Ireland’s labour market continues to show resilience and growth, according to the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) for Quarter 1, 2025. Key indicators reveal steady employment growth and strong participation, although challenges remain in youth employment.
Overall Employment Rate Grows
The employment rate for people aged 15-64 has reached 74.7%, marking a 0.8 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year. This continues the upward trend seen in recent quarters and reflects strong employer confidence and a healthy demand for talent across sectors.
The labour force participation rate—indicating the percentage of the population aged 15+ either in work or seeking work—has also climbed, reaching 65.8%, an annual rise of 0.8 percentage points. This signals increased engagement from working-age adults in Ireland’s economy.
Unemployment Holds Steady
The national unemployment rate for persons aged 15-74 now stands at 4.3%, up slightly by 0.2 percentage points year-on-year. Despite the marginal increase, this figure remains below pre-pandemic averages and suggests a labour market operating close to full employment.
Youth Labour Market Faces Pressure
Youth employment presents a more complex picture. The number of people aged 15–24 in employment stands at 313,400, which represents a 1.2% decrease compared to Q1 2024. At the same time, youth unemployment has risen by 8.5%, bringing the total to 33,100.
This growing youth unemployment highlights the ongoing need for targeted career support, training opportunities, and early-career job placements to ensure young workers are not left behind in Ireland’s economic recovery.
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