Dublin, Ireland – A new study has found that the number of people who identify as non-religious in Ireland has increased significantly in recent years. The research, conducted by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), shows that the proportion of people who say they have no religion has risen from 6% in 2011 to 10% in 2016.
The CSO survey, which was carried out between April 2016 and March 2017, asked respondents to state their religion. Of the 4.7 million people living in Ireland, 4.4 million identified as having a religion, while 468,400 said they had no religion. The remaining 82,300 people did not state their religion.
The increase in the number of people who identify as non-religious is part of a wider trend across Europe. In the UK, the proportion of people who say they have no religion has risen from 25% in 2011 to 48.5% in 2017, according to the British Social Attitudes survey.
Experts say that the decline in religious affiliation is due to a number of factors, including increased secularisation, a decline in the influence of the Catholic Church, and greater access to education and information.
The Catholic Church has traditionally been a dominant force in Irish society, but its influence has waned in recent years due to a number of scandals, including the revelation of widespread child abuse by priests. In addition, the Church’s stance on issues such as contraception and same-sex marriage has put it at odds with many Irish people.
The increase in the number of people who identify as non-religious is also reflected in the changing demographics of Ireland. The country has become more diverse in recent years, with a growing number of people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Despite the decline in religious affiliation, Ireland remains a predominantly Catholic country, with the Church still playing an important role in many aspects of Irish life. However, the rise of secularism and the growing number of people who identify as non-religious is likely to have a significant impact on the country’s social and political landscape in the years to come.
The CSO survey also revealed that the number of people who identify as Muslim has increased from 49,204 in 2011 to 63,443 in 2016. This represents an increase from 1.1% of the population to 1.4%. The number of people who identify as Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist has also increased, while the number of people who identify as Jewish has decreased.
The increase in the number of people who identify as Muslim is partly due to immigration, with many Muslims coming to Ireland from countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria, and Somalia. The Muslim community in Ireland is also becoming more established, with the opening of new mosques and Islamic centres across the country.
The rise in the number of people who identify as non-religious and the increase in the number of people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds is likely to have a significant impact on Irish society in the years to come. It remains to be seen how the country will adapt to these changes, but one thing is clear: Ireland is becoming a more diverse and secular society.
