The jobless total in Northern Ireland is now at its lowest since 1980, but the most recent statistics from the Department of Economic Development reveal that unemployment continues to be highest in predominantly nationalist areas.

The latest figures for July show that unemployment dropped by 2,000 over the previous month. The jobless total is down to 60,500 or 7.9 per cent of the workforce, the lowest level in 17 years.

The figures show that, over the past year, unemployment in Northern Ireland plummeted by more than 26,000. The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, welcoming the figure, said she wanted to see the downward trend in unemployment continuing.

"We must continue to work hard to secure peace and stability which the people throughout Northern Ireland want and need so much. The prize from that peace and stability is a fairer and more just society," she added.

The highest level of unemployment in the North was in October 1986 when 124,100 people, or 17.2 per cent, were out of work.

The latest statistics show that the main unemployment blackspots continue to be in nationalist areas. A breakdown of the North's 18 Westminster constituencies shows that Foyle, with 6,066 out of work and West Belfast, with a jobless total of 5,600, are the worst areas for unemployment.

This contrasts with the mainly unionist constituencies of South Antrim and North Down where unemployment respectively is 2,334 and 2,337, the lowest in Northern Ireland.