The unemployment rate in the Republic of Ireland was 3.9 percent in February 2025, compared with 3.9 percent in the previous month. Between 2000 and 2007, Ireland's unemployment rate was broadly stable, fluctuating between 3.9 and 5.4 percent. Following the global financial crisis, however, Ireland's unemployment rate increased dramatically, eventually peaking at 16.1 percent in early 2012. For the next eight years, unemployment gradually fell, eventually reaching pre-crisis levels in the late 2010s. This was, however, followed by an uptick in unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which peaked at 7.6 percent in March 2021, before falling to pre-pandemic levels by February 2022. Risk and rewards of the Irish economic model After being quite hard hit by the global financial crisis of 2008, Ireland staged a strong recovery in the mid-2010s, and was frequently the EU's fastest growing economy between 2014 and 2022. This growth, was however, fueled in part by multinational companies, such as Apple, basing their European operations in the country. As of 2022, an adjusted measure of gross national income valued Ireland's economy at around 273 billion Euros, rather than the 506 billion Euros GDP figure. Ireland's close economic relationship with American tech companies also leaves it vulnerable to the political weather in the United States. It is currently unclear, for example, what the recent return to power of Donald Trump as President in early 2025 could mean for the Irish economy going forward. Ireland's labor market As of the third quarter of 2024, there were approximately 2.79 million people employed in the Republic of Ireland. Of these workers, 379,200 people worked in Ireland's human health and social work sector, the most of any industry at that time. Other sectors with high employment levels include wholesale and retail trade, at 323,500 people, and education, at 228,200 people. While unemployment still remains quite low, some indicators suggest a moderate loosening of the labor market. Job vacancies, are slightly down from their peak of 35,300 in Q2 2022, amounting to 28,900 in Q3 2024, while youth unemployment has begun to tick upwards, and was 11.9 percent in January 2025.

There were approximately 115,700 people unemployed in the Republic of Ireland in February 2025, compared with 128,200 in the previous month.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Total: From 15 to 64 Years for Ireland (LFUN64TTIEQ647S) from Q2 1999 to Q3 2024 about Ireland, 15 to 64 years, and unemployment.

Ireland: Unemployment rate: The latest value from 2023 is 4.34 percent, a decline from 4.48 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 6.99 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1991 to 2023 is 8.78 percent. The minimum value, 3.68 percent, was reached in 2001 while the maximum of 15.77 percent was recorded in 1991.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Monthly Unemployment Rate Total: From 15 to 24 Years for Ireland (LRHU24TTIEM156N) from Jan 1983 to Jan 2025 about Ireland, 15 to 24 years, harmonized, unemployment, and rate.

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.

The youth unemployment rate in the Republic of Ireland was 11.3 percent in February 2025, compared with 11.8 percent in the previous month.

Key information about Ireland Unemployment Rate

• Ireland Unemployment Rate dropped to 4.10% in Jul 2023, from the previously reported figure of 4.20% in Jun 2023.
• Ireland Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1998 to Jul 2023, with an average rate of 5.80%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 16.10% in Mar 2012 and a record low of 3.90% in Apr 2001.
• The data is reported by reported by Central Statistics Office.
• In the latest reports, Ireland Population reached 5.10 million people in Apr 2022.

Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate: % Change data was reported at -20.497 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of -15.900 % for 2016. Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate: % Change data is updated yearly, averaging -1.437 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2017, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 85.000 % in 2009 and a record low of -25.166 % in 1999. Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate: % Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

The unemployment rate in Ireland decreased to 4.34 percent compared to the previous year. This marks the lowest unemployment rate during the observed period. The unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population currently without work but in search of employment. The unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed, children, or retirees.

Ireland: Unemployment rate forecast: The latest value from 2028 is 4.49 percent, unchanged from 4.49 percent in 2027. In comparison, the world average is 6.50 percent, based on data from 99 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1985 to 2028 is 9.8 percent. The minimum value, 4.18 percent, was reached in 2001 while the maximum of 19 percent was recorded in 1991.

Ireland: Unemployment rate for males: The latest value from 2023 is 4.39 percent, an increase from 4.38 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 6.42 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1991 to 2023 is 9.25 percent. The minimum value, 3.78 percent, was reached in 2001 while the maximum of 17.7 percent was recorded in 2011.

Ireland: Unemployment rate for females: The latest value from 2023 is 4.28 percent, a decline from 4.6 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 8.37 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1991 to 2023 is 8.21 percent. The minimum value, 3.55 percent, was reached in 2001 while the maximum of 16.59 percent was recorded in 1991.

Ireland Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 60 to 64 data was reported at 5.100 % in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.400 % for Dec 2017. Ireland Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 60 to 64 data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.700 % from Mar 1998 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 81 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.100 % in Mar 2013 and a record low of 0.900 % in Sep 2004. Ireland Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 60 to 64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.G015: Unemployment Rate: Labour Force Survey.

Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate: % Change data was reported at -15.346 % in Dec 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of -21.790 % for Sep 2017. Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate: % Change data is updated quarterly, averaging -1.750 % from Mar 1984 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 136 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 109.189 % in Jun 2009 and a record low of -27.211 % in Dec 2000. Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate: % Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Quarterly.

Ireland Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 15 to 74 data was reported at 5.500 % in Mar 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.600 % for Dec 2017. Ireland Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 15 to 74 data is updated quarterly, averaging 6.600 % from Mar 1998 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 81 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.400 % in Sep 2011 and a record low of 3.800 % in Dec 2000. Ireland Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 15 to 74 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.G015: Unemployment Rate: Labour Force Survey.

Ireland unemployment rate for 2023 was 4.34%, a 0.14% decline from 2022.

• Ireland unemployment rate for 2022 was 4.48%, a 1.72% decline from 2021.
• Ireland unemployment rate for 2021 was 6.19%, a 0.57% increase from 2020.
• Ireland unemployment rate for 2020 was 5.62%, a 0.67% increase from 2019.

Ireland - Unemployment rate: From 25 to 54 years was 3.50% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Ireland - Unemployment rate: From 25 to 54 years - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, Ireland - Unemployment rate: From 25 to 54 years reached a record high of 14.10% in December of 2011 and a record low of 3.50% in December of 2023.

Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate data was reported at 6.658 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.375 % for 2016. Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 12.292 % from Dec 1983 (Median) to 2017, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.833 % in 1986 and a record low of 3.933 % in 2001. Ireland IE: Unemployment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

The unemployment rate for women in the Republic of Ireland was 3.9 percent in February 2025, compared with 3.8 percent for men.