Northern Ireland Census User Needs Consultation

Closes 4 Feb 2026

Opened 28 Oct 2025

Overview

This consultation run by Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) is designed to seek user feedback on past use of census data, determine future user need for census topics and understand users’ views on the use of alternative data sources to support a census in 2031.

There are seven main topics covered in the consultation, each of which contain subtopics as outlined in part 5.1 of the consultation document. You can respond about all subtopics or just about the individual subtopic(s) of interest to you. The questionnaire is split into five sections:

  • Section 1: About you
    Asks questions about you, such as your contact details.
  • Section 2: Census 2021 Review
    Asks about your past use of census data to inform a Census 2021 benefits realisation report.
  • Section 3: Future need for existing census subtopics
    Asks about your future need for existing census subtopics, to feed into content development for Census 2031.
  • Section 4: Future need for additional topics
    Asks about any new topics you would like us to consider including in Census 2031.
  • Section 5: Public acceptability of the use of alternative data sources to support the census
    Asks your views about the use of alternative data sources to support Census 2031.

The time to complete the consultation questionnaire will vary depending on how many subtopics/additional topics you choose to respond about. Each should take under 10 minutes to complete.

If responding as an individual, you may choose whether your name is published. Contact details will remain confidential and handled in accordance with the NISRA Privacy Notice.

All responses will be read individually. Multiple responses from the same respondent will be counted as one response. Responses that are identical or nearly identical will be grouped and treated as part of a single campaign response. This approach helps maintain the integrity of the consultation process, since the assessment focuses on the content of responses, not the number received.

Give us your views

Audiences

  • All stakeholders
  • All Stakeholders
  • Charity, Community and Voluntary
  • DAERA Staff
  • DE Staff
  • DFC Staff
  • DfE Staff
  • DFI Staff
  • DoF Staff
  • DOH Staff
  • DOJ Staff
  • Genealogist/Family Historian
  • Government Department
  • HSCNI Staff
  • ICT Grades
  • Local Government
  • PHA Staff
  • Press/media
  • Private Sector
  • Research
  • Staff
  • Statutory Body
  • TEO Staff
  • Utility

Interests

  • Census
  • Consultation
  • Demography
  • Ethnicity
  • Health
  • Household Statistics
  • Housing and Accommodation
  • Identity
  • Income
  • Labour Market
  • Language
  • Migration
  • NI
  • NI Summary Statistics
  • Population Statistics
  • Qualifications
  • Religion
  • Sexual Identity
  • Travel to Study
  • Travel to Work