Northern Ireland’s Low-Paid Employment Reaches Record Low, Remains UK’s Highest Proportion

The proportion of low-paid jobs in Northern Ireland has fallen to a record low of 4.7%, yet this figure represents the highest percentage among the 12 regions of the United Kingdom. Low pay is defined as earning two-thirds of the UK average hourly earnings, which was £11.39 per hour in 2024. This development occurs as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced forthcoming increases to minimum wages, with the National Living Wage slated to rise to £12.21 an hour. More than one million low-paid workers are anticipated to benefit when these rates are implemented in April 2025. According to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), typical weekly earnings in Northern Ireland increased by £8 over the year, reaching £666 in April 2024. This constitutes a 1.2% increase for the year ending April 2024, after adjusting for inflation. This follows a two-year period during which real earnings decreased, as inflation (the rate at which prices were rising) outpaced earnings growth. Northern Ireland experienced the joint lowest annual rise in weekly earnings among the 12 UK regions and is now ranked as the third lowest-earning region. London recorded the highest earnings at £906, while the North East had the lowest at £651. Typical annual earnings for full-time employees in Northern Ireland were £34,400 in 2024, which is £3,000 less than the UK average of £37,400. However, earnings vary depending on the sector of employment; public sector earnings, when adjusted for inflation, decreased by 2.8% over the year, in contrast to a 3.5% increase observed in the private sector. It should be noted that public sector pay awards have since been implemented and are therefore not included in this data. The levels of growth are influenced by the specific industry and geographical location within Northern Ireland. In 2024, the ‘information and communications’ sector was the highest-paid industry, with current weekly earnings of £818, marking a £37 (4.8%) increase from 2023. Conversely, the ‘accommodation and food service’ industry was the lowest paid, with average weekly earnings now at £511, an increase of £59 (13%) over the year. Employees working in Belfast reported the highest weekly earnings (£718), while those in Causeway Coast and Glens had the lowest (£559).