The number of people on the live register in April 2017 is the lowest number recorded since October 2008 (Source: CSO).
In April 2017, there were 263,417 on the live register. When compared to April 2016, this represents an annual decrease of 13.8%. In regards gender breakdown, male claimants have decreased by 15.8% and female claimants by 10.8% in the past year.
Of the 263,417 claimants, 58,096 or 22.1% represent casual or part time workers.
There was generally good news for construction sector workers in that the number of claimants who stated Craft and Related as their last occupation fell by 18.2% in the past year. A related sector, plant and machine operatives, also decreased by 16.4% in the past year.
The lowest grouping on the live register is amongst white collar workers. The managers and administrators group represent a mere 4.6% of the overall live register, whilst those classifying themselves under “Professional” represent 5.7% of their overall register.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April 2017 was 6.2%, which is 2.2% lower than a year previously. Unemployment is expected to fall to 6% by June 2017.
This is a phenomenal performance when one considers that the unemployment rate in January 2012, a mere 5 years ago, stood at a dismal 15.2%.
