Only 2% of dwellings in Northern Ireland are unfit for occupation, according to new statistics.

This is compared to 20% in 1974, data by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) revealed.

Unfitness in Northern Ireland's housing stock is now at its lowest level since surveys began over 40 years ago.

In total, there are now 740,000 dwellings in Northern Ireland.

In comparison to 2006, overall vacancy rates across all tenures have decreased from 40,300 to fewer than 27,000 in 2016.

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Clark Bailie, NIHE's Chief Executive said: "In 1974, 20% of all houses in Northern Ireland were deemed unfit for habitation.

"In Belfast, the situation was even worse, with over 25% of homes requiring either intervention or demolition.

"At that time, Northern Ireland was found to have some of worst housing conditions in Europe.

"Now, that figure stands at just 2% across all tenures – owner occupied, privately rented or social housing.

"This highlights the importance of intervention in terms of grants, measures to tackle fuel poverty and investment in maintenance and repairs.

"Since it was formed, the Housing Executive has played a major role in tackling unfitness in both the private and social sector.

"It is also pleasing to see the low levels of vacancies in the social sector, given the high housing need across Northern Ireland."

(CD/LM)