Ireland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.7% in March 2026, up from 4.6% in February and 4.5% a year earlier. The total number of unemployed people reached 140,000, a rise of 1,100 from the previous month. Female unemployment grew by 2,100 to 66,100, while male unemployment fell by 1,000 to 73,900. Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) edged up to 12.5%, compared to 12.4% in February. For those aged 25-74, the rate remained steady at 3.5%. source: Central Statistics Office Ireland

Unemployment Rate in Ireland increased to 4.70 percent in March from 4.60 percent in February of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Ireland averaged 9.84 percent from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 17.30 percent in December of 1985 and a record low of 3.90 percent in October of 2000. This page provides the latest reported value for - Ireland Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Ireland Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Ireland increased to 4.70 percent in March from 4.60 percent in February of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Ireland is expected to be 4.60 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Ireland Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 5.00 percent in 2027 and 5.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-04 11:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Feb 4.6% 4.6% 4.7%
2026-04-01 10:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Mar 4.7% 4.6% 4.40%
2026-05-07 10:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 4.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings 31.22 30.36 EUR Dec 2025
Average Weekly Hours 32.40 32.80 Hours Dec 2025
Employed Persons 2833.10 2825.50 Thousand Dec 2025
Employment Rate 74.50 74.70 percent Dec 2025
Full Time Employment 2250.50 2243.90 Thousand Dec 2025
Initial Jobless Claims 12663.00 12892.00 Persons Mar 2026
Job Vacancy Rate 1.30 1.30 percent Dec 2025
Labor Force Participation Rate 65.80 66.50 percent Dec 2025
Part Time Employment 582.60 581.60 Thousand Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 140.00 138.90 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployment Change 1100.00 800.00 Persons Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.70 4.60 percent Mar 2026
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 3.10 4.10 percent Dec 2025
Wages 1011.88 996.10 EUR/Week Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 1144.42 1096.83 EUR/Week Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 12.50 12.40 percent Mar 2026


Ireland Unemployment Rate
In Ireland, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.70 4.60 17.30 3.90 1983 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Ireland’s Unemployment Rises to 4.7% in March 2026
Ireland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.7% in March 2026, up from 4.6% in February and 4.5% a year earlier. The total number of unemployed people reached 140,000, a rise of 1,100 from the previous month. Female unemployment grew by 2,100 to 66,100, while male unemployment fell by 1,000 to 73,900. Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) edged up to 12.5%, compared to 12.4% in February. For those aged 25-74, the rate remained steady at 3.5%.
2026-04-01
Ireland Unemployment Rate Steady at 4.6%
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.6% in February 2026, unchanged from a downwardly revised figure in the previous month. The total number of unemployed persons decreased by 300 month-on-month to 137,500. By gender, the unemployment rate for men fell slightly to 4.7% from 4.8% in January, while the rate for women edged down to 4.4% from 4.5%. Looking at age groups, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15–24, the youth unemployment rate, increased to 12.4% in February from 11.9% in January, whereas the rate for those aged 25–74 edged down to 3.5% from 3.6%. In February 2025, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was lower, at 4.4%.
2026-03-04
Ireland Unemployment Rate Unchanged in January
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.7% in January 2026, unchanged from a downwardly revised figure in December 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased by 600 month-on-month to 138,400. By gender, the unemployment rate for men was unchanged at 4.8%, while the rate for women remained stable at 4.5%. Across age groups, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15–24, the youth unemployment rate, rose to 11.8% from 11.4% in December, whereas the rate for those aged 25–74 ticked lower to 3.6% from 3.7%. In January 2025, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was lower at 4.5%.
2026-02-05