It is the first in a new series of annual reports by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) comparing the two economies.

It has highlighted how, last year, Ireland had higher labour force participation and employment rates.

They stood at 78.5% and 75.1% retrospectively, higher than in Northern Ireland where the figures were at 75.7% and 74.3%.

But it also showed that unemployment was higher in the Republic at 4.4% compared to Northern Ireland’s at 1.8%, which reflects the differences in labour market dynamics.

The report found: “Ireland outperforms Northern Ireland across several measures of living standards”, including disposable income and hourly earnings.

One of the key factors which reflects the effects of income, education and access to health services, the report says

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