Editing Northern Ireland (section)

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Northern Ireland|People of Northern Ireland}}

Northern Ireland is much less ethnically diverse than the rest of the UK.   3.4% of the population (65,600 people) in 2025 were from a minority ethnic group  compared to 18.3% in England and Wales and 12.9% in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Meredith |first1=Robbie |title=Northern Ireland is 'least diverse' part of the UK |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5gn10z8gwo |website=BBC |date=15 February 2025 |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

===Counties===
{{Main|Counties of Northern Ireland}}
[[File:Northern Ireland - Counties copy.png|thumb|The six counties of Northern Ireland]]
Northern Ireland consists of six historic [[Counties of Ireland|counties]]: [[County Antrim]], [[County Armagh]], [[County Down]], [[County Fermanagh]], [[County Londonderry]],{{efn|Many Nationalists use the name ''County Derry''.{{Self-reference|Wikipedia policy is to use Londonderry for the county and Derry for the city. The name usage does not indicate an endorsement for either community's opinions.}}}} and [[County Tyrone]].

These counties are no longer used for local government purposes; instead, there are eleven [[districts of Northern Ireland]] which have different geographical extents. These were created in 2015, replacing the twenty-six districts which previously existed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/new-super-councils-begin-work-in-northern-ireland-1.2160407 |title=New 'super councils' begin work in Northern Ireland |date=1 April 2015 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=27 May 2015 |archive-date=26 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626145839/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/new-super-councils-begin-work-in-northern-ireland-1.2160407 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Although counties are no longer used for local governmental purposes, they remain a popular means of describing where places are. They are officially used while applying for an [[Irish passport]], which requires one to state one's county of birth. The name of that county then appears in both Irish and English on the passport's information page, as opposed to the town or city of birth on the United Kingdom passport. The [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] still uses the counties as its primary means of organisation and fields representative teams of each [[GAA county]]. The original system of [[License plates of Northern Ireland|car registration numbers]] largely based on counties remains in use. In 2000, the [[Big Number Change#Northern Ireland|telephone numbering system]] was restructured into an 8-digit scheme with (except for Belfast) the first digit approximately reflecting the county.

The county boundaries still appear on Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland Maps and the Philip's Street Atlases, among others. With their decline in official use, there is often confusion surrounding towns and cities which lie near county boundaries, such as Belfast and [[Lisburn]], which are split between counties Down and Antrim (the majorities of both cities, however, are in Antrim).

In March 2018, ''The Sunday Times'' published its list of Best Places to Live in Britain, including the following places in Northern Ireland: [[Ballyhackamore]] near Belfast (overall best for Northern Ireland); Holywood, County Down; Newcastle, County Down; Portrush, County Antrim; Strangford, County Down.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/five-places-in-northern-ireland-included-in-best-places-to-live-in-britain-list-151651 |title=Five places in Northern Ireland included in Best Places to Live in Britain list – The Irish Post |first=Ryan |last=Price |access-date=5 August 2018 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413211215/https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/five-places-in-northern-ireland-included-in-best-places-to-live-in-britain-list-151651 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cities and major towns===
[[File:NorthernIreland2025OSM.png|thumb|Detailed map of Northern Ireland showing not only cities and major towns but also many villages, and many geographical features.]]
{| class="table" style="text-align:center; margin-right:10px; font-size:90%"
|-
! colspan=6 style="background:#f5f5f5; font-size:130%; padding:0.3em" |[[List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland|Cities and towns by population]]<ref name="2021 populations">{{cite web |title=Settlement 2015 |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000151+N11000243+N11000438+N11000447+N11000218+N11000564+N11000559+N11000099+N11000040+N11000537+N11000153 |website=NISRA |access-date=17 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820072644/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000151+N11000243+N11000438+N11000447+N11000218+N11000564+N11000559+N11000099+N11000040+N11000537+N11000153 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/urban_rural/ur_gaz.pdf |title=Statistical Classification and Delineation of Settlements |publisher=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency |date=February 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401113858/http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/urban_rural/ur_gaz.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2014}}</ref>
|- style=vertical-align:top
! rowspan=21|[[File:Belfast City Hall, October 2010 (01).JPG|frameless|upright=0.7]]<br />[[Belfast]]<br /><br />[[File:Guildhall, Derry, August 2010.JPG|frameless|upright=0.7]]<br />[[Derry]]<br />
! style="background:#f5f5f5; text-align:center"| #
! style="background:#f5f5f5; text-align:left"| [[List of localities in Northern Ireland by population|Settlement]]
! style="background:#f5f5f5; text-align:center"| Popu&shy;lation (2021)
! style="background:#f5f5f5; text-align:center"| Metro<br />popu&shy;lation
! rowspan=21|[[File:Lisburn Market House.JPG|frameless|upright=0.7]]<br />[[Lisburn]]<br /><br />[[File:Newry Townhall - geograph.org.uk - 1476695.jpg|frameless|upright=0.7]]<br />[[Newry]]
|-
| 1 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Belfast]]'''|| 293,298|| 639,000
|-
| 2 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Derry]]'''|| 85,279 ||
|-
| 3 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Craigavon, County Armagh|Greater Craigavon]]'''|| 72,301
|-
| 4 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Newtownabbey]]'''{{efn|name=BelfastMetro}}|| 67,599
|-
| 5 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]'''{{efn|name=BelfastMetro}}|| 64,596
|-
| 6 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Lisburn]]'''{{efn|name=BelfastMetro|Part of [[Belfast metropolitan area]]}} || 51,447 || 84,090
|-
| 7 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Ballymena]]'''|| 31,205
|-
| 8 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Newtownards]]'''|| 29,677
|-
| 9 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Newry]]'''|| 28,530
|-
| 10 ||style=text-align:left |'''[[Carrickfergus]]'''{{efn|name=BelfastMetro}}|| 28,141
|}

===Population===

[[File:Northern Ireland – religion or religion brought up in (Christianity; 2011).png|thumb|2011 census: differences in proportions of those who are, or were brought up, either Catholic or Protestant/Other Christians]]

The population of Northern Ireland has risen yearly since 1978. The population at the time of the 2021 census was 1.9&nbsp;million, having grown 5% over the previous decade.<ref name="2021 census main points">{{cite web |title=Main statistics for Northern Ireland |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-demography-and-households.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922093432/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-demography-and-households.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The population in 2011 was 1.8&nbsp;million, a rise of 7.5% over the previous decade.<ref name="Census 2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.nisra.gov.uk/Census/key_stats_bulletin_2011.pdf |title=Census Key Stats bulletin |publisher=[[NISRA]] |year=2012 |access-date=11 December 2012 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203000751/http://www.nisra.gov.uk/Census/key_stats_bulletin_2011.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The current population makes up 2.8% of the UK's population (67&nbsp;million) and 27% of the island of Ireland's population (7.03&nbsp;million). The population density is 135 inhabitants / km<sup>2</sup>.

As of the 2021 census, the population of Northern Ireland is almost entirely [[White people|white]] (96.6%).<ref name="Ethnic group census 2022">{{cite web |title=Main statistics for Northern Ireland |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-ethnic-group.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922093434/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-ethnic-group.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, 86.5% of the population were born in Northern Ireland, with 4.8% born in Great Britain, 2.1% born in the Republic of Ireland, and 6.5% born elsewhere (more than half of them in another European country).<ref name="Country of birth census 2022">{{cite web |title=Main statistics for Northern Ireland |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-country-of-birth.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922093436/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-country-of-birth.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021 the largest non-white ethnic groups were [[Black people in Ireland|black]] (0.6%), [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Indian]] (0.5%), and [[Overseas Chinese|Chinese]] (0.5%).<ref name="Ethnic group census 2022"/> In 2011, 88.8% of the population were born in Northern Ireland, 4.5% in Great Britain, and 2.9% in the Republic of Ireland. 4.3% were born elsewhere; triple the amount there were in 2001.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28031873 "NI migrant population triples in decade, says study"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020140657/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28031873 |date=20 October 2018 }}. BBC News. 26 June 2014.</ref>

As of the 2021 Census 1,165,168 (61.2%) residents lived in an urban environment and 738,007 (38.8%) lived in a non-urban environment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Urban Status |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=URBAN_STATUS |website=NISRA |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref>

===Identity and citizenship===
{{bar box
|title = National Identity of Northern Ireland residents (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820073156/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820073158/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?v=&d=PEOPLE&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820073158/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?v=&d=PEOPLE&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Nationality |right1=Per cent |float=right
|bars =
{{bar percent|British|Blue|42.8}}
{{bar percent|Irish|DarkOrchid|33.3}}
{{bar percent|Northern Irish|grey|31.5}}
}}
{{further|British nationality law|Irish nationality law}}

In Northern Ireland censuses, respondents can choose more than one national identity. In 2021:<ref name="2021 national identity">{{cite web |title=Main statistics for Northern Ireland – Statistical bulletin – National identity |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-national-identity.pdf |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316223405/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-national-identity.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 42.8% identified as British, solely or along with other national identities
* 33.3% identified as Irish, solely or along with other national identities
* 31.5% identified as Northern Irish, solely or along with other national identities

The main national identities given in recent censuses were:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!colspan=4|National identity of Northern Ireland residents<ref name="2011 Census data"/><ref name="2021 national identity"/>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Identity
!rowspan="2"|2011
!rowspan="2"|2021
|- style="font-size:85%"
|-
|style="text-align:left"| British only || 39.9% || 31.9%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Irish only || 25.3% ||29.1%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Northern Irish only || 20.9% || 19.8%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| British & Northern Irish || 6.2% || 8.0%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Irish & Northern Irish || 1.1%|| 1.8%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| British, Irish & Northern Irish || 1.0% || 1.5%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| British & Irish || 0.7% || 0.6%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| English, Scottish, or Welsh || 1.6% ||1.5%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| All other || 3.4%|| 6.0%
|}

As of the 2021 census, regarding national identity, four of the six traditional counties had an Irish plurality and two had a British plurality.<ref>{{cite web |title=National identity (person based) - basic detail (classification 1) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_BASIC |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818094359/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_BASIC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&~NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3=1+2 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818094358/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&~NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3=1+2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&~NAT_ID_BRITISH=1+2 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818094353/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&~NAT_ID_BRITISH=1+2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&~NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3=1+2 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818094359/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&~NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3=1+2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!colspan=7|National identity of Northern Ireland residents by county
|-
!rowspan="2"|National Identity
!rowspan="2"|Antrim
!rowspan="2"|Armagh
!rowspan="2"|Down
!rowspan="2"|Fermanagh
!rowspan="2"|Londonderry
!rowspan="2"|Tyrone
|- style="font-size:85%"
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Irish only || 25.7% || 39.0% || 18.5% || 38.3% || 42.2% || 41.6%
|-
!style="text-align:left"| All Irish identities || 29.7% || 42.2% || 23.7% || 41.9% || 46.0% || 44.9%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| British only || 35.5% || 24.7%|| 37.7% || 26.2% || 24.8% || 21.0%
|-
!style="text-align:left"| All British identities || 47.4% || 32.3% || 52.5% || 32.9% || 32.2% || 27.0%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Northern Irish only || 18.7% || 16.8%|| 21.7% || 21.3% || 19.7% || 20.5%
|-
!style="text-align:left"| All Northern Irish identities || 31.1% || 25.4% || 36.9% || 29.1% || 28.3% || 28.0%
|}

===Religion===
{{main|Religion in Northern Ireland}}
At the 2021 census, 42.3% of the population identified as [[Roman Catholicism in Ireland|Roman Catholic]], 37.3% as Protestant/other Christian, 1.3% as other religions, while 17.4% identified with no religion or did not state one.<ref name="2021 religion"/> The biggest of the Protestant/other Christian denominations were the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland|Presbyterian Church]] (16.6%), the [[Church of Ireland]] (11.5%) and the [[Methodist Church in Ireland|Methodist Church]] (2.3%).<ref name="2021 religion"/> At the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]], 41.5% of the population identified as Protestant/other Christian, 41% as Roman Catholic, 0.8% as other religions, while 17% identified with no religion or did not state one.<ref name="ReferenceA">Census 2011</ref> In terms of background (i.e. religion or religion brought up in), at the 2021 census 45.7% of the population came from a Catholic background, 43.5% from a Protestant background, 1.5% from other religious backgrounds, and 5.6% from non-religious backgrounds.<ref name="2021 religion"/> This was the first time since Northern Ireland's creation that there were more people from a Catholic background than Protestant.<ref name="first catholic majority">{{cite news |title=Census 2021: More from Catholic background in NI than Protestant |work=BBC News |date=22 September 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-62980394 |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922001732/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-62980394 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the 2011 census, 48% came from a Protestant background, 45% from a Catholic background, 0.9% from other religious backgrounds, and 5.6% from non-religious backgrounds.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

{{bar box
|title= Religion in Northern Ireland – 2021<ref name="2021 religion">{{cite web |title=Main statistics for Northern Ireland Statistical bulletin – Religion |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-religion.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326045543/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-religion.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Religion
|right1=Per cent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Roman Catholic]]|DarkOrchid|42.3}}
{{bar percent|[[Protestant]]/other Christian|DodgerBlue|37.3}}
{{bar percent|[[Irreligion|No religion]]/Not stated|SlateGray|17.4}}
{{bar percent|Other religions|LimeGreen|1.3}}
}}

In recent censuses, respondents gave their religious identity or religious upbringing as follows:<ref name="2001 key statistics">{{cite web |title=Key Statistics Table |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/2001-census-results-key-statistics-report-tables.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922220304/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/2001-census-results-key-statistics-report-tables.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2011 Census data"/><ref name="2021 religion"/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!colspan=5|Religion or religious background of Northern Ireland residents
|-
!rowspan="2"|Religion / religion of upbringing
!rowspan="2"|2001
!rowspan="2"|2011
!rowspan="2"|2021
|- style="font-size:85%"
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Catholic || 43.8% || 45.1% || 45.7%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Protestant and other Christian || 53.1% || 48.4% || 43.5%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Other religions || 0.4% || 0.9%|| 1.5%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| No religion nor religious upbringing || 2.7% || 5.6% || 9.3%
|}
As of the 2021 census, regarding religious background, four of the six traditional counties had a Catholic majority, one had a Protestant plurality, and one had a Protestant majority.<ref name="religion brought up in">{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ECOUNTY_NI=6 |website=NISRA |access-date=17 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820072645/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ECOUNTY_NI=6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!colspan=7|Religion or religious background of Northern Ireland residents by county
|-
!rowspan="2"|Religion / religion of upbringing
!rowspan="2"|Antrim
!rowspan="2"|Armagh
!rowspan="2"|Down
!rowspan="2"|Fermanagh
!rowspan="2"|Londonderry
!rowspan="2"|Tyrone
|- style="font-size:85%"
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Catholic || 40.1% || 58.2% || 32.3% || 58.8% || 61.3% || 66.5%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Protestant and other Christian || 47.0% || 34.0% || 53.5% || 35.5% || 32.5% || 28.9%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Other religions || 2.1% || 1.2%|| 1.5% || 1.1% || 0.9% || 0.6%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| No religion nor religious upbringing || 10.8% || 6.7% || 12.7% || 4.6% || 5.3% || 4.0%
|}

Several studies and surveys carried out between 1971 and 2006 have indicated that, in general, most Protestants in Northern Ireland see themselves primarily as British, whereas most Catholics see themselves primarily as Irish.<ref>Breen, R., Devine, P. and Dowds, L. (editors), 1996: {{ISBN|0-86281-593-2}}. Chapter 2 [http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/research/nisas/rep5c2.htm 'Who Wants a United Ireland? Constitutional Preferences among Catholics and Protestants' by Richard Breen (1996), in, Social Attitudes in Northern Ireland: The Fifth Report] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226220013/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/research/nisas/rep5c2.htm |date=26 December 2018 }} Retrieved 24 August 2006; Summary: In 1989—1994, 79% Protestants replied "British" or "Ulster", 60% of Catholics replied "Irish."</ref><ref>[http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/NINATID.html Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, 1999; Module:Community Relations, Variable:NINATID] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510203944/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/NINATID.html |date=10 May 2011 }} Summary:72% of Protestants replied "British". 68% of Catholics replied "Irish".</ref><ref>[http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/BRITISH.html Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey. Module:Community Relations. Variable:BRITISH.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610101029/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/BRITISH.html |date=10 June 2011 }} Summary: 78% of Protestants replied "Strongly British."</ref><ref>[http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/IRISH.html Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, 1999; Module:Community Relations, Variable:IRISH] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610101003/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/IRISH.html |date=10 June 2011 }} Summary: 77% of Catholics replied "Strongly Irish."</ref><ref>Institute of Governance, 2006 ''"National identities in the UK: do they matter?"''
Briefing No. 16, January 2006; Retrieved from {{cite web |url=http://www.institute-of-governance.org/forum/Leverhulme/briefing_pdfs/IoG_Briefing_16.pdf |title=IoG_Briefing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822152404/http://www.institute-of-governance.org/forum/Leverhulme/briefing_pdfs/IoG_Briefing_16.pdf |archive-date=22 August 2006}}&nbsp;{{small|(211&nbsp;KB)}} on 24 August 2006. Extract: "Three-quarters of Northern Ireland's Protestants regard themselves as British, but only 12 percent of Northern Ireland's Catholics do so. Conversely, a majority of Catholics (65%) regard themselves as Irish, whilst very few Protestants (5%) do likewise. Very few Catholics (1%) compared to Protestants (19%) claim an Ulster identity but a Northern Irish identity is shared in broadly equal measure across religious traditions."''Details from attitude surveys are in [[Demographics and politics of Northern Ireland]].''</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/Plain_English_Summaries/governance_and_citizenship/structure/index32.aspx?ComponentId=17242&SourcePageId=11746 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927051820/http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/Plain_English_Summaries/governance_and_citizenship/structure/index32.aspx?ComponentId=17242&SourcePageId=11746 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |title=L219252024 – Public Attitudes to Devolution and National Identity in Northern Ireland |website=University of York Research Project 2002–2003}}</ref><ref>Northern Ireland: Constitutional Proposals and the Problem of Identity, by J. R. Archer The Review of Politics, 1978</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucd.ie/spire/text%20files/todd-achangedirishnationalism.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510015756/http://www.ucd.ie/spire/text%20files/todd-achangedirishnationalism.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2007 |title=Chapter 7 > A changed Irish nationalism? The significance of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 |author=Joseph Ruane and Jennifer Todd}}</ref> This does not, however, account for the [[People of Northern Ireland|complex identities within Northern Ireland]], given that many of the population regard themselves as "Ulster" or "Northern Irish", either as a primary or secondary identity.

A 2008 survey found that 57% of Protestants described themselves as British, while 32% identified as Northern Irish, 6% as Ulster, and 4% as Irish. Compared to a similar survey in 1998, this shows a fall in the percentage of Protestants identifying as British and Ulster and a rise in those identifying as Northern Irish. The 2008 survey found that 61% of Catholics described themselves as Irish, with 25% identifying as Northern Irish, 8% as British, and 1% as Ulster. These figures were largely unchanged from the 1998 results.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2008/Community_Relations/NINATID.html |title=Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, 2008; Module:Community Relations, Variable:IRISH |publisher=Ark.ac.uk |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610101049/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2008/Community_Relations/NINATID.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1998/Community_Relations/NINATID.html |title=Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, 1998; Module:Community Relations, Variable:IRISH |publisher=Ark.ac.uk |date=9 May 2003 |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610044347/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1998/Community_Relations/NINATID.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

People born in Northern Ireland are, with some exceptions, deemed by UK law to be [[British nationality law|citizens of the United Kingdom]]. They are also, with similar exceptions, entitled to be [[Irish nationality law|citizens of Ireland]]. This entitlement was reaffirmed in the 1998 [[Good Friday Agreement]] between the British and Irish governments, which provides that:

<blockquote>...it is the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly [the two governments] confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any future change in the status of Northern Ireland.</blockquote>

[[File:Predominant passport held northern ireland.png|thumb|2011: Map of most commonly held passport]]
As a result of the Agreement, the [[Constitution of Ireland|Constitution of the Republic of Ireland]] was amended. The current wording provides that people born in Northern Ireland are entitled to be Irish citizens on the same basis as people from any other part of the island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/?docID=243 |title=Department of the Taoiseach |publisher=Taoiseach.gov.ie |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=1 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701034610/http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/?docID=243 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Neither government, however, extends its citizenship to all persons born in Northern Ireland. Both governments exclude some people born in Northern Ireland, in particular persons born without one parent who is a British or Irish citizen. The Irish restriction was given effect by the [[Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|twenty-seventh amendment to the Irish Constitution]] in 2004. The position in UK nationality law is that most of those born in Northern Ireland are UK nationals, whether or not they so choose. Renunciation of British citizenship requires the payment of a fee, currently £372.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697987/Gov_uk_fees_revision_2018.pdf |title=Home Office Immigration & Nationality Charges 2018 |publisher=[[Home Office]] |date=6 April 2018 |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-date=30 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530035148/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697987/Gov_uk_fees_revision_2018.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

In recent censuses, residents said they held the following passports:<ref name="2011 Census data">{{cite web |title=Northern Ireland Census 2011 Key Statistics Summary Report |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/2011-census-results-key-statistics-summary-report.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922201937/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/2011-census-results-key-statistics-summary-report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="passport held 2021">{{cite web |title=Main statistics for Northern Ireland Statistical bulletin – Passports held |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-passports-held.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922093444/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-passports-held.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!colspan=4|Passports held by Northern Ireland residents
|-
!rowspan="2"|Passport
!rowspan="2"|2011
!rowspan="2"|2021
|- style="font-size:85%"
|-
|style="text-align:left"| United Kingdom || 59.1% || 52.6%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Ireland || 20.8% || 32.3%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| European countries || 2.2% || 3.9%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Other countries in world || 1.1% || 1.6%
|-
|style="text-align:left"| No passport || 18.9% || 15.9%
|}

===Languages===
{{Main|Languages of Northern Ireland}}Irish is an official language of Northern Ireland as of 6 December 2022 when the Irish Language Act ([[Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022]]) became law. The Irish Language Act officially repealed legislation from 1737 that banned the use of Irish in courts.<ref name=":0"/> English is a ''de facto'' official language.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} English is also spoken as a first language by 95.4% of the Northern Ireland population.<ref name="2022 Language" /> [[File:English dialects in Ulster contrast.png|thumb|right|Approximate boundaries of the current and historical English/[[Scots language|Scots]] dialects in [[Ulster]]. South to north, the colour bands represent [[Hiberno-English]], South-[[Ulster English]], Mid-Ulster English, and the three traditional [[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]] areas. The Irish-speaking [[Gaeltacht]] is not shown.]]

Under the [[Belfast Agreement|Good Friday Agreement]], Irish and [[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]] (an Ulster dialect of the [[Scots language]], sometimes known as ''Ullans''), are recognised as "part of the cultural wealth of Northern Ireland".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nio.gov.uk/agreement.pdf |title=The Agreement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003065655/http://www.nio.gov.uk/agreement.pdf |archive-date=3 October 2011}}&nbsp;{{small|(204&nbsp;KB)}}</ref> The Irish Language Act of 2022 also legislated commissioners for both Irish and Ulster Scots.<ref name=":0" />

Two all-island bodies for the promotion of these were created under the Agreement: ''[[Foras na Gaeilge]]'', which promotes the Irish language, and the [[Ulster Scots Agency]], which promotes the Ulster-Scots dialect and culture. These operate separately under the aegis of [[the North/South Language Body]], which reports to the [[North/South Ministerial Council]].

The [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK Government]] in 2001 ratified the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]]. Irish (in Northern Ireland) was specified under Part III of the Charter, with a range of specific undertakings about education, translation of statutes, interaction with public authorities, the use of placenames, media access, support for cultural activities, and other matters. A lower level of recognition was accorded to Ulster-Scots, under Part II of the Charter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/minlang/report/EvaluationReports/UKECRML3_en.pdf |title=Council of Europe Charter monitoring report, 2010 |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010150121/https://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/minlang/report/EvaluationReports/UKECRML3_en.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

====English====
{{Main|Ulster English}}

According to the 2021 census, in 94.74% of households, all people aged 16 and above spoke English as their main language.<ref name="Census 2021 Phase 2 Bulletin">{{cite web |title=Census 2021 Main statistics for Northern Ireland Phase 2 December 2022 |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-2-report.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=5 January 2023 |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102173056/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-2-report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The dialect of English spoken in Northern Ireland shows influence from the lowland [[Scots language]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPPexF5hyIkC&q=DIALECT+OF+NORTHERN+IRELAND+COMES+FROM+SCOTLAND&pg=PA90 |title=Dialects across borders |author=Markku Filppula |publisher=John Benjamins Publishing Co, Amsterdam |year=2005 |page=90 |access-date=2 January 2011 |isbn=978-9027247872 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413214714/https://books.google.com/books?id=aPPexF5hyIkC&q=DIALECT+OF+NORTHERN+IRELAND+COMES+FROM+SCOTLAND&pg=PA90 |url-status=live}}</ref> There are supposedly some minute differences in pronunciation between Protestants and Catholics, for instance; the name of the letter ''h'', which Protestants tend to pronounce as "aitch", as in [[British English]], and Catholics tend to pronounce as "haitch", as in [[Hiberno-English]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Donnan |first1=Hastings |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0UHEAAAQBAJ&dq=Northern+Ireland++differences+in+pronunciation+between+Protestants+and+Catholics&pg=PT111 |title=The Anthropology of Ireland |last2=Wilson |first2=Thomas M. |date= 2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-18999-5 |language=en |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404132331/https://books.google.com/books?id=V0UHEAAAQBAJ&dq=Northern+Ireland++differences+in+pronunciation+between+Protestants+and+Catholics&pg=PT111 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, geography is a much more important determinant of dialect than religious background.

====Irish====

[[File:Map of those with some ability in Irish in the 2011 census in Northern Ireland.png|thumb|Percentage of people aged 3+ claiming to have some ability in Irish in the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]]]]

{{Main|Irish language in Northern Ireland|Ulster Irish}}

The Irish language ({{langx|ga|an Ghaeilge}}), or ''Gaelic'', is the second most spoken language in Northern Ireland and is a native language of Ireland.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ryan |first=James G. |title=Irish Records: Sources for Family and Local History |publisher=Flyleaf Press |year=1997 |page=[https://archive.org/details/irishrecordssour0000ryan_s8k7/page/40 40] |isbn=978-0-916489-76-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/irishrecordssour0000ryan_s8k7/page/40}}</ref> It was spoken predominantly throughout what is now Northern Ireland before the [[Ulster Plantations]] in the 17th century and most place names in Northern Ireland are [[anglicised]] versions of a Gaelic name. Today, the language is often associated with Irish nationalism (and thus with Catholics). However, in the 19th century, the language was seen as a common heritage, with Ulster Protestants playing a leading role in the [[Gaelic revival]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2013 |title=Presbyterians and the Irish Language Roger Blaney (Ulster Historical Foundation/The Ultach Trust, £6.50) ISBN 0-901905-75-5 |url=https://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/presbyterians-and-the-irish-language-roger-blaney-ulster-historical-foundationthe-ultach-trust-6-50-isbn-0-901905-75-5/ |access-date=12 June 2020 |website=History Ireland |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612171721/https://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/presbyterians-and-the-irish-language-roger-blaney-ulster-historical-foundationthe-ultach-trust-6-50-isbn-0-901905-75-5/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2021 census, 12.4% (compared with 10.7% in 2011) of the population of Northern Ireland claimed "some knowledge of Irish" and 3.9% (compared with 3.7% in 2011) reported being able to "speak, read, write and understand" Irish.<ref name="Census 2011"/><ref name="2022 Language">{{cite web |title=Main statistics for Northern Ireland Statistical bulletin – Language |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-language.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922093432/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-language.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In another survey, from 1999, 1% of respondents said they spoke it as their main language at home.<ref name = "Survey-NorthernIreland">Northern Ireland LIFE & TIMES Survey: [http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/MAINLANG.html What is the main language spoken in your own home?] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610101441/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/MAINLANG.html |date=10 June 2011 }}</ref>

The dialect spoken in Northern Ireland, Ulster Irish, has two main types, East Ulster Irish and Donegal Irish (or West Ulster Irish),<ref name="pipex1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ultach.dsl.pipex.com/english/faqs.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416045904/http://www.ultach.dsl.pipex.com/english/faqs.htm |archive-date=16 April 2009 |title=Frequently-Asked Questions about the Irish Language |publisher=Ultach |access-date=7 February 2012}}</ref> is the one closest to [[Scottish Gaelic]] (which developed into a separate language from Irish Gaelic in the 17th century). Some words and phrases are shared with Scots Gaelic, and the dialects of east Ulster – those of [[Rathlin Island]] and the [[Glens of Antrim]] – were very similar to the dialect of [[Argyll]], the part of Scotland nearest to Ireland. The dialects of Armagh and Down were also very similar to the dialects of Galloway.

The use of the Irish language in Northern Ireland today is politically sensitive. The erection by some [[Local government in Northern Ireland|district councils]] of bilingual street names in both English and Irish,<ref>The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (No. 759 (N.I. 5))[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Primary&PageNumber=25&NavFrom=2&parentActiveTextDocId=1011237&activetextdocid=1011254] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409203049/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1995/759/part/crossheading/street-names-and-numbering-of-buildings|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> invariably in predominantly nationalist districts, is resisted by unionists who claim that it creates a "chill factor" and thus harms community relationships. Efforts by members of the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] to legislate for some official uses of the language have failed to achieve the required cross-community support. In May 2022, the UK Government proposed a bill in the House of Lords to make Irish an official language (and support Ulster Scots) in Northern Ireland and to create an Irish Language Commissioner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2022 |title=UK to make Irish an official language in Northern Ireland |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-moves-to-make-irish-language-official-in-northern-ireland/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |website=POLITICO |language=en-US |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527151739/https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-moves-to-make-irish-language-official-in-northern-ireland/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Parliament3168"/> The bill has since been passed, and received royal assent in December 2022.<ref name=":0"/> There has recently been an increase in interest in the language among unionists in East Belfast.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keenan |first=Dan |title=Loyalists line up to learn cúpla focail at language classes in heart of east Belfast |work=Irish Times |date=9 January 2014 |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/loyalists-line-up-to-learn-c%C3%BApla-focail-at-language-classes-in-heart-of-east-belfast-1.1650239 |access-date=27 January 2016 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020125/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/loyalists-line-up-to-learn-c%C3%BApla-focail-at-language-classes-in-heart-of-east-belfast-1.1650239 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Ulster Scots====
[[File:Map showing the percentage of people aged 3+ claiming to have some ability in Ulster Scots in the 2011 census.png|thumb|Percentage of people aged 3+ claiming to have some ability in Ulster Scots in the 2011 census]]
{{Main|Ulster Scots dialect}}

Ulster Scots comprises varieties of the [[Scots language]] spoken in Northern Ireland. For a native English speaker, "[Ulster Scots] is comparatively accessible, and even at its most intense can be understood fairly easily with the help of a glossary."<ref name = "Poilin-BBC">Aodan Mac Poilin, 1999, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/learning/history/stateapart/agreement/culture/support/cul2_c011.shtml "Language, Identity and Politics in Northern Ireland"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821033808/http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/learning/history/stateapart/agreement/culture/support/cul2_c011.shtml |date=21 August 2020 }} in Ulster Folk Life Vol. 45, 1999</ref>

Along with the Irish language, the Good Friday Agreement recognised the dialect as part of Northern Ireland's unique culture and the [[St Andrews Agreement]] recognised the need to "enhance and develop the Ulster Scots language, heritage and culture".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nio.gov.uk/st_andrews_agreement.pdf |title=St Andrews Agreement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104144328/http://www.nio.gov.uk/st_andrews_agreement.pdf |archive-date=4 November 2006}}&nbsp;{{small|(131&nbsp;KB)}}</ref>

At the time of the 2021 census, approximately 1.1% (compared to 0.9% in 2011) of the population claimed to be able to speak, read, write and understand Ulster-Scots, while 10.4% (compared to 8.1% in 2011) professed to have "some ability".<ref name="Census 2011"/><ref name="2022 Language"/><ref name = "Survey-NorthernIreland"/>

====Sign languages====

{{Main|Northern Ireland Sign Language|Irish Sign Language|British Sign Language}}

The most common [[sign language]] in Northern Ireland is [[Northern Ireland Sign Language]] (NISL). However, because in the past Catholic families tended to send their deaf children to schools in Dublin{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} where [[Irish Sign Language]] (ISL) is commonly used, ISL is still common among many older deaf people from Catholic families.

Irish Sign Language (ISL) has some influence from the French family of sign language, which includes [[American Sign Language]] (ASL). NISL takes a large component from the British family of sign language (which also includes [[Auslan]]) with many borrowings from ASL. It is described as being related to Irish Sign Language at the [[syntactic]] level while much of the [[lexicon]] is based on [[British Sign Language]] (BSL).<ref name="Janzen">{{cite book |last=Janzen |first=Terry |title=Topics in Signed Language Interpreting: Theory And Practice |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ylfJtF3vQUwC |access-date=22 June 2008 |year=2005 |publisher=[[John Benjamins Publishing Company]] |location=Amsterdam |isbn=978-90-272-1669-4 |oclc=60742155 |pages=256 & 265 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413214608/https://books.google.com/books?id=ylfJtF3vQUwC |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{As of|2004|03}} the [[British Government|UK Government]] recognises only British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language as the official sign languages used in Northern Ireland.<ref name="dcal">{{cite web |url=http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/languages/sign_language.htm |title=Sign Language |access-date=22 June 2008 |publisher=[[Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109104308/http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/languages/sign_language.htm |archive-date=9 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nio.gov.uk/paul-murphy-announces-recognition-for-sign-language/media-detail.htm?newsID=8540 |title=Paul Murphy announces recognition for sign language |access-date=22 June 2008 |date=30 March 2004 |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Office]] |quote=I am pleased to announce formal recognition for both British and Irish Sign Languages in Northern Ireland. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520115301/http://www.nio.gov.uk/paul-murphy-announces-recognition-for-sign-language/media-detail.htm?newsID=8540 |archive-date=20 May 2011}}</ref>

===Education===
{{Main|Education in Northern Ireland}}
[[File:Lanyon Building, Queen's University, Belfast.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|[[Queen's University Belfast|Queen's University]], [[Belfast]]]]
[[File:Library Building at Magee.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ulster University]], [[Derry]]]]

Unlike most areas of the United Kingdom, in the last year of primary school, many children sit entrance examinations for [[Grammar schools in the United Kingdom|grammar schools]]. [[Integrated Education|Integrated schools]], which attempt to ensure a balance in enrolment between pupils of Protestant, Roman Catholic, and other faiths (or none), are becoming increasingly popular, although Northern Ireland still has a primarily ''de facto'' religiously segregated education system. In the primary school sector, 40 schools (8.9% of the total number) are integrated schools and 32 (7.2% of the total number) are [[Gaelscoileanna]] (Irish language-medium schools).

As with the island of Ireland as a whole, Northern Ireland has one of the youngest populations in Europe and, among the four UK nations, it has the highest proportion of children aged under 16 years (21% in mid-2019).<ref>{{cite web |title=Population estimates for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: mid-2019 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/annualmidyearpopulationestimates/mid2019estimates#ageing |website=ons.gov.uk |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>

In the most recent full academic year (2021–2022), the region's school education system comprised 1,124 schools (of all types) and around 346,000 pupils, including:
* 796 primary schools with 172,000 pupils;
* 192 post-primary schools with 152,000 pupils;
* 126 non-grammar post-primary schools with 86,000 pupils;
* 66 grammar schools with 65,000 pupils;
* 94 nursery schools with 5,800 pupils;
* 39 special schools with 6,600 pupils (specifically for children with special educational needs); and
* 14 independent schools with 700 children.<ref name="enrolment2122">{{cite web |title=Annual enrolments at schools and in funded pre-school education in Northern Ireland 2021–22 |url=https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/Revised%2011th%20March%202022%20-%20Annual%20enrolments%20at%20schools%20and%20in%20funded%20pre-school%20education%20in%20Northern%20Ireland%2C%202021-22.pdf |website=education-ni.gov.uk |publisher=Department of Education |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>

Enrolments in further and higher education were as follows (in 2019–2020) before disruption to enrolments and classes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic:
* six regional further education colleges with 132,000 students;
* two universities – [[Queen's University Belfast]] and [[Ulster University]] – with 53,000 students;
* two teacher training colleges – [[Stranmillis University College]] and [[St Mary's University College, Belfast]] – with 2,200 students;
* the [[College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise]] with 1,700 students on three campuses; and
* the [[Open University]] with 4,200 students.<ref>{{cite web |title=Further Education Sector Activity in Northern Ireland: 2016/17 to 2020/21 |url=https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/economy/FE-Sector-Activity-Statistical-Bulletin-16-17-to-2021_0.pdf |website=economy-ni.gov.uk |publisher=Department for the Economy |access-date=3 April 2022 |ref=feenrols1920}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Enrolments at UK Higher Education Institutions: Northern Ireland Analysis 2019/20 |url=https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/economy/HEI-enrolments-bulletin-2019-20.pdf |website=economy-ni.gov.uk |publisher=Department for the Economy |access-date=3 April 2022 |ref=heenrols1920}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why CAFRE? |url=https://www.cafre.ac.uk/about-us/why-cafre/ |publisher=CAFRE |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>

Statistics on education in Northern Ireland are published by the [[Department of Education (Northern Ireland)|Department of Education]] and the [[Department for the Economy]].

The main universities in Northern Ireland are [[Queen's University Belfast]] and [[Ulster University]], and the distance learning [[Open University]] which has a regional office in Belfast.

===Health care===
{{see also |Health and Social Care (Northern Ireland)}}

Since 1948 Northern Ireland has a health care system similar to England, Scotland and Wales, though it provides not only health care, but also social care. Health care performance has been decreasing since the mid-2010s and reached crisis levels since 2022.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Baraniuk |first=Chris |date=31 January 2024 |title=Northern Ireland's doctors are relieved as Stormont is set to return—but will funds go far enough? |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj.q270 |access-date=11 February 2024 |journal=BMJ |pages=q270 |language=en |volume=384 |doi=10.1136/bmj.q270 |pmid=38296346 | issn = 1756-1833}}</ref>

===Economy===
{{Main|Economy of Northern Ireland}}
[[File:Belfast Titanic.jpg|thumb|right|[[Titanic Belfast]], in the [[Titanic Quarter]]]]
[[File:Harlandandwolffcranes.JPG|thumb|right|[[Harland & Wolff]] shipyard cranes named Samson and Goliath]]

Northern Ireland traditionally had an industrial economy, most notably featuring shipbuilding, rope manufacture, and textiles. In 2019, 53% of GVA was generated by services, 22% by the public sector, 15% by production, 8% by construction and 2% by agriculture.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/NI-Composite-Economic-Index-Q1-2021.pdf |access-date=9 August 2023 |title=Economic Activity in Northern Ireland Q1 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809212348/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/NI-Composite-Economic-Index-Q1-2021.pdf}}</ref>

In the coal industry, [[John Kelly Limited]] was the largest coal firm in Northern Ireland, spanning 150 years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Middlemiss |first1=Norman |title=John Kelly of Belfast |url=https://shippingtandy.com/features/john-kelly-belfast/ |website=Shipping Today and Yesterday |access-date=21 November 2024 |date=14 October 2014}}</ref> It started in [[Queen's Quay, Belfast]], by [[Samuel Kelly (coal merchant)|Samuel Kelly]] as a coal commissions and grocer. After his death, son [[John Kelly (coal merchant)|John Kelly]] took over and expanded the fleet of coasters. The business saw the most growth under John Kelly's son, [[Sir Samuel Kelly]], who incorporated the business as a [[limited company]] in 1911. John Kelly Limited expanded along the docks, likewise with their offices, expansion to Ballymena and Carrickfergus took place, and coal boats would travel to Larne Harbour. The company was renamed to Kelly's Fuels in the 1990s, and quickly became one of the biggest oil distributors in the Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Kelly Limited, Belfast. Coal merchant and former shipowner |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/1031 |website=[[Geograph Britain and Ireland]] |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Grattan |first1=Gary |title=Fuel firm in hunt for calendars |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/fuel-firm-in-hunt-for-calendars/28358680.html |website=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date=9 January 2025 |date=8 July 2000}}</ref>

Belfast is the United Kingdom's second largest tech hub outside of London with more than 25% of their jobs being technology related. Many established multinational tech companies such as Fujitsu, SAP, IBM and Microsoft have a presence here. It is regarded an appealing place to live for tech professionals and has a low cost of living compared to other cities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://growthbusiness.co.uk/a-guide-to-the-belfast-tech-hub-2560721/ |access-date=13 August 2023 |title=A guide to the Belfast tech hub |date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218132806/https://growthbusiness.co.uk/a-guide-to-the-belfast-tech-hub-2560721/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-than-100-investors-confirmed-for-summit-in-northern-ireland |access-date=13 August 2023 |title=More than 100 investors confirmed for summit in Northern Ireland |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813094249/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-than-100-investors-confirmed-for-summit-in-northern-ireland}}</ref>

In 2019 Northern Ireland welcomed 5.3m visitors, who spent over £1billion. A total of 167 cruise ships docked at Northern Ireland ports in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tourismni.com/research-insights/tourism-performance-statistics/ |access-date=7 August 2023 |title=Tourism Performance Statistics |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807194309/https://www.tourismni.com/research-insights/tourism-performance-statistics/}}</ref> Tourism in recent years has been a major growth area with key attractions including the Giants Causeway and the many castles in the region with the historic towns and cities of Belfast, Derry, Armagh and Enniskillen being popular with tourists. Entertainment venues include the SSE Arena, Waterfront Hall, the Grand Opera House and Custom House Square. Tourists use various means of transport around Northern Ireland such as vehicle hire, guided tours, taxi tours, electric bikes, electric cars and public transport.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://discovernorthernireland.com/blog/read/2020/06/getting-around-northern-ireland-b89 |access-date=7 August 2023 |title=Getting around Northern Ireland |date=25 June 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807194955/https://discovernorthernireland.com/blog/read/2020/06/getting-around-northern-ireland-b89}}</ref>

Belfast currently has an 81-acre shipyard which was purposely developed to be able to take some of the world's largest vessels. It has the largest dry dock for ships in Europe measuring 556m x 93m and has 106m high cranes, it is ideally situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.harland-wolff.com/facilities/belfast/ |access-date=4 August 2023 |title=Harland & Wolff Facilities |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804195613/https://www.harland-wolff.com/facilities/belfast/}}</ref> The shipyard can build ships and complete maintenance contracts such as the contracts awarded by P&O and Cunard cruise ships in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/harland-and-wolff-secures-contract-to-carry-out-work-on-cruise-liners-queen-victoria-and-aurora/41547352.html |access-date=4 August 2023 |title=Harland and Wolff secures contract to carry out work on cruise liners Queen Victoria and Aurora |newspaper=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk |date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804200932/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/harland-and-wolff-secures-contract-to-carry-out-work-on-cruise-liners-queen-victoria-and-aurora/41547352.html}}</ref>

Northern Ireland feeds around 10 million people when their population is only 1.8 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-poots-serves-100-years-food-history |access-date=3 August 2023 |title=Minister Poots serves up 100 years of food history |date=15 October 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803194209/https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-poots-serves-100-years-food-history}}</ref> The predominant activity on Northern Ireland farms in 2022 was cattle and sheep. 79 per cent of farms in Northern Ireland have some cattle, 38 per cent have some sheep. Over three-quarters of farms in Northern Ireland are very small, in 2022 there were 26,089 farms in Northern Ireland with approximately one million hectares of land farmed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/daera/Agricultural%20Census%202022%20Publication_1.pdf |access-date=3 August 2023 |title=Agricultural Census in Northern Ireland 2022 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803193646/https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/daera/Agricultural%20Census%202022%20Publication_1.pdf}}</ref>

Northern Ireland is in a unique position where it can sell goods to the rest of the United Kingdom and the European Union tariff-free, free from customs declarations, rules of origin certificates and non-tariff barriers on the sale of goods to both regions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.investni.com/media-centre/features/northern-ireland-market-access-great-britain-and-european-union |access-date=10 August 2023 |title=Northern Ireland: Market Access to Great Britain and the European Union |date=15 February 2021 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810193423/https://www.investni.com/media-centre/features/northern-ireland-market-access-great-britain-and-european-union}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2374801 |title=Northern Ireland puts itself on the global map |date=16 September 2023 |archive-date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917092412/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2374801}}</ref>

Below is a comparison of the goods being sold and purchased between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, compared with the goods being exported and imported between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland:

<div style=display:inline-table>
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; margin-right:2em;"
|+ Northern Ireland Sales/Exports<ref name="nitrade">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/Overview-of-NI-Trade-April-2023.pdf |access-date=25 July 2023 |title=Overview of Northern Ireland Trade |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725144232/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/Overview-of-NI-Trade-April-2023.pdf}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width: 50px;" |
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;"| United Kingdom
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;"| Republic of Ireland

|-
! 2020
| £11.3 billion || £4.2 billion
|-
! 2021
| £12.8 billion
| £5.2 billion
|}
</div>
<div style=display:inline-table>
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; "
|+ Northern Ireland Purchases/Imports<ref name="nitrade" />
! scope="col" style="width: 50px;" |
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;"| United Kingdom
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;"| Republic of Ireland

|-
! 2020
| £13.4 billion || £2.5 billion
|-
! 2021
| £14.4 billion
| £3.1 billion
|}
</div>

===Infrastructure and transportation===
{{main|Transport in Ireland}}
[[File:Approaching Seahill station - geograph.org.uk - 243422.jpg|thumb|An [[Northern Ireland Railways|NIR]] [[NIR Class 3000|C3K]] [[railcar]]]]
[[File:69, North Junction.jpg|thumb|[[NIR 80 class]] railcar 69, which was used on the [[Peace Train Organisation|Peace Train campaign]] during [[the Troubles]], is preserved at the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway|Downpatrick & County Down Railway]]]]

Northern Ireland has underdeveloped transport infrastructure, with most infrastructure concentrated around Greater Belfast, Greater Derry, and Craigavon. Northern Ireland is served by three airports—[[Belfast International Airport|Belfast International]] near [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]], [[George Best Belfast City Airport|George Best Belfast City]] integrated into the railway network at [[Sydenham railway station, Northern Ireland|Sydenham]] in East Belfast, and [[City of Derry Airport|City of Derry]] in County Londonderry. There are upgrade plans to transform the railway network in Northern Ireland including new lines from Derry to Portadown and Belfast to Newry, though it will take the best part of 25 years to deliver.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66297150 |access-date=26 July 2023 |title=All-Island Rail Review: Londonderry to Portadown line recommended |work=BBC News |date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=26 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726083037/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66297150 |url-status=live }}</ref> There are major seaports at [[Larne]] and [[Port of Belfast|Belfast]] which carry passengers and freight between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Passenger railways are operated by [[NI Railways]]. With [[Iarnród Éireann]] (Irish Rail), [[NI Railways]] co-operates in providing the joint [[Enterprise (train)|Enterprise]] service between [[Dublin Connolly]] and [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]]. The whole of Ireland has a mainline railway network with a [[Track gauge in Ireland|gauge of {{cvt|5|ft|3|in|mm}}]], which is unique in Europe and has resulted in distinct rolling stock designs. The only preserved line of this gauge on the island is the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]], which operates heritage steam and diesel locomotives. Main railway lines linking to and from [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central Station]] and Lanyon Place railway station are:
* The [[Belfast–Derry railway line|Derry Line]] and the Portrush Branch.
* The [[Larne Town railway station|Larne]] Line
* The [[Bangor railway station (Northern Ireland)|Bangor]] Line
* The [[Newry railway station|Newry]]/[[Portadown railway station|Portadown]] Line

The Derry line is the busiest single-track railway line in the United Kingdom, carrying 3 million passengers per annum, the Derry-Londonderry Line has also been described by Michael Palin as "one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/michael-palins-favourite-railway-line-between-coleraine-and-derry-in-northern-ireland-set-to-re-open-following-upgrade/35227689.html |access-date=26 July 2023 |title=Michael Palin's favourite railway line - between Coleraine and Derry in Northern Ireland |newspaper=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk |date=18 November 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726073856/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/michael-palins-favourite-railway-line-between-coleraine-and-derry-in-northern-ireland-set-to-re-open-following-upgrade/35227689.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Main motorways are:
* [[M1 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M1]] connecting Belfast to the south and west, ending in [[Dungannon]]
* [[M2 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M2]] connecting Belfast to the north. An unconnected section of the [[M2 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M2]] also by-passes [[Ballymena]]

Additional short motorway spurs include:
* [[M12 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M12]] connecting the [[M1 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M1]] to [[Portadown]]
* [[M22 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M22]] connecting the [[M2 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M2]] to near [[Randalstown]]
* [[M3 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M3]] connecting the M1 (via the [[Westlink (road)|A12]]) and M2 in Belfast with the A2 dual carriageway to [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[M5 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M5]] connecting Belfast to [[Newtownabbey]]

The cross-border road connecting the ports of [[Larne]] in Northern Ireland and [[Rosslare Harbour]] in the Republic of Ireland is being upgraded as part of an EU-funded scheme. [[European route E01]] runs from Larne through the island of Ireland, Spain, and Portugal to [[Seville]].