The unemployment rate increased over the quarter to 4.4%, but remained below the UK average.
Seasonally adjusted figures from the Quarterly Employment Survey estimated that there were 722,320 employee jobs filled in June 2008, representing a net increase of 480 over the quarter and an increase of 4,490 over the year. The overall increase over the quarter was driven by rises in Service Sector jobs (+1,510). However, there was a decrease in Construction Sector jobs (-900). While the new estimate represented the highest figure on record, the rate of growth over the latest quarter (0.1%) had slowed compared to the same quarter one year earlier (0.8%).
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Northern Ireland was estimated at 4.4% for the period May - July 2008. This represented an increase from both the rate recorded in the previous quarter (3.9%) and from the rate for the same period one year ago (3.5%). However, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average (5.5%) and was also lower than the European Union1 (6.8%) and Republic of Ireland1 (5.7%) rates for June 2008.
The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits in August 2008 stood at 27,600. This showed an increase of 800 from the previous month and a rise of 4,200 over the year.
The latest seasonally adjusted working age economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland (27.0%) had increased from the rate for the previous quarter (26.5%). The Northern Ireland rate (27.0%) remained significantly higher than the UK average (20.8%) and continued to be the highest of all the UK regions.
Commenting on the figures, Economy Minister, Arlene Foster said: "The latest figures show that jobs growth had slowed and that unemployment was rising. As expected, the construction industry was worst affected, reflecting the pressures being experienced in the housing market and the wider building industry. However, our overall unemployment rate remained below that of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. World economic conditions may lead to the continuation of these trends in the next set of figures.
“It is clear that trading conditions have become increasingly difficult, with a combination of rising costs, limitations on credit and reduced demand from overseas markets. While many of these factors are externally driven, we still have the ability to improve the products and services that we offer, to increase our productivity and to strengthen our competitiveness.
“We have to be realistic about the difficulties facing the economy, as recent events in the wider world have so dramatically shown. But there is still an opportunity to get the fundamentals right. We must continue to focus on the areas that offer the greatest long term return, as outlined in the Programme for Government. These include prioritising skills and innovation, and targeting high value-added markets.”
Notes to Editors:
- Unemployment estimates for the European Union and the Republic of Ireland are sourced to EUROSTAT.
- The figures released today contain data from a number of different sources. The employee jobs figures are sourced to the Quarterly Employment Survey and refer to the position at the 2nd June 2008 (with the quarterly change measured between March and June 2008). The unemployment and economic inactivity rates are sourced to the Labour Force Survey and refer to the period May-July 2008 and the Claimant Count measure of unemployment benefits relates to August 2008.
- For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, tel 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
- General information can be obtained from Martin Monaghan, DETI Statistics Research Branch, on Tel: 028 9052 9421.
- 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.
- 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 on the following website:
http://www.statistics.detini.gov.uk/
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