At a glance: This study investigates outcomes for minority ethnic and minority religion groups in Northern Ireland using information from the 2021 Census. It looks at areas such as health, disability, educational attainment, employment, and housing. The research examines how outcomes differ between groups and when compared with majority groups in the population. For minority ethnic groups, additional analysis was carried out to consider whether differences in outcomes remained when relevant factors were accounted for (e.g. age, educational qualifications, urban or rural residence).

Background

At the time of writing, The Executive Office is developing a new approach to racial equality in Northern Ireland. The Draft Framework for Race Relations and its associated Delivery Plan aim to tackle inequalities and help create a more prosperous society for all.

The research strengthens the evidence base supporting this work. Detailed findings and information are provided in the main research report, available on NISRA-led research. A summary report is also available, which provides an an overview of the key results and insights.

Key findings

Overall

Differences were seen across minority ethnic and minority religion groups

Differences in outcomes were evident across minority ethnic and minority religion groups, and when compared with majority groups in the population.

Some groups were associated with less favourable outcomes (e.g. poor general health, low English language proficiency).

Other groups had more positive outcomes such as large population shares participating in the labour market and working in high-skilled occupations.

Note: When outcomes are described as more or less positive, this is based on comparison with the relevant majority population. For ethnic group, this is the White ethnic group. For religion, this is a combined group who reported a Christian religion, having no religion, or who did not state a religion.

What the data show - Observed differences

Initial analysis looked at patterns in the publicly-available statistics from the 2021 Census. This showed where differences existed between both minority ethnic and minority religion groups across a range of outcomes.

  • 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. For example, a higher share had degree-level qualifications and worked in high-skilled occupations.

  • Some minority ethnic and minority religion groups showed less favourable outcomes across several areas. Of the minority ethnic groups examined, 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.

Understanding the differences after taking other factors into account - Statistical modelling

Record-level research data from the 2021 Census (with identifying information removed) was used for more detailed analysis. The focus was solely ethnic groups due to limited religion data breakdowns in the research data. Statistical modelling accounted for differences between ethnic groups in demographic, socioeconomic, and area characteristics to enable a more like-for-like comparison. Differences in the likelihood of key outcomes between minority ethnic groups and the comparator White group were still evident.

  • The Chinese, Filipino and Indian groups were the minority ethnic groups least likely to report a disability, poor general health, and a mental health condition, compared 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) compared to the White group.

  • Analysis of economically active people aged 16 to 64 years showed that the likelihood of being in employment varied by ethnic group. Compared with the White group, the Roma group were 1.7 times and the Filipino group 1.5 times more likely to be in employment.

  • 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 each of the following outcomes: a disability; poor general health; and a mental health condition.

  • While the Roma and White groups reported similar overall levels of disability (27% and 29% respectively, 16 years and over age group), statistical modelling showed that the Roma group was more than twice as likely to report a disability after accounting for differences in population characteristics. This highlights the additional insight provided by the modelling analysis.

  • Among the working-age population aged 16 to 64 years, the Irish Traveller and Arab groups were much less likely to be economically active compared to the White group.

  • Based on those aged 16 to 64 years and economically active, eight of the 12 minority ethnic groups in focus were less likely to be in employment than the White group.

  • 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. This is referred to as underemployment.

Policy relevance

The findings show that there is no single pattern of outcomes across minority groups. While some issues were widespread, others were specific to particular groups. This means that general policies for the whole population may not be enough on their own.

Targeted action may be needed for groups that experienced poorer outcomes across several areas. This was most clear for the Irish Traveller and Roma groups.

The findings point to the need for policy action across several areas, including:

  • improving educational outcomes;
  • supporting people into work;
  • reducing health disparities;
  • supporting English language needs; and
  • tackling housing disadvantage, including overcrowding.

Overall, the evidence suggests that policy responses should include both:

  • targeted actions for minority ethnic groups experiencing poorer outcomes across several areas; and
  • wider actions to address disparities affecting multiple groups.

The findings also highlight differences between religion groups. As these results are based on descriptive analysis only, and were not examined using statistical modelling, they should be interpreted with caution when considering policy implications. Further research is required to improve understanding of differences in key outcomes across minority religion groups.

Acknowledgement

Administrative Data Research - Northern Ireland (ADR-NI) takes privacy protection very seriously. All information that directly identifies individuals/organisations will be removed from the datasets by trusted third parties before researchers access them. All researchers using ADR-NI are trained and accredited to use sensitive data safely and ethically, they will only access the data via a secure environment and all their findings will be vetted to ensure they comply with strict confidentiality requirements. The help provided by the staff of the Administrative Data Research Centre - Northern Ireland (ADRC-NI) and the ADR-NI support officers within NISRA Research Support Unit (RSU) is acknowledged. ADR-NI is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The authors alone are responsible for the interpretation of the data and any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of ADR-NI. The Census 2021 Comprehensive Microdata have been supplied by NISRA for the sole purpose of this project.

About ADR UK

ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK) is a partnership transforming the way researchers access the UK’s wealth of public sector data, to enable better informed policy decisions that improve people’s lives. By linking together data held by different parts of government and facilitating safe and secure access for accredited researchers to these newly joined-up and de-identified data sets, ADR UK is creating a sustainable body of knowledge about how our society and economy function – tailored to give decision makers the answers they need to solve important policy questions. ADR UK is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research and Innovation.

Contact Details

Research team Brian Foley, Lewis Reid, Jana Ross, Carmel Colohan, John Hughes, Eoghan Bradley (all Administrative Research Unit, NISRA), and Sinéad Drumm (The Executive Office).

For further information on this research, please contact

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