Northern Ireland Census User Needs Consultation

Overview

The Northern Ireland Census User Needs Consultation closed on 18 March 2026. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.

What this consultation was about

NISRA asked for your views to help shape the content of Census 2031. We wanted to understand how you used Census 2021 data, what topics you need included in Census 2031, and your views on using alternative data sources alongside the census.

What happens next

All responses are being reviewed in line with our moderation policy and assessed against criteria falling under three main areas: user requirements, operational requirements, and feasibility considerations. Information about the evaluation criteria is detailed in the Census User Needs Consultation document on the NISRA website. The findings will inform NISRA's recommendations on which topics to include in the Census 2031 questionnaire. The final decision on what is collected will be a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

NISRA will publish responses to the consultation, accompanied by summary tables showing response frequencies for each question, in due course.

Supporting documents

The following consultation documents remain available on the NISRA website for reference:

• Full consultation document (PDF)
• Consultation questionnaire (PDF and Word)
• Frequently asked questions
• Moderation policy
• Guidance for organisations with multiple responses
• Presentation slides from our online events (12 November 2025 and 21 January 2026)

Contact us

If you have a question about the consultation, please contact us at census2031.consultations@nisra.gov.uk.