Overview
On 17 June 2025, NISRA released a recommendation paper outlining its vision for the future of census and population statistics in Northern Ireland.
In the paper, NISRA recommends that a full Census of Population and Housing be conducted in 2031. This recommendation reflects the continued need for high-quality, granular data – as well as user needs for data on ethnicity, national identity, religion, and marital status to support equality monitoring.
The paper also reflects on the challenges of data collection activities, noting that administrative data can assist with quality, cost effectiveness and reducing respondent burden. As such, a recommendation is also made that Government provides its full support to NISRA in facilitating safe access to the necessary administrative data required to underpin the successful design and implementation of a census in 2031.
Access the report
Read the full recommendation paper and learn more about NISRA’s vision.
Other parts of the UK
This paper comes alongside similar recommendations made by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and National Records of Scotland (NRS), who are responsible for census statistics in England and Wales, and Scotland respectively.
- ONS – Recommendation from the UK Statistics Authority on the future of population and migration statistics in England and Wales
- NRS – The future of Scotland’s Census: Recommendation from National Records of Scotland