ONE fifth of Belfast’s workforce is now employed in the digital tech sector, new data from the UK Government suggests.
The research by Tech Nation, a part-government funded body, found that 60,041 people across the Belfast area are now employed within the digital industry.
A total of 16,853 jobs linked to the sector were advertised last year, according to the Bright Tech Future Jobs and Skills report.
The study found that the industry attracts an average salary of around £40,000 a year, well above the £34,000 average for all sectors combined.
In all, Tech Nations said digital businesses generated a combined turnover of £875 million during 2017, equal to £98,000 per employee.
The body will today bring its Bright Tech Futures tour to the Ormeau Baths in Belfast in association with the Department of Digital, Media, Culture and Sport’s Digital Economy Council.
Tech Nation says that for developers, in particular, its report shows that Belfast is the best place to live in the whole of the UK when living cost information is compared to salaries.
“Belfast has established itself as a leading tech hub in the UK, employing over 60,000 people in well-paid, highly skilled jobs,” said the UK’s Digital Secretary, Nicky Morgan.
“I’m thrilled that the Bright Tech Futures tour is bringing together so many of the region’s experts to discuss how we can help further strengthen the UK’s reputation as a leading player in the global technology sector.
"I also urge Belfast chief executives and founders to nominate their staff for the inaugural Tech Nation Bright Tech Future Awards."
Joe Boyle, co-founder of SaltDNA, said: “Belfast’s digital economy is growing rapidly but that continued growth is dependent on our ability to nurture talent locally and also attract skilled people from elsewhere in the UK and beyond.
“The good news is that Northern Ireland has a lot to offer in terms of quality of life and standard of living and we’re seeing that in our ability to retain great people.”
George Windsor, head of insights at Tech Nation, said: “What is apparent from our Bright Tech Futures report is that the digital sector is transforming the UK economy. That’s true in London, Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol and it’s also true in Northern Ireland.
“Belfast is a city often associated with traditional industries but today one in five workers are employed in tech and that number is growing.
“The city’s digital tech sector may have started with back office and customer-focussed work but it is rapidly becoming home to fast-growing start-ups and scaling businesses that have emerged from the vibrant ecosystem.”
