Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the number of people on the Live Register rose slightly last month - up by 23,000 to 148,529.
The seasonally adjusted figure climbed by 900 to 156,300. This has been relatively stable for the past few months after a slight increase in the summer.
The monthly Live Register figure rose in five of the eight regions, with the largest percentage increase in the South-West (1.7%). The midlands showed the biggest fall of 1.4%.
