Ireland: jobs and pay

How many people are employed in Ireland?

2,839,300 people were in employment in Ireland in the second quarter of 2026, up 21,200 or 0.8% on a year earlier, according to the CSO Labour Force Survey, released on 20 August 2026. The employment rate for people aged 15 to 64 was 74.3%, down from 74.7%.

The Labour Force Survey is the official measure of employment, based on a quarterly survey of thousands of households. Education had the largest increase in employment over the year, rising by 14,200. Total hours worked were 89.0 million a week, unchanged on a year earlier.

Official sources: CSO: Labour Force Survey Q2 2026

What is the youth unemployment rate in Ireland?

Ireland's youth unemployment rate, for people aged 15 to 24, was 12.5% in September 2026, up from 12.4% in August, according to the CSO's monthly unemployment estimates, released on 30 September 2026. The overall rate was 5.0%, and the rate for people aged 25 to 74 was 4.0%.

The monthly estimates are seasonally adjusted and based on the Labour Force Survey, so they are revised when new quarterly data arrive. Youth rates are higher partly because many young people are looking for their first job, and the rate covers only those in the labour force, not students who are not seeking work.

Official sources: CSO: Monthly Unemployment September 2026

How many part-time workers in Ireland want more hours?

153,800 part-time workers in Ireland, or 26.1% of those in part-time employment, were underemployed in the second quarter of 2026, according to the CSO Labour Force Survey. 589,600 people, or 20.8% of all those in employment, worked part-time.

Underemployed workers are part-time workers who would like to work more hours for more pay. They are counted as employed, not unemployed, so the unemployment rate of 5.1% in the quarter does not include them. The measure gives a fuller picture of spare capacity in the labour market.

Official sources: CSO: Labour Force Survey Q2 2026

What is the labour force participation rate in Ireland?

Ireland's labour force participation rate was 66.0% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 66.4% a year earlier, according to the CSO Labour Force Survey. The labour force grew 1.1% to 2,990,200 people.

The participation rate is the share of people aged 15 to 89 who are working or looking for work. It is affected by the age structure of the population: the number of people aged 65 and over is rising, and most are retired, which lowers the rate even when employment grows.

Official sources: CSO: Labour Force Survey Q2 2026

Which sectors pay the most in Ireland?

Employments in the information and communication sector had the highest median weekly earnings in Ireland in 2025, at €1,515.67, followed by financial, insurance and real estate at €1,086.76, according to the CSO's Earnings Analysis using Administrative Data Sources, released on 6 October 2026. Accommodation and food services had the lowest, at €409.00.

The median for all employments was €759.21 a week, up 3.9% from 2024. The figures come from Revenue employee tax data and count employments, so part-time jobs lower the median for sectors where they are common.

Official sources: CSO: Earnings Analysis using Administrative Data Sources 2025

Which county has the highest earnings in Ireland?

Median weekly earnings for employments of people living in Dublin were €848.06 in 2025, 11.7% higher than the State median of €759.21, according to the CSO. Donegal had the lowest median, at €635.29.

Earnings also differed by sex and age: the median for male employments was €832.71 and for female employments €681.01, and employments of 40 to 49 year olds had the highest median at €925.54. These are differences in median earnings across all jobs, including part-time jobs, and are not a measure of pay for the same work.

Official sources: CSO: Earnings Analysis using Administrative Data Sources 2025

What is Ireland's minimum wage?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Ireland was 2,391 EUR a month in 2026. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in Ireland?

$5,697 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Ireland for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $3,252 a month, and Ireland placed 9th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 10th of 57.

What is Ireland's unemployment rate?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Ireland at 4.6% in 2025. The peak was 15.5% in 2012 and the low 4.2% in 2005. It is 33rd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.5%. World rank, highest first: 99th of 174.

How many young people in Ireland are unemployed?

10.5%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Ireland for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 30.8% in 2012 and the low 7.8% in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Ireland is 34th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 99th highest.

How many people in Ireland are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Ireland was 64.8% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 61.1% (2020) to 66.6% (2007). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 60.3%, and Ireland placed 10th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 60th highest.

What is female labour force participation in Ireland?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 59.8%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 54.7% (2012) to 60.2% (2023). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 54.6%, and Ireland placed 12th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 49th of 174.

How many people in Ireland are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Ireland was 61.8%, according to the ILO. The peak was 63.4% in 2023 and the low 52.1% in 2012. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 56.6%, and Ireland placed 8th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 57th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Ireland?

9.6%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Ireland for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 29th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.0%. Worldwide: 142nd of 174.

How many people in Ireland are employees?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Ireland was 86.6% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 19th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Worldwide: 32nd of 174.