Statistical News Release - Labour Force Survey 2008 Religion Report
Thursday, 26 November 2009The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) today published figures relating to religion analysis of the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The Labour Force Survey is a sample survey and similar exercises are conducted in all member states of the European Union.
Labour force religion figures for 2008 are placed in the context of those from 1992 onwards. Religious denomination refers to only those in the survey who identified themselves as either Roman Catholic or Protestant.
Demographic Characteristics
In 2008, the religious composition of the population of working age in the LFS was found to be 52% Protestant and 48% Roman Catholic.
In comparison to the Roman Catholic population, the Protestant population has an older age profile with, for example, around two in three people aged 60 or over being Protestant.
Economic Activity
The economically active includes those in employment and those unemployed who were looking for work and available for work.
In 2008, Roman Catholics comprised 46% of the economically active of working age and Protestants 54%.
The economic activity rates of those of working age in 2008 remained higher for Protestants (75%) than for Roman Catholics (69%).
Economic Inactivity
The economically inactive excludes those in employment and those unemployed looking for work and available to start work.
In 2008, the composition of those of working age who were economically inactive was 47% Protestant and 53% Roman Catholic.
Employment
In 2008, 45% of those in employment aged 16 and over were Roman Catholic compared to 55% Protestant.
The proportions of working age Protestants in employment over the period 1992 to 2008 have been consistently higher than those of Roman Catholics. However, the proportion of working age Roman Catholics in employment has risen from 54% in 1992 to 66% in 2008. The proportion of working age Protestants in employment in 2008 was 73%.
Unemployment
The unemployment rates of both Protestants and Roman Catholics have fallen over the period 1992 to 2008. In 2008, the unemployment rate of Roman Catholics was 5% compared to 3% for Protestants.
In 2008, 54% of those unemployed were Roman Catholic, compared to 46% Protestant.
In 2008, the unemployment differential between Roman Catholics and Protestants expressed as a ratio of unemployment rates was 1.4, that is, the unemployment rate of Roman Catholics was 1.4 times that of Protestants.
In 2008, the unemployment gap between Roman Catholics and Protestants expressed as the absolute difference between the two unemployment rates was 1.4% compared to a high of 9% in 1992.
The report can be downloaded at: http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/index/equality/equalityresearch.htm
Further information relating to the collection and production of the statistics can be obtained by contacting:
OFMDFMEquality Directorate Research Branch
Block A
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT4 3SG Tel: 028 9052 3244
Fax: 028 9052 8273 Email Michael Woods
Notes to editors:
- For press enquiries contact OFMDFM press office tel 028 9037 8119. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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