NI statistics show life has actually improved for many since start of Covid outbreak

A new set of statistics from the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) shows how much most people have been cushioned from the worst of the economic impact – and how some people’s lives actually improved in spite of lockdown.
Key 'quality of life' stats from NISRAKey 'quality of life' stats from NISRA
Key 'quality of life' stats from NISRA

NISRA has carried out weekly interviews with members of the public carried from April 21 to September 17, and has gradually been releasing the results.

In all, 3,405 people were polled.

Looking at people who were interviewed between mid-June and mid-September, 62% were keeping in touch more with family and friends, 59% had a slower pace of life, and 53% had more to relax.

Also, 53% number of people also spent more time on things they enjoyed.

And despite restrictions on gyms during spring and summer, 46% said they did more exercise than before.

Most people (71%) had experienced reduced income due to the pandemic, but it does not seem to have imperilled most people’s ability to get by.

NISRA asked whether people found it easy or very easy to pay their bills before the pandemic, and 75% said yes.

Asked how many people found it east or very easy to pay their bills after the onset of the pandemic, the number fell, but only modestly – with 63% still finding it easy or very easy.

In addition, only 13% said they had borrowed more or relied more on more credit since the outbreak began.

However, it also shows declining observance of measures to protect the vulnerable.

One key question was this: “In the past seven days, have you avoided contact with older people or other vulnerable people because of the coronavirus outbreak?”

The number of people who said “no” has grown steadily, month by month.

In April just 10% of those polled said “no”. By June this had grown to 26%.

And by August the figure had hit 39%.

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