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For more information on this release:
E-mail: labour@cso.ie Marie O'Connor/ Sheila Bulman (+353) 21 453 5298/ 21 453 5222 Martina O'Callaghan (+353) 21 453 5491 Jim Dalton (+353) 21 453 5623
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Labour Force Survey (LFS) Employment Series

Quarter 1 2013 - Quarter 1 2019

IndicatorTotal EmploymentAnnual change
Q1 131,892,000 +28,700
Q1 141,950,700 +58,700
Q1 152,014,400 +63,700
Q1 162,080,800 +66,500
Q1 172,158,400 +77,500
Q1 182,220,700 +62,400
Q1 192,301,900 +81,200

Number of persons in employment at 2,301,900 in Q1 2019

Figure 1 Numbers in employment (ILO) in the first quarters 2013 to 2019
go to full release

In Q1 2019, there were 2,301,900 persons in employment. Of this, 1,828,900 or 79.5% were in full-time employment while 473,000 or 20.5% were in part-time employment. See Table 6.

In the six-year period to Q1 2019, the number of persons in employment has increased by 409,900 or 21.7%. The increase in full-time employment (+406,700) accounted for virtually all of this increase. See Table 6.

Employment Status – sectoral groups

There were 1,966,800 persons classified as employees in Q1 2019 while there were 323,900 self-employed persons. See Table 4.

Between Q1 2013 and Q1 2019, the number of employees increased by 400,900 or 25.6% while those classified as self-employed increased by 14,900 (+4.8%). See Table 4.

All economic sectors experienced an increase in the number of employees over this period. The most notable increases were in the Construction (+48,600 or +102.1%) and the Accommodation and food service activities (+47,300 or +42.1%) sectors. The number of self-employed persons, however, fell in seven economic sectors with the greater decreases occurring in the Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector (-4,800) and the Industry sector (-2,000).  See Table 4.

Employment Status -  occupational groups

The number of employees increased in all nine occupational groups between Q1 2013 and Q1 2019. See Table 5.

The Professional and Skilled trades occupational groups, rising by 85,100 and 60,900 respectively, showed the largest increase in the number of employees over the period. The largest increases in self employment were in the Skilled Trades and the Caring, leisure and other services groups at 11,600 and 5,000 respectively. See Table 5.

Broad Occupational GroupSelf EmployedEmployees
167500115300
242300432700
335400233100
45000221200
5125600193900
614100177100
7*184600
821800159100
97800238400
10*11500
KEY  
1- Managers, directors and senior officials
2- Professional
3- Associate professional and technical
4- Administrative and secretarial
5- Skilled trades
6- Caring, leisure and other services
7- Sales and customer service
8- Process, plant and machine operatives
9- Elementary
10- Other/Not stated

Full-time/Part-time Status- sectoral groups

In the six-year period to Q1 2019, full-time employment increased in all fourteen economic sectors while just six sectors showed an increase in part-time employment. See Table 6

The most notable increases in full-time employment were in the Construction sector, which more than doubled to 129,800 and the Industry sector which increased by 55,500 or 25.5% to 272,900. The Accommodation and food service activities sector showed the largest increase in part-time employment, rising by 14,500 or 25.4% to 71,500. On the other hand, the Industry sector recorded the largest reduction in part-time employment over the period, falling by 10,600 to 14,800 over the period. See Table 6.

Full-time/Part-time Status - occupational groups

In Q1 2019, the Elementary occupational group had the largest number of persons in part-time employment at 110,300 and this was followed by the Sales and customer service group with 77,400. Together these two groups accounted for 39.7% of part-time employment. See Table 7.

Part-time employment accounted for nearly one quarter (24.8%) of total employment in Q1 2013 and this fell to just over one fifth (20.5%) by Q1 2019. See Tables 6 and 7. 

Average Usual Hours Worked per Week

The average usual hours worked per week in Q1 2019 was 36.4 hours compared to 35.0 hours six years earlier. Of the fourteen economic sectors, the Agriculture, forestry and fishing sector had the highest average at 49.5 hours per week in Q1 2019 while the lowest were in the Education and Other NACE sectors at 30.7 and 30.5 hours respectively. See Table 8.

When classified by occupational group, the average usual hours worked per week by Managers, directors and senior officials was the highest at 43.7 hours in Q1 2019The Elementary group had the lowest average hours worked per week at 29.5 hours. In Q1 2013, the Sales and customer service occupational group had the lowest at 27.8 hours.  See Table 9.

Self-employed persons usually worked an average of 45.1 hours per week in Q1 2019, while the corresponding number for employees was 35.2 hours. The average for persons in full-time and part-time employment was 40.7 and 18.6 hours per week respectively. See Tables 10 and 11.

Duration of Employment

There were 1,827,500 persons in their current employment for 1 year and over in Q1 2019. This accounted for 82.8% of total employment (excluding Not stated) and has declined from 86.5% in Q1 2013. The number of persons in their current employment for less than one year was 380,200 or 17.2% of total employment in Q1 2019 and this had increased from 13.5% in Q1 2013. See Table 12.

Local place of employment

Medium and large local places of employment (50 persons or more) employed 887,000 persons in Q1 2019 with smaller local places of employment (less than 50 persons) employing 959,200 persons in the same period. See Table 13.

Reasons for Part-time Employment

There were 473,000 persons in part-time employment in Q1 2019. The share of persons (excluding Not stated) who gave the reason for being in part-time employment as Person could not find a full-time job fell from 40.5% in Q1 2013 to 16.1% in Q1 2019. On the other hand, when taken together, the share of persons in part-time employment because of Undergoing school education or training and Looking after children or incapacitated adults increased from 29.4% to 40.7% over the period.  See Table 14.

Permanency of Employment

This section refers to permanency of employment in relation to employees only.

Permanent employment increased by 388,500 (+27.9%) to 1,778,500 persons between Q1 2013 and Q1 2019, while temporary employment increased by 18,700 (+11.8%) to 177,200 persons. Nine out of every ten employees were in permanent employment in Q1 2019. See Table 15.

When classified by economic sector, the Industry (+49,900), Construction (+49,500), and Accommodation and food service activities (+35,800) sectors showed the largest increases in permanent employment between Q1 2013 and Q1 2019. These three sectors accounted for 34.8% of the overall increase in permanent employment over the period. See Table 15.

The largest increase in temporary employment was in the Accommodation and food service activities sector (+10,700).  The change in this sector accounted for 57.2% of the overall increase in temporary employment over the period. See Table 15.

Reasons for being in temporary employment

In Q1 2019, 39.8% of persons in temporary employment (excluding not stated) indicated their reason for being in temporary employment was Person could not find a permanent job. This was down from 63.8% in Q1 2013. The share of persons who did not want a permanent job increased from 17.5% to 30.7% between Q1 2013 and Q1 2019. See Table 18.

Table 13 of this release was updated on 19 July 2019.
Table 1 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by detailed NACE Rev. 2 Economic Sector
'000
Detailed NACE Rev. 2 Economic SectorQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
01 Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities98.9102.4101.8103.1100.8108.398.3
02 Forestry and logging[3.7][3.5]**[3.9]**
03 Fishing and aquaculture[4.1][3.6][3.4]****
05 Mining of coal and lignite*******
06 Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas*******
07 Mining of metal ores*******
08 Other mining and quarrying5.7[4.7]5.1[4.4][4.6][4.3][3.9]
09 Mining support service activities*******
10 Manufacture of food products46.447.850.751.352.349.247.3
11 Manufacture of beverages6.35.66.2[5.2][5.4][5.9]7.7
12 Manufacture of tobacco products*******
13 Manufacture of textiles[2.6][2.9][3.4]****
14 Manufacture of wearing apparel[2.9][3.2][3.7]*[3.6]**
15 Manufacture of leather and related products*******
16 Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials4.95.1*[3.6][5.2]**
17 Manufacture of paper and paper products*[2.7]*****
18 Printing and reproduction of recorded media8.28.79.66.59.09.57.4
19 Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products*******
20 Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products[3.4]*[3.9][4.7][4.5]**
21 Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations34.836.534.940.641.640.240.9
22 Manufacture of rubber and plastic products5.34.5[3.5][6.4]6.2[7.2]8.4
23 Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products5.45.77.06.27.2[6.8]8.1
24 Manufacture of basic metals[3.1][2.8][3.8][4.9]6.3[5.4][4.6]
25 Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment12.312.013.214.813.813.114.8
26 Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products26.025.730.129.827.920.421.5
27 Manufacture of electrical equipment*******
28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.32.431.631.432.734.38.38.4
29 Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers[2.7][4.0][3.0]**[5.4]7.3
30 Manufacture of other transport equipment*******
31 Manufacture of furniture[3.8][4.0]6.45.96.49.09.5
32 Other manufacturing6.95.87.07.27.842.345.0
33 Repair and installation of machinery and equipment4.84.65.86.98.0[4.2][5.7]
35 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply8.910.59.412.313.712.714.0
36 Water collection, treatment and supply**[3.2]***[4.4]
37 Sewerage*******
38 Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery8.38.37.96.48.7[6.2]7.2
39 Remediation activities and other waste management services*******
41 Construction of buildings35.339.848.555.655.948.754.2
42 Civil engineering[2.9]5.45.65.86.810.715.3
43 Specialised construction activities42.141.951.352.662.178.075.2
45 Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles33.234.642.536.936.430.640.0
46 Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles59.058.550.546.154.953.144.5
47 Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles188.4188.2193.7208.2206.6211.4220.2
49 Land transport and transport via pipelines43.945.445.449.251.051.752.3
50 Water transport*******
51 Air transport9.48.912.39.77.5[6.6][6.9]
52 Warehousing and support activities for transportation12.713.012.616.116.918.627.5
53 Postal and courier activities15.315.315.215.414.416.117.2
55 Accommodation46.952.453.954.358.752.653.3
56 Food and beverage service activities78.887.887.498.4102.5117.0121.7
58 Publishing activities5.97.0[5.0][5.5][5.2][5.7][6.2]
59 Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities[4.2][5.3][3.7][5.1]8.3[6.5]8.2
60 Programming and broadcasting activities[4.7][5.1][5.8][3.9][4.2]*[5.2]
61 Telecommunications20.318.620.316.817.317.516.4
62 Computer programming, consultancy and related activities49.552.959.164.870.775.974.4
63 Information service activities7.07.46.28.68.7[6.2][7.6]
64 Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding67.065.364.566.466.761.962.8
65 Insurance, reinsurance and pension funding, except compulsory social security20.121.321.722.419.421.924.1
66 Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities6.05.98.18.29.412.114.6
68 Real estate activities8.98.512.310.611.09.69.5
69 Legal and accounting activities29.332.730.829.833.343.847.6
70 Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities6.97.25.58.18.69.911.4
71 Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis28.832.631.931.729.739.740.4
72 Scientific research and development5.97.18.1[7.1]9.4[6.3]7.3
73 Advertising and market research7.68.36.48.28.513.711.5
74 Other professional, scientific and technical activities29.634.334.933.736.616.918.0
75 Veterinary activities[3.4][4.3]*[4.4][4.1][3.8]*
77 Rental and leasing activities6.17.16.7[6.6]8.19.512.5
78 Employment activities8.07.78.58.814.08.38.9
79 Travel agency, tour operator reservation service and related activities6.38.77.7[5.9]8.6[7.4][7.0]
80 Security and investigation activities13.014.414.015.317.015.616.7
81 Services to buildings and landscape activities27.523.627.133.629.742.148.0
82 Office administrative, office support and other business support activities11.115.411.915.513.317.017.2
84 Public administration and defence; compulsory social security86.088.690.891.693.7103.5110.8
85 Education141.9146.2152.0152.5157.8167.0179.4
86 Human health activities167.7166.4160.2170.8165.5163.2163.4
87 Residential care activities26.825.529.926.232.635.241.7
88 Social work activities without accommodation65.467.074.771.378.378.981.6
90 Creative, arts and entertainment activities14.115.917.118.816.311.712.0
91 Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities[4.2][4.0]5.9[5.5][5.6][5.8][5.5]
92 Gambling and betting activities6.3[5.0][4.8][6.6]7.38.98.3
93 Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities21.420.922.125.824.927.127.1
94 Activities of membership organisations14.712.816.912.515.319.216.6
95 Repair of computers and personal and household goods*******
96 Other personal service activities32.533.732.434.335.636.838.6
97 Activities of households as employers of domestic personnel7.97.57.48.77.79.57.1
99 Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies[3.8]5.6[3.2]****
Not stated***[6.6]7.8[6.5][6.7]
Total persons1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 2 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by detailed occupational group (UK SOC2010)
'000
Detailed occupational group   Q1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
1 Managers, directors and senior officials160.9168.8171.5180.6191.0189.1183.1
11 Corporate managers and directors110.6116.4123.5130.3136.4123.1119.5
111 Chief Executives and senior officials[3.5][3.3]***[4.4][5.3]
112 Production managers and directors12.816.617.718.623.723.923.4
113 Functional managers and directors62.266.365.967.870.050.642.1
115 Financial institution managers and directors5.65.2[5.3]7.65.8[6.1]6.3
116 Managers and directors in transport and logistics7.96.66.96.48.48.611.2
117 Senior officers in protective services*******
118 Health and social services managers and directors*****[5.2][4.7]
119 Managers and directors in retail and wholesale15.415.920.522.420.623.025.6
12 Other managers and proprietors50.352.448.050.354.766.063.6
121 Managers and proprietors in agriculture related services*****[4.7][3.6]
122 Managers and proprietors in hospitality and leisure services19.922.219.223.122.722.921.1
124 Managers and proprietors in health and care services*******
125 Managers and proprietors in other services26.325.724.824.627.435.637.0
2 Professional394.8396.1394.4412.0429.5442.9475.6
21 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals86.889.387.495.6103.7107.0110.5
211 Natural and social science professionals11.512.211.111.315.313.615.4
212 Engineering professionals19.921.521.621.326.132.734.0
213 Information technology and telecommunications professionals53.053.251.158.858.957.457.3
214 Conservation and environment professionals*******
215 Research and development managers*******
22 Health professionals104.698.6100.795.3102.9103.4118.0
221 Health professionals30.132.534.331.233.032.137.6
222 Therapy professionals9.48.911.38.712.713.512.0
223 Nursing and midwifery professionals65.257.155.055.457.257.868.4
23 Teaching and educational professionals101.0101.7103.9104.4112.2118.6120.6
231 Teaching and educational professionals101.0101.7103.9104.4112.2118.6120.6
24 Business, media and public service professionals102.4106.5102.5116.7110.7113.8126.4
241 Legal professionals12.012.111.316.214.113.213.5
242 Business, research and administrative professionals58.362.160.761.259.161.573.0
243 Architects, town planners and surveyors10.410.19.611.011.714.413.7
244 Welfare professionals7.38.97.211.49.07.87.9
245 Librarians and related professionals[3.7]******
246 Quality and regulatory professionals5.0[4.3][4.9][6.5][6.0]7.68.2
247 Media professionals5.86.55.47.67.6[6.6]7.3
3 Associate professional and technical227.5239.7248.3261.3266.0256.8268.5
31 Science, engineering and technology associate professionals35.037.840.342.249.350.350.4
311 Science, engineering and production technicians20.319.721.023.326.723.525.8
312 Draughtspersons and related architectural technicians*[2.9]*[3.9]***
313 Information technology technicians12.215.216.614.919.524.021.9
32 Health and social care associate professionals17.918.721.219.120.220.621.0
321 Health associate professionals9.19.39.610.710.211.110.4
323 Welfare and housing associate professionals8.89.411.68.410.09.510.6
33 Protective service occupations24.423.222.321.722.724.621.4
331 Protective service occupations24.423.222.321.722.724.621.4
34 Culture, media and sports occupations32.333.836.535.936.839.138.7
341 Artistic, literary and media occupations16.119.420.719.119.022.420.7
342 Design occupations7.66.37.96.77.1[7.5][6.8]
344 Sports and fitness occupations8.78.27.910.110.79.211.2
35 Business and public service associate professionals117.9126.2127.9142.4137.0122.2137.1
351 Transport associate professionals[2.6]******
352 Legal associate professionals*[3.2]**[4.0]**
353 Business, finance and related associate professionals30.832.135.440.539.642.046.0
354 Sales, marketing and related associate professionals58.161.459.966.761.949.053.5
355 Conservation and environmental associate professionals*******
356 Public services and other associate professionals24.126.926.429.629.326.430.6
4 Administrative and secreterial189.9198.7199.4200.8207.4216.5228.5
41 Administrative occupations151.5159.2160.6159.8167.3173.9182.5
411 Administrative occupations: Government and related organisations32.032.430.129.132.442.948.4
412 Administrative occupations: Finance47.547.448.846.245.752.449.6
413 Administrative occupations: Records16.317.715.318.222.612.314.0
415 Other administrative occupations49.954.457.857.657.358.860.2
416 Administrative occupations: Office managers and supervisors5.87.38.68.69.27.510.2
42 Secretarial and related occupations38.539.538.841.140.142.746.0
421 Secretarial and related occupations38.539.538.841.140.142.746.0
5 Skilled trades252.6271.2289.3297.0307.0317.2321.5
51 Skilled agricultural and related trades90.590.693.695.391.791.889.2
511 Agricultural and related trades90.590.693.695.391.791.889.2
52 Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades76.485.388.191.491.784.889.7
521 Metal forming, welding and related trades6.88.49.411.611.712.313.2
522 Metal machining, fitting and instrument making trades22.524.827.426.625.917.416.6
523 Vehicle trades16.519.520.415.618.718.223.1
524 Electrical and electronic trades28.831.129.335.634.135.835.6
525 Skilled Metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors*******
53 Skilled construction and building trades41.646.855.355.564.473.278.6
531 Construction and building trades31.634.841.440.948.751.955.5
532 Building finishing trades7.69.311.111.511.618.719.7
533 Construction and building trades supervisors[2.4][2.7][2.8][3.1][4.0]**
54 Textiles, printing and other skilled trades44.148.552.354.859.367.464.0
541 Textiles and garments trades*******
542 Printing trades4.0[3.1][2.9]*[2.9]**
543 Food preparation and hospitality trades33.838.640.843.548.753.251.4
544 Other skilled trades5.14.86.26.56.77.88.6
6 Caring, leisure and other services140.3141.9159.8161.6173.8190.5191.8
61 Caring personal service occupations99.297.1112.4113.1124.5128.0129.9
612 Childcare and related personal services33.935.536.638.542.247.347.7
613 Animal care and control services*****[5.0][4.6]
614 Caring personal services63.360.273.472.079.075.777.6
62 Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations41.144.947.448.449.262.561.9
621 Leisure and travel services6.79.49.38.310.810.413.4
622 Hairdressers and related services21.922.723.823.326.928.828.0
623 Housekeeping and related services11.811.613.015.810.522.118.5
624 Cleaning and housekeeping managers and supervisors*******
7 Sales and customer service159.7155.9166.0167.3171.6182.0188.7
71 Sales occupations143.7136.3144.1145.7145.5156.2164.1
711 Sales assistants and retail cashiers129.6122.3128.9132.1128.4135.0137.2
712 Sales related occupations10.710.910.98.811.117.519.0
713 Sales supervisors[3.3][3.1][4.4][4.8]6.0*7.9
72 Customer service occupations16.019.621.921.626.125.724.6
721 Customer service occupations13.515.618.118.321.622.821.1
722 Customer service managers and supervisors[2.5][4.0][3.8]*[4.6]**
8 Process, plant and machine operatives148.9146.4149.4158.3161.2169.3180.9
81 Process, plant and machine operatives76.075.374.977.179.088.794.0
811 Process Operatives24.323.524.623.121.837.435.2
812 Plant and machine operatives7.09.07.78.39.39.211.7
813 Assemblers and routine operatives35.332.332.530.835.231.935.9
814 Construction operatives9.610.510.115.012.610.111.1
82 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives72.971.174.581.182.280.687.0
821 Road transport drivers58.256.658.364.864.562.963.4
822 Mobile machine drivers and operatives11.29.912.312.014.112.818.4
823 Other drivers and transport operatives[3.5]4.7[3.9][4.3][3.6][5.0][5.2]
9 Elementary214.5227.8230.7231.1240.5243.1250.9
91 Elementary trades and related occupations55.557.665.159.461.750.346.8
911 Elementary agricultural occupations16.918.813.413.511.616.813.3
912 Elementary construction occupations27.429.737.735.040.320.822.4
913 Elementary process plant occupations10.38.713.110.49.411.810.0
92 Elementary administration and service occupations159.0170.2165.7171.7178.9192.8204.1
921 Elementary administration occupations10.09.67.98.67.49.29.3
923 Elementary cleaning occupations39.840.938.938.644.544.450.1
924 Elementary security occupations14.816.316.316.615.519.116.7
925 Elementary sales occupations*******
926 Elementary storage occupations19.321.720.720.019.221.822.3
927 Other elementary services occupations73.680.480.587.191.397.2103.9
Other/Not stated2.74.15.610.810.313.312.3
Total persons1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 3 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NACE Rev. 2 Economic Sector and occupational group (UK SOC2010)
'000
NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector/Occupational groupQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
AAgriculture, forestry and fishing1. Managers, directors and senior officials[3.3][4.5][3.1]*[3.3][4.5][4.5]
2. Professional*******
3. Associate professional and technical*******
4. Administrative and secreterial*******
5. Skilled trades79.179.082.483.181.182.677.1
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service*******
8. Process, plant and machine operatives****[4.5]**
9. Elementary16.017.913.815.512.317.313.6
Other/Not stated*******
  Total106.7109.5107.2108.1107.7113.3103.8
B-FTotal Industry1. Managers, directors and senior officials27.627.930.334.735.333.832.6
2. Professional30.232.233.333.140.844.849.7
3. Associate professional and technical36.438.941.845.545.738.741.2
4. Administrative and secreterial19.620.320.420.622.922.427.9
5. Skilled trades88.495.2108.6116.3125.8136.7139.0
6. Caring, leisure and other services***[3.5]***
7. Sales and customer service8.87.67.26.77.68.0[6.1]
8. Process, plant and machine operatives76.372.575.878.381.193.9100.6
9. Elementary34.737.045.441.444.833.933.1
Other/Not stated*******
  Total323.2332.8365.0381.1406.9416.7432.3
B-EIndustry1. Managers, directors and senior officials21.221.622.126.028.025.225.2
2. Professional28.129.530.729.134.033.335.7
3. Associate professional and technical33.335.738.540.441.835.637.4
4. Administrative and secreterial16.416.616.516.818.917.221.1
5. Skilled trades44.145.650.555.355.254.755.1
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service8.36.76.65.86.97.8[5.8]
8. Process, plant and machine operatives65.362.363.162.066.181.487.0
9. Elementary25.526.530.030.129.820.518.5
Other/Not stated*******
  Total242.9245.7259.6267.1282.1279.4287.7
FConstruction1. Managers, directors and senior officials6.56.38.28.77.38.67.4
2. Professional*[2.7]*[4.0]6.811.514.0
3. Associate professional and technical[3.1][3.2][3.3][5.1][4.0]**
4. Administrative and secreterial3.23.73.9[3.8][4.1][5.2]6.8
5. Skilled trades44.449.658.161.170.682.083.9
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service*******
8. Process, plant and machine operatives11.010.112.716.215.012.613.6
9. Elementary9.210.515.411.315.013.414.6
Other/Not stated*******
  Total80.387.1105.4114.0124.9137.3144.6
G-UTotal Services1. Managers, directors and senior officials129.7136.4137.6143.7152.1150.8145.8
2. Professional363.8362.8359.8378.2386.6396.8425.5
3. Associate professional and technical189.4199.0204.4213.9218.8217.0225.6
4. Administrative and secreterial168.4176.6176.6178.2182.2190.9199.1
5. Skilled trades85.096.897.997.5100.297.9105.4
6. Caring, leisure and other services138.5140.4157.2157.1170.2187.4189.5
7. Sales and customer service150.7148.1158.4160.5163.8173.5182.2
8. Process, plant and machine operatives69.571.470.877.975.472.876.9
9. Elementary163.6172.6171.1174.3182.7191.7204.3
Other/Not stated[1.8]3.64.93.84.0[5.4][4.8]
  Total1,460.31,507.71,538.81,585.01,636.01,684.11,759.1
GWholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles1. Managers, directors and senior officials46.345.145.044.646.745.646.9
  2. Professional10.511.89.311.612.011.09.8
3. Associate professional and technical26.727.026.730.828.423.021.4
4. Administrative and secreterial22.122.918.421.720.619.221.0
5. Skilled trades24.124.028.021.425.322.825.8
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service117.3116.0124.8125.6128.0139.6149.3
8. Process, plant and machine operatives14.412.712.013.913.912.211.2
9. Elementary16.920.120.320.321.219.818.6
Other/Not stated*******
  Total280.6281.3286.7291.2298.0295.0304.7
HTransportation and storage 1. Managers, directors and senior officials5.05.56.27.36.28.48.6
2. Professional*******
3. Associate professional and technical5.15.55.2[5.5][4.9][5.7]6.2
4. Administrative and secreterial8.58.49.68.211.28.49.2
5. Skilled trades[2.9][3.7][2.6][3.4][3.6]**
6. Caring, leisure and other services******[5.6]
7. Sales and customer service*[2.7][2.6]****
8. Process, plant and machine operatives40.541.142.947.045.646.050.4
9. Elementary14.914.813.615.312.212.317.9
Other/Not stated*******
  Total82.884.987.692.491.794.9105.8
IAccommodation and food service activities1. Managers, directors and senior officials19.519.718.823.821.820.420.6
2. Professional*******
3. Associate professional and technical*[4.1][4.1][4.0]***
4. Administrative and secreterial6.15.27.26.47.4[6.9]7.9
5. Skilled trades17.823.924.829.933.134.536.3
6. Caring, leisure and other services[3.4][4.2][4.5][5.5][4.2][7.2][7.7]
7. Sales and customer service6.86.35.3[5.4][4.5]**
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*******
9. Elementary65.873.573.675.382.491.993.9
Other/Not stated*******
  Total125.7140.2141.3152.6161.2169.6175.0
JInformation and communication1. Managers, directors and senior officials8.88.78.811.213.511.211.5
2. Professional36.939.237.646.746.250.350.0
3. Associate professional and technical23.923.928.124.231.232.932.8
4. Administrative and secreterial5.16.26.56.97.0[5.0][5.7]
5. Skilled trades6.07.87.17.87.5[7.5]8.6
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service7.25.36.4[4.5]5.7[7.0][5.6]
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*******
9. Elementary*******
Other/Not stated*******
  Total91.596.4100.1104.8114.4115.8118.0
K-LFinancial, insurance and real estate activities1. Managers, directors and senior officials13.414.114.315.316.217.314.2
2. Professional22.122.821.023.821.221.528.1
3. Associate professional and technical24.521.326.830.129.329.532.9
4. Administrative and secreterial33.933.033.027.227.928.628.5
5. Skilled trades*******
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service5.55.66.67.77.8*[4.9]
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*******
9. Elementary*******
Other/Not stated*******
  Total102.0100.9106.7107.6106.5105.5111.0
MProfessional, scientific and technical activities1. Managers, directors and senior officials7.610.49.37.811.610.110.8
2. Professional59.261.357.363.064.457.762.3
3. Associate professional and technical19.522.320.921.422.632.232.2
4. Administrative and secreterial9.913.914.412.715.521.022.2
5. Skilled trades9.311.410.710.06.7[6.9][6.7]
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service*******
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*******
9. Elementary*******
Other/Not stated*******
  Total111.5126.3120.7122.9130.1134.2139.3
NAdministrative and support service activities1. Managers, directors and senior officials6.8[6.1]7.2[6.1][7.5]9.67.4
2. Professional*******
3. Associate professional and technical7.510.16.98.513.210.011.8
4. Administrative and secreterial10.210.511.710.810.98.29.3
5. Skilled trades8.79.08.39.88.79.010.9
6. Caring, leisure and other services*[4.0][3.7][4.6][5.5][6.8][7.0]
7. Sales and customer service[3.2][4.9][5.2]7.88.09.19.2
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*****[5.1][6.2]
9. Elementary28.326.327.830.832.937.744.1
Other/Not stated*******
  Total72.076.975.885.790.799.9110.4
OPublic administration and defence; compulsory social security1. Managers, directors and senior officials5.14.66.16.67.8*[4.4]
2. Professional10.610.112.010.29.912.616.0
3. Associate professional and technical32.132.431.232.731.736.136.2
4. Administrative and secreterial29.533.233.631.635.445.245.3
5. Skilled trades*******
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service*******
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*******
9. Elementary[3.6][3.2][2.4][3.7][2.9]**
Other/Not stated*******
  Total86.088.690.891.693.7103.5110.8
PEducation1. Managers, directors and senior officials*[3.0][3.6]*[3.4]**
2. Professional98.899.2103.9104.7107.9121.0124.1
3. Associate professional and technical8.311.29.58.99.6[6.8]7.4
4. Administrative and secreterial7.88.48.410.510.19.512.9
5. Skilled trades**[2.9]****
6. Caring, leisure and other services17.615.316.616.618.222.927.4
7. Sales and customer service*******
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*******
9. Elementary4.55.45.05.44.4**
Other/Not stated*******
  Total141.9146.2152.0152.5157.8167.0179.4
QHuman health and social work activities 1. Managers, directors and senior officials7.410.08.09.29.313.29.5
2. Professional108.2102.1102.3101.7106.3105.8120.4
3. Associate professional and technical19.420.821.422.720.217.318.2
4. Administrative and secreterial23.824.222.628.323.825.926.8
5. Skilled trades5.55.44.6[3.5][4.0][5.2][4.7]
6. Caring, leisure and other services75.275.789.188.395.595.093.5
7. Sales and customer service[2.8]******
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*[3.3]*****
9. Elementary15.515.313.110.712.111.211.1
Other/Not stated*******
  Total259.8258.9264.9268.3276.4277.3286.7
R-UOther NACE activities 1. Managers, directors and senior officials7.69.110.28.98.110.09.3
2. Professional11.810.39.811.212.98.87.8
3. Associate professional and technical20.020.323.525.224.321.223.5
4. Administrative and secreterial11.510.511.213.912.412.910.5
5. Skilled trades7.27.86.16.66.4[6.5][6.5]
6. Caring, leisure and other services32.633.934.636.739.146.444.9
7. Sales and customer service[3.3]*[2.8]****
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*******
9. Elementary9.38.49.68.39.310.411.0
Other/Not stated*[2.6][2.8]****
  Total106.5106.9112.3115.4115.5121.4118.0
Not stated1. Managers, directors and senior officials*******
2. Professional*******
3. Associate professional and technical*******
4. Administrative and secreterial*******
5. Skilled trades*******
6. Caring, leisure and other services*******
7. Sales and customer service*******
8. Process, plant and machine operatives*******
9. Elementary*******
Other/Not stated***[5.9]5.4[4.6][6.0]
  Total***[6.6]7.8[6.5][6.7]
All persons1. Managers, directors and senior officials160.9168.8171.5180.6191.0189.1183.1
2. Professional394.8396.1394.4412.0429.5442.9475.6
3. Associate professional and technical227.5239.7248.3261.3266.0256.8268.5
4. Administrative and secreterial189.9198.7199.4200.8207.4216.5228.5
5. Skilled trades252.6271.2289.3297.0307.0317.2321.5
6. Caring, leisure and other services140.3141.9159.8161.6173.8190.5191.8
7. Sales and customer service159.7155.9166.0167.3171.6182.0188.7
8. Process, plant and machine operatives148.9146.4149.4158.3161.2169.3180.9
9. Elementary214.5227.8230.7231.1240.5243.1250.9
Other/Not stated2.74.15.610.810.313.312.3
   Total persons1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 4 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NACE Rev. 2 Economic Sector and employment status
'000
NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector/Employment status Q1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
AAgriculture, forestry and fishingSelf-employed (with paid employees)8.17.17.89.47.99.79.8
Self-employed (with no paid employees)65.468.267.964.765.469.562.0
Total self employed73.575.375.774.173.379.271.8
Employee24.826.726.126.527.724.625.8
Assisting relative8.37.55.37.56.69.56.1
   Total106.7109.5107.2108.1107.7113.3103.8
B-FTotal IndustrySelf-employed (with paid employees)17.616.418.917.721.424.125.1
Self-employed (with no paid employees)35.237.139.343.538.442.641.1
Total self employed52.853.558.261.259.866.766.2
Employee269.2277.6305.3318.6345.3349.1364.9
Assisting relative*******
   Total323.2332.8365.0381.1406.9416.7432.3
B-EIndustrySelf-employed (with paid employees)8.77.76.66.49.29.08.5
Self-employed (with no paid employees)12.013.313.714.912.810.710.2
Total self employed20.721.020.321.421.919.718.7
Employee221.6224.0238.9244.8259.1259.4268.7
Assisting relative*******
   Total242.9245.7259.6267.1282.1279.4287.7
FConstructionSelf-employed (with paid employees)8.98.712.411.212.215.116.6
Self-employed (with no paid employees)23.223.925.628.625.631.930.9
Total self employed32.132.637.939.837.847.147.6
Employee47.653.666.473.886.289.796.2
Assisting relative*******
   Total80.387.1105.4114.0124.9137.3144.6
G-UTotal ServicesSelf-employed (with paid employees)65.466.864.470.066.766.762.1
Self-employed (with no paid employees)117.1123.5120.1121.1116.8125.3123.1
Total self employed182.5190.3184.5191.1183.4192.0185.3
Employee1,270.31,310.61,347.71,385.91,448.01,487.71,570.0
Assisting relative7.56.86.68.0[4.6][4.4]*
   Total1,460.31,507.71,538.81,585.01,636.01,684.11,759.1
GWholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcyclesSelf-employed (with paid employees)17.717.818.619.218.415.817.8
Self-employed (with no paid employees)17.118.816.814.012.715.912.3
Total self employed34.936.635.433.231.131.630.1
Employee243.7243.3249.9255.9265.9261.9273.4
Assisting relative*******
   Total280.6281.3286.7291.2298.0295.0304.7
HTransportation and storage Self-employed (with paid employees)[3.4][3.5][3.5][4.8][3.5]**
Self-employed (with no paid employees)16.317.617.917.215.219.015.3
Total self employed19.721.021.321.918.722.918.9
Employee62.463.365.870.272.672.086.6
Assisting relative*******
   Total82.884.987.692.491.794.9105.8
IAccommodation and food service activitiesSelf-employed (with paid employees)7.39.28.610.48.7[6.2]10.2
Self-employed (with no paid employees)5.25.1[4.7]5.8[4.0]*[4.7]
Total self employed12.514.413.216.212.79.614.9
Employee112.3124.9127.1134.8147.5159.5159.6
Assisting relative*******
   Total125.7140.2141.3152.6161.2169.6175.0
JInformation and communicationSelf-employed (with paid employees)*[3.5]*****
Self-employed (with no paid employees)9.710.110.411.412.211.710.2
Total self employed12.813.712.313.516.215.613.2
Employee78.482.787.791.298.299.5104.8
Assisting relative*******
   Total91.596.4100.1104.8114.4115.8118.0
K-LFinancial, insurance and real estate activitiesSelf-employed (with paid employees)[3.3][2.7][3.1]**[4.3]*
Self-employed (with no paid employees)4.8[4.2]6.15.8[4.5][4.3][5.5]
Total self employed8.16.99.28.76.68.78.3
Employee93.893.997.098.8100.096.6102.5
Assisting relative*******
   Total102.0100.9106.7107.6106.5105.5111.0
MProfessional, scientific and technical activitiesSelf-employed (with paid employees)10.812.511.913.211.912.69.6
Self-employed (with no paid employees)23.423.622.320.121.122.023.1
Total self employed34.236.034.233.333.034.632.7
Employee76.890.286.089.096.399.2106.3
   Assisting relative*******
Total111.5126.3120.7122.9130.1134.2139.3
NAdministrative and support service activitiesSelf-employed (with paid employees)[3.5]****[4.3]*
Self-employed (with no paid employees)7.77.9[5.4]7.58.39.010.7
Total self employed11.311.28.110.611.713.314.3
Employee60.765.267.474.878.986.396.0
Assisting relative*******
   Total72.076.975.885.790.799.9110.4
OPublic administration and defence; compulsory social securitySelf-employed (with paid employees)*******
Self-employed (with no paid employees)*******
Total self employed*******
Employee84.787.689.589.992.4102.1109.3
Assisting relative*******
   Total86.088.690.891.693.7103.5110.8
PEducationSelf-employed (with paid employees)*******
Self-employed (with no paid employees)5.54.94.76.35.6[6.3][5.8]
Total self employed7.96.96.67.87.08.87.1
Employee133.9139.1145.2144.2150.8158.2172.2
Assisting relative*******
   Total141.9146.2152.0152.5157.8167.0179.4
QHuman health and social work activitiesSelf-employed (with paid employees)7.16.15.8[5.4][5.5][6.8][3.6]
Self-employed (with no paid employees)8.09.39.59.410.111.010.7
Total self employed15.115.315.314.815.617.814.3
Employee243.0242.0248.2252.2260.0259.1271.8
Assisting relative*******
   Total259.8258.9264.9268.3276.4277.3286.7
R-UOther NACE activities Self-employed (with paid employees)6.66.06.27.17.2[6.2]6.4
Self-employed (with no paid employees)18.121.421.322.422.321.723.7
Total self employed24.727.427.529.529.527.930.1
Employee80.778.483.884.985.593.187.5
Assisting relative*******
   Total106.5106.9112.3115.4115.5121.4118.0
Not statedSelf-employed (with paid employees)*******
Self-employed (with no paid employees)*******
Total self employed*******
Employee***[6.2]6.6[6.1][6.1]
Assisting relative*******
   Total***[6.6]7.8[6.5][6.7]
All personsSelf-employed (with paid employees)91.290.391.397.196.3100.597.5
Self-employed (with no paid employees)217.8228.9227.8229.5221.4237.9226.5
Total self employed309.0319.2319.0326.6317.7338.4323.9
Employee1,565.91,615.51,682.01,737.31,827.61,867.51,966.8
Assisting relative17.116.013.416.913.114.811.1
   Total1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 5 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by occupational group (UK SOC2010) and employment status
'000
Occupational group/Employment status   Q1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
a. Managers, directors and senior officialsSelf-employed (with paid employees)41.238.239.041.844.044.745.2
Self-employed (with no paid employees)25.226.523.921.919.428.222.4
Total self employed66.464.762.863.763.472.867.5
Employee94.0103.4108.0116.2127.0115.9115.3
Assisting relative*******
Total160.9168.8171.5180.6191.0189.1183.1
b. ProfessionalSelf-employed (with paid employees)16.917.216.017.016.816.311.7
Self-employed (with no paid employees)29.527.629.230.434.531.430.6
Total self employed46.444.945.147.551.347.742.3
Employee347.6350.6348.6363.8378.0394.6432.7
Assisting relative*******
Total394.8396.1394.4412.0429.5442.9475.6
c. Associate professional and technicalSelf-employed (with paid employees)4.95.05.2[5.0][3.9][6.3][4.6]
Self-employed (with no paid employees)28.031.430.731.630.728.430.8
Total self employed33.036.436.036.634.634.735.4
Employee194.1202.6211.8224.1231.0221.6233.1
Assisting relative*******
Total227.5239.7248.3261.3266.0256.8268.5
d. Administrative and secreterialSelf-employed (with paid employees)*******
Self-employed (with no paid employees)*[3.5]*[3.9]***
Total self employed[3.0]5.2[3.7]6.4[3.7][3.9][5.0]
Employee184.6191.1193.7192.6202.0209.7221.2
Assisting relative*******
Total189.9198.7199.4200.8207.4216.5228.5
e. Skilled tradesSelf-employed (with paid employees)17.918.420.921.520.222.723.9
Self-employed (with no paid employees)96.199.8102.3101.596.3107.4101.7
Total self employed114.0118.3123.2123.0116.5130.1125.6
Employee133.0149.2161.8169.0186.3185.3193.9
Assisting relative5.6[3.7][4.3][5.0][4.2]**
Total252.6271.2289.3297.0307.0317.2321.5
f. Caring, leisure and other serviceSelf-employed (with paid employees)[3.1][3.1][4.1]*[4.2]**
Self-employed (with no paid employees)6.18.28.19.99.18.910.6
Total self employed9.111.312.312.813.312.914.1
Employee129.6129.1146.3147.0159.7177.2177.1
Assisting relative*******
Total140.3141.9159.8161.6173.8190.5191.8
g. Sales and customer serviceSelf-employed (with paid employees)*******
Self-employed (with no paid employees)4.43.8[3.4][3.6]***
Total self employed5.75.2[4.1]5.3[3.8][4.2]*
Employee153.3149.9161.5160.6167.2176.9184.6
Assisting relative*******
Total159.7155.9166.0167.3171.6182.0188.7
h. Process, plant and machine operativesSelf-employed (with paid employees)[3.1][3.7]*[3.8]***
Self-employed (with no paid employees)21.121.822.320.519.420.418.3
Total self employed24.125.525.124.322.223.221.8
Employee124.1120.4123.4133.3138.4145.9159.1
Assisting relative*******
Total148.9146.4149.4158.3161.2169.3180.9
i. ElementarySelf-employed (with paid employees)*******
Self-employed (with no paid employees)5.46.15.4[5.7]6.5[6.8][5.6]
Total self employed6.97.56.66.77.77.87.8
Employee203.2215.6221.4220.5228.8228.0238.4
Assisting relative[4.4][4.6]**[4.0]7.3[4.7]
Total214.5227.8230.7231.1240.5243.1250.9
j. Not statedSelf-employed (with paid employees)*******
Self-employed (with no paid employees)*******
Total self employed*******
Employee2.43.75.410.29.312.311.5
Assisting relative*******
Total2.74.15.610.810.313.312.3
All personsSelf-employed (with paid employees)91.290.391.397.196.3100.597.5
Self-employed (with no paid employees)217.8228.9227.8229.5221.4237.9226.5
Total self employed309.0319.2319.0326.6317.7338.4323.9
Employee1,565.91,615.51,682.01,737.31,827.61,867.51,966.8
Assisting relative17.116.013.416.913.114.811.1
   Total1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 6 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NACE Rev. 2 Economic Sector and full-time/part-time status
'000
NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector/Full and part-time status Q1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
AAgriculture, forestry and fishingFull-time87.289.291.387.987.493.188.5
 Part-time19.520.315.920.220.320.215.3
 Total106.7109.5107.2108.1107.7113.3103.8
B-FTotal IndustryFull-time280.5291.0325.4338.5367.1388.3402.7
 Part-time42.741.839.642.639.828.529.6
 Total323.2332.8365.0381.1406.9416.7432.3
B-EIndustryFull-time217.4222.7236.6243.6258.1261.4272.9
 Part-time25.423.023.023.523.918.014.8
 Total242.9245.7259.6267.1282.1279.4287.7
FConstructionFull-time63.068.488.894.9109.0126.8129.8
 Part-time17.318.716.519.115.910.514.8
 Total80.387.1105.4114.0124.9137.3144.6
G-UTotal ServicesFull-time1,053.61,106.21,135.51,172.61,233.61,279.81,331.9
 Part-time406.7401.5403.3412.4402.4404.4427.2
 Total1,460.31,507.71,538.81,585.01,636.01,684.11,759.1
GWholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcyclesFull-time179.6183.9187.6189.4208.1198.3210.0
 Part-time101.097.599.0101.889.996.794.7
 Total280.6281.3286.7291.2298.0295.0304.7
HTransportation and storage Full-time69.173.174.076.677.783.593.0
 Part-time13.711.813.615.814.011.412.8
 Total82.884.987.692.491.794.9105.8
IAccommodation and food service activitiesFull-time68.777.980.391.691.5101.4103.5
 Part-time57.062.461.061.069.668.271.5
 Total125.7140.2141.3152.6161.2169.6175.0
JInformation and communicationFull-time82.989.492.597.0105.8109.0109.7
 Part-time8.66.97.67.88.6[6.8]8.4
 Total91.596.4100.1104.8114.4115.8118.0
K-LFinancial, insurance and real estate activitiesFull-time89.889.894.598.496.994.7100.5
 Part-time12.211.112.19.29.710.810.5
 Total102.0100.9106.7107.6106.5105.5111.0
MProfessional, scientific and technical activitiesFull-time94.3108.5104.4104.5110.6116.3119.3
 Part-time17.217.916.318.419.517.920.0
 Total111.5126.3120.7122.9130.1134.2139.3
NAdministrative and support service activitiesFull-time46.453.753.658.163.672.578.1
 Part-time25.723.222.227.627.127.332.3
 Total72.076.975.885.790.799.9110.4
OPublic administration and defence; compulsory social securityFull-time77.979.980.880.284.091.298.0
 Part-time8.18.610.011.49.712.312.8
 Total86.088.690.891.693.7103.5110.8
PEducationFull-time106.4112.2118.9119.6124.8132.8139.0
 Part-time35.434.133.133.033.034.240.4
 Total141.9146.2152.0152.5157.8167.0179.4
QHuman health and social work activitiesFull-time175.6174.1181.0185.8196.5205.1211.1
 Part-time84.384.883.982.479.972.275.6
 Total259.8258.9264.9268.3276.4277.3286.7
R-UOther NACE activities Full-time62.963.767.871.574.274.969.6
Part-time43.643.244.544.041.346.548.4
Total106.5106.9112.3115.4115.5121.4118.0
Not statedFull-time***[5.4]6.0[5.1][5.9]
 Part-time*******
 Total***[6.6]7.8[6.5][6.7]
Total Full-time1,422.21,486.81,555.01,604.41,694.11,766.31,828.9
Part-time469.8463.9459.4476.5464.2454.4473.0
   Total1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 7 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by occupational group (UK SOC2010) and full-time/part-time status
'000
Occupational group/Full and part-time status Q1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
1.Managers, directors and senior officialsFull-time147.0155.3157.8168.6179.2175.3170.1
Part-time13.913.513.712.011.813.813.0
Total160.9168.8171.5180.6191.0189.1183.1
2.ProfessionalFull-time338.0342.1340.3361.2375.8390.9414.6
Part-time56.954.154.150.853.752.060.9
Total394.8396.1394.4412.0429.5442.9475.6
3.Associate professional and technicalFull-time194.9204.9213.2224.0234.1230.1235.8
Part-time32.634.835.137.431.926.732.7
Total227.5239.7248.3261.3266.0256.8268.5
4.Administrative and secreterialFull-time136.7142.2143.0138.9149.2156.9164.8
Part-time53.256.556.461.958.259.763.6
Total189.9198.7199.4200.8207.4216.5228.5
5.Skilled tradesFull-time210.6231.0249.6253.2265.8284.9290.9
Part-time42.140.239.743.741.232.330.6
Total252.6271.2289.3297.0307.0317.2321.5
6.Caring, leisure and other servicesFull-time75.376.491.192.7106.9122.8124.4
Part-time64.965.568.768.966.967.767.4
Total140.3141.9159.8161.6173.8190.5191.8
7.Sales and customer serviceFull-time73.579.188.588.796.0101.7111.3
Part-time86.276.877.578.675.680.377.4
Total159.7155.9166.0167.3171.6182.0188.7
8.Process, plant and machine operativesFull-time124.0123.6129.2131.9139.2152.7165.4
Part-time25.022.820.226.322.016.615.5
Total148.9146.4149.4158.3161.2169.3180.9
9.ElementaryFull-time120.0128.9137.5136.2139.4139.9140.6
Part-time94.598.993.294.9101.1103.2110.3
Total214.5227.8230.7231.1240.5243.1250.9
Other/Not statedFull-time[2.1]3.44.98.98.611.310.9
Part-time****[1.7]**
Total2.74.15.610.810.313.312.3
Total Full-time1,422.21,486.81,555.01,604.41,694.11,766.31,828.9
Part-time469.8463.9459.4476.5464.2454.4473.0
   Total1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 8 Average usual hours worked per week for persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NACE Rev. 2 Economic Sector
Average usual hours worked per week
NACE Rev.2 Economic SectorQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
AAgriculture, forestry and fishing46.845.949.548.047.150.249.5
B-FTotal Industry38.338.538.938.839.140.040.1
B-EIndustry38.638.939.038.939.039.739.8
FConstruction37.237.238.638.639.240.840.6
G-UTotal Services33.834.334.234.534.434.734.8
GWholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles32.733.332.933.333.533.433.5
HTransportation and storage 38.438.538.639.738.239.939.2
IAccommodation and food service activities30.731.131.131.630.731.631.7
JInformation and communication38.939.639.639.839.239.739.7
K-LFinancial, insurance and real estate activities38.138.238.338.738.838.338.9
MProfessional, scientific and technical activities38.838.638.939.038.939.039.1
NAdministrative and support service activities32.333.733.233.434.034.234.5
OPublic administration and defence; compulsory social security37.237.837.537.437.337.237.1
PEducation28.829.929.729.629.630.730.7
QHuman health and social work activities32.332.833.233.233.533.433.8
R-UOther NACE activities 30.931.630.931.232.131.430.5
Not stated***[36.1][36.6][34.7][37.8]
Total35.035.535.735.835.836.436.4
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 9 Average usual hours worked per week for persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by occupational group (UK SOC2010)
Average usual hours worked per week
Occupational groupQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
1.Managers, directors and senior officials41.942.442.543.042.643.743.7
2.Professional35.836.236.136.536.336.837.0
3.Associate professional and technical37.837.937.737.638.138.038.1
4.Administrative and secreterial32.833.333.032.632.832.732.8
5.Skilled trades40.640.941.941.541.443.742.9
6.Caring, leisure and other services28.929.329.929.930.430.331.0
7.Sales and customer service27.829.029.229.429.629.430.1
8.Process, plant and machine operatives37.737.838.338.338.439.739.5
9.Elementary30.130.430.630.530.230.129.5
Other/Not stated[35.3]37.638.136.037.836.237.8
Total 35.035.535.735.835.836.436.4
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 10 Average usual hours worked per week for persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by employment status
Average usual hours worked per week
Employment statusQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
Self-employed (with paid employees)45.046.148.448.648.848.949.2
Self-employed (with no paid employees)41.541.742.741.842.943.843.2
Total self employed42.743.044.443.944.845.445.1
Employee34.134.634.534.734.735.135.2
Assisting relative29.126.928.626.326.016.514.8
Total35.035.535.735.835.836.436.4
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 11 Average usual hours worked per week for persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by full-time/part-time status
Average usual hours worked per week
Full and part-time statusQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
Full-time39.940.240.340.540.340.840.7
Part-time18.919.119.119.118.818.518.6
Total35.035.535.735.835.836.436.4
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 12 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by detailed duration of employment
'000
Detailed duration of employmentQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
Less than 3 months64.870.972.876.766.593.195.7
3-5 months81.984.393.296.794.6103.7119.1
6-11 months104.9122.4132.2147.2163.6149.2165.3
Total less than 1 year251.5277.6298.2320.6324.6345.9380.2
12-17 months90.099.3101.2120.6130.0129.6135.0
18-23 months56.664.562.077.188.289.987.6
24-47 months152.5147.2165.8173.2211.3228.5227.4
48 months and greater1,306.71,309.81,333.61,315.71,318.01,299.41,377.5
Total 1 year and over1,605.81,620.81,662.61,686.51,747.61,747.41,827.5
Not stated34.752.453.673.786.2127.494.2
Total1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 13 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by number of persons working in local place of employment
'000
Detailed local place of employmentQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
1 to 4 persons236.9227.0228.1218.0201.8234.0224.6
5 to 10 persons236.9232.2233.6238.1237.4242.7247.9
Not sure but less than 11 persons**[3.3]*5.631.730.7
Total less than 11 persons476.0461.9464.9458.7444.8508.3503.2
 
11 to 19 persons148.9142.1152.2162.6179.7184.5178.0
20-49 persons247.5250.0247.7256.3285.0263.2278.0
Total 11 to 49 persons396.4392.1399.9418.9464.7447.7456.0
 
Total less than 50 persons872.4854.0864.8877.6909.5956.0959.2
 
50-99 persons149.4159.2167.1172.6186.5:199.7
100 to 249 persons174.2175.3174.3169.7181.0:211.1
Total 50 to 249 persons323.6334.5341.4342.3367.5:410.8
 
250 to 500 persons113.4120.8126.8128.0131.9:152.5
Total 100 to 500 persons287.6296.0301.0297.7312.9:363.6
 
501 persons or more196.8199.7205.7239.5267.0:323.6
Total 50 persons or more633.8655.0673.8709.8766.3830.0887.0
 
Not stated167.9212.8248.0263.9261.1196.8229.3
Not applicable - Self-employed person with no employees217.8228.9227.8229.5221.4237.9226.5
Total1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
: Data not available for the period Q3 2017 to Q3 2018
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 14 Persons aged 15 years and over in full and part-time employment (ILO) classified by reasons for being in part-time employment
'000
Full-time employment/Reasons for part-time employmentQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
Full-time 1,422.21,486.81,555.01,604.41,694.11,766.31,828.9
Part-time469.8463.9459.4476.5464.2454.4473.0
of which:Person is undergoing school education or training67.063.866.772.784.297.2102.9
Of own illness or disability5.34.47.06.46.713.311.7
Looking after children or incapacitated adults61.167.372.777.079.288.388.6
Other personal or family reasons80.475.686.7108.5112.0120.0131.4
Person could not find a full-time job176.2179.6164.2146.1123.175.075.7
Of other reasons45.042.636.543.642.855.660.7
Not stated34.730.625.522.216.2[4.9]*
Total1,892.01,950.72,014.42,080.82,158.42,220.72,301.9
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 15 Employees aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NACE Rev. 2 Economic Sector and permanency of employment
'000
NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector/Permanency of employment Q1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
AAgriculture, forestry and fishingPermanent employees21.822.622.723.023.521.121.9
Temporary employees*******
Not stated*******
Total employees24.826.726.126.527.724.625.8
B-FTotal IndustryPermanent employees242.8250.5274.1288.8322.7326.0342.2
Temporary employees22.522.527.123.519.122.421.3
Not stated[3.8]4.7[4.2]6.3[3.6]**
Total employees269.2277.6305.3318.6345.3349.1364.9
B-EIndustryPermanent employees203.8204.8218.3227.9247.0244.6253.7
Temporary employees16.217.019.115.111.414.414.1
Not stated*******
Total employees221.6224.0238.9244.8259.1259.4268.7
FConstructionPermanent employees39.045.655.860.975.681.488.5
Temporary employees6.35.47.98.47.78.17.3
Not stated[2.2][2.6][2.7][4.4]***
Total employees47.653.666.473.886.289.796.2
G-UTotal ServicesPermanent employees1,124.41,159.61,206.71,253.91,316.41,337.61,409.6
Temporary employees132.9135.3126.5116.4116.4146.1152.4
Not stated13.115.714.615.715.2*8.0
Total employees1,270.31,310.61,347.71,385.91,448.01,487.71,570.0
GWholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcyclesPermanent employees215.8217.1220.7230.6243.5236.6244.7
Temporary employees26.124.027.323.119.824.126.6
Not stated*******
Total employees243.7243.3249.9255.9265.9261.9273.4
HTransportation and storage Permanent employees57.559.161.566.269.267.083.0
Temporary employees[3.9][3.9][4.2][3.7]*[4.9]*
Not stated*******
Total employees62.463.365.870.272.672.086.6
IAccommodation and food service activitiesPermanent employees93.7101.6106.1116.1125.5134.5129.5
Temporary employees18.122.720.318.120.124.528.8
Not stated*******
Total employees112.3124.9127.1134.8147.5159.5159.6
JInformation and communicationPermanent employees70.976.783.085.294.293.998.2
Temporary employees7.25.6[4.3][5.2]*[5.6][5.7]
Not stated*******
Total employees78.482.787.791.298.299.5104.8
K-LFinancial, insurance and real estate activitiesPermanent employees89.087.791.594.995.291.898.7
Temporary employees[4.5]5.7[5.0]*[4.6][4.8]*
Not stated*******
Total employees93.893.997.098.8100.096.6102.5
MProfessional, scientific and technical activitiesPermanent employees67.982.379.282.889.092.799.7
Temporary employees8.67.05.9[5.4]6.6[6.4][6.5]
Not stated*******
Total employees76.890.286.089.096.399.2106.3
NAdministrative and support service activitiesPermanent employees53.256.461.266.169.477.187.2
Temporary employees5.97.5[5.5][6.8]7.49.27.9
Not stated*******
Total employees60.765.267.474.878.986.396.0
OPublic administration and defence; compulsory social securityPermanent employees82.684.385.985.488.596.3103.5
  Temporary employees*[2.7][2.9][3.5][3.6][5.7][5.6]
Not stated*******
   Total employees84.787.689.589.992.4102.1109.3
PEducationPermanent employees111.2115.9126.3123.6130.2133.3144.8
   Temporary employees21.421.517.618.719.424.426.7
Not stated*******
Total employees133.9139.1145.2144.2150.8158.2172.2
QHuman health and social work activitiesPermanent employees217.3214.2224.6230.4239.7238.0249.2
Temporary employees21.923.119.417.916.820.121.5
Not stated[3.7]4.7[4.2][3.9][3.5]**
Total employees243.0242.0248.2252.2260.0259.1271.8
R-UOther NACE activities Permanent employees65.164.266.772.671.976.571.3
Temporary employees13.511.514.210.411.616.316.1
Not stated*[2.8][2.9]****
Total employees80.778.483.884.985.593.187.5
Not statedPermanent employees****[4.4][4.8][4.9]
Temporary employees*******
Not stated*******
Total employees***[6.2]6.6[6.1][6.1]
Total Permanent employees1,390.01,433.01,505.41,569.71,667.01,689.61,778.5
Temporary employees158.5161.1157.6143.6139.6172.4177.2
Not stated17.421.319.024.021.0[5.5]11.1
   Total employees1,565.91,615.51,682.01,737.31,827.61,867.51,966.8
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 16 Employees aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by occupational group (UK SOC2010) and permanency of employment
'000
Occupational group/Permanency of employment  Q1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
 
1.Managers, directors and senior officialsPermanent employees91.0100.2105.3113.4123.8112.8113.1
    Temporary employees*******
    Not stated*******
    Total employees94.0103.4108.0116.2127.0115.9115.3
2.ProfessionalPermanent employees310.7315.4320.2336.6350.2361.8395.6
    Temporary employees36.333.927.225.927.132.035.7
    Not stated*******
    Total employees347.6350.6348.6363.8378.0394.6432.7
3.Associate professional and technicalPermanent employees179.3188.5198.5210.9218.5207.6218.2
    Temporary employees12.811.811.410.610.813.514.2
    Not stated*******
    Total employees194.1202.6211.8224.1231.0221.6233.1
4.Administrative and secreterialPermanent employees169.1174.6177.8178.3188.4192.9204.5
    Temporary employees13.913.813.612.112.516.716.1
    Not stated*[2.7]*****
    Total employees184.6191.1193.7192.6202.0209.7221.2
5.Skilled tradesPermanent employees119.5133.2145.3155.1172.1175.6182.1
    Temporary employees10.412.813.710.19.99.610.7
    Not stated[3.1][3.3][2.8][3.8][4.3]**
    Total employees133.0149.2161.8169.0186.3185.3193.9
6.Caring, leisure and other servicesPermanent employees109.5108.9126.0125.2138.4153.7156.6
    Temporary employees16.716.216.517.717.923.219.4
    Not stated[3.4][4.0][3.8][4.1][3.5]**
    Total employees129.6129.1146.3147.0159.7177.2177.1
7.Sales and customer servicePermanent employees129.0126.7137.3140.0147.3152.4158.7
    Temporary employees23.121.823.119.517.723.323.7
    Not stated*******
    Total employees153.3149.9161.5160.6167.2176.9184.6
8.Process, plant and machine operativesPermanent employees110.9106.5109.9118.0129.1133.0148.2
    Temporary employees10.911.912.213.88.412.410.5
    Not stated*******
    Total employees124.1120.4123.4133.3138.4145.9159.1
9.ElementaryPermanent employees168.8176.6180.9185.3192.1190.0193.1
    Temporary employees31.635.736.830.331.837.243.2
    Not stated[2.8][3.4][3.8][4.9][4.9]**
   Total employees203.2215.6221.4220.5228.8228.0238.4
Other/Not statedPermanent employees[2.1]2.64.16.97.19.98.5
    Temporary employees*******
    Not stated*******
   Total employees2.43.75.410.29.312.311.5
Total Permanent employees1,390.01,433.01,505.41,569.71,667.01,689.61,778.5
    Temporary employees158.5161.1157.6143.6139.6172.4177.2
    Not stated17.421.319.024.021.0[5.5]11.1
    Total employees1,565.91,615.51,682.01,737.31,827.61,867.51,966.8
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 17 Employees aged 15 years and over in temporary employment (ILO) classified by type of temporary employment
'000
Type of temporary employmentQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
Casual work56.560.361.352.355.2::
Seasonal work9.99.910.28.69.0::
Lasted only until a particular task/tasks are completed18.020.624.517.314.7::
Lasted only for a specific duration67.568.460.262.958.5::
Not stated/No data available6.6****::
Total    158.5161.1157.6143.6139.6172.4177.2
Note: A break in continuity has occurred as a result of a filter change related to this question in Q2 2012 and data from Q2 2012 onwards is not directly comparable with previous quarters
: Data not available
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 18 Employees aged 15 years and over in temporary employment (ILO) classified by reason for being in temporary employment
'000
Reason for being in temporary employmentQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
It is a contract covering a period of training19.419.619.818.89.915.221.9
Person could not find a permanent job80.780.879.368.368.655.350.4
Person did not want a permanent job22.224.027.024.625.535.138.9
It is a contract for a probationary period[4.1]5.7[5.8]**15.015.5
Not stated32.031.125.727.932.651.850.6
Total158.5161.1157.6143.6139.6172.4177.2
Note: A break in continuity has occurred as a result of a filter change related to this question in Q2 2012 and data from Q2 2012 onwards is not directly comparable with previous quarters
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.
Table 19 Employees aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by supervisory duties
'000
Supervisory dutiesQ1 13Q1 14Q1 15Q1 16Q1 17Q1 18Q1 19
Person is a supervisor414.0428.6454.8483.3512.4553.0585.4
Person is not a supervisor1,137.71,166.81,210.21,232.51,296.91,300.31,370.1
Not stated14.120.117.021.518.314.311.3
Total1,565.91,615.51,682.01,737.31,827.61,867.51,966.8
Note: A new Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017 and, as a result, care should be taken when comparing data from before and after this period. Please see background notes of the LFS release for additional information.

Background Notes

Purpose of Survey

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) at the beginning of Q3 2017. The purpose of the survey is the production of quarterly labour force estimates and occasional reports on special social topics. The survey meets the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No. 577/98, adopted in March 1998, which requires the introduction of quarterly labour force surveys in EU member states.

Reference Period

Information is collected continuously throughout the year from households surveyed each week in each quarter. Up to and including the fourth quarter of 2008 the QNHS operated on a seasonal quarter basis since its establishment in Q4 1997. The LFS is undertaken on a calendar quarter basis which was first adopted in the QNHS in the first quarter of 2009.

The reference quarters for survey results are:

Q1 - January to March, Q2 - April to June, Q3 - July to September and Q4 - October to December

Data Collection

The LFS is conducted using mixed mode data collection with the introduction of Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI). As with the QNHS, information is collected from each sample household over 5 successive quarters or Waves. However, in the LFS, the first interview is conducted by a team of face-to-face interviewers using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI). The four follow-up interviews are conducted using CATI from a dedicated call centre, where householders have agreed to conduct a telephone interview, and are conducted using face-to-face interviews where householders have not agreed to conduct a telephone interview.

Sample Design

A new sample based on the 2011 Census of Population was selected for the LFS and this was introduced incrementally from Q1 2016. The sample is stratified using administrative county and the Pobal HP (Haase and Pratschke) Deprivation Index. A two-stage sample design is used. In the first stage 1,300 blocks are selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling. In the second stage households are selected using Simple Random Sampling (SRS). This ensures each household in the sample frame has an equal probability of selection.

To account for the additional attrition resulting from the introduction of mixed mode data collection, the LFS sample has been increased incrementally from Q3 2017. An additional 1,300 households have been included in Wave 1 for each quarter up to Q3 2018 and this has resulted in a total sample of 32,500 from Q3 2018 onwards. The actual achieved sample varies over time depending on the level of response.

The number of valid responding households for the LFS in Q1 2019 was 15,113.

Households are asked to take part in the survey for five consecutive quarters and are then replaced by other households in the same block. Thus, one fifth of the households in the survey are replaced each quarter and the QNHS/LFS sample involves an overlap of 80% between consecutive quarters and 20% between the same quarter in consecutive years. It is important to note that there is no overlap in sample between the QNHS and the LFS.

The survey results are weighted to agree with population estimates broken down by age, sex and region (the regions have changed from Q1 2018 – see below) and are also calibrated to nationality control totals. The LFS results also contain a non-response adjustment to make the results from the achieved sample representative of the target sample and the population. The population estimates for April of each year are published in a separate release.

New samples, both based on the 2011 Census of Population, were introduced incrementally for the QNHS in Q4 2012 and in Q3 2016. The former was stratified using administrative county and population density while the latter was stratified using administrative county and the Pobal HP (Haase and Pratschke) Deprivation Index. The quarterly sample in each case was 26,000 households. The actual achieved sample varied over time depending on the level of response.

Households with all persons aged 75 and over and classified as inactive

Households which contain only respondents who are aged 75 or over who are each classified as Inactive (Not in the Labour Force) are not re-interviewed. This is to reduce unnecessary burden and instead answers are copied forward from the last available interview.

Usual residence and de facto population concepts

Up to and including Q1 2006 the annual population estimates were calculated using the defacto definition of population (i.e. all persons present in the state). Since Q2 2006 a new concept of usual residence has been used, i.e. all persons usually resident and present in the state plus absent persons who are usually resident in Ireland but are temporarily away from home and outside the state.

ILO Labour Force Classification

The primary classification used for the LFS results is the ILO (International Labour Office) labour force classification. Labour Force Survey data on this basis have been published since 1988. The ILO classification distinguishes the following main subgroups of the population aged 15 or over:

In Employment: Persons who worked in the week before the survey for one hour or more for payment or profit, including work on the family farm or business and all persons who had a job but were not at work because of illness, holidays etc. in the week.

Unemployed: Persons who, in the week before the survey, were without work and available for work within the next two weeks, and had taken specific steps, in the preceding four weeks, to find work. It should be noted that as per Eurostat’s operational implementation, the upper age limit for classifying a person as unemployed is 74 years.

Inactive Population (not in labour force): All other persons.

The labour force comprises persons employed plus unemployed.

The data presented in this release are related to persons classified as being in employment only.

NACE Industrial Classification

The LFS sectoral employment figures are based on the EU NACE Rev. 2 (Nomenclature généraledes activités économiques dans les Communauté européenne) classification as defined in Council Regulation (EC) no 1893/2006. Fourteen NACE sub-categories are distinguished in Table 2 of this release. From Q1 2009 NACE Rev. 2 has been adopted as the primary classification of industrial sectors for use in QNHS/LFS outputs. The NACE Rev. 1.1 classification had been in use from Q4 1997 to Q4 2008.

To facilitate analysis and the running of seasonal adjustment on the time series, NACE Rev. 2 estimates have been produced from Q1 1998 onwards. As of Q2 2009 only NACE Rev. 2 estimates have been published.

Occupation Classification

As a result of changes to the European regulations governing the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (implemented in Ireland using the LFS (formerly the QNHS) the CSO has been obliged to report occupational coding data to Eurostat based on the new Europe wide classification ISCO-08 from Q1 2011 onwards. To allow this requirement to be met the CSO changed to using UK SOC2010 as the primary classification used in collecting the data. ISCO-08 is then derived from UK SOC2010.

The previously used classification for publication purposes in Ireland was UK SOC1990 and this cannot be directly compared to the new UK SOC2010 classification as all occupations have been reclassified accordingly. This newer classification reflects the evolution over a period of time of certain occupational areas which were developing rapidly, both in terms of their scale and the complexity of work organisation.  One particular example which highlighted this change was the reclassifying of farmers from the major occupation grouping of ‘Managers and administrators’ in SOC1990 to the major occupation grouping of ‘Skilled trades’ in SOC2010.

Results for occupations coded to the new SOC2010 classification have now been recoded for historical quarters back to Q1 2007 to provide a longer and consistent time series for users.

Further information regarding SOC 2010 is available here.

NUTS2 and NUTS3 Regions

The regional classifications in this release are based on the NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units) classification used by Eurostat. Until Q4 2017, the NUTS3 regions corresponded to the eight Regional Authorities established under the Local Government Act, 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order, 1993, which came into operation on 1 January 1994 while the NUTS2 regions, which were proposed by Government and agreed by Eurostat in 1999, were groupings of those historic NUTS3 regions.

However, the NUTS3 boundaries were amended on 21st of November 2016 under Regulation (EC) No. 2066/2016 and have come into force from Q1 2018. These new groupings are reflected in the LFS results from Q1 2018 onwards. The changes resulting from the amendment are that County Louth has moved from the Border to the Mid-East and what was formerly South Tipperary has moved from the South-East to the Mid-West, resulting in the new NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions:

Northern & Western Region    

Southern Region          

Eastern & Midland Region

Border

Cavan

Mid-West

Clare

Dublin

Dublin City

 

Donegal

 

Limerick City and

 

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

 

Leitrim

 

County

 

Fingal

 

Monaghan

 

Tipperary

 

South Dublin

 

Sligo

       
   

South-East

Carlow

Mid-East

Kildare

West

Galway City

 

Kilkenny

 

Meath

 

Galway County

 

Waterford City and

 

Wicklow

 

Mayo

 

County

 

Louth

 

Roscommon

 

Wexford

   
       

Midland

Laois

   

South-West

Cork City

 

Longford

     

Cork County

 

Offaly

     

Kerry

 

Westmeath

Non-response adjustment    

Non-response occurs when households that are sampled, and that are eligible for the survey, do not provide the requested information. This can lead to biased survey estimates if specific groups within the population are over-or under-represented and if these groups behave differently with respect to the survey variables (i.e. labour market outcomes). To correct for this, the CSO has introduced a non-response adjustment into the weighting procedure for the LFS.

The adjustment involves estimating response rates or propensities to respond as functions of characteristics available for responding and non-responding households, as well as characteristics of the areas where the households are located. Basically, the design weights must be inflated by the inverse of the response propensities to compensate for the loss of units in the sample.

Linking the LFS sample with the Census of Population at household level provides a set of auxiliary variables which are available for both responding and non-responding LFS households. These include a mix of personal characteristics as well as characteristics of the dwelling and location (e.g. gender, age, marital status, education, personal employment status, dwelling type, area etc.). This allows the CSO to compare responding and non-responding households with respect to the characteristics available from the Census. This auxiliary information allows the use of “response propensities” to model non-response and adjust the grossing factors to compensate for non-response.

The response propensities are calculated using a logistic regression model where the dependent variable (Y) is an indicator variable corresponding to response (if the household responded then Y=1 and if the household did not respond then Y=0) and the independent variables are the set of auxiliary variables available from the Census. The estimated response propensities are then used to form adjustment cells or strata which are made up of respondents and non-respondents with similar estimated response propensities. Respondents within each cell/stratum are then weighted by the inverse of the observed response rate in that cell. This non-response adjusted weight is then used to inflate the original survey design weight to account for non-response. This approach is referred to as response propensity classification.

Back-casting methodology  

The introduction of the LFS in Q3 2017 constituted a break in series for the labour market estimates published by the CSO. To mitigate the effect of the introduction of the LFS on the coherence of the historic data series, a back-casting exercise was carried out to link the QNHS and the LFS. The result of this is that the published QNHS series from Q1 1998 to Q2 2017 has been revised.

As part of the roll-out of the LFS, a parallel run of the two surveys was carried out. This allowed the estimation of the effect of the introduction of the new survey on the various labour market estimates. Quarter 1 of 2017 was used as the reference period to calculate scaling factors which were used to link the results from the two surveys. Labour market estimates were calculated from both surveys for a range of cohorts (age, sex, ILO status etc.) and the ratio of the two estimates provided a scaling factor which was applied to the historic QNHS series to create a back-cast series.

In Q3 2017, separate scaling factors were calculated for ILO status by age and sex together with the 14 economic sector categories by sex:

  • ILO status (Employed, Unemployed, Inactive) by sex (Male and Female) and by age (15-24 years and 25+ years)
  • NACE Rev. 2 groups by sex (Male and Female)

In Q1 2018, additional scaling factors were calculated for the eight NUTS3 regions by Labour Force ILO status, occupation categories and highest level of education completed (supplementary table 8 of this release) by sex:

  • NUTS3 Regions (pre-Q1 2018 groupings) by Labour Force ILO status (Employed and Unemployed)
  • Occupation groups (table 4 of this release)
  • Highest level of education completed supplementary table 8 of this release) by sex (Male and Female)

Therefore, adjustments have been made to this historic data to enable comparability with the new LFS for these indicators. However, because of changes to the questionnaire, the interview mode, the introduction of a new sample, data processing changes and other methodological enhancements there are changes in the levels of some series from Q3 2017 onwards. Consequently, the series before and after the introduction of the new survey may not be directly comparable and users should therefore note this when examining annual and quarterly changes.       

Please refer to the following information notes for further details:

Labour Force Survey, Information Notice, Quarter 3 2017

Labour Force Survey, Information Notice, Quarter 1 2018

Labour Force Survey, Information Notice, Quarter 2 2018

Reliability of Estimates Presented

Estimates for number of persons where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are too small to be considered reliable. These estimates are presented with an asterisk (*) in the relevant tables.

Where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution. These cells are presented with parentheses [ ].

In the case of rates, these limits apply to the denominator used in generating the rate. In the case of annual changes, both the current year and the preceding year are taken into account when deciding whether the estimate should be suppressed or flagged as having a wider margin of error.

Calculation of Rates and Estimates of Change

Rates and estimates of change presented in this release are calculated from whole unrounded  numbers. Due to rounding, these may differ from the rates and estimates of change calculated from the rounded volumes presented in the tables.

Main LFS release and data series

The quarterly LFS release can be accessed through the CSO website and is available, along with other additional series here.

Labour market data can also be accessed from Statbank, the CSO’s main data dissemination service which can be accessed through the CSO website here.

Implications of Census 2016 Final Results

The LFS results are weighted using population estimates which are updated every quarter. Every 5 years the Census of Population results are used to revise these population estimates, and consequently QNHS/LFS results are revised.

The population concept of usual residence is used for the LFS, i.e. all persons usually resident and present in the State plus absent persons who are usually resident in Ireland but are temporarily away from home and outside the State.

The final Census count was published on April 6, 2017. The total for this usually resident population concept which was enumerated on Census Night, April 24, 2016, was 4,739,597 persons, while the existing estimate for the usually resident population for April 2016 is 4,673,700 as detailed in the 2016 Population and Migration Estimates release. There is a difference, therefore, of just over 65,900 or 1.4% between the two figures.

The CSO has revised the population estimates for 2011 to 2016 based on this final Census count. Estimates of persons employed and unemployed have been revised in line with the higher population totals.

Participating Households

The Central Statistics Office wishes to thank the participating households for their co-operation in agreeing to take part in the survey and for facilitating the collection of the relevant data.

 

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Statistics in this publication are based on population estimates which have not been updated following Census 2022. See LFS Background Notes.

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