The proportion of people in Northern Ireland who identify as ‘non-religious’ has hit a record high according to new figures.
The latest Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey found that 20% of adults now consider themselves to have ‘no religion’, an increase of 3% on the previous year.
The proportion of non-religious people in Northern Ireland now exceeds that of every other religion or belief group except Catholics - 36%, with Presbyterians accounting for 18% of the population and those who identify as Church of Ireland/Anglican/Episcopal 14%.
The findings are consistent with those of other recent polls, including the British Social Attitudes Survey and the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, which have established a long-term trend towards a population which is increasingly non-religious.
The most recent British Social Attitudes Survey found that the number of people saying they belong to no religion has grown from two in five , 43%, to a more than half, 52%, over the last decade.
Richy Thompson, Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy, said: “Northern Ireland is frequently referred to as a ‘Christian country’ and it is certainly the case that Christianity has a huge and disproportionate influence over public life and policy.
“However, these figures, which provide yet more evidence that the population is becoming progressively less religious and more diverse over time, show that such claims are increasingly unjustifiable.
“With these trends set to continue, it is vital that policy-makers in Northern Ireland address the role of religion and belief in public life and ensure that areas such as education are not segregated along religious lines.
“Northern Ireland is a pluralistic society. Its schools and other public institutions must urgently be reformed to reflect this.”
A spokesperson for Humanists NI said: "It's unsurprising to hear that one in five people in Northern Ireland now say they are non-religious.
"We have grown rapidly since we first founded it in 2015 and we have been lucky that in that time, a growing community of humanists has supported us advance reason and kindness, and champion ideas for the one life we have.
"We'll continue to push for a fairer society and for an end to schools segregated along religious lines."
The survey asked:
Do you regard yourself as belonging to any particular religion?
No religion 20%
Catholic 36%
Church of Ireland/Anglican/Episcopal 14%
Baptist 1%
Methodist 3%
Presbyterian 18%
Free Presbyterian 2%
Islam/Muslim 1%
Elim Pentecostal 1%
Other Protestant 1%
Other Christian 2%
Brethren 0
United Reform Church/Congregational 0
Pentecostal 0
Church of Scotland 0
Reformed Presbyterian 0
Non-subscribing Presbyterian 0
Church of Nazarene 0
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) 0
Hindu 0
Sikh 0
Buddhist 0
Other 0
Don’t know 0
