Ulster University Economic Policy Centre report warns of persistent regional economic gaps in Northern Ireland and calls for bold, place-based policies to deliver better balance

A major new report released today (15 May) by the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (EPC) has revealed that regional inequalities across Northern Ireland remain stubbornly persistent despite some progress.  

The report, titled Delivering Balanced Regional Economic Growth in Northern Ireland, warns that, without a decisive shift toward long-term, locally led investment strategies, economic disparity will continue to undermine the region’s broader prosperity and social cohesion. 

The report, which examines historical and current policy responses to regional imbalance, offers a sweeping analysis of the economic performance of all 11 council areas in Northern Ireland. It finds that while headline gaps in employment and skills indicators have improved in recent years, core disparities in productivity, wages, and job quality endure. 

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Dr Eoin Magennis, Principal Economist at Ulster University Economic Policy Centre and lead author of the report said:  

“While we’ve seen pockets of progress, the economic gap between different parts of Northern Ireland is wide – and in some cases, widening. One-size-fits-all solutions haven’t worked. Place-based policy – designed with and for local communities – is the way forward.” 

Key findings include:  

• Belfast remains the leading region in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) per capita and business births, but many of its economic gains are shared with commuter belt areas.  

• Productivity gaps persist, with Belfast and Mid Ulster outperforming, while areas such as Derry City & Strabane and North Down & Ards lag behind.  

• Employment rates have improved across all council areas, particularly in Mid Ulster and Newry, Mourne & Down, but economic inactivity remains high in some areas.  

• Skills and industry mix continue to drive local employment trends, emphasising the need for targeted support in lagging regions.  

• Real wage growth has been uneven with a risk of renewed divergence in income across Northern Ireland.  

The data shows that while employment gaps between council areas have narrowed, disparities in productivity and workplace earnings have persisted or worsened. The report also highlights a mismatch between job opportunities and local skill levels in some regions. 

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The report concludes with six policy priorities to foster balanced regional growth:  

1. Investment in regional infrastructure and connectivity, particularly in underdeveloped and rural areas.  

2. Expansion of education, skills, and innovation hubs outside major cities.  

3. Creation of place-based business development clusters, tailored to each region’s strengths.  

4. Empowerment of local governance structures with adequate resources to drive economic development supported by coherent central policies.  

5. Cross-border cooperation to leverage opportunities with the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the UK.  

6. Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and adaptability to ensure accountability and continuous improvement based on clear regional performance metrics.  

The report evaluates policy developments including the Department for the Economy’s Sub-Regional Economic Plan and the establishment of Local Economic Partnerships (LEPs), concluding that decentralisation efforts must be matched with adequate funding, capacity-building and robust monitoring.  

The analysis highlights the pivot toward bottom-up regional strategies in many parts of Europe, and the authors argue that NI must not fall behind. 

Dr Magennis concluded:  

“Good regional policy is smart economics. Unlocking the potential of all our places is not just possible, it’s essential. To both efficiency and growth.” 

The full report is available to download at ulster.ac.uk/epc 

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