Nearly 10,000 job vacancies notified to Department for Communities
Date published:
New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for Communities present employment vacancies notified to the Department for Communities in quarter three (October–December) of the 2025/26 financial year.
Key findings
- There were 9,920 vacancies notified to the Department for Communities in quarter three 2025/26, a decrease of 1,235 (11%) from the previous quarter and an increase of 1,154 (13%) compared with the same quarter in 2024/25.
- Full-time vacancies accounted for 58% of the total (5,787 vacancies), with part-time vacancies at 37% (3,698) and casual vacancies at 4% (435).
- The most frequently notified occupation types were 'Elementary Occupations' with 2,732 vacancies (28%), 'Caring, Leisure and Other Service Occupations' with 2,335 vacancies (24%), and 'Process, Plant and Machine Operatives' with 1,170 vacancies (12%).
- By industry, 'Administrative and Support Service' had the largest share of notified vacancies at 3,595 (36%), followed by 'Human Health and Social Work' with 1,808 (18%) and 'Other Services' with 1,687 (17%).
- The Jobs and Benefits Offices (JBOs) with the largest numbers of vacancies were Antrim with 889 (9%), North Belfast with 844 (9%), Shaftesbury Square with 698 (7%), Lisburn with 688 (7%) and Newtownabbey with 604 (6%).
- Nearly a third of vacancies (2,990, 30%) were located in the most deprived 20% of areas in Northern Ireland.
About this publication
This statistical factsheet presents key information on employment vacancies notified to the Department for Communities through JobApplyNI, the Department's free vacancy management service for employers and jobseekers. The statistics do not represent total unsatisfied demand for staff but only those vacancies employers have notified to the Department. Supplementary tables are available on the DfC website.
Supplementary data tables that provide additional breakdowns are available alongside the bulletin.
Further information
Read the full report: Statistical Factsheet
View data tables and background information: Vacancies: Statistical Factsheet February 2026