Skip to main content
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Statistics and Research
  • Release Calendar
  • News
  • Selected for a survey
  • About Us

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Statistics and Research
  3. Work, pay and benefits
  4. Annual Employee Jobs Surveys

Business Register and Employment Survey

The Business Register and Employment Survey is a survey of businesses in Northern Ireland.

BRES 2023 Published 28th October 2025

  • The total number of employees in Northern Ireland, including Agriculture, in September 2023 was 816,562, an increase of 10,714 jobs (1.3%) since September 2022.
  • The increase in employee jobs was driven by growth in the Service industry, which rose by 9,173 jobs (1.4%).  There was further job growth in Manufacturing (1,344 jobs or 1.5%), whilst those in “Other” industries, including Agriculture, saw a rise of 1,100 jobs (4.6%).
  • The Construction industry decreased by 903 jobs (-2.4%) over the year to September 2023.
  • The total number of full-time jobs in Northern Ireland rose by 9,089 (1.7%) since September 2022 whilst the total number of part-time jobs saw a smaller increase of 1,625 (0.6%) during the same period. In September 2023, 33.8% of employee jobs were part-time.
  • The number of jobs occupied by females increased by 1.6% (6,787 jobs) whilst male jobs grew by 1.0% (3,924). In September 2023, 51.5% of employee jobs were occupied by females.
  • Of the 11 District Council areas in Northern Ireland, only Antrim and Newtownabbey (1,172) and Derry City and Strabane (701) saw a decline in the number of employee jobs over the year to September 2023.  Belfast (6,615) saw the largest absolute increase in jobs whilst Mid and East Antrim (3.8% or 1,656 jobs) saw the largest percentage increase.
  • The number of jobs in the private and public sectors increased by 1.6% (9,240 jobs) and 0.7% (1,474) respectively.

Latest publication and tables

  • BRES 2023

Historical publications and tables

  • BRES 2022
  • BRES 2021
  • BRES 2020
  • BRES 2019
  • BRES 2018
  • BRES 2017
  • BRES 2016
  • BRES 2010-2015

Background 

  • Background to the NI BRES

Ad hoc Queries 

  • Ad hoc queries log and data

Mailing list

If you would like to be added to a mailing list and receive the latest publications on the day they publish please email: bres@finance-ni.gov.uk with the title of the publications you would like to receive.

Related to Business Register and Employment Survey

Publications

  • Background to NI BRES

    Published 28 October 2025
  • BRES Publication and Tables 2023

    Published 28 October 2025
  • Labour Market Statistics User Group 2023

    Published 21 March 2024
  • BRES Publication and Tables 2022

    Published 26 September 2023
See all publications in this topic

Contacts

Annual Employee Jobs Surveys

Email: matthew.williams@nisra.gov.uk
Twitter: @NISRA

See all contacts in this topic

Links

  • Official Statistics producer – Upholding Trust, Quality and Value
  • General Register Office - registration and certification of life events relating to births, deaths and marriages
  • nidirect.gov.uk – the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens
  • Website feedback

Follow NISRA

  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Linkedin
  • Follow us on Youtube

Footer

  • © Crown Copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Statement