The Northern Ireland Family Resources Survey, 2013/14 is released

A report entitled “Family Resources Survey, Northern Ireland, 2013/14” containing statistics for the period April 2013 to the end of March 2014 was published by the Department for Social Development today.

Key facts include:

Income and State Support

• Income from employment (wages, salaries and income from self-employment) made up 69% of total household income in Northern Ireland in 2013/14, compared to the United Kingdom average of 72%. Income from benefits and tax credits, and income from private pensions made up 21% and 7% respectively with the remainder coming from a variety of other sources. These proportions have been fairly stable over the last ten years
• In 2013/14, just under two-thirds (63%) of all families were in receipt of at least one form of state support or tax credits, this was a similar level to the previous two years. In total 22% of families received State Pension and 25% received Child Benefit

Tenure

• The percentage of households owned outright has increased from 31% in 2003/04 to 37% in 2013/14. In contrast, the percentage buying with a mortgage declined by 12 percentage points between 2003/04 and 2013/14 (41% to 29%)
• In 2003/04 the percentage of households in the social rented sector (17%) was almost twice the percentage in the private rented sector (10%). However by 2013/14 the percentage of households in the social rented sector had fallen by 3 percentage points to 14%, whereas the percentage of households in the private rented sector had increased by 11 percentage points to 21%
• The percentage of households headed by someone aged 25-34 years that are in the privately rented sector has increased from 16% in 2003/04 to 47% in 2013/14. Over the same period, the percentage buying with a mortgage in this age category has decreased from 66% to 35%
• In 2013/14 median weekly household rent in Northern Ireland was higher for private sector rents (£92) than for social sector rents (£69). Comparing the regions of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland had the joint lowest ratio between median weekly private sector rents and social sector rents (1.3; equal to the North East, East and West Midlands and Wales) and the highest was observed in Inner-London (2.5). This compares to the United Kingdom figure of 1.5

Savings and Investments

• In 2013/14, 93% of households in Northern Ireland had a direct payment account including Post Office Card Accounts compared to a United Kingdom overall figure of 97%. The highest proportion of those with no direct payment account included single males without children, those who are ‘workless, other inactive’ and those aged 16-24
• In 2013/14, 59% of families had no savings. Those least likely to have savings included single adults with children, ‘workless, other inactive’, and households with lower incomes

Carers and Disability

• In 2013/14, 8% of working age adults, 8% of State Pension age adults, and 2% of children were carers. These figures have remained relatively stable over the last 10 years
• There were large differences in the main sources of household income reported by individuals receiving care and the overall population; wages and salaries were the main source of income for 25% of individuals receiving care compared with 61% of the population. Similarly Retirement Pension plus any Income Support/Pension Credits was the main source of income for 34% of individuals receiving care compared to 10% of the population
• In 2013/14 disability prevalence was approximately 19% (0.3 million) of the Northern Ireland population. This level has been relatively constant over the last 10 years and is the same as the United Kingdom level
• There were large differences in the main source of household income for those individuals with a disability compared to the overall population; wages and salaries were the main source of income for 32% of individuals with a disability compared to 61% of the population. Similarly Retirement Pension plus any Income Support/Pension Credit and benefits (disability and social security) were the main source of income for 29% and 25% of individuals with a disability respectively compared to just 10% and 13% of the overall population respectively

Occupation and Employment

• In Northern Ireland, the employment status of adults has remained relatively stable over time. In 2013/14, just over a half of all adults (51%) were employees, including those in full and part-time work, while 8% of adults were self-employed. This compares to 50% and 9% of adults in 2003/04
• In 2013/14, 28% of adults contributed to a pension. Employees have the highest pension participation rate (50%), followed by self employed (26%) and the inactive (1%). Overall participation rates in employer-sponsored pension schemes were similar for males and females (24% and 25% respectively). However, participation in individual personal pension schemes is lower for females (2%) than for males (6%). Differences in personal pension participation rates between males and females will be affected by differences in economic status

Notes to editors: 

1. This survey collects detailed data on income levels, resources and financial circumstances of individuals and households for the period from April 2013 to the end of March 2014. The FRS has been carried out in Great Britain since 1992, but 2002/03 saw the introduction of Northern Ireland for the first time
2. Households interviewed in the survey are asked a wide range of questions about their circumstances. Although some of the information collected is available elsewhere, the FRS provides new or much more detailed information in a number of areas and brings some topics together on one survey
3. Although the FRS is specifically of interest to DSD, other government departments and outside researchers will benefit from the availability of such a data source. The database can be accessed through the UK Data Archive 
4. Reports for the UK are available on the DWP website and for Northern Ireland on our Family Resources Survey report 2013 - 2014 page
5. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Social Development Press Office on 028 9082 9496 or email press.office@dsdni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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