Skip to main content
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Statistics and Research
  • Release Calendar
  • Selected for a survey
  • About Us

2011 Census - Guidance note on the census estimates of those who have ever lived outside Northern Ireland

Date published: 27 March 2013

Statistics: Census 2011,  2011 Census results

Download 2011 Census - Guidance note on the census estimates of those who have ever lived outside Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has historically experienced net outward migration, and subsequently, there is interest in determining the extent to which people who leave Northern Ireland return to Northern Ireland (so-called returning migrants).

To address this, the 2011 Census included a question, addressed to every usual resident, asking (Q10) ‘Have you ever lived outside Northern Ireland for a continuous period of one year or more?’. The question specified 'one year or more' because this is the basis of international definitions for migration and usual residence.

Documents

  • Guidance note Adobe PDF (88 KB)

Help viewing documents

Last updated: 03 March 2025

Links

  • Official Statistics producer – Upholding Trust, Quality and Value
  • General Register Office - registration and certification of life events relating to births, deaths and marriages
  • nidirect.gov.uk – the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens
  • Website feedback

Follow NISRA

  • Facebook
  • X
  • YouTube

Footer

  • © Crown Copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Statement