Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Ireland

Ireland: Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) was 136.6 in 2024. ▲ Rising

Latest (2024)
136.6
Change on year
up 34.4%
World rank
25th
of 61 countries
All-time high
143.71
in 2020
All-time low
27.58
in 2016
Years of data
11
2014–2024

Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Ireland, 2014–2024

2550751001251502014201920242014: 36.32015: 28.42016: 27.62017: 682018: 113.92019: 106.62020: 143.72021: 135.42022: 762023: 101.62024: 136.6

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) in Ireland is 136.6, measured in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 34.4% on the previous year and up 276.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) in Ireland peaked at 143.71 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 27.58, in 2016.

That places Ireland 25th out of 61 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.

Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) (15+) in Ireland, 2014 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2014 36.3
2015 28.35 -21.9%
2016 27.58 -2.7%
2017 67.96 +146.4%
2018 113.92 +67.6%
2019 106.58 -6.4%
2020 143.71 +34.8%
2021 135.36 -5.8%
2022 76.01 -43.8%
2023 101.62 +33.7%
2024 136.6 +34.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 63.45 27.58 113.92 6
2020s 118.66 76.01 143.71 5

Countries ranked near Ireland

  1. 22 Kosovo 143.74 compare
  2. 23 Jordan 142.33 compare
  3. 24 Vietnam 137.01 compare
  4. 26 Austria 134.15 compare
  5. 27 Australia 133.89 compare
  6. 28 Portugal 126.82 compare

See the full ranking of 61 places →

More work & labour data for Ireland

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) in Ireland?
Potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) in Ireland was 136.6 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) recorded in Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 143.71 in 2020.
What is the lowest potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 27.58 in 2016.
How does Ireland rank for potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19)?
Ireland ranks 25th out of 61 countries with data for 2024.
Is potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) rising or falling in Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 276.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Ireland data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/potential-labour-force-current-ilo-definition-icls19-15/ireland/

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About this data

Indicator
Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) (15+)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
61 places, 595 data points, 2014–2025
Last refreshed

With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series includes only countries for which the 19th ICLS definitions are applied. The potential labour force refers to persons not in employment who express an interest in this form of work but for whom existing conditions limit their active job search and/or their availability. This group is used to calculate alternative measures of labour underutilization. For more information, refer to the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database description.