Half adults in Londonderry economically active

Forty thousand people over the age of 16 were registered as either unemployed, looking after the family/home, retired, sick or disabled or in full-time education in 2008.

The total number of people in this situation rose from 33,000 in 2006, to 34,000 in 2007 and up to 40,000 in 2008.

Figures for Limavady and Strabane were equally high. In the Roe Valley the total rose from 12,000 in 2006 and 2007 to 14,000 in 2008.

In Strabane the figure declined over the three years from 14,000 in 2006 to 12,000 in 2008.

Belfast posted the highest number of economically inactive people with 95,000 in 2006, 96,000 in 2007 and 91,000 in 2008.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Arlene Foster stated: "Estimates of economic inactivity at district council level are sourced to the Labour Force Survey (LFS) local area database and the latest figures currently available relate to 2008."

She warned: "The LFS is a sample survey and estimates from it have an associated degree of sampling error. In particular, estimates at district council level are based on relatively small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability.

She stated that any conclusions drawn from the estimates should be treated with caution.