Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) latest results were published 18 June 2026.
The survey date for Quarter 1 2026 was 2 March 2026.
Latest results
- The latest employee jobs estimate for Northern Ireland as of March 2026 was 853,970, which is a new series high. Employee jobs increased by +1.0% over the quarter (+8,460 jobs) and increased by +1.9% over the year (+15,920 jobs).
- Quarterly increases in employee jobs were seen within the Construction (+1,930 jobs), Services (+6,400 jobs) and Other Industries (+220 jobs) sectors. Employee jobs decreased over the quarter with the Manufacturing sector (-100 jobs).
- Employee jobs increased over the year in all sectors with the exception of Manufacturing (-330 jobs). Annual increases were seen within the Construction (+2,150 jobs), Services (+12,930 jobs) and Other Industries (+1,170 jobs) sectors.
- In the last five years, employee jobs have increased by 11.0% (+84,510 jobs) to 853,970 jobs
- Public sector jobs increased over the quarter (+670 jobs) and increased over the year (+4,460 jobs) reaching a series high of 233,030 jobs.
- Private sector jobs increased over the quarter (+6,860 jobs) and increased over the year (+11,690 jobs) to achieve a series high of 620,390 jobs.
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