Labour Market Report December 2017

Date published: 13 December 2017

Latest labour market results

The latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates for the period August-October 2017 indicate that, over the quarter, the economic inactivity rate increased, while the unemployment rate and the employment rate both decreased. The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits in Northern Ireland (NI) decreased in November 2017.

Key Points

• The latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates for the period August-October 2017 indicate that, over the quarter, the economic inactivity rate increased, while the unemployment rate and the employment rate both decreased. The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits in Northern Ireland (NI) decreased in November 2017.
• The proportion of people aged 16 to 64 in work (the employment rate) decreased over the quarter (0.1 pps) and over the year (1.3 pps) to 68.1%.
• The LFS indicated that the NI unemployment rate (16+) decreased over the quarter and the year to August-October 2017 to 3.9%. These decreases were both statistically significant and are likely to reflect a real change.
• The equivalent UK unemployment rate decreased over the quarter and the year to 4.3%. This is the first quarter since May-July 2013 that the NI unemployment rate has been below the UK. The NI unemployment rate was below the European Union (7.5%) rate and Republic of Ireland (6.1%) rate for September 2017.
• The NI economic inactivity rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were not working and not seeking or available to work) was 29.0%, representing an increase of 1.2 pps over the quarter and 2.7 pps over the year. The increase over the year was statistically significant and is likely to reflect a real change.
• None of the reported changes in employment were statistically significant over the quarter or the year. However, there have been statistically significant changes in the longer term – the increase in the employment rate compared to August-October 2009.
• The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits (from NI Jobs and Benefits Offices) decreased by 300 over the month to 29,000 in November 2017. This is the 21st consecutive monthly decrease.
• Businesses reported that the number of employee jobs increased over the quarter (2,460) and increased over the year (11,600) to September 2017 (752,040). Private sector jobs are now at a series high having increased over both the quarter (2,740) and year (11,200). Public sector jobs now stand at 10% below the series peak in Q3 2009.
• Full report available here