Latest Labour Market figures released

Latest figures show an increase in employment and unemployment levels in Northern Ireland, with the unemployment rate remaining below the UK average.

The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6% for the period January - March 2008. This represents a rise from the rate of 4.2% recorded last quarter and it is also up from the rate of 4.1% recorded in the same period one year ago. However, the latest Northern Ireland rate remains below the UK average (5.2%) and is also considerably lower than the EU27 rate (6.7%) for February 2008.

Seasonally adjusted figures for the same period estimate that there were 787,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. The new figures represent an estimated increase of 0.4% in employment levels over both the quarter and the year.

The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits stands at 24,500. This shows an increase of 400 from the previous month, but is down 600 over the year.

The latest seasonally adjusted working age economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland (26.9%) was essentially unchanged from the figure of 27.0% recorded for the previous quarter. The Northern Ireland rate (26.9%) continues to be significantly higher than the UK average (20.9%) and is the highest among the UK regions.

Commenting on the figures, Economy Minister, Nigel Dodds said: "While there has been a slight rise in the recent unemployment levels it is still encouraging to note that our unemployment rate remains below both the UK and European averages. When combined with the news that Northern Ireland employment levels have increased, it highlights the resilience being shown by our economy.

“I will continue to work with all the relevant stakeholders to promote private sector development and to strengthen the conditions needed for economic growth. Our aim is to develop Northern Ireland into one of the most competitive and successful areas in Europe and the positive feedback following the recent US-NI Investment Conference suggest that we are moving in the right direction.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Media enquiries should be directed to the DETI Press Office on telephone 028 9052 9604. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
2. General information (non-press related) can be obtained from Martin Monaghan, DETI Statistics Research Branch, on Tel: 028 9052 9421.
3. The Labour Force Survey figures quoted are estimates and are subject to sampling error. This means that the exact figure is likely to be contained in a range surrounding the estimate quoted.
4. Details of the sampling errors, together with more detailed statistical information and definitions of the methodology used, can be found in the Labour Market Report (LMR), which is available at the Department of Enterprise,Trading and Investment website.