Economy Overview:
Northern Ireland, much like the rest of the world, has suffered in the 2008/2009 recessionary times. House prices have dropped more than 50% in some areas and the number of people claiming unemployment benefits is increasing quarter on quarter. Northern Ireland is the smallest economy of the UK nations but it has a GDP per capital greater than Wales and Northeast England.
Population - 1,759,100 (est in June 2007)
Land Area - 14,120 square kilometres
Gross Value Added - £26,429 million (2004)
GVA composition by sector – Agriculture 2.7%, Manufacturing 16.1%, Construction 7.7%, Civil Service 11.1% and Other services 63.4%
Average median earnings - £21,003 in 2007 (lowest in UK)
Labour force - 744,000 (Aug 2009)
Labour force by occupation - Agriculture 2.7%, industry 12.2%, services 54.7, Civil Service 30.4% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate - 6.7% (August 2009)
Agriculture products - Potatoes, barley, wheat (in order)
Industries - Machinery and equipment making, food processing, textiles and electronics
Currency - British Pounds Sterling (£stg)
Currency code - GBP
Exchange rates - British pounds sterling per US dollar 1 January – 1.45 (2009), 2.00 (2008), 1.96 (2007), 1.72 (2006), 1.92 (2005)
