The evolution of Catholic/Protestant unemployment inequality in Northern Ireland, 1983–2016. Issue 4 (16th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rowland, Neil; McVicar, Duncan; Shuttleworth, Ian
• Is Part Of: Population space and place. Volume 28:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-11-16
• Subjects: labour market inequality -- Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition -- religion -- unemployment; Population geography -- Periodicals; Population -- Periodicals; 304.6
• DOI: 10.1002/psp.2525
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1544-8444

Abstract

Abstract: Ethnic and religious differentials in labour market outcomes within many countries have been remarkably persistent. Yet one very well‐known differential—the Catholic/Protestant unemployment differential in Northern Ireland—has largely (although not completely) disappeared. This paper charts its decline since the early 1980s and examines potential explanations using Census data from 1991, 2001 and 2011 together with annual survey data. These data span the ending of The Troubles, the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, the introduction of fair employment legislation, growth in hidden unemployment and major structural changes in Northern Ireland. We assess the potential impact of these changes.