Irish Unemployment Rate Inches Higher

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Ireland inched higher to 4.9% in May of 2026 from 4.8% in the previous month and 4.6% in the previous year, although it remained below this year's peak of 5%. The number of net employment in the Irish economy rose by 1,000 to 141,700. The unemployment rate for the male population was held unchanged at 4.5%, while that for the female population inched higher to 5.3% from 5.2%.

Ireland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 4.8% in April 2026, down from a revised 5.0% in March and slightly above the 4.6% recorded a year earlier. The total number of unemployed people fell by 5,900 to 140,300. By gender, the unemployment rate for females decreased to 5.2% from a revised 5.3% in March, with the number of unemployed women dropping by 2,300 to 71,200. For males, the rate fell to 4.5% from 4.7%, with unemployment declining by 3,500 to 69,200. Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) also improved, falling to 9.8% from 11.2% in March. For those aged 25-74, the rate edged down to 4.1% from 4.2%.

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%.