London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Catholics and Protestants in NI workforce almost 50:50

Catholics and Protestants in NI workforce almost 50:50

The number of Catholic and Protestant workers in Northern Ireland is almost equal, a new report has revealed.

An Equality Commission study for 2021 showed that 43.5% of the workforce was Protestant, 43.4%, was Catholic and 13.1% were "non-determined".

In 2001 the workforce composition was 59.7% Protestant and 40.3% Catholic.

The commission's chief said fair employment legislation laid down in 1991 was responsible for driving change.

"Northern Ireland's workforce composition as shown in this report is very different to what we saw 30 years ago," said Geraldine McGahey.

"The Fair Employment legislation was responsible for driving that change, and for proving that legal enforcement of rights could work."

Ms McGahey said the law had helped pave the way for the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought an end to the Troubles.

The Fair Employment and Treatment Northern Ireland Order bans discrimination on the grounds of religious belief or political opinion, so people cannot be "less favourably treated than others" because of their religion, presumed religion or political affiliation or because they do not hold any of these beliefs or opinions.


Shifting demographics


The latest statistics are based on a total monitored workforce of 564,296, of whom:

*  245,419 (43.5%) were Protestant

*  245,070 (43.4%) were Catholic

*  73,807 (13.1%) were non-determined (defined as "where a community background is neither stated nor can reasonably be determined")

*  52.4% were women

It also showed that for the 13th consecutive year, the Catholic community (52.8%) comprised a greater proportion of applicants than the Protestant community (47.2%).


In every year since 2006, members of the Catholic community (52.7%) comprised a greater proportion of appointees than did the Protestant community (47.3%).

The monitoring report noted that the overall picture for 2021 is subject to the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There is an estimated under-reporting of approximately 1,700 employees.

The demographics of Northern Ireland have shifted slightly since the Good Friday Agreement.

In 2001 the census showed that 43.8% of the population had a Catholic background and 53.1% had a Protestant background.

The 2021 Census shows the proportion of theresident population with a Catholic background was 45.7% compared to 43.48% Protestant.

The number of people from a Catholic background and those listed as "non-determined" in the workforce has increased since the commission's last report for 2020 was published.

It showed 44.3% were Protestant, 43.9% were Catholic and 11.8% were non-determined.

Geraldine McGahey said that the changing dynamics of society in Northern Ireland meant reform of fair employment legislation was now needed.

Geraldine McGahey says law reform is needed


"Any new legislation should build on the unique and highly successful fair employment provisions.

"It should be seen as a chance to strengthen and enhance the laws that have worked so well to make our workplaces less divided, more inclusive, and more accepting of difference," she said.

The 2021 report shows the breakdown of the monitored workforce in Northern Ireland by community background.

It uses data provided to the commission by private and public sector employers based on their workforces in 2021.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×