Ireland and Northern Ireland - A Regional Economic Comparison 2023 - 2024

Northern Ireland consistently recorded the highest number of persons employed among these regions, followed by Dublin. The Midland region recorded the lowest number of persons employed during this period. While employment increased in all regions during the period, the increase in Northern Ireland was more modest than most regions in Ireland. The number of employees and self-employed increased by approximately 20% in Northern Ireland between 2009 and 2024, an increase comparable to the South-West and Mid-West regions. By comparison, the number of people in employment increased by 40% in Dublin during this period. Most regions also recorded a decrease in the number of people in employment between 2019 and 2020. The largest decreases occurred in the Border region, Dublin and Northern Ireland respectively, while employment increased slightly in the Midland region.

In 2024, the number of persons employed was higher in regions in Ireland than Northern Ireland. Dublin recorded the highest number in employment across the island, followed by the Mid-East and South-West regions. Within Northern Ireland, the number in employment was highest in Belfast, followed by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon and Newry, Mourne & Down. Derry City & Strabane, Fermanagh & Omagh and Causeway Coast & Glens recorded the lowest number of people employment. 

In 2024, the year-on-year growth rate in employment was highest in the Mid-West region. Dublin had the second highest growth, followed by the South-West and South-East regions. The growth rate in Northern Ireland was approximately similar to that of the Mid-East and West regions. The Border region had the lowest growth rate, 0.6%, while the Midland region recorded no growth in employment in 2024.

In 2024, Dublin and Northern Ireland had the highest proportion of people employed the Services Sector, 87.7% and 79.1% respectively. These regions also had the lowest two shares of employment in the Production Sector. The Mid-West region had the highest proportion of its employment in the Production Sector. The Border, West, Mid-West and South-East regions had the lowest shares in the Services Sector. In 2024, Northern Ireland had roughly similar proportions of its employment in each sector to the Mid-East region and also had a similar growth in the numbers employed to that region.  

Figure 2.5 shows that both capitals, Dublin and Belfast, had the highest median earnings (income from employment) in their respective states. Among the counties in Ireland, Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork and Meath all had median earnings above the median for the state as a whole. Only Belfast and Lisburn & Castlereagh had medians above the Northern Ireland state median. In 2024, Belfast had similar median earnings to Carlow. Median earnings in Ireland were lowest in Donegal, and in Ards & North Down in Northern Ireland. It should be noted that earnings in Ireland are obtained from administrative sources, namely the Revenue Commissioner's PAYE system. Northern Ireland bases its figures on the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. Methodologies between these two sources differ significantly.

To allow for comparisons, the qualification levels in each jurisdiction have been aligned into five broad categories. Two categories, "Other qualification" and "Qualification not stated" are omitted. Further information can be found in the Background Notes. Regions within Northern Ireland generally have higher shares of basic qualifications. In Ireland, the lowest proportion of those that reported having a basic qualification occurred in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Galway City and Fingal. In Northern Ireland, the regions with the lowest shares of basic qualifications were Lisburn & Castlereagh, Ards & North Down and Antrim & Newtonabbey. Across both states, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Galway City and Fingal also reported the highest shares of higher and professional qualifications, while Mid & East Antrim, Mid Ulster and Causeway & Glens recorded the lowest shares. 

Figure 2.7 shows that the population of Ireland has a younger age structure than that of Northern Ireland. The 15–64 age band accounted for 65.4% of the population in Ireland, and 63.2% of the Northern Ireland population. This age group measures the proportion of the population who are of working age and able to participate in the labour force. The share of the population that was over 65 was also 2.7% higher in Northern Ireland.