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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 Q2 2022 stood at 2,552,600 after a rise of 25,900 (+1.0%) from the previous quarter. This follows on from a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter increase in employment in each of the preceding four quarters: 29,900 (+1.2%) in Q1 2022; 34,900 (+1.4%) in Q4 2021; 114,700 (+4.9%) in Q3 2021 and an increase of 97,800 (+4.3%) in Q2 2022.

The seasonally adjusted number of males in employment was up by 16,100 (+1.2%) over the quarter to 1,360,500 in Q2 2022 while the corresponding number for females was up 10,600 (+0.9%) to 1,194,600 over the same period.

The seasonally adjusted number in employment for all persons in Q2 2022 is the current peak of the seasonally adjusted employment series for all persons (2,552,600). The Q2 2022 figures for males (1,360,500) and females (1,194,600) are also the peak in their series. See Table 9.3.

Figure 6.1 Seasonally adjusted number of persons aged 15-89 years in employment by sex, Quarter 2 1998 to Quarter 2 2022

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the numbers unemployed in Q2 2022 stood at 116,400 after a fall of 12,100 (-9.4%) from the previous quarter. Q2 2022 was the lowest point of the series since Q2 2020 when it stood at 116,200.

The seasonally adjusted number of unemployed males fell by 4,700 (-7.0%) to 62,100 over the quarter to Q2 2022 while the corresponding number for females was down 7,400 (-12.0%) to 54,200 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 2 1998 to Quarter 2 2022

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.9% in Q1 2022 to 4.4% in Q2 2022 with decreases seen over the same period for both males (4.8% down to 4.4%) and females (4.9% down to 4.3%).

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 2 1998 to Quarter 2 2022

Seasonally Adjusted Labour Force

The seasonally adjusted labour force, at 2,672,600 in Q2 2022, was up 19,700 (+0.7%) from the previous quarter while the participation rate was up from 65.2% to 65.3% over the same period.

Figure 6.4 Seasonally adjusted labour force participation rate for persons aged 15 years and over by sex, Quarter 2 1998 to Quarter 2 2022