NI unemployment falls by 14,100

Unemployment in Northern Ireland last month was down by more than 14,000 compared to the same time last year, according to British government statistics. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment total last month was 60,200 people, representing 7.8 per cent of the workforce. This was a decrease of 14,100 compared to the period in 1996. The number of men unemployed was 47,000 and of women 13,200. The area with the highest unemployment was Strabane, Co Tyrone, where just over 17 per cent of the male workforce were unemployed last month. Derry had the second-highest proportion with 16.5 per cent of the male workforce unemployed and 4.8 per cent of the female workforce out of work. In Belfast 9.1 per cent of males and 3.1 per cent of women were unemployed.