Business Surveys

The Economic and Labour Market Statistics (ELMS) branch runs a number of business surveys to better understand the NI economy, and thus providing the evidence base for the development of policy and decision making at the heart of Government.

    The platform for online business survey return is currently unavailable, an enhanced webform platform will be launched on Tuesday 26th November 2024.

    Selected for a business survey?

    If you are selected for a business survey, you are legally required to complete this form under the Statistics of Trade and Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 1988. However, we will accept estimated figures if it’s not possible for you to provide actual figures.

    Upcoming changes

    An enhanced webform platform will be launched on Tuesday 26th November 2024, which will be more user friendly and improve security. As a result, the current platform will be unavailable from Wednesday 20th November at 6pm. Businesses with outstanding surveys are encouraged to complete them before the downtime. Further information on the enhanced webform platform will be provided to affected businesses and on this webpage in advance of the launch.

    We are making these changes after listening to suggestions from business contacts over the last number of years, and trust that they make things easier for users. As always, we appreciate all the information provided to us in confidence, which leads to a better understanding of the local economy and provides the evidence base for the development of policy and decision making at the heart of Government.

    Our business surveys

    There are four annual surveys:

    The Quarterly Business Survey is a combined survey which collects data on employee jobs, turnover, exports and construction output from businesses in Northern Ireland: 

    If you have received a survey form asking for information about your business, thank you for taking the time to visit our website.

    Examples of survey forms issued by NISRA can be found here.


    Most recent documents


    Contacts for Business Surveys

    Economic & Labour Market Statistics Branch

    Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
    Colby House
    Stranmillis Court
    BELFAST
    BT9 5RR

    Telephone: 0300 200 7832

    Email: economicstats@nisra.gov.uk