Northern Ireland production index: manufacturing
Northern Ireland production index: manufacturing stood at 112.7 in Q2 2026, according to Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). It is one of the indicators in the Output indices, Northern Ireland and Wales table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 2005 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Output indices, Northern Ireland and Wales table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index of Production (2023 = 100) | |||||||||||
| Manufacturing | 112.7 | 109.5 | 107.4 | 103.9 | 103.4 | 99.9 | 103.3 | 101 | 99.4 | 97.8 | |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 103 | 100.7 | 96.6 | 96.5 | 96.4 | 95.1 | 98.8 | 95.2 | 96.6 | 100.1 |
Understanding northern Ireland production index: manufacturing
Manufacturing output across Northern Ireland tracks the volume of physical goods created within factories, assembly plants, and processing units. This series isolates factories that transform raw materials or components into finished merchandise, excluding utility extraction, waste handling, and primary mining. It captures value-added production movements adjusted for inflation rather than raw financial turnover, making it a distinct barometer of industrial health compared to the broader service sectors.
Interpreting this series requires accounting for regular quarterly volatility caused by factory shutdowns, seasonal maintenance windows, and supply chain adjustments. Early estimates undergo routine revisions as late survey responses arrive from industrial firms across Northern Ireland. Analysts should focus on multi-quarter patterns rather than single-period shifts, and avoid comparing these volume indices directly with nominal trade values or regional gross value added figures that include different tax and subsidy treatments.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of industrial activity are excluded from this manufacturing measure?
- Activities such as electricity generation, water distribution, waste management, and raw mineral extraction are excluded because they belong to separate industrial classification tiers.
- Does this index account for price inflation on factory goods?
- Yes, the series measures physical output volumes adjusted for price changes to reflect genuine shifts in manufacturing activity.
- How frequently are the underlying factory weights updated?
- Weights and seasonal adjustment factors are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect structural changes in the regional industrial base.