Menu
20/02/2003
Labour Force Survey examines religious bias
The Government Statistics and Research Agency has today published a new report on the relative position of Protestants and Catholics in the Northern Ireland labour market.
Based on information obtained from the 2001-2002 Labour Force Survey (LFS), the report presents a range of figures on the economic activity, employment, unemployment profiles of the two communities.
Among the main findings of the report were that Protestants are more likely to be economically active. Among those of working age, 80% of Protestant men were economically active compared with 76% of Catholic males. Among women of working age, 68% of Protestants and 58% of Catholics were economically active.
According to the statistical analysis, Catholics made up 43% of the economically active population and 42% of those in employment. Protestants made up 57% of the economically active and 58% of those in employment.
The ‘employment gap’ for Catholics - the difference between a group’s representation in the labour market and its representation among those in employment - was one percentage point with 42% of those in employment compared with 43% in the labour market. For Catholic males the employment gap was 1.4 percentage points and for females 0.6 of a percentage point.
However, among the unemployed, the religious composition was 60% Catholic and 40% Protestant. The unemployment rate for Catholics (8.3%) was substantially higher than that for Protestants (4.3%). The overall ‘unemployment differential’, expressed as the ratio of the unemployment rate of Catholics compared with Protestants, was 1.9.
The figures revealed that the unemployment rates for both communities had fallen since 1993. The Protestant rate fell from 9.4% in 1993 to 4.3% in 2001, while the corresponding Catholic rate fell from 18.1% to 8.3%, thus narrowing the absolute difference between the unemployment rates of the two communities from 8.7 to 4.0 percentage points.
The report found no major differences between the unemployed of the two communities in terms of duration of unemployment or main method of seeking work.
Among male employees, Catholic representation was highest in smaller sized workplaces with 1-10 employees (48%), and lowest in large workplaces employing 50 or more persons (35%).
Among all in employment, a higher proportion of Catholic men were self-employed (20%) than was the case with Protestant males (16%).
Similar proportions of both communities among the economically active had no formal qualifications.
(SP)
Based on information obtained from the 2001-2002 Labour Force Survey (LFS), the report presents a range of figures on the economic activity, employment, unemployment profiles of the two communities.
Among the main findings of the report were that Protestants are more likely to be economically active. Among those of working age, 80% of Protestant men were economically active compared with 76% of Catholic males. Among women of working age, 68% of Protestants and 58% of Catholics were economically active.
According to the statistical analysis, Catholics made up 43% of the economically active population and 42% of those in employment. Protestants made up 57% of the economically active and 58% of those in employment.
The ‘employment gap’ for Catholics - the difference between a group’s representation in the labour market and its representation among those in employment - was one percentage point with 42% of those in employment compared with 43% in the labour market. For Catholic males the employment gap was 1.4 percentage points and for females 0.6 of a percentage point.
However, among the unemployed, the religious composition was 60% Catholic and 40% Protestant. The unemployment rate for Catholics (8.3%) was substantially higher than that for Protestants (4.3%). The overall ‘unemployment differential’, expressed as the ratio of the unemployment rate of Catholics compared with Protestants, was 1.9.
The figures revealed that the unemployment rates for both communities had fallen since 1993. The Protestant rate fell from 9.4% in 1993 to 4.3% in 2001, while the corresponding Catholic rate fell from 18.1% to 8.3%, thus narrowing the absolute difference between the unemployment rates of the two communities from 8.7 to 4.0 percentage points.
The report found no major differences between the unemployed of the two communities in terms of duration of unemployment or main method of seeking work.
Among male employees, Catholic representation was highest in smaller sized workplaces with 1-10 employees (48%), and lowest in large workplaces employing 50 or more persons (35%).
Among all in employment, a higher proportion of Catholic men were self-employed (20%) than was the case with Protestant males (16%).
Similar proportions of both communities among the economically active had no formal qualifications.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 December 2001
Report shows Catholics finding it harder to get a job
A government survey has shown that more Catholics find it harder to get a job than Protestants. The report, based on the 2000-2001 Labour Force survey, published by the Government Statistics and Research Agency shows the employment characteristics of Protestants and Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland.
Report shows Catholics finding it harder to get a job
A government survey has shown that more Catholics find it harder to get a job than Protestants. The report, based on the 2000-2001 Labour Force survey, published by the Government Statistics and Research Agency shows the employment characteristics of Protestants and Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland.
13 October 2003
Conference focuses on employment law
A half-day conference focusing on recent developments in employment law could help reduce the number of small and medium sized companies (SME’s) in the north-west that fall foul of employment legislation.
Conference focuses on employment law
A half-day conference focusing on recent developments in employment law could help reduce the number of small and medium sized companies (SME’s) in the north-west that fall foul of employment legislation.
17 February 2016
Unemployment Decreases In Last Quarter Of 2015
New figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, have revealed a "marginal decrease" in unemployment for the period October – December, 2015. Key findings of the Labour Market Report, published today, include: • Over the quarter and the year, the employment rate increased and the economic inactivity rate decreased.
Unemployment Decreases In Last Quarter Of 2015
New figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, have revealed a "marginal decrease" in unemployment for the period October – December, 2015. Key findings of the Labour Market Report, published today, include: • Over the quarter and the year, the employment rate increased and the economic inactivity rate decreased.
20 January 2016
Drop In Number Of People Claiming Unemployment Benefits
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland has dropped to 38,700, a decrease of 500 over the month. New figures released for the period September to November 2015 show that the Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey unemployment rate was 5.9%, a drop of 0.1% over the quarter.
Drop In Number Of People Claiming Unemployment Benefits
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland has dropped to 38,700, a decrease of 500 over the month. New figures released for the period September to November 2015 show that the Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey unemployment rate was 5.9%, a drop of 0.1% over the quarter.
26 October 2015
82% Believe Police Treat Catholics And Protestants Equally
A total of 82% believe that the police treat Catholics and Protestants equally, according to a new survey. The Northern Ireland Crime Survey quarterly update showed that 75% of those surveyed think the police do a very, or fairly good job. Justice Minister David Ford welcomed the new report.
82% Believe Police Treat Catholics And Protestants Equally
A total of 82% believe that the police treat Catholics and Protestants equally, according to a new survey. The Northern Ireland Crime Survey quarterly update showed that 75% of those surveyed think the police do a very, or fairly good job. Justice Minister David Ford welcomed the new report.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Any rain along the north coast soon clearing north to give a dry evening. Further rain will move south and east in the early hours, occasionally heavy. Remaining mild. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
