SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Ireland
Ireland: SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) was 4.64 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Ireland, 2000–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2025, sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Ireland stood at 4.64.
The figure is up 3.7% on the previous year and down 53.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Ireland peaked at 15.45 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 3.68, in 2001.
Ireland ranks 100th of 179 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.
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 4.32 | — |
| 2001 | 3.68 | -14.7% |
| 2002 | 4.22 | +14.4% |
| 2003 | 4.48 | +6.2% |
| 2004 | 4.49 | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 4.24 | -5.7% |
| 2006 | 4.36 | +2.8% |
| 2007 | 4.98 | +14.4% |
| 2008 | 6.77 | +36.0% |
| 2009 | 12.61 | +86.1% |
| 2010 | 14.53 | +15.3% |
| 2011 | 15.35 | +5.6% |
| 2012 | 15.45 | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 13.73 | -11.1% |
| 2014 | 11.86 | -13.7% |
| 2015 | 9.91 | -16.4% |
| 2016 | 8.37 | -15.5% |
| 2017 | 6.71 | -19.8% |
| 2018 | 5.74 | -14.5% |
| 2019 | 4.95 | -13.8% |
| 2020 | 5.62 | +13.6% |
| 2021 | 6.36 | +13.1% |
| 2022 | 4.46 | -29.8% |
| 2023 | 4.24 | -5.0% |
| 2024 | 4.47 | +5.5% |
| 2025 | 4.64 | +3.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.41 | 3.68 | 12.61 | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.66 | 4.95 | 15.45 | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.97 | 4.24 | 6.36 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More work & labour data for Ireland
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.4488 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.4574 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.4405 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.9335 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 4,354 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,447 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 2,638 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 2,649 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 5,286 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Ireland?
- Sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Ireland was 4.64 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 15.45 in 2012.
- What is the lowest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.68 in 2001.
- How does Ireland rank for sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition)?
- Ireland ranks 100th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 53.1%. 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 SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Data may differ from nationally reported figures and the Global SDG Indicators Database due to differences in sources and/or reference years. The unemployment rate conveys the number of persons who are unemployed as a percent of the labour force (i.e., the employed plus the unemployed). The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. For more information, refer to the Labour Market-related SDG Indicators (ILOSDG) database description.