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%.

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%.

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%.