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Northern Ireland unemployment rate hits record low
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Northern Ireland unemployment rate hits record low

NORTHERN IRELAND has recorded its lowest unemployment levels ever.

With a rate of 3.1% in the first quarter of 2018, Northern Ireland has a lower rate than the UK (4.2%) for the third consecutive quarter.

The latest figures are according to the Labour Force Survey, a quarterly survey carried out by interviewing people about their personal circumstances and work.

The results for this quarter, published today, show that the unemployment rate decreased by 0.8 %from the previous quarter and 2.1 % over the year.

In the aftermath of the 2008 recession, the unemployment rate in Northern Ireland peaked at 8.2%.

The figures also showed that 51% of those unemployed in Northern Ireland in the last quarter were long-term unemployed.

Also, the economic inactivity rate of 28% decreased over the quarter, which is more than the UK rate of 21%.