18/04/2007

Northern Ireland's unemployment rate remains low

Northern Ireland's unemployment rate remains below the UK average with output levels for manufacturing and services showing a larger annual increase than the UK.

The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6% for the period December – February 2007. This is slightly higher than the rates of 4.2% and 4.1%, which were recorded in the previous quarter and previous year respectively. However, the latest Northern Ireland rate remains below the UK average (5.5%) and is also considerably lower than the EU27 rate (7.5%) for January 2007.

Seasonally adjusted figures for the same period estimate that there were 767,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. The new figures represent an estimated increase of 0.2% in employment levels over the quarter and an increase of 0.6% over the year.

The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits stands at 25,700. This shows a decrease of 100 from the previous month and is down 2,700 over the year.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Maria Eagle MP said: "It is good to see the latest rise in Northern Ireland employment levels and the continuing low levels of unemployment in the region.

"The Northern Ireland unemployment rate has been maintained at a level below the UK average for some 18 months now and this provides an indication of the strengthening labour market here."

(JM/KMcA)

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