West Belfast Fact Sheet
Population
- 97,395 (Based on 1991 Census data)
- 31,702 households. Average household size: 3 persons.
- 67,599 people 16 years of age and older.
Unemployment
- Only 38% of people 16 years of age and older are in employment.
- Almost one in three of the economically active population are out of employment.
- 4% of economically active persons are on Government employment or training schemes.
- In some wards only 25% of the working age population are employed.
- The highest level of employment in any West Belfast ward is 51% of persons aged 16 and over.
Health
- 14% of the population suffer from long-term illness.
- 7% of the 16+ population is economically inactive because of long-term illness or disability.
- North & West Belfast has the highest rate of infant mortality in N. Ireland.
- The rate of hospital admission for children under 5 years of age is almost twice that of South Belfast.
- 14% of all children in Belfast Urban Area live in West Belfast, but 23% of all children suffering from long-term illness or disability live in West Belfast.
Poverty
- 48% of households do not own their own home.
- Only 4.2% of the households in Falls Ward are owner occupied.
- 64% of households do not own a car.
- In 57% of wards in North & West Belfast, at least 30% of the population are significantly deprived.
- Twelve of the sixteen most deprived Belfast wards are in West Belfast.
Religion
- 74% of the population are Catholic;
- 5% Presbyterian;
- 10% Church of Ireland;
- 1.5% Methodist;
- 2.4% Other Denominations;
- 1.6% No Religion;
- 6% Not Stated.
Knowledge of Irish Language
- One-fifth of the people living in West Belfast have a knowledge of the Irish language.