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The experiences of minority ethnic and migrant people in Northern Ireland

Inquiry

Data from the Northern Ireland Census 2011 illustrates that 1.8% (32,400) of the population belonged to non-white minority ethnic groups; and 2% (35,700) had been born in the 12 countries that had joined the EU since 2004. Northern Ireland was the least ethnically diverse region in the UK.

Since then, trends in people’s attitudes towards minority ethnic and migrant people, and levels of racist incidents and crimes, have fluctuated. Some 30 per cent of people believed that racial prejudice was increasing in 2019, compared with 49 per cent in 2016 and 2017; 24 per cent believed it was decreasing in 2019, compared with 11 per cent in 2016.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry to investigate and explore the experiences of minority ethnic and migrant people and communities in Northern Ireland today.

Read the full terms of reference here, and the evidence heard so far under the 'publications' tab below.

Work news

Government and councils in Northern Ireland questioned on tackling racism and supporting minority ethnic groups

Committee to hold fourth hearing of the inquiry into minority ethnic and migrant experiences

29 November 2021

NI Executive and local authorities questioned on progress of racial equality policies

Committee to question NI local authorities in the fourth hearing looking into minority ethnic and migrant experiences

26 October 2021

MPs to question chief of NI’s Equality Commission on schooling and housing for minority ethnic and migrant people in Northern Ireland

Committee to question chief of NI’s Equality Commission

19 October 2021

The minority ethnic and migrant community experience in NI: Hate crime and policing culture

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee questions PSNI officers representing Black and ethnic minority officers in Northern Ireland

13 September 2021

Minority ethnic and migrant communities experience in Northern Ireland examined

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee hears from representative groups for migrants, refugees, Irish Travellers and healthcare workers

6 September 2021

Contact us

Phone: 020 7219 3672 (general enquiries)/020 7219 0258 (media enquiries)