Last year saw the largest annual increase in unemployment in Northern Ireland since 1971, it was disclosed today.
There were 10,000 extra benefit claimants since June as the economy suffered from the global downturn.
The construction industry accounted for almost half the latest rise in December, with the overall number seeking jobs numbering 35,900.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "This has been a rapid change over a relatively short period of time and there is still a degree of uncertainty about the severity and potential duration of the downturn.
"While the challenging economic conditions are a global phenomenon, we shouldn't forget that this is a difficult time for the individuals and families concerned.
"Despite their severity, these conditions are not unique to Northern Ireland and we must continue to focus on the longer-term goal of building a strong economy," she added.
Meanwhile, the number of Britons out of work and claiming benefit rose for an eleventh consecutive month in December while the total number out of work approached the two million mark, official data showed.
The jump of 77,900 was slightly less than analysts had forecast.
The Office for National Statistics said the broader ILO measure of unemployment, which includes those out of work but not claiming benefit, rose to 6.1 per cent from 6.0 per cent, its highest rate since the three months to April 1999.
The figures confirm anecdotal evidence that the pace of redundancies is picking up as banks pull credit lines, forcing firms to take dramatic cost saving measures.
PA/Reuters