Department for Communities records over 40,000 employment vacancies in 2025/26

Date published: 06 May 2026

New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for Communities (DfC) present information on employment vacancies notified to DfC in the 2025/26 financial year.

Key findings

• There were 40,210 employment vacancies notified to the DfC in 2025/26, a 2% increase from the previous year (39,592 in 2024/25).
• The majority of vacancies were for full-time positions (62%), followed by part-time positions (31%) and casual positions (7%).
• Belfast was the Local Government District with the highest number of notified vacancies at 10,083, equivalent to 28.6 vacancies per 1,000 population. Fermanagh and Omagh recorded the lowest with 1,741 vacancies (14.8 per 1,000 population).
• The most frequently notified vacancies were, "Caring, leisure and other service occupations" with 11,034 (27%), "Elementary occupations" with 8,953 (22%) and "Process, plant and machine operatives" with 5,537 (14%).
• The industry with the largest number of vacancies was "Administrative and support service" accounting for 14,693 vacancies (37%). This was followed by "Human health and social work" with 8,855 (22%) and "Public administration and defence; compulsory social security" with 4,701 (12%).

About this publication

This publication provides summary statistical information on employment vacancies notified to DfC via JobApplyNI, the Department's free online vacancy service for employers and jobseekers.

Further information

For the full report: Notified Vacancies

View data tables and background information: Vacancies: Statistical Bulletin 2025/26 Financial Year | Department for Communities