A newly published regional monitoring report reveals significant demographic change, growing
pressures on services, and mixed progress across health, wellbeing and education for children and young people in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Outcome Monitoring Report 2017–2025, released today by the Children’s Services Planning Team on behalf of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP), presents the most comprehensive picture to date of how children and young people are faring across eight key outcomes, drawing together multi‑agency data from health, education, justice and social care. Download Here
Fewer Children, But Growing Need
The report shows that while children and young people still make up almost a quarter of the population, their numbers are falling. In 2024, Northern Ireland had 435,536 children aged under 18, representing 22.6% of the population. Population projections point to a 9.6% decline in the 0–17 age group by 2043, with the steepest fall among children aged 5–9.
At the same time, the needs of children are becoming more complex. The number of children in contact with services continues to rise, despite the shrinking child population, creating increased pressure on health, social care and education systems.
Health Gains Offset by Emerging Concerns
Encouraging progress has been made in some areas of child health. Births to teenage mothers have fallen to their lowest level on record, accounting for 2.0% of all births in 2024, and overall rates of smoking during pregnancy continue to decline.
However, the report highlights serious concerns:
- Infant mortality increased to 4.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024
- MMR immunisation uptake fell to 89.7%, well below the WHO target of 95%
- Breastfeeding at hospital discharge dropped to 46.2%, the lowest in eight years
Childhood obesity remains persistently high, with 15.5% of Primary 1 children overweight and 20.8% of Year 8 pupils classed as overweight in the most recent data.
Rising Disability and Mental Health Pressures
One of the most striking trends in the report is the continued rise in disability among children. By February 2025, over 34,600 children aged 0–15 were receiving Disability Living Allowance, with autism and ADHD featuring prominently.
Mental health indicators present a mixed picture. While 60% of 16‑year‑olds report good or excellent mental wellbeing, more than one in ten describe their mental health as poor. Hospital admissions for self‑harm among under‑18s fell overall, but remain higher than average in Belfast, Southern and Western Trust areas.
Education: Strong Attainment, But Attendance Challenges
Educational outcomes remain comparatively strong, with 87.4% of young people achieving five GCSEs at grades A–C*, though attainment in English and Maths continues to lag behind overall GCSE performance.
Attendance remains a concern:
- 8.0% of primary pupils and 17.6% of post‑primary pupils attended school less than 85% of the time in 2024/25
- Belfast consistently records the highest levels of absence
The proportion of young people aged 16–24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) stood at 9.4%, lower than the UK average, but still representing a significant cohort at risk of long‑term disadvantage.
Safeguarding, Care and Stability
At March 2025:
- 2,283 children were on the Child Protection Register
- 4,188 children were looked after, the highest number since records began under current legislation
Nearly half of children in care have been looked after for more than three years, highlighting the long‑term nature of intervention for many families.
The report also shows continued concern around domestic abuse, racist hate crime, and child homelessness, with more than 5,000 children living in temporary accommodation across Northern Ireland.
Poverty and Inequality Persist
Although child poverty levels have fallen slightly, around 67,000 children (15%) are still living in relative or absolute low‑income poverty. Western areas continue to experience higher rates, underlining long‑standing regional inequalities.
Free school meal entitlement remains high, particularly in Belfast and Western areas, reinforcing the link between deprivation and educational outcomes.
Informing the Next Children’s Services Plan
The report will directly inform the development of the Northern Ireland Children’s Services Plan 2025–2028, helping partners target resources, shape early intervention, and focus on outcomes where need is greatest.
Publishing today, CYPSP say the findings underline the importance of joined‑up planning, rights‑based approaches, and early support to improve outcomes for children, young people and families across Northern Ireland.
