Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings linked to Census 2021 – Northern Ireland (coming soon)
This dataset links the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) to the Census 2021 for Northern Ireland.
This dataset is expected to be made available soon, and this page will be updated to reflect this.
The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings linked to Census 2021 – Northern Ireland (ASHE-Census 2021 NI) dataset is due for release in spring/summer 2026. It links Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data (2014–2022) with NI Census 2021 data, creating a rich, longitudinal person‑level and household‑level dataset for research.
The dataset has the potential to provide new insights into earnings, labour market behaviour, socioeconomic inequality, demographic influences on pay, migration, occupation, health, and household circumstances.
This will enable research to inform the development, targeting and evaluation of public policy, particularly around pay disparities, labour market progression, productivity, deprivation, workforce characteristics, and equality.
The data has been shared by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)’s Economic and Labour Market Statistics (ELMS) Branch and the NISRA Census Office, with linkage and researcher access managed through the NISRA Research Support Unit (RSU).
The linked dataset was developed by the NISRA RSU as part of ADR NI, working in partnership with the ELMS Branch and the Census Office, with record linkage carried out by a Trusted Third Party under the Digital Economy Act 2017.
Related datasets
ASHE has been linked to the 2011 Census for Northern Ireland; this linked dataset is known as the Earnings and Employees Study. A dataset linking ASHE to Census 2021 for England and Wales will be available soon.
- Find out more about the Earnings and Employees Study
- Find out more about ASHE linked to Census 2021 - England and Wales.
Component datasets and linkage
This dataset links ASHE to the Census 2021 for Northern Ireland.
| Timeframe | ASHE data from 2014–2022, linked to Census 2021. |
|---|---|
| Update Frequency | Updated annually as new ASHE data are released. |
| Population | Approximately 1% of all employees in Northern Ireland who were covered by Pay As You Earn (PAYE) schemes. |
| Coverage | Northern Ireland |
| Size | Around 3,000 businesses and 8,000 jobs per ASHE year. |
Examples of research questions
Research questions may include:
- What factors influence variations in median pay?
- How does educational attainment relate to wage outcomes?
- How do industry, occupation, and employer size contribute to wage inequality?
- How does commuting distance relate to pay, and do commuter characteristics influence this?
This list is illustrative only and intended to demonstrate the research potential of the dataset. For research priorities, see the NISRA website.
Core documentation
User Guide
Guidance for researchers can be found on the NISRA website.
For any clarification or to provide feedback on this documentation, please contact the NISRA Research Support Unit (RSU) at rsu@nisra.gov.uk.
Data Dictionary
A data dictionary can be found on the NISRA website.
For any clarification or to provide feedback on this documentation, please contact the NISRA Research Support Unit (RSU) at rsu@nisra.gov.uk.
Other supporting resources
| Resource | Description |
| Information session | Slides from the information session held on the 2011 version of the ASHE-Census dataset. A further information session will take place following the formal release of the 2021 version (spring/summer 2026). |
| Data Explained | Using the 2011 version of the ASHE-Census NI dataset (formerly known as the ‘Earnings and Employees Study (EES)’) to estimate Catholic-Protestant wage differentials in Northern Ireland as of 2011. |
| Data Explained | Using the 2011 version of the ASHE-Census NI dataset (formerly known as the ‘Earnings and Employees Study (EES)’) to assess the degree to which providing unpaid care in Northern Ireland negatively impacts on employment and earnings. |
Published research using the data
ASHE-Census 2021 is scheduled for release in spring/summer 2026. Previous research using the 2011 version of the dataset (formerly known as the ‘Earning and Employees Study (EES) 2011’) includes:
- Data Insight: Estimating Catholic-Protestant wage differentials in Northern Ireland as of 2011.
- Data Insight: Assessing the degree to which providing unpaid care in Northern Ireland negatively impacts on employment and earnings.
Accessing the data
1. Apply to become an accredited researcher under the Digital Economy Act 2017
- Apply to become an accredited researcher through the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
2. Apply to access ASHE-Census 2021
- Submit a one-page document to rsu@nisra.gov.uk to assess feasibility, including aims and objectives, outline of methodology, policy impact and variable list.
- Submit an application to the UK Statistics Authority Research Accreditation Panel (RAP).
Please note that the NISRA RSU will support you through the full application process and submit the application to the Research Accreditation Panel on your behalf.
3. Access the data securely via the NISRA Secure Environment or the ONS Secure Research Service
- NISRA Secure Environment in Colby House – complete a RSU Secure Environment Researcher Booking Request Form and submit it to rsu@nisra.gov.uk.
- Safe Rooms – based in the ONS offices in Titchfield and Newport, open Monday-Friday, 9.00-16.00.
- SafePod Network – a small, self-contained secure room with a single workstation.
- Assured Organisational Connectivity – the ability to access the ONS Secure Research Service from your office. Check what arrangements your institution already has or can put in place.
Further information on how to apply for approval is available on the NISRA Research Support Unit page or by contacting rsu@nisra.gov.uk.
Find out more
For technical dataset enquiries - including project feasibility checking - researchers should contact the NISRA Research Support Unit (RSU) at rsu@nisra.gov.uk. Further information on the ASHE-Census 2021 dataset is available on the NISRA website.
