21st August 2025
The Q2 2025 Labour Force Survey and latest Monthly Unemployment Release show:
- employment continues to grow, with 65,700 jobs (seasonally adjusted) created in the year to Q2 2025
- total employment now stands at 2.81 million
- employment growth has been widespread throughout the regions – employment outside of Dublin increased by 56,100 in the year to Q2 2025 (+2.9%)
- full time employment was up 52,800 (+2.4%) year on year in the second quarter, while part time employment was up 10,900 (+1.9%) year on year
- in July 2025, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9%, up from the revised rate of 4.6 in June 2025 and from a rate of 4.5% in July 2024
Labour Force Survey (LFS) results published today by the Central Statistics Office show continued growth in Ireland’s labour market, with 65,700 jobs created in the year to Q2 2025.
Employment now stands at 2.81 million, an increase of approximately 2.4% over Q2 2024.
This is a positive step towards the Programme for Government’s target to create 300,000 extra jobs by 2030, supported by strategic investments, supportive enterprise policies, and a focus on fostering a vibrant economy. This commitment to continued employment growth builds upon the government’s White Paper on Enterprise, published in December 2022, which sets out the strategic direction for job creation in the years ahead.
Commenting on the figures, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said:
“The Irish labour market remains exceptionally buoyant as we move through 2025, with another successive quarter of robust employment growth. The majority of the jobs created in the past year have been outside of Dublin, which is a testament to this government’s commitment to achieving more balanced regional enterprise development. Low unemployment rates and increasing job opportunities across sectors including construction, finance, and healthcare highlight the ongoing resilience of the labour market.
Female participation rates in the labour market in particular have remained strong in the second quarter of 2025, with more women now availing of opportunities for employment. My department remains committed to supporting individuals throughout their working lives by promoting initiatives that enhance work-life balance and flexible working arrangements, fostering broader workforce participation, and advancing diversity and inclusion”.
The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, said:
“Today’s Labour Force Survey results point to a labour market that remains resilient in the face of increased economic uncertainty, with employment reaching a new record high of 2.818m. Though the pace of employment growth slowed in the second quarter, tens of thousands of jobs were added on an annual basis. I am particularly encouraged to see that almost 30,000 of these jobs have been added in the Construction sector, strengthening our capacity to deliver on our housing and infrastructure ambitions.
These results reflect the underlying strength of Irish enterprise, the adaptability of our workforce, and the investments we have made in skills and education. Government remains focused on sustaining this momentum as we navigate this period of uncertainty – supporting growth in every region of our country while safeguarding the public finances. Indeed, approximately 88% of the new jobs were added outside Dublin.
Budget 2026 will reflect these priorities - securing our public finances, strengthening our competitiveness, and ensuring Ireland remains a great place to work and do business.”
CSO release here
ENDS
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