A new analysis from the Northern Ireland Executive indicates that feelings of respect among residents have increased significantly over the last twelve months according to data gathered by the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey.
The report, titled A Respect Index for Northern Ireland (as measured by the Everyday Discrimination Scale): 2016 – 2025, defines feeling respected as respondents reporting they never experienced any of nine specific behaviours identified in the Everyday Discrimination Scale.
In 2024, only 12% of survey participants stated they felt respected, whereas that figure rose to 23% in 2025.
The Northern Ireland Executive confirmed there were no methodological changes between years to account for this statistically significant difference of eleven percentage points.
Breakdowns by gender show 21% of female respondents reported feeling respected in 2025, while 25% of male respondents gave the same response.
Religious affiliation also influenced responses, with 26% of Catholic respondents and 25% of Protestant respondents reporting they feel respected, compared to 17% of those categorised as Other.
The data covers a ten-year period from 2016 to 2025, providing a longitudinal view of how perceptions of daily discrimination have evolved in the region.
While the report highlights this upward trend, it does not declare the outcome successful or historic beyond the verified statistical increase.