THE number of people claiming jobless benefits fell by 400 in September - the sixth consecutive month of decline.
It means there are 29,800 fewer people in Northern Ireland's dole queues that the most recent peak in February 2013.
Meanwhile, the north's unemployment rate fell to 5.5 per cent in the three months to August (against 6 per cent for the same period in 2015).
And the proportion of people aged 16 to 64 in work (the employment rate) over the quarter has reached 70.1 per cent - the highest rate since the series began in 1995.
Economy minister Simon Hamilton said the figures represented "good news for our economy".
"Our unemployment rate is now the lowest it has been since September - November 2008," he said.
"In addition, the figures in relation to the number of claimants in receipt of unemployment related benefits for September 2016 stand at 34,900. This is another positive decrease of 400 over the month and a fall of 5,800 over the year.
"I also welcome the increase in the employment rate to 70.1 per cent, up over the year by 2.2 percentage points to June - August 2016. This was the highest employment rate since the series began in 1995. We have also witnessed the lowest economic inactivity rate in these latest statistics since the series began, at a rate of 25.7 per cent and down 1.9 percentage points over the year.
"Bringing more and better jobs to Northern Ireland is my main priority. I have just returned from a series of meetings with existing and potential investors in Chicago where my very clear message is Northern Ireland is a great place to do business.
"With our local economy continuing to strengthen and perform well, I am committed to building on this progress to achieve the overall aim of creating a globally competitive economy.”
