Meanwhile, output from Northern Ireland’s service sector industries recorded an increase over the year and output in the production sector fell.
The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% for the period September - November 2007. This represents an increase from the rate of 3.6% recorded last quarter, but is similar to the rate of 4.2% recorded in the same period one year ago. The latest Northern Ireland rate remains below the UK average (5.3%) and is also considerably lower than the EU27 rate (7.0%) for October 2007.
Seasonally adjusted figures for the same period estimate that there were 779,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. The new figures represent an estimated increase of 0.8% in employment levels over the quarter and a rise of 1.2% over the year.
The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits stands at 23,600. This shows an increase of 200 from the previous month and is down 3,200 over the year.
The latest seasonally adjusted working age economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland (27.1%) has fallen from a figure of 27.8% recorded for the previous quarter. The Northern Ireland rate (27.1%) continues to be significantly higher than the UK average (21.0%) and is the highest among the UK regions.
Commenting on the figures, Economy Minister, Nigel Dodds said: "The number of people in employment continues to rise, which is testament to the strength of the Northern Ireland labour market. Despite a rise this quarter, unemployment in Northern Ireland is still at a very low level. The latest unemployment rate is well below the UK average and is second lowest among the UK regions.”
Provisional seasonally adjusted results from the experimental Index of Services (IOS) for the third quarter of 2007, estimate that the service sector has increased by 0.4% over the quarter and by an estimated 1.7% compared to the same quarter one year earlier. Growth was slower this quarter than in the previous quarter (0.9%). The increase in Northern Ireland services over the last four quarters (2.9%) is also lower than that for the UK as a whole (3.8%).
Over the quarter the largest contribution to the positive change in the Index was driven by the following sub sectors: the Transport, Storage & Communication (+1.5%) and the “Other Services” (+3.6%). The Business Services & Finance sector (-5.0%) and the Hotels & Restaurants sectors (-1.3%) both reported decreases when compared against the previous quarter.
The performance of the Distribution (Wholesale and Retail sector) remained relatively constant over the quarter (down 0.1%).
Results from the Index of Production (IOP) for the third quarter of 2007 show that Northern Ireland Production output decreased by 0.1% over the quarter and fell by 1.6% over the year. The equivalent UK figures remained steady over the quarter and showed an increase of 0.4% over the year.
Commenting on the annual growth in output levels from the Northern Ireland service sector, Nigel Dodds said: “The service sector performance remains positive despite some evidence of slower growth over the quarter and over the year. Northern Ireland companies are continuing to perform well and as we continue to engage in the global marketplace we will be increasingly exposed to the impact of wider economic changes.
“Manufacturing has shown some contraction, although it also continues to perform well in relative terms. It is through the development of higher value added skills and products that local businesses will prosper. I would urge businesses to seek new opportunities for innovation, research and development and improved productivity as a key strategy to promote growth.”
Notes to Editors:
- For media enquiries, please contact DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9297.
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- 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: Statistics.detini.gov.uk
