Northern Ireland Support for Asylum Seekers Drops Below 50%

Public support for asylum seekers and refugees in Northern Ireland has fallen to 49%, marking the first time the figure has dropped below half of the adult population since the NI Life and Times Survey began in 2018. The Stormont Executive analyzed data produced by Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University showing a sharp decline from a 70% peak in 2022, which occurred during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Other metrics indicate a broader downward trend in sentiment. Only 27% of respondents believe Northern Ireland is a welcoming society for refugees, and 41% believe refugees contribute to society, down from 50% in 2024. Despite this, 57% of adults still believe there is a duty to protect those escaping persecution, though 69% feel media coverage negatively affects public perceptions.

The shift follows a period of instability, including racially motivated rioting in Belfast in June after a refugee was charged with attempted murder. Support varies significantly by background and geography; 61% of people from a Catholic background support asylum seekers compared to 42% from a Protestant background. Support is highest in Belfast at 61% and lowest in Mid Ulster at 44%.

Currently, just over 5,000 people are on supported international protection schemes in Northern Ireland, with the Home Office estimating an additional 1,300 unsupported asylum seekers.