30th December 2024
Strong growth and record employment levels
The Irish labour market has shown strong and consistent growth in 2024, with key indicators reflecting a robust economy and increasing opportunities for workers across multiple sectors. Ireland’s workforce continues to expand, driving the nation’s economic resilience and ensuring a brighter future for job seekers nationwide.
Record employment levels and low unemployment
According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ireland’s unemployment rate has remained historically low, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate standing at just 4.1% in November 2024, signalling an economy which remains at full employment. For 2024 Q3, the unemployment rate in Ireland was 4.3%, relative to 6.4% in the euro area, and 6.0% in the EU. This marks a continuation of the positive trends observed in 2023, with employment numbers hitting new highs and labour force participation continuing to expand.
In total, 2,785,000 people are now employed in Ireland, with 96,800 jobs gained in the year to Q3 2024. This record level of employment reflects both the resilience of the economy, and the success of government policies aimed at supporting job creation, fostering innovation, and providing opportunities for all sectors.
Commenting on the figures, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD expressed confidence in the country’s continued economic success, stating:
“2024 marks a year of outstanding progress in the Irish labour market. We are witnessing not only a record number of people in employment but also the growth of industries that are paving the way for a sustainable and dynamic future. It is vital that we continue to build on these successes, ensuring that Ireland remains an attractive and inclusive place for individuals to work, live, and prosper.”
Both in an absolute sense and relative to our peers, the Irish labour market has performed remarkably well. Relative to the EU, Ireland has one of the lowest unemployment rates with record highs achieved in terms of labour market activity. The employment rate in Ireland reached 80.3% in 2024 Q3 relative to 75.4% across the euro area, and 75.9% in the EU.
Sectoral growth and job creation
2024 has seen impressive job creation across a diverse range of industries. ICT, pharmaceuticals, construction, and renewable energy have been particularly strong performers, with a noticeable uptick in demand for skilled professionals in fields such as data science, artificial intelligence, engineering, and sustainability.
The construction sector, which has seen significant investment in infrastructure projects, has also seen a rise in demand for tradespeople, engineers, and project managers, helping to address Ireland’s housing and infrastructure challenges, while providing employment to thousands of workers.
Skills development and workforce inclusion
In addition to job creation, Ireland’s focus on skills development has led to increased participation in upskilling and reskilling programs. The government’s ongoing investment in education and training, alongside partnerships with industry leaders, is empowering workers to transition into high-demand roles and secure long-term career growth.
Minister Burke commented further:
“Ireland is committed to supporting workers throughout their career journey and aims to promote diversity and inclusion within the workforce. Efforts to close gender and age employment gaps are seeing positive results, with more women and older workers entering an ever more diverse workforce and finding fulfilling career opportunities. Initiatives to improve work-life balance and flexible working arrangements have been key drivers of this progress.”
Please also find here a link to the latest CSO and Eurostat releases:
Labour Force Survey (LFS) - CSO
Monthly unemployment - CSO
EU labour market - quarterly statistics
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