Skip to main content
Department for the Economy Department for the Economy An Roinn Geilleagair

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Topics
  • Publications
  • Consultations
  • Contact

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Arabic — عربي
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 中文简体
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 中文繁體
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • French — Français
  • German — Deutsch
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių kalba
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Spanish — Español
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • Northern Ireland Annual Business Inquiry Statistics 2015

    Topics:
    • Statistics and economic research

    Date published: 2 December 2016

    The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency has today released headline results from the 2015 Northern Ireland Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) survey.

    Northern Ireland Annual Business Inquiry Statistics 2015

    Growth in aGVA and turnover between 2014 and 2015

    The key findings include:

    • Total aGVA was estimated to be worth £20.1 billion at basic prices in 2015. This is the first time that aGVA has exceeded £20 billion as measured by the Annual Business Inquiry. This represented a rise of 1.8% (£350 million) compared to 2014.
    • Turnover for NI businesses increased by 0.7% between 2014 and 2015 to £66.7 billion, while the cost of purchases of goods, services and energy declined by 0.8% to £43.4 billion.

    Growth driven by strong increases in the construction and Services sectors

    • Following five consecutive years of decline between 2008 and 2013, the Construction sector showed growth in 2014 and this recovery continued into 2015. Turnover recorded a 9.3% increase year-on-year, growing from £5.5 billion to £6.0 billion. Purchases increased by 5.6% over the year, while aGVA increased by 17.3%, from £1.8 billion in 2014 to £2.2 billion in 2015.
    • aGVA in the NI Non-financial services sector increased by 3.5% (£251 million) to £7.3 billion in 2015. Key contributors to this increase include:
    1. Other service activities, including education, human health, entertainment and recreation (+£85m or 8.8%)
    2. Administrative and support service activities (+£51m or 4.6%)
    3. Accommodation and food service activities (+£45m or 6.0%)

    Decline or flat growth in Distribution and Production sectors

    • The Distribution industries consist of companies engaged in Wholesale and retail trade and cover the entire Northern Ireland wholesale and retail sector. aGVA in the Distribution industries recorded a decline of 4.7% between 2014 and 2015. There was also a decline in both turnover (2.1%) and purchases (1.9%). A number of factors contributed to this decline, including falling oil and dairy prices during 2015.
    • The production sector recorded marginal growth between 2014 and 2015, with a 0.3% increase in aGVA.

    Notes to editors:

    1. Full detailed results are available in the Northern Ireland Annual Business Inquiry Statistics Bulletin from the NISRA website.
    2. For media enquiries contact DFE Press Office on 028 9052 9604. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

    Latest news

    • Economy Minister calls for clarification on future of Go Succeed

      8 July 2025

    • ControlSoft Automation Systems sets up engineering hub in East Belfast

      7 July 2025

    • Archibald announces Assured Skills Academy in welding at South West College

      30 June 2025

    • Northern Ireland Composite Economic Index Quarter 1 2025

      26 June 2025

    More news …
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Department footer links

    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Accessibility
    • The Northern Ireland Executive
    • The Executive Office
    • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
    • Department for Communities
    • Department for Education
    • Department for the Economy
    • Department of Finance
    • Department for Infrastructure
    • Department for Health
    • Department of Justice
    • nidirect.gov.uk — the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens