Today marks 30 years of NISRA
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Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) is marking its 30th anniversary, having been founded in April 1996 to provide trusted statistics, research and registration services across Northern Ireland. Read our news story by Philip Wales, Chief Executive and Registrar General.
It is a privilege to lead the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency as Chief Executive and Registrar General, and to reflect on the contribution the organisation has made over the past three decades.
Since NISRA was founded in April 1996, our purpose has been to provide trusted statistics, research and registration services that support good decision‑making and public understanding across Northern Ireland. Over that time and under the leadership of several Chief Executives, our work has grown to inform policy development and evaluation, support scrutiny and accountability, and help ensure that public debate is grounded in sound evidence. In a crowded, noisy and contested information marketplace, our role has rarely been more important.
We haven’t done this on our own. Our work depends fundamentally on the willingness of households and businesses across Northern Ireland to share information with us. We’re hugely grateful for their support and trust, as their contribution enables us to produce high‑quality statistics and research that support policy, public services and wider society. We work with policy-makers and academics and with the wider statistical system in the UK and Ireland to answer important questions to improve outcomes here.
Some of our activities touch on the lives of everyone living in Northern Ireland. Every ten years, NISRA delivers the Census of Population and Housing, providing an unparalleled insight into how our society is changing. Census data are used widely across government and beyond, helping organisations plan services, understand local needs and allocate resources effectively.
NISRA also incorporates the General Register Office, which provides registration services for births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships among other life events. These services support individuals and families at some of the most significant moments in their lives and are a core part of our public service role.
Looking ahead, the demand for trusted, independent evidence has never been greater. As the Programme for Government sets out, policy challenges are more complex and public services are under pressure. Public debate is faster and more contested. In that context, NISRA’s role in providing high‑quality analysis, research and registration services will only grow in importance.
We are working to meet these challenges. Following Executive agreement we are working towards a new Census in 2031 – making preparations for the largest, most complex and most prominent statistical exercise carried out by Government. We are modernising our survey estate to minimise the burden we place on households and businesses as we gather key data. We are embarking on a new and exciting next phase of our ESRC funded Administrative Data Research partnership. And in the coming months the Registration Service will introduce new Baby Loss Certificates to recognise losses which occur up to the 24th week of pregnancy.
There’s a huge amount going on and much still to do. Our Corporate Plan for 2025 - 2029 sets out how we will meet these challenges, focusing on using evidence for the public good and on how we continue to build capability, trust and independence. Please do take a look if this is of interest to you.
As we mark this milestone, I want to thank everyone who has contributed to NISRA’s work over the past 30 years. While much has changed, our purpose remains the same: to provide evidence and services people can trust.
I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and excited about what comes next.
Read our Corporate Plan.