Economy Minister welcomes latest labour market figures

Date published: 14 December 2016

More recent figures for November 2016 show that the number of claimants in receipt of unemployment related benefits stood at 33,600, a decrease of 500 over the month. There has been a fall of 5,600 in the unemployment claimant figures over the last 12 months.

The employment rate (69.5%) was up over both the quarter and the year to August - October 2016 with the economic inactivity rate decreasing over the quarter and over the year to stand at 26.2%.

Businesses reported (in the Quarterly Employment Survey) that the number of employee jobs remained broadly similar over the quarter to September 2016 whilst having increased over the year (0.1% or 500 jobs) to 732,360.

Commenting on the figures, Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA said: “The figures published today contain some positive messages across a range of key labour market indicators. In particular, following reductions in unemployment over the medium term, I welcome that employee jobs are now broadly back to their previous peak in 2008 alongside the continued reduction in the economic inactivity rates.

“The Northern Ireland unemployment rate (5.7%) continues to compare very favourably to the September 2016 rate for the European Union (8.5%) and for the Republic of Ireland (7.9%).”

The Minister said: “It is important that local businesses continue to develop opportunities 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 NI’s continued support for local businesses and the local economy.”