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17/02/2016
Unemployment Decreases In Last Quarter Of 2015
New figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, have revealed a "marginal decrease" in unemployment for the period October – December, 2015.
Key findings of the Labour Market Report, published today, include:
• Over the quarter and the year, the employment rate increased and the economic inactivity rate decreased.
• The LFS indicated that the NI unemployment rate (16+) decreased by 0.1 percentage points (pps) over the quarter, to 5.8%. The UK unemployment rate (5.1%) decreased over the quarter and year.
• The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits (from NI Jobs and Benefits Offices) decreased by 800 over the month and decreased by 10,300 over the year, to 37,800 in January 2016.
• Although there was no change in the unemployment rate over the year, it was lower than the rate three years ago. The LFS measure was down from 7.7% in October - December 2012 to 5.8% in October - December 2015. This was greater than the statistical margin of error (+/-1.3 percentage points) associated with the survey and is likely to reflect a real change.
• The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits has fallen by 26,900 since the most recent peak in February 2013.
• The long term unemployment rate (LFS) was 51.7%, a decrease of 3.9 percentage points (pps) on the previous year. This was markedly higher than for the UK (29.3%).
• The proportion of people aged 16 to 64 in work (the employment rate) increased over the quarter and over the year to 68.8%. This was lower than the UK employment rate (74.1%).
Commenting on the figures Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell said: "The reduction over the month in the numbers claiming unemployment related benefits, coupled with an increase in the proportion of people in work is welcome news. This has to be seen against a backdrop of continuing global uncertainty and reduced demand worldwide.
"While the Northern Ireland unemployment rate (5.8%) is above that for the UK (5.1%), it continues to compare very favourably to the November 2015 rate for the European Union (9.1%) and the December 2015 rate for the Republic of Ireland (8.8%).
"Today's figures show that although there are positive signals of growth in the local economy overall, the unemployment rate remains the same as one year ago.
"It is important therefore local businesses continue to develop through research and development, seeking new markets and promoting inward investment.
"I would encourage businesses to actively seek out these opportunities and to take advantage of Invest Northern Ireland's continued support for local businesses."
(MH/JP)
Key findings of the Labour Market Report, published today, include:
• Over the quarter and the year, the employment rate increased and the economic inactivity rate decreased.
• The LFS indicated that the NI unemployment rate (16+) decreased by 0.1 percentage points (pps) over the quarter, to 5.8%. The UK unemployment rate (5.1%) decreased over the quarter and year.
• The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits (from NI Jobs and Benefits Offices) decreased by 800 over the month and decreased by 10,300 over the year, to 37,800 in January 2016.
• Although there was no change in the unemployment rate over the year, it was lower than the rate three years ago. The LFS measure was down from 7.7% in October - December 2012 to 5.8% in October - December 2015. This was greater than the statistical margin of error (+/-1.3 percentage points) associated with the survey and is likely to reflect a real change.
• The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits has fallen by 26,900 since the most recent peak in February 2013.
• The long term unemployment rate (LFS) was 51.7%, a decrease of 3.9 percentage points (pps) on the previous year. This was markedly higher than for the UK (29.3%).
• The proportion of people aged 16 to 64 in work (the employment rate) increased over the quarter and over the year to 68.8%. This was lower than the UK employment rate (74.1%).
Commenting on the figures Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell said: "The reduction over the month in the numbers claiming unemployment related benefits, coupled with an increase in the proportion of people in work is welcome news. This has to be seen against a backdrop of continuing global uncertainty and reduced demand worldwide.
"While the Northern Ireland unemployment rate (5.8%) is above that for the UK (5.1%), it continues to compare very favourably to the November 2015 rate for the European Union (9.1%) and the December 2015 rate for the Republic of Ireland (8.8%).
"Today's figures show that although there are positive signals of growth in the local economy overall, the unemployment rate remains the same as one year ago.
"It is important therefore local businesses continue to develop through research and development, seeking new markets and promoting inward investment.
"I would encourage businesses to actively seek out these opportunities and to take advantage of Invest Northern Ireland's continued support for local businesses."
(MH/JP)
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