Northern Ireland Labour Market
Unemployment rate higher for Catholics than Protestants
Unemployment rate: by religion and sex, 2002/03, Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, unemployment rates among Catholics were higher than those among Protestants for both men and women in 2002/03.
The unemployment rate for Catholic men was 9 per cent compared with 5 per cent for Protestant men. Among women, the unemployment rates were 6 per cent for Catholics compared with 3 per cent for Protestants.
This difference is evident for both men and women, and among all age groups, except for men aged under 25. Within this group, unemployment rates for the two communities were very similar.
A higher proportion of Catholic than Protestant working age men and women were economically inactive, that is not available for work and/or not actively seeking work. Reasons for economic inactivity include being a student, being disabled or looking after the family and home.
Overall in 2002/03, 24 per cent of Catholic men were economically inactive compared with 18 per cent of Protestant men. This pattern was the same across most age groups.
Economic inactivity rates were higher for women than men, and there was a greater difference between the two religions among women than among men: 42 per cent of Catholic women were inactive compared with 31 per cent of Protestant women. This pattern occurred across all age groups.
Among men a higher proportion of Catholics than Protestants worked in the construction industry, 25 per cent compared with 15 per cent. There was little variation between Catholic and Protestant women in the industries in which they worked.
For most age groups there was little difference between Catholics and Protestants in educational achievement in 2002/03. However, Catholics aged 50 and over were more likely than Protestants of the same age to have no qualifications (49 per cent compared with 40 per cent).
In 2002/03, around one in ten of both Protestants and Catholics held a degree. Among both groups a quarter had GCE 'A' levels as their highest qualification while a quarter had no qualifications.
Source: Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics
Notes: The period 2002/03 refers to the year beginning 1st March 2002 and ending 28th February 2003.
Respondents to the Labour Force Survey were asked: 'What is your religious denomination?'
Unemployment rates are expressed as a percentage of the economically active population.
Analysis excludes those with No Religion and those belonging to Other religions.
Qualification questions are asked to people in employment aged 16 and over, and to all other people of working age (males 16-64 and females 16-59).
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