Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), changes have been made to our regular statistical production. See the COVID-19 and the production of statistics page for more information. From April all LFS interviews were conducted by telephone and the Labour Market Report has been published on the NISRA website at 7am, a change from the standard 9.30am release time.
The Labour Force Survey latest results published 16th July 2020
Latest results
- The latest NI seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (the proportion of economically active people aged 16+ who were unemployed) for the period March-May 2020 was estimated from the Labour Force Survey at 2.4%. The unemployment rate decreased by 0.1pps (percentage points) over the quarter and by 0.7pps over the year. Although recent changes were not statistically significant (i.e. the recorded changes did not exceed the variability expected from a sample survey of this size), the unemployment rate was significantly below rates in late 2018.
- The NI unemployment rate (2.4%) was below the UK rate (3.9%), the European Union (27) rate (6.6%) for April 2020 and the Republic of Ireland rate (5.6%) for May 2020.
- The proportion of people aged 16 to 64 in work (the employment rate) decreased over the quarter by 0.9pps and over the year by 0.1pps to 71.6%. Although recent changes were not statistically significant, the employment rate was significantly above rates in late 2017.
- The economic inactivity rate (the proportion of people aged 16 to 64 who were not working and not seeking or available to work) increased over the quarter by 1.0pps and over the year by 0.7pps to 26.6%. Although recent changes were not statistically significant, the economic inactivity rate was significantly below rates in early 2010.
Labour Market Report
Tables
Monthly tables are published along with the Labour Market Report. They include headline estimates for employment, unemployment and economic inactivity (seasonally adjusted and unadjusted), labour market status by age, reasons for inactivity, employment categories, hours of work and international comparisons.
Quarterly tables include information on graduates, education and training, disability and the labour market, NEET and working and workless households.
The monthly labour market tables in a historical series
Work quality tables include under employment, over employment, permanent employment and temporary employment and job satisfaction.
The quarterly supplement was discontinued in 2018 and has been replaced with the quarterly tables (above).
Tables published with the annual report in 2019 relating to 2018 data also includes tables for ODP indicators 14, 16, 17, 32, 33 and 34.
Tables relating to ODP indicators 14, 16, 17, 32, 33 and 34 with sub-population breakdowns for 16 (Employment rate) and 17 (economic inactivity excluding students)
Publications
COVID-19 analysis
Topic papers
- Self-employment in Northern Ireland 2019
- Economic Inactivity in Northern Ireland 2018
- Labour Force Survey Topic Papers
Regional tables
Historical data
- Historical series 1984-1991
- Labour Market Reports - Historical
- Quarterly Supplement to the Labour Market Report - Historical
- Labour Force Survey Women in Northern Ireland - Historical
- Local Area Database - Historical
- Annual Report - Historical
Background information
User requested data
Labour market statistics are published regularly throughout the year. We also produce bespoke tables if users request data that are not already available.
A list of published bespoke tables is available from the User requested data page
ELMS publication schedule
Upcoming publication dates from the Economic and Labour Market Statistics Branch, including all Labour Force Survey publications, can be found here.
Selected for the Labour Force Survey
If you have been selected to take part in the Labour Force Survey please provide us with a telephone number so that we can reach you.
Due to current government advice regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) we are unable to send an interviewer in person to your address to carry out this study. We can carry out the study over the telephone instead.
Please click on the secure link below to enter your contact details and we will telephone you.
https://respond.nisra.gov.uk/contact
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: economicstats@nisra.gov.uk with the title of the publications you would like to receive.