Income from employment and self-employment accounts for 72p of every £1 of income in NI households

Date published: 29 May 2025

New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for Communities present financial, employment and living condition information for Northern Ireland households.

Key findings:

• Income from employment and self-employment accounts for 72p of every £1 of income; compared to the UK average of 74p.
• Approximately 68% of NI households receive some form of State Support (to include State Pension), compared with around 60% of UK households.
• The proportion of NI households ‘Owned outright’ has increased from 37% in 2013/14 to 40% in 2023/24. 
• Over the same period the proportion of NI households who are ‘renting privately’, has decreased from 21% to 16% and ‘social rented’ has remained at 14%.
• In 2023/24, 8% of the population were informal carers, and 25% of the population had a disability. 
• The proportion of families with no savings was 21% in 2023/24. This has remained consistent over the last number of years.
• 91% of NI households were food secure. This compares to 90% in the UK.

About the publication:

Presents findings from the Family Resources Survey: Northern Ireland 2023/24

It provides a detailed picture of household income, living conditions, and benefit receipt across Northern Ireland. The report includes comprehensive analysis of poverty rates across different demographic groups, housing tenure, material deprivation, income sources, and benefit receipt. 

Further information:

For complete findings and detailed analysis, view the full Family Resources Survey: Northern Ireland 2023/24 report.