Labour Market Survey Highlights 2026

Overall employment decreased by 25,000 in January 2026 with the unemployment rate falling by 30 basis points to 6.5% as fewer people searched for work.
A decrease in part-time employment was partially offset by an increase in full-time work. Compared to one-year-ago, overall employment was up by 134,000, which has been primarily driven by gains in full-time work.
The number of private sector employees fell by 52,000 in January, a reversal from the net increase of 128,000 in the last three months of 2025. There was little change in the number of public sector employees and self-employed workers.
The number of people working in manufacturing fell by 28,000 in January, bringing employment down to levels not witnessed since August 2025. The largest gain in employment was within the information, culture and recreation sector.

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