Employment in Derry City and Strabane reached 61,240 payrolled employees in January 2026, a record high compared to 60,610 the previous January, marking 1.5% growth.

Derry's Governance and Strategic Planning Committee reviewed an updated University Economic Policy Centre forecast in March. The forecast projects 5,250 to 7,390 new jobs over the next decade, based on the centre's January outlook.

The resident employment rate in Derry and Strabane will rise by 5.4 percentage points from 2024 to 2034. Economic inactivity will decline as more residents join the workforce, tightening labour market conditions.

The health and social work sector expects the largest gains, with 860 to 1,090 additional jobs due to demographic pressures and demand for services. Professional and scientific roles will add 760 to 1,000 jobs, information and communications 770 to 940, and construction 570 to 90.

Growth starts modestly at 0.5% in 2026 before strengthening longer term. Payrolled employees totalled about 50,000 in 2015.

Sinn Féin representative Sandra Duffy called the forecast a positive development for the region. She noted ongoing employment increases alongside initiatives like the City Deal, Inclusive Growth fund, Magee expansion, and regional balance efforts.