Earnings and Employees Study 2011 - Northern Ireland
The Earnings and Employees Study 2011 links together variables from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2011 with variables from the Census of Population and Housing 2011, and Capital Value data from the Land and Property Services.
The ASHE 2011 sample comprises approximately 1% of all employees in Northern Ireland who were covered by Pay As You Earn schemes. The Earnings and Employees Study 2011 contains 5,770 distinct ASHE records which have been linked to census records.
The dataset takes the form of one pre-linked table. It was developed by Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
Future plans
The Earnings and Employees Study (EES) 2011 is already enabling researchers in government and academia to explore how factors such as pay disparities between sectors, factors influencing pay, and geographic differences. However, to enhance research opportunities, NISRA are working towards creation of a new dataset linkage for EES 2021. This will link together variables from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2014-2023 with variables from the Census of Population and Housing 2021, and Capital Value data from the Land and Property Services.
Alongside the improved longitudinal aspect, NISRA have taken researcher feedback from EES 2011 Data Insights into consideration. They are working with data owners from NI’s Census Office and Department for Economy to ensure the EES 2021 will be a valuable research resource and open up a wider research scope.
The development of an Earnings and Employees Study 2021 is underway and is to be released in summer 2026.
Component datasets and linkage
The Earnings and Employees Study 2011 includes data from the 2011 Northern Ireland Census of Population and Households and data from the Northern Ireland ASHE 2011. The linkage process was conducted by the Trusted Third Party team located within the Census Office in NISRA. The ASHE records were linked to census records using a ‘rules based’ or deterministic approach involving match-keys. A series of match-keys were developed; the strongest level of linking is exact linking, which links pairs of records that are identical on all linking fields. The match-keys were processed in a stepwise manner starting with the most exact match-key and working down to the last match-key. In addition, work was carried out to link the remaining unmatched ASHE individuals to census individuals with similar characteristics. NISRA intends to develop an Earnings and Employees Study 2021 linking variables from the 2021 Census of Population and Housing with ASHE 2021 data.
| Timeframe | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Update Frequency | 10 years |
| Population | Approximately 1% of all employees in Northern Ireland who were covered by Pay As You Earn (PAYE) schemes. |
| Coverage | Northern Ireland |
| Size | 5,770 records |
Examples of research questions
- What factors influence variations in median pay?
- What are the disparities in pay between public sector and private sector jobs?
- How does geography and location affect pay?
Core documentation
Other supporting resources
| Resource | Description |
| Synthetic data | Available for this dataset on request. Please contact rsu@nisra.gov.uk. |
| Information session | Slides from the Earnings and Employees Study 2011 information session. |
| Trusted Third Party Linkage Report | Detail on the matching process. |
| Data Explained | Using the EES 2011 to estimate Catholic-Protestant wage differentials in Northern Ireland as of 2011. |
| Data Explained | Using the EES 2011 to assess the degree to which providing unpaid care in Northern Ireland negatively impacts on employment and earnings. |
Research highlights
- Data Insight: Estimating Catholic-Protestant wage differentials in Northern Ireland as of 2011.
- Data Insight: Assessing the degree to which providing unpaid care in Northern Ireland negatively impacts on employment and earnings.
Accessing the data
1. Apply to become an accredited researcher under the Digital Economy Act 2017
- Apply for researcher accreditation through the People & Projects Service: How to access: Apply for researcher accreditation.
2. Apply to access the Earnings and Employees Study 2011
- Submit a completed themed dataset initial research proposal form to rsu@nisra.gov.uk.
- Submit an application to the Project Accreditation Service for SRS: Apply for an accredited research project.
Please note that the NISRA RSU will support you through the full application process and submit the application to the Research Accreditation Panel on your behalf.
3. Access the data securely via the NISRA Secure Environment or the ONS Secure Research Service
- NISRA Secure Environment in Colby House – complete a RSU Secure Environment Researcher Booking Request Form and submit it to rsu@nisra.gov.uk.
- Safe Rooms – based in the ONS offices in Titchfield and Newport, open Monday-Friday, 9.00-16.00
- SafePod Network – a small, self-contained secure room with a single workstation
- Assured Organisational Connectivity – the ability to access the ONS Secure Research Service from your office. Check what arrangements your institution already has or can put in place.
Further information on how to apply for approval is available on the NISRA Research Support Unit page or by contacting rsu@nisra.gov.uk.
Policy research priorities
There are a number of potential Earnings and Employees Study research themes of relevance to policy development and monitoring in Northern Ireland. These include, but are not limited to:
- factors influencing variation in median pay
- graduates and the workplace
- disparity in pay and migration
- public versus private jobs
- geography and pay.
Find out more
More information is available from the Earnings and Employees Study 2011 webpage on the NISRA website.
