Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Ireland

Ireland: Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 136.6 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
136.6
Change on year
up 34.4%
World rank
41st
of 88 countries
All-time high
143.71
in 2020
All-time low
15.24
in 2004
Years of data
21
2004–2024

Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Ireland, 2004–2024

0501001502004201420242004: 15.22005: 15.72006: 15.62007: 16.42008: 18.52009: 35.32010: 43.32011: 47.42012: 48.72013: 44.62014: 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 (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Ireland is 136.6, measured in 2024.

That represents a change of up 34.4% on the previous year and up 276.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Ireland peaked at 143.71 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 15.24, in 2004.

Ireland ranks 41st of 88 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in Ireland, 2004 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2004 15.24
2005 15.71 +3.1%
2006 15.63 -0.5%
2007 16.41 +5.0%
2008 18.51 +12.8%
2009 35.32 +90.8%
2010 43.28 +22.5%
2011 47.36 +9.4%
2012 48.69 +2.8%
2013 44.62 -8.4%
2014 36.3 -18.6%
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
2000s 19.47 15.24 35.32 6
2010s 56.46 27.58 113.92 10
2020s 118.66 76.01 143.71 5

Countries ranked near Ireland

  1. 38 Finland 148.78 compare
  2. 39 Jordan 142.33 compare
  3. 40 Kosovo 141.58 compare
  4. 42 Austria 134.15 compare
  5. 43 Myanmar 130.46 compare
  6. 44 Portugal 126.82 compare

See the full ranking of 88 places →

More work & labour data for Ireland

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Ireland?
Potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Ireland was 136.6 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 143.71 in 2020.
What is the lowest potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 15.24 in 2004.
How does Ireland rank for potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
Ireland ranks 41st out of 88 countries with data for 2024.
Is potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 276.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Ireland data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 28 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/potential-labour-force-previous-ilo-definition-icls13-15/ireland/

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About this data

Indicator
Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
88 places, 1,493 data points, 1987–2025
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 is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. 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. Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Education and Mismatch Indicators (EMI) database description.