Quarterly National Household Survey, Quarter 3, 2006
Number in employment continues to show strong growth
The number of persons in employment grew by over 83,000 or 4.2% in the year to the third quarter of 2006 bringing the total in employment to 2,073,300. This compares with an annual growth rate of 4.6% in the previous quarter and to a rate of 5.1% in the third quarter of 2005.
Demographic factors fuel labour force growth
The labour force increased strongly by almost 92,000 (+4.4%) to 2,178,100 in the year to the third quarter of 2006. Demographic factors accounted for an estimated 69,100 of this increase. Net inward migration is estimated to have accounted for approximately 70% of this demographic increase.
These figures are taken from the latest Quarterly National Household Survey results, published today (30th November 2006). The main results are summarised below.
| Main results Q3 2006 | Persons | Change in quarter | Change in year |
| Employment |
2,073,300
|
+56,300
|
+83,500
|
| Unemployment |
104,800
|
+13,400
|
+8,100
|
| Labour Force |
2,178,100
|
+69,800
|
+91,600
|
Female employment rate exceeds 60%
The employment rate for females aged 15-64 was 60.3% in the third quarter of 2006, which is the first time the female rate has exceeded the 60% mark. The rate for males also increased over the year from 78.2% to 78.7% bringing the overall employment rate to 69.6%.
Construction and health sectors account for over half of employment growth
Employment in the Construction (+25,700) and Health (+19,400) sectors continued to grow strongly in the year to the third quarter of 2006, accounting for just over 54% of the total employment growth when combined. Employment in the Other production industries sector increased by around 2,000 in the year thus reversing to a small extent the downward trend of recent years.
Increase in unemployment
There were 104,800 persons unemployed in the third quarter of 2006, representing an increase of 8,100 in the year. There was an increase of 7,800 in the number of persons in short-term unemployment and a marginal rise of 300 in long-term unemployment. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.4% to 4.5% over the quarter.
For further information contact
Noel Ryan on 021 453 5491 or Michael Quinlan on 021 453 5301
Fax 021 453 5492
E-mail labour@cso.ie
30 November 2006
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