Economic Output Statistics

Date published: 17 December 2020

The economic output statistics were published today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

Statistical press release

Commentary

  • Output in the services sector increased by 22.5 per cent in real terms over the third quarter of 2020, which is the largest quarterly change in the history of the index. This follows a decrease of 18.4 per cent in Quarter 2 2020, which at the time had been the largest change seen in the NI IOS. Quarter 2 2020 was the lowest point in the NI IOS since the series began.
  • Production sector output increased in real terms by 16.2 per cent over the third quarter of 2020, which is the largest quarterly change in the history of the index. This follows a decrease of 14.1 per cent in Quarter 2020, which at the time had been the largest change seen in the NI IOP. Quarter 2 2020 was the lowest point in the NI IOP since the series began.
  • The increase seen this quarter is the first quarterly increase for both services sector output and production sector output since Quarter 2 2019.

Services Sector Output

  • The NI IOS increased by 22.5 per cent over the quarter, decreased by 3.9 per cent over the year and by 8.3 per cent on a rolling four quarters basis. The NI IOS is 5.4 per cent lower than the highest point in the past ten years (Quarter 2 2019) and is 7.0 per cent lower than the series high (Quarter 4 2006).
  • This is the largest quarterly change in the history of the NI IOS and follows the largest quarterly decrease (18.0 per cent) which was seen in Quarter 2 2020.
  • The quarterly increase in NI services output reflected increases in all four subsectors, with the Other services sector up 50.4 per cent; the Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; accommodation and food service sector up 26.7 per cent; the Transport, storage, information and communications sector up 17.3 per cent; and the Business services and finance sector up 9.9 per cent.
  • The annual decrease in NI services output was caused by decreases in three of the four subsectors, with the Other services sector down 18.2 per cent; the Business services and finance sector down 9.0 per cent; and the Transport, storage, information and communications sector down 6.6 per cent. These decreases were partially offset by a 0.3 per cent increase in the Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; accommodation and food service sector.

Production Sector Output

  • The NI IOP increased by 16.2 per cent over the quarter (July - September) and decreased by 3.6 per cent over the year. This follows respective decreases of 14.1 per cent and 19.8 per cent over the quarter and year to Quarter 2 2020.
  • The UK IOP reported an increase over the quarter (14.3 per cent) and a decrease over the year (6.6 per cent). This follows respective decreases of 16.4 per cent and 18.7 per cent over the quarter and over the year to Quarter 2 2020.
  • The quarterly increase in production output of 16.2 per cent has been driven by increases in all four of the main sectors: Manufacturing (18.0 per cent); Water supply, sewerage and waste management (Inc. recycling) (7.1 per cent); Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (5.5 per cent) and Mining and quarrying (50.0 per cent). The increase in the Manufacturing sector itself contained quarterly subsector increases in Basic metals and fabricated metal products (41.0 per cent); Manufacture of textiles, leather and related products (40.9 per cent); Engineering and allied industries (28.1 per cent); Total other manufacturing (25.3 per cent); Food products, beverages and tobacco (3.5 per cent) and Manufacture of chemical and pharmaceutical products (3.4 per cent.
  • The annual decrease in NI production output of 3.6 per cent was driven by decreases in three of the four main sectors: Manufacturing (2.3 per cent); Water supply, sewerage and waste management (Inc. recycling) (16.9v); Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (4.1 per cent) and offset, in part, by an increase in Mining and quarrying (15.3 per cent).
  • Looking at the longer term trend, when the most recent four quarters are compared to the previous four quarters, output in the NI production sector decreased by 6.8 per cent, with the whole of the UK reporting a decrease of 7.6 per cent.

Upcoming Releases

  • The NI Composite Economic Index and Quarterly Construction Enquiry are scheduled for publication on 14 January 2021.
  • The next Labour Market Report will be published on 26 January 2021.
  • The Index of Production and Index of Services reports for Quarter 4 2020 will be published on 18 March 2021.

Notes to editors: 

  1. This report will be of interest to Ministers, policy makers, public bodies, the business community, banks, economic commentators, academics and the general public with an interest in the local economy.
  2. The detailed statistical bulletins are available at: Index of Services   and Index of Production Further information and tables from each of the data sources are also available at these locations.
  3. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk
  4. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.
  5. Feedback is welcomed and should be addressed to:

Responsible statistician:

Carole-Ann McKay,

Economic and Labour Market Statistics Branch (ELMS),

carole-ann.mckay@nisra.gov.uk or Tel: 028 9025 5119.

6. Follow NISRA on Twitter - @NISRA

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