Administrative Data | Agricultural Research Collection 2011 Northern Ireland
The Administrative Data | Agricultural Research Collection 2011 Northern Ireland (AD|ARC 2011 NI) dataset was made securely available to accredited researchers in May 2026. This is a linked, de-identified dataset that combines information from the Census of Population and Households Northern Ireland 2011 with agricultural data from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), including the Northern Ireland Agricultural Census 2010, the EU Structure Survey 2010 and Single Farm Payment data for 2010, 2013 and 2016.
The available data provides population-level insight into farmers, farming households and farm businesses across Northern Ireland. By linking agricultural records with detailed Census information, the dataset enables researchers to examine the demographic, educational, health and socioeconomic characteristics of individuals and households associated with different types and sizes of farm businesses.
The dataset supports analysis of a wide range of policy-relevant issues relating to agriculture and rural communities. Researchers can investigate topics such as the characteristics of farming households receiving agricultural support payments, educational attainment among farming populations, and how health and wellbeing outcomes vary according to farm and household characteristics.
As the Northern Ireland component of the UK-wide AD|ARC programme, the dataset contributes to a broader evidence base designed to improve understanding of the agricultural sector and rural populations. The linked data resource covers approximately 74,000 individuals living in around 24,000 farming households across Northern Ireland.
This linked dataset creates a unique evidence base for understanding the circumstances and outcomes of farming households in Northern Ireland, strengthening the capacity for evidence-based agricultural and rural policymaking and supporting the development of interventions that enhance the wellbeing, resilience and sustainability of farming communities.
