Voters in Northern Ireland under the age of 45 would opt for a united Ireland, according to a new poll.
However, more people overall would vote for the north to remain part of the UK if a border poll was held now.
The LucidTalk survey for the Belfast Telegraph found that 49% of respondents were in favour of staying in the UK with 39% choosing Irish unity.
But a united Ireland proved to be the most popular choice for people aged under 45, while respondents who were middle-aged and pensioners showed the strongest support for the Union.
The poll comes amid increasing debate on the constitutional question.
Earlier this month Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill said she expects a vote on Irish unity to take place in the next decade.
She said her election as First Minister demonstrated the “change that is happening” on the island of Ireland.
Her party leader, Mary Lou McDonald said unification was within “touching distance” — a claim that prompted DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to remark that she must have the “longest arms on this island”.
The new poll also found that 11% of people surveyed were unsure what they would do in regard to a future referendum, with 1% saying they would not vote or would spoil their vote.
The survey also found that while more than eight in 10 nationalists want a border poll within the next decade, less than one in 10 unionists do.
Almost two-thirds of unionists believe there should never be a referendum on Northern Ireland’s constitutional future.
Younger age groups showed more support for Irish unity with 48% of 18-24 year-olds wanting a united Ireland, while 43% chose the Union.
Among 25-34 year-olds, the split is 45% to 41% in favour of constitutional change and 44% to 42% among 35-44 year-olds.
The middle-aged and retired are in favour of maintaining the status quo, according to the poll.
The split is 54% to 42% among 45-54 year-olds, and 64% to 28% among 55-64 year-olds in favour of the Union.
The survey also shows that 48% of pensioners would vote to stay in the UK with 36% supporting Irish unity.
It also found that 69% of SDLP voters would vote to end the Union with 14% voting to keep it.
Alliance voters (36%) were more in favour of maintaining the Union, with 27% for a united Ireland and 35% undecided.
Green voters (55%) were more pro-Irish unity, with just 10% wanting Northern Ireland to stay in the UK and 35% undecided.
