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Seasonal Adjusted Estimates

LFS estimates were updated on 22nd Feb 2024 to incorporate updated population estimates for the period 2016 Q3 to 2023 Q3, based on the results of Census 2022. LFS results are updated in this way following each Census of Population. For further information see Background Notes.
The data in this publication does not reflect these updates. Please refer to the relevant tables on LFS Px-stat for updated LFS estimates.

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Seasonally Adjusted Employment

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the numbers in employment in Q1 2022 stood at 2,532,200 after a rise of 35,700 (+1.4%) from the previous quarter. This follows on from a seasonally adjusted increase in employment of 37,100 (+1.5%) in Q4 2021, an increase of 113,900 (+4.9%) in Q3 2021, an increase of 92,000 (+4.1%) in Q2 2021 and a decrease of 14,700 (-0.6%) in Q1 2021.

The seasonally adjusted number of males in employment was up by 11,600 (+0.9%) over the quarter to 1,337,400 in Q1 2022 while the corresponding number for females was up 15,000 (+1.3%) to 1,181,500 over the same period.

The seasonally adjusted number in employment for all persons in Q1 2022 is the current peak of the seasonally adjusted employment series for all persons (2,532,200) and also separately for males (1,337,400) and females (1,181,500). See Table 9.3.

Figure 6.1 Seasonally adjusted number of persons aged 15-89 years in employment by sex, Quarter 1 1998 to Quarter 1 2022

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the numbers unemployed in Q1 2022 stood at 131,700 after a fall of 4,500 (-3.3%) from the previous quarter. Q1 2022 was the lowest point of the series since Q2 2020 when it stood at 114,300.

The seasonally adjusted number of unemployed males fell by 3,500 (-4.8%) over the quarter to Q1 2022 while the corresponding number for females was down 1,000 (-1.6%) over the same period.

The peak of the seasonally adjusted unemployment series occurred in Q1 2012 for all persons (354,300) and for females (133,900) while it was Q4 2011 for males (222,300). See Table 9.3.

Figure 6.2 Seasonally adjusted number of unemployed persons aged 15-74 years by sex, Quarter 1 1998 to Quarter 1 2022

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 5.2% in Q4 2021 to 5.0% in Q1 2022 with decreases seen over the same period for both males (5.2% down to 4.9%) and females (5.2% down to 5.0%).

The peak of the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate series occurred in Q1 2012 for all persons (15.9%) and for females (13.3%) while it was in Q4 2011 for males (18.2%). See Table 9.3.

Figure 6.3 Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for persons aged 15-74 years by sex, Quarter 1 1998 to Quarter 1 2022

Seasonally Adjusted Labour Force

The seasonally adjusted labour force, at 2,653,200 in Q1 2022, was up 23,900 (+0.9%) from the previous quarter while the participation rate was up from 65.0% to 65.2% over the same period.

Figure 6.4 Seasonally adjusted labour force participation rate for persons aged 15 years and over by sex, Quarter 1 1998 to Quarter 1 2022