intimidation (i.e. anti-social behaviour, disability, and sexual orientation). Those presenting as homeless due to paramilitary intimidation has shown the largest decrease (35%) between 2018/19 and 2019/20.


Indicator 3.1c

Percentage (%) of people who felt: annoyed by republican murals; intimidated by republican murals; annoyed by loyalist murals; intimidated by loyalist murals


Why is this indicator important?

A reduction in the use of murals, kerb-paintings and flags to mark territory will result in a community where people feel safe moving around, and are not inhibited by fear.

Current Year (2019):

25% of respondents said that they had been annoyed by republican murals, kerb-paintings or flags in the last year; with 10% feeling intimidated by them. Significantly more respondents said they had been annoyed by loyalist murals, kerb-paintings or flags in the last year (30%); with 14% intimidated by them.

Figure 16:

% of people who felt: annoyed by republican murals; intimidated by republican murals; annoyed by loyalist murals; intimidated by loyalist murals

Download data:

Source: NILT

How we got here:

Since 2018 there have been no significant changes in the proportions of adults who felt annoyed by either loyalist or republican murals. There have also been no significant changes in the proportions of adults who felt intimidated by either loyalist or republican murals.


Indicator 3.2a

Percentage (%) of people who see town centres as safe and welcoming places for people of all walks of life


Why is this indicator important?

Town centres must be seen as places where people can feel safe in moving around, and where life choices are not inhibited by fears around safety.

Current Year (2019):

63% of respondents see town centres as safe and welcoming places for people of all walks of life. 63% of Catholic respondents, 71% of Protestant respondents, and 49% of respondents with no religion report this.

Figure 17:

% of people who see town centres as safe and welcoming places for people of all walks of life

Download data:

Source: NILT

How we got here:

In 2019, 63% of respondents said that they see town centres as safe and welcoming places for people of all walks of life. This is a significant decrease of 4 percentage points since 2018.


Indicator 3.2b

Percentage (%) of people feeling safe going to events held in: a GAA club, an Orange Hall, a Protestant secondary school, a Catholic secondary school


Why is this indicator important?

Asking people about where they feel safe helps to measure whether all communities are perceived as welcoming for everybody. This helps to identify what extra steps we can take to overcome negative perceptions.

Current Year (2019):

In 2019, 70% of respondents say they feel ‘very’ or ‘quite’ safe going to events held in a GAA club; 66% to events held in an Orange Hall; 91% to events held in a Protestant secondary school; and 89% to events held in a Catholic secondary school.

Figure 18:

% of people feeling safe going to events held in: a GAA club, an Orange Hall, a Catholic secondary school, a Protestant secondary school

Download data:

Source: NILT

How we got here:

Since 2013, there have been no significant changes in feelings of safety in Protestant Secondary Schools, Catholic Secondary Schools, GAA Clubs or Orange Halls.


Indicator 3.2c

Percentage (%) who would like to see peace lines come down now or in the near future


Why is this indicator important?

Peace Lines impact on the delivery of services and reduce the potential for communities living in these areas to attract and benefit from inward investment. This indicator helps identify where more work is needed to create the conditions and gain the confidence of the community that will allow the peace lines to come down.

Current Year (2019):

In 2019, 54% of all respondents want the Peace Lines to come down now or in the future and 49% of those who live within a few streets of the Peace Lines want this.

Figure 19:

% who would like to see peace lines come down now or in the near future

Download data:

Source: NILT

*residents are defined as those that indicate they live “within a few streets of the nearest Peace Lines”

How we got here:

In 2019, around a half (49%) of residents said they want the peace lines to come down now or in the future, this does not represent a significant change from 2018 (53%).


4. Our Cultural Expression

Indicator 4.1a

Percentage (%) who feel a sense of belonging to: their neighbourhood; Northern Ireland


Why is this indicator important?

This indicator measures people's sense of belonging towards their neighbourhood and Northern Ireland as a whole; and compares young people to adults.

Current Year (2019):

Nine in ten adult respondents (90%) say they feel a sense of belonging towards their neighbourhood, while 85% say they feel a sense of belonging to Northern Ireland. A significantly lower proportion of young people say the same (71% belonging to their neighbourhood; 70% to Northern Ireland).

Among adults, significantly more Protestant respondents (97%) than either Catholic respondents (91%) or respondents with no religion (77%) said they felt a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. While for young people, significantly more Protestant (78%) and Catholic (81%) respondents than respondents with no religion (57%) felt a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. Again among adults, significantly more Protestant respondents (92%) than either Catholic respondents (85%) or respondents with no religion (76%) said they felt a sense of belonging to Northern Ireland. Among young people, significantly more Protestant respondents (83%) than either Catholic respondents (69%) or respondents with no religion (55%) said they felt a sense of belonging to Northern Ireland.

Figure 20:

% who feel a sense of belonging to: their neighbourhood; Northern Ireland

Download data:

Source: NILT/YLT

How we got here:

Since 2013, the proportions of adults who feel who feel a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood and to Northern Ireland has increased significantly. However, there is no significant change in these proportions for young people.


Indicator 4.1b

Percentage (%) of people who feel they have an influence on decisions made in: their neighbourhood; Northern Ireland


Why is this indicator important?

For people to feel like they belong to their community, it is important that they feel like they have an influence when it comes to decisions made in their neighbourhood and in Northern Ireland.

Current Year (2019):

One in four adults responded that they feel they have an influence on decisions made in their neighbourhood (25%), with an even smaller proportion of adults (22%) feeling they have an influence on decisions made in Northern Ireland. The proportion of young people who think this is significantly lower – 8% feel like they have an influence on decisions made in their neighbourhood, and 8% in decisions made in Northern Ireland.

Figure 21:

% of people who feel they have an influence on decisions made in: their neighbourhood; Northern Ireland

Download data:

Source: NILT/YLT

How we got here:

Since 2018, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who feel they have an influence on local decisions (6 percentage points) and Northern Ireland decisions (6 percentage points).

Young people's perception of influence on their neighbourhood has seen a significant decrease since 2018, however, their perception of influence on Northern Ireland has not changed significantly. Young people feel less influential than adults at both neighbourhood and Northern Ireland level.


Indicator 4.2a

Percentage (%) who think the culture and traditions of: Catholic communities; Protestant communities; Minority Ethnic communities, add to the richness and diversity of Northern Ireland society


Why is this indicator important?

Embracing cultural diversity and celebrating cultural expression will be key to good relations in the future.

Current Year (2019):

Over three-quarters (76%) of respondents think that the culture and traditions of Protestant communities add to the richness and diversity of Northern Ireland society. Although a smaller number of respondents (73%) think this about Catholic communities, there is no significant difference in these amounts. However, a significantly smaller proportion (61%) think this about Minority Ethnic communities.

Figure 22:

% who think the culture and traditions of: Catholic communities; Protestant communities; Minority Ethnic communities, add to the richness and diversity of Northern Ireland society

Download data:

Source: NILT

How we got here:

There was no significant change in proportion of respondents who think the culture and traditions of Catholic and Protestant communities add to the richness and diversity of Northern Ireland society since 2018. There was a significant decrease in the proportion who think this in relation to Minority Ethnic communities (4 percentage points).


Indicator 4.2b

Percentage (%) who feel their own cultural identity is respected by society


Why is this indicator important?

If our society is to be based on mutual respect, then everyone must feel that their own cultural identity is respected by the society in which they live.

Current Year (2019):

Over three-fifths of adult respondents (62%) feel that their own cultural identity is respected by society. 64% of Catholic respondents feel this, and 66% of Protestant respondents. A significantly lower proportion of those with no religion think that their own cultural identity is respected by society (52%).

Figure 23:

% who feel their own cultural identity is respected by society

Download data:

Source: NILT

How we got here:

Since 2018, there has been no significant change in the proportion of those who feel their own cultural identity is respected by society.


Indicators by Outcome

Outcome
Indicator
Improved attitudes between young people from different backgrounds
% who think that relations between Protestants and Catholics are better than they were five years ago
% who think that relations between Protestants and Catholics will be better in five years' time
% who feel favourable towards people from: Catholic communities, Protestant communities, Minority Ethnic communities
Young people engaged in bringing the community together
% of young people who regularly socialise or play sport with people from a different religious community
% of young people who have: shared sports facilities or equipment; shared classes; done projects, with pupils from other schools where the pupils are from a different religious background
Increased use of shared space and services
% who think that Protestants and Catholics tend to go to different local shops or use different GP surgeries and other services in their area
% of people who think that leisure centres, parks, libraries, and shopping centres in their area are 'shared and open' to both Protestants and Catholics
% of those who have children at school who think that their child's school is somewhere they can be open about their cultural identity
% whose school has been involved in shared education with another school in the last academic year, broken down by type of activity
% of people who see the area they live in as Protestant, Catholic or mixed
Shared space is accessible to all
% who would define their neighbourhood/workplace as somewhere they can be open about their cultural identity
% who would prefer mixed religion neighbourhoods, workplaces, and schools
% of first preference applications to post-primary integrated schools that do not results in admissions
Reduction in the prevalence of hate crime and intimidation
Number of hate crimes
Number of people presenting as homeless as a result of intimidation
% of people who felt: annoyed by republican murals; intimidated by republican murals annoyed by loyalist murals; intimidated by loyalist murals
A community where places and spaces are safe for all
% of people who see town centres as safe and welcoming places for people of all walks of life
% of people feeling safe going to events held in: a GAA club, an Orange Hall, a Protestant secondary school, a Catholic secondary school
% who would like to see peace walls come down now or in the near future
Increased sense of community belonging
% who feel a sense of belonging to:
  • their neighbourhood
  • Northern Ireland
% who feel they have an influence on the decisions made in:
  • their neighbourhood
  • Northern Ireland
Cultural diversity is celebrated
% who think the culture and traditions of: Catholic communities; Protestant communities; Minority Ethnic communities, add to the richness and diversity of Northern Ireland society
% who feel their own cultural identity is respected by society

Timeline of Indicator 1.1a

Figure 24:

% who think that relations between Protestants and Catholics are better now than they were five years ago

Download data:

NB: Data points and event lines are shown at mid-year points, rather than exact dates when data collection and/or events happened.

Reader information

Purpose
Data to monitor and report on Together: Building a United Community Strategy (2013) key priorities.

Date of publication
4 August 2022

Date of revision
24 November 2022

Coverage
Northern Ireland

Frequency
Annual

Reporting period
Data are from late 2019/early 2020 unless indicated otherwise.

Statistical quality
Information detailed in this report has been quality assured prior to release.

Target audience
The Executive Office (TEO), educational professionals, academics, media, members of good relations interest groups and the public.


Price
Free

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 readership survey or contact caoimhe.stewart@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.

Contacts

Caoimhe Stewart

Statistics and Research Branch
The Executive Office
Block 2
Knockview Buildings
Belfast
BT4 3SL

Email: teostatisticsresearch@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk
Telephone: (028) 90522644

Background to the Good Relations Indicators

Why are good relations indicators needed?

Good Relations Indicators are needed to measure the progress of the ‘Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) Strategy’.

What is the Together: Building a United Community Strategy?

The T:BUC Strategy was published by the Northern Ireland Executive in May 2013. The strategy reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. This strategy represents a major change in the way that good relations will be delivered across government.

The vision of the strategy is:

“a united community, based on equality of opportunity, the desirability of good relations and reconciliation - one which is strengthened by its diversity, where cultural expression is celebrated and embraced and where everyone can live, learn, work and socialise together, free from prejudice, hate and intolerance.”

The strategy sets out a range of actions and commitments for government departments, communities and individuals who will work together to build a united community and achieve change against four key strategic priorities:

  • Our Children and Young People
  • Our Shared Community
  • Our Safe Community
  • Our Cultural Expression

Each of these key priorities is supported by the following shared aims:

  • Our Children and Young People: to continue to improve attitudes amongst our young people and to build a community where they can play a full and active role in building good relations.
  • Our Shared Community: to create a community where division does not restrict the life opportunities of individuals and where all areas are open and accessible to everyone.
  • Our Safe Community: to create a community where everyone feels safe in moving around and where life choices are not inhibited by fears around safety.
  • Our Cultural Expression: to create a community, which promotes mutual respect and understanding, is strengthened by its diversity and where cultural expression is celebrated and embraced.

How were the indicators decided?

The good relations indicators were developed by NISRA statisticians with input from an expert advisory group. Based on the T:BUC vision and four key strategic priorities, a set of outcomes that would be expected if the strategy is successful were outlined;

  • Our Children and Young People
    • Improved attitudes between young people from different backgrounds
    • Young people engaged in bringing the community together
  • Our Shared Community
    • Increased use of shared space and services (e.g. leisure centres, parks, libraries, shopping centres, education, housing)
    • Shared space is accessible to all
  • Our Safe Community
    • Reduction in the prevalence of hate crime and intimidation
    • A community where places and spaces are safe for all
  • Our Cultural Expression
    • Increased sense of community belonging
    • Cultural diversity is celebrated

More information about how the outcomes and indicators were chosen can be found in the technical notes.

Are the indicators monitored?

The indicators are monitored on an annual basis using a range of robust data sources. More information about these data sources can be found in the technical notes at the back of this document, or within the associated data files available on The Executive Office website.

More information about how the outcomes and indicators were chosen can be found in the technical notes.

What are the strengths of the indicators?

The T:BUC strategy and Good Relations indicators have been developed and agreed through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. The data sources used to monitor progress are robust and known to collect data in accordance with best practice.

Technical Notes

Good Relations Indicators Criteria

The criteria for selecting the indicators as agreed by an expert advisory group (comprised of key stakeholders from departments, District Councils and the community and voluntary sector) are that indicators should be:

  • Outcome focussed, rather than process focussed. In other words the indicator will give an indication that the outcome is being achieved;
  • Relevant, that is, relevant to one or more of the high level priorities or aims of the Strategy;
  • Available, that is, published regularly; and
  • Robust, in other words the sample should be representative of the relevant population and collected using recognised best practice in surveys.

A draft set of outcomes and indicators was agreed by the Advisory Group and consulted on more widely between 22nd January and 31st March 2014. Consultees were invited to provide comments on the indicators via an online survey on the OFMdFM website, or by hardcopy. OFMdFM is the precursor to The Executive Office; renamed as part of departmental restructure in May 2016.

The indicators are measured using a range of data sources. The data from each source are not available at the same time, but those contained within this report are the most current at the time of this publication.

Data Sources

Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey was launched in the autumn of 1998. Its mission is to monitor the attitudes and behaviour of people across Northern Ireland annually to provide a time-series and a public record of how our attitudes and behaviour develop on a wide range of social policy issues. The Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) Survey is a direct descendent of the Northern Ireland Social Attitudes Survey (NISA) which ran from 1989 to 1996.

The 2019 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee in the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast, where the survey coordinator is based. The survey involved 1,203 face-to-face interviews with adults aged 18 years or over from a systematic random sample of 2,167 eligible addresses selected from the Postcode Address File database, resulting in a 56% response rate.

All analyses of the adult data are weighted in order to allow for disproportionate household size. As only one individual is sampled at an address, this means that the probability of selection for the survey is inversely related to the size of the household. In other words individuals living in large household have a lower chance of being included in the sample than individuals living in small households. Before analysis the data are weighted in relation to the number of eligible adults at the address, derived from the details of the household structure recorded by interviewers on the questionnaire. This weighting process adjusts the results to those which would have been achieved if the sample had been drawn as a systematic random sample of adults rather than of addresses. (ARK)

Young Life and Times Survey

From 1998 to 2000, the Young Life and Times (YLT) survey sought the views of all 12 to 17 year olds living in the same household as the respondent to the Northern Ireland Life and Times survey. However, in 2003, the aims and methodology of the survey were changed. From 2003 onwards, the Young Life and Times survey recorded the attitudes of 16 year olds only. The YLT sample is drawn from the Child Benefit Register and usually contains the names and addresses of all young people resident in Northern Ireland who celebrated their 16th birthday during February and March.

In 2019, 5,092 names of eligible respondents were received. 1,132 completed questionnaires were received by the end of the fieldwork period, resulting in a response rate of 22%. The YLT data does not require weighting. (ARK)

School Omnibus Survey

The School Omnibus Survey is a multi-purpose survey of all Principals in grant-aided schools, designed to collect a range of required information as determined by DE policy teams. The questions produced both quantitative and qualitative data, generally using yes/no and multiple response questions as well as open-ended response types. The survey was web-based, with the option to complete in either English or Irish, and each school received the link to the survey via email, along with a unique username and password to maximise security. The survey was issued in September 2018, with a four week period given for survey returns. A reminder was issued one week prior to the closing date of the survey period.

The shared education section received 254 responses out of a total of 404 responses to the online survey. (Dept. of Education)

Northern Ireland House Condition Survey

The 2016 Northern Ireland House Condition Survey (HCS) was based on a random sample of 3,000 dwellings completed in two stages.

The first stage involved including all the full surveys completed as part of the 2011 HCS (resample: 1,434 surveys). Consideration had to be given to the location of addresses because the 2011 HCS eleven council areas were approximations only, based on the grouping of existing LGDs, as boundaries were not finalised at the time of the 2011 HCS sampling. Consequently, this meant there were some sample variations in the final totals by the eleven council areas in the 2016 HCS sample.

The second stage was a fresh random sample of 1,566 properties selected by council area to ensure that each area total (fresh and resample) added to approximately 200. In Belfast Council Area, a total of 635 households were selected (150 in North, 151 in East, 171 in South and 163 in West Belfast). In addition the Causeway Coast Council area was divided into two areas to allow for more detailed information on holiday homes in Northern Ireland.

The fresh sample frame, in 2016, was Pointer (see ‘Sample frame’). This database (Pointer) contained a subset of the computerised records for domestic residential property maintained by the LPS and had been subject to extensive quality assurance and validation since 2011.

Addresses were selected at random and no substitution of addresses was allowed. In instances where surveyors encountered a multi-dwelling address and there was no sub-number on their contact sheet, there were processes in place to ensure the correct address was selected. In the case of a fresh sample address a kish grid was used to randomly select the sub-number. In the case of a resample address the statistics team looked up the details of the previous survey in order to identify which sub number had been surveyed, and the same sub-number was surveyed in 2016. If the address was a single-dwelling address in the previous survey, but had subsequently changed to a mutli-dweling address, a kish grid was used to randomly select the sub-number. (NIHE)

School Census

Information on pupil enrolments is collected annually from schools, as part of what is commonly known as the schools census. This data collection exercise is an annual snapshot of pupil and school level data for each pre-school centre, nursery, special, primary, post-primary, hospital and independent school in Northern Ireland. As well as data relating to school enrolments and numbers, information in relation to attendance is collected as part of the overall school return. (Dept. of Education)

Integrated Education

Data on numbers of first preference applicants admitted to post-primary schools is collated each year at the end of the annual admissions process by the regional offices of the Education Authority. The figures for integrated post-primary schools have been extracted from this. (Dept. of Education)

PSNI Hate Crime Statistics

Unlike the Northern Ireland Crime Survey (NICS), police recorded crime figures do not include crimes that have not been reported to the police or those that the police decide not to record, but they do cover crimes against those aged under 16, organisations such as businesses, and crimes ‘against the state’ i.e. with no immediate victim (e.g. possession of drugs). Like any administrative data, police recorded crime statistics are affected by the rules governing the recording of data, systems in place and operational decisions in respect of the allocation of resources. More proactive policing in a given area could lead to an increase in crimes recorded without any real change in underlying crime trends. These issues need to be taken into account when using these data. (PSNI)

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Homeless Presentation Figures

Statistics on Homelessness are sourced from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE). They are published in the DfC’s annual Housing Statistics report. The figures reported for each reason for presentation from 2011-12 onwards are not fully comparable with other published figures. Data migration issues and coding variations following the introduction of a new operational Housing Management System (HMS) in July 2011 meant that no data on reason for presentation was recorded for 3,731 cases in 2011-12 and 835 cases during April-June 2012. (NIHE)

Definitions

NILT
Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey

YLT
Young Life and Times Survey

Young People
The YLT sample is drawn from the Child Benefit Register and typically contains the names and addresses of all young people resident in Northern Ireland who celebrated their 16th birthday during February and March

Community
We describe communities as either religious, Minority Ethnic or both depending on the indicator. This is made clear by the interviewer in the case of NILT and YLT

Regularly
Those who said "very often" or "sometimes" in response to the question "How often do you socialise or play sport with people from a different religious community to yourself?"

Shared Space
Shared Space is defined as a place where you feel you can be open about your own cultural identity

Cultural Identity
Cultural Identity is defined as things like your ethnicity, nationality, religious, or political background

Shared Education
Shared education means the organisation and delivery of education so that it:
  • meets the needs of, and provides for the education together of learners from all Section 75 categories and socio-economic status;
  • involves schools and other education providers of differing ownership, sectoral identity and ethos, management type or governance arrangements; and
  • delivers educational benefits to learners, promotes the efficient and effective use of resources, and promotes equality of opportunity, good relations, equality of identity, respect for diversity and community cohesion.
Entitlement Framework
Entitlement Framework sets out the minimum number and range of courses a school should offer at Key Stage 4 and Post-16. These courses should be economically relevant and individually engaging with clear progression pathways. The Entitlement framework on the Department of Education website.