Cross-Community Identities in Northern Ireland: Differences between Younger and Older People from Each Side of the Sectarian Divide

This article looks at the demographic composition of middle-ground identities in Northern Ireland, challenging the narrative that the ‘Northern Irish’ designation represents a truly shared, cross-community shift away from historical divisions. Using Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey data from 2020 to 2024, the analysis reveals a significant generational difference among individuals from a Protestant background. Younger Protestants are increasingly adopting moderate identities, by claiming a ‘Northern Irish’ national identity over British, claiming ‘no religion’, disavowing unionism for a ‘neither’ political stance and favouring the constitutional status quo of devolved government. This generational gap is largely absent among those from a Catholic background. Younger Catholics generally maintain traditional nationalist and Irish identities, sharing the political attitudes of their elders, including a preference for reunification. This suggests that middle-ground identities are becoming disproportionately concentrated among younger Protestants, raising questions about their long-term viability as inclusive identities.