Economic Output Statistics

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

Work Quality statistics

Commentary

• Output in the services sector decreased by 2.1 per cent in real terms over the first quarter of 2021.
• Production sector output decreased in real terms by 1.1 per cent over the first quarter of 2021.

Services Sector Output

• The NI IOS decreased by 2.1 per cent over the quarter, by 3.3 per cent over the year and by 9.0 per cent on a rolling four quarters basis.
• The NI IOS is 8.2 per cent lower than the highest point in the past ten years (Quarter 2 2019) and is 11.1 per cent lower than the series high (Quarter 4 2006).
• The quarterly decrease in NI services output reflected decreases in three of the four subsectors, with decreases in the Other services sector (13.5 per cent); Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; accommodation and food service sector (4.2 per cent); and the Transport, storage, information and communications sector (2.0 per cent). These decreases were partially offset by an increase in the Business services and finance sector (4.2 per cent).
• The annual decrease in NI services output was caused by decreases in three of the four subsectors, with a decrease of 23.5 per cent in the Other services sector; a decrease of 4.7 per cent in the Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; accommodation and food service sector; and a decrease of 2.3 per cent in the Transport, storage, information and communications sector. In contrast an annual increase of 11.4 per cent was seen in the Business services and finance sector.

Production Sector Output

• The NI IOP decreased by 1.1 per cent over the quarter (January - March) and increased by 2.8 per cent over the year.
• The UK IOP reported decreases over the quarter (0.4 per cent) and over the year (1.6 per cent).
• The quarterly decrease in production output of 1.1 per cent has been driven by decreases in two of the four main sectors: Manufacturing (1.4 per cent) and Water Supply, sewerage and waste management (Inc. recycling) (6.8 per cent). This was offset by increases in Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (2.3 per cent) and Mining and quarrying (29.2 per cent).
• The decrease in the Manufacturing sector itself contained quarterly subsector decreases in Engineering and allied industries (5.2 per cent); Manufacture of textiles, leather and related products (4.7 per cent) and Manufacture of chemical and pharmaceutical products (4.2 per cent) and offset by increases in Basic metals and fabricated metal products (10.1 per cent); Total other manufacturing (9.8 per cent) and Food products, beverages and tobacco (2.3 per cent).
• The annual increase in NI production output of 2.8 per cent was driven by increases in three of the four main sectors: Manufacturing (2.0 per cent); Water supply, sewerage and waste management (Inc. recycling) (0.8 per cent) and Mining and quarrying (52.1 per cent) and was partially offset by a decrease in Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (0.8 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 6.1 per cent, with the whole of the UK reporting a decrease of 7.3 per cent.

Upcoming Releases

• The NI Composite Economic Index and Quarterly Construction Enquiry are scheduled for publication on 8 July 2021.
• The next Labour Market Report will be published on 15 July 2021.
• The Index of Production and Index of Services reports for Quarter 2 2021 will be published on 15 September 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 the Index of Services and the 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. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours service for media enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
5. Feedback is welcomed and should be addressed to:Responsible statistician: Carole-Ann McKay, Economic & 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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