Claimant rate: highest and lowest councils in Northern Ireland (August 2026)
Derry City and Strabane had the highest claimant rate of Northern Ireland’s 11 councils in August 2026, at 4.1%.
Lisburn and Castlereagh had the lowest, at 2.0%. The middle council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, had 2.6%.
See it on the map| Rank | Council | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derry City and Strabane | 4.1% |
| 2 | Belfast | 3.9% |
| 3 | Causeway Coast and Glens | 2.9% |
| 4 | Mid and East Antrim | 2.7% |
| =5 | Ards and North Down | 2.6% |
| =5 | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon | 2.6% |
| =5 | Newry, Mourne and Down | 2.6% |
| 8 | Fermanagh and Omagh | 2.3% |
| =9 | Antrim and Newtownabbey | 2.2% |
| =9 | Mid Ulster | 2.2% |
| 11 | Lisburn and Castlereagh | 2.0% |