---
title: "More 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland identify as non-religious than either Catholic or Protestant"
date: "2026-09-22T16:02:20+01:00"
modified: "2026-09-22T16:09:51+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/09/22/more-16-year-olds-in-northern-ireland-identify-as-non-religious-than-either-catholic-or-protestant/"
post_id: 198513
categories: ["Education", "News", "Northern Ireland"]
---

# More 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland identify as non-religious than either Catholic or Protestant

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/iStock-1178219511.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&ssl=1)Young adults cross The Peace Bridge in Derry, Northern IrelandMore 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland say they have no religion than identify as either Catholic or Protestant, according to [ARK’s 2026 Young Life and Times survey](https://www.ark.ac.uk/ylt/2026/summary26.pdf). Northern Ireland Humanists say the figures show that public policy and civic life are out of step with an increasingly non-religious society.

The survey found that 39% of respondents belonged to no religion, compared with 35% who identified as Catholic and 24% as Protestant or other Christian. A further 2% belonged to other religions. Those with no religion were therefore the largest single group, although Christians collectively remained a majority.

Conducted by ARK, a joint initiative between Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, the survey gathered responses from 1,965 16-year-olds across Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Humanists said the findings underline the need for schools and public institutions to recognise young people’s own beliefs, rather than assume that everyone belongs to one of Northern Ireland’s two main religious traditions.

The findings also sit alongside evidence that young people raised without religion tend to remain non-religious. [Humanists UK’s analysis of the 2024 British Social Attitudes survey](https://humanists.uk/2026/04/02/non-religion-is-the-new-normal-six-in-ten-under-35s-have-no-religion-new-analysis-finds/) found that 94% of 16–34-year-olds raised with no religion still identified that way. Just 4% identified with a form of Christianity. While this research covers Great Britain rather than Northern Ireland, it challenges the assumption that non-religious young people will generally adopt a religion as they grow older.

#### **Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented:**

> ‘These figures should prompt a rethink of how we understand young people in Northern Ireland – their beliefs and values deserve to be recognised in their own right.
> 
> ‘Young people can find meaning, build strong communities, and live ethical lives without religion. Schools should help every pupil explore religious and humanist worldviews fairly, and public services should welcome everyone equally. We should listen to what young people tell us about themselves. Their right to equal treatment matters now, whatever beliefs they may hold in the future.’

#### Notes

For further comment or information, media should contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at <boyd@humanists.uk> or phone 07918 975795.

Read more about our work on:

- [Education Inspections](https://humanists.uk/2026/09/10/education-inspections-bill-northern-ireland-humanists-back-stronger-scrutiny-of-re/)
- [NI RSE Provision](https://humanists.uk/2026/09/08/need-for-stronger-rse-guarantees-as-provision-in-remains-inconsistent-ni-humanists/)
- [Draft NI RE Syllabus](https://humanists.uk/2026/09/07/draft-northern-ireland-re-syllabus-still-marginalises-humanism/)

Northern Ireland Humanists is part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.