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.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the numbers in employment in Q3 2023 stood at 2,657,900 after a rise of 26,900 (+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 – 10,400 (+0.4%) in Q2 2023; 48,300 (+1.9%) in Q1 2023; 16,800 (+0.7%) in Q4 2022 and an increase of 12,400 (+0.5%) in Q3 2022.
The seasonally adjusted number of males in employment was up by 5,800 (+0.4%) over the quarter to 1,392,400 in Q3 2023, while the corresponding number for females was up 15,300 (+1.2%) to 1,261,500 over the same period.
The seasonally adjusted number in employment for all persons in Q3 2023 is the current peak of the seasonally adjusted employment series for all persons (2,657,900). See Table 5.1.
See Monthly Estimates of Payroll Employees using Administrative Data Sources outputs for supplementary analysis on seasonally adjusted employment.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the numbers unemployed in Q3 2023 stood at 124,600, a rise of 9,400 (+8.1%) from the previous quarter.
The seasonally adjusted number of unemployed males increased by 4,800 (+7.6%) to 68,600 over the quarter to Q3 2023, while the corresponding number for females was up 4,500 (+8.8%) to 56,000 over the same period.
The peak of the seasonally adjusted unemployment series occurred in Q1 2012 for all persons (354,400) and for females (133,900), while it was Q4 2011 for males (222,400). See Table 5.1
See Monthly Unemployment outputs for supplementary analysis of seasonally adjusted unemployment.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was up to 4.5% in Q3 2023 from a rate of 4.2% in the previous quarter, with an increase in rates for males (4.4% to 4.7%) and females (4.0% up to 4.3%) over the same period.
The peak of the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate series occurred in Q4 2011 and Q1 2012 for all persons (15.9%) and for males (18.2%), while it was Q1 2012 for females (13.3%). See Table 5.1.
The seasonally adjusted labour force, at 2,781,400 in Q3 2023, was up 30,100 (+1.1%) from the previous quarter, while the participation rate was up from 65.4% to 65.7% over the same period. See Table 5.1
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