Unemployed population — Unemployment in Ireland
Ireland: Unemployed population — Unemployment was 137.15 Persons in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployed population — Unemployment in Ireland, 1956–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployed population — unemployment in Ireland is 137.15 Persons, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 11.5% on the previous year and down 39.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployed population — unemployment in Ireland peaked at 343.65 Persons in 2012 and was at its lowest, 51 Persons, in 1965.
That places Ireland 30th out of 35 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployed population — Unemployment in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 63 Persons | — |
| 1957 | 78 Persons | +23.8% |
| 1958 | 73 Persons | -6.4% |
| 1959 | 69 Persons | -5.5% |
| 1960 | 63 Persons | -8.7% |
| 1961 | 71.1 Persons | +12.9% |
| 1962 | 54 Persons | -24.1% |
| 1963 | 56 Persons | +3.7% |
| 1964 | 53 Persons | -5.4% |
| 1965 | 51 Persons | -3.8% |
| 1966 | 66.5 Persons | +30.4% |
| 1967 | 56 Persons | -15.8% |
| 1968 | 60 Persons | +7.1% |
| 1969 | 56 Persons | -6.7% |
| 1970 | 65 Persons | +16.1% |
| 1971 | 78 Persons | +20.0% |
| 1972 | 69 Persons | -11.5% |
| 1973 | 64 Persons | -7.2% |
| 1974 | 61 Persons | -4.7% |
| 1975 | 109.2 Persons | +79.0% |
| 1976 | 105 Persons | -3.8% |
| 1977 | 104.6 Persons | -0.4% |
| 1978 | 99 Persons | -5.4% |
| 1979 | 84.3 Persons | -14.8% |
| 1980 | 91 Persons | +7.9% |
| 1981 | 133.4 Persons | +46.6% |
| 1982 | 148 Persons | +10.9% |
| 1983 | 183.5 Persons | +24.0% |
| 1984 | 203.8 Persons | +11.1% |
| 1985 | 220 Persons | +7.9% |
| 1986 | 226 Persons | +2.7% |
| 1987 | 224.6 Persons | -0.6% |
| 1988 | 215.4 Persons | -4.1% |
| 1989 | 196.8 Persons | -8.6% |
| 1990 | 172.4 Persons | -12.4% |
| 1991 | 198.5 Persons | +15.1% |
| 1992 | 206.6 Persons | +4.1% |
| 1993 | 220.1 Persons | +6.5% |
| 1994 | 211 Persons | -4.1% |
| 1995 | 177.4 Persons | -15.9% |
| 1996 | 179 Persons | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 159 Persons | -11.2% |
| 1998 | 124.53 Persons | -21.7% |
| 1999 | 96 Persons | -22.9% |
| 2000 | 76.58 Persons | -20.2% |
| 2001 | 71.2 Persons | -7.0% |
| 2002 | 82.67 Persons | +16.1% |
| 2003 | 90.1 Persons | +9.0% |
| 2004 | 88.7 Persons | -1.6% |
| 2005 | 88.6 Persons | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 94.4 Persons | +6.5% |
| 2007 | 116.42 Persons | +23.3% |
| 2008 | 159.8 Persons | +37.3% |
| 2009 | 290.75 Persons | +81.9% |
| 2010 | 327.43 Persons | +12.6% |
| 2011 | 342.5 Persons | +4.6% |
| 2012 | 343.65 Persons | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 308.5 Persons | -10.2% |
| 2014 | 267.52 Persons | -13.3% |
| 2015 | 226.22 Persons | -15.4% |
| 2016 | 194.88 Persons | -13.9% |
| 2017 | 157.85 Persons | -19.0% |
| 2018 | 137.45 Persons | -12.9% |
| 2019 | 120.95 Persons | -12.0% |
| 2020 | 136.68 Persons | +13.0% |
| 2021 | 160.07 Persons | +17.1% |
| 2022 | 120.58 Persons | -24.7% |
| 2023 | 120.28 Persons | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 123 Persons | +2.3% |
| 2025 | 137.15 Persons | +11.5% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 137.15 Persons is below the median for high income countries, which is 338.16 Persons, 41% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 137.15 Persons is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 307.41 Persons, 45% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 70.75 Persons | 63 Persons | 78 Persons | 4 |
| 1960s | 58.66 Persons | 51 Persons | 71.1 Persons | 10 |
| 1970s | 83.91 Persons | 61 Persons | 109.2 Persons | 10 |
| 1980s | 184.25 Persons | 91 Persons | 226 Persons | 10 |
| 1990s | 174.45 Persons | 96 Persons | 220.1 Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 115.92 Persons | 71.2 Persons | 290.75 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 242.69 Persons | 120.95 Persons | 343.65 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 132.96 Persons | 120.28 Persons | 160.07 Persons | 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 unemployed population — unemployment in Ireland?
- Unemployed population — unemployment in Ireland was 137.15 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 343.65 Persons in 2012.
- What is the lowest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 51 Persons in 1965.
- How does Ireland rank for unemployed population — unemployment?
- Ireland ranks 30th out of 35 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployed population — unemployment rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 39.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Unemployed population — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on the unemployed population is a subset of the infra-annual labour statistics database, which contains predominantly monthly and quarterly statistics on the unemployed population by age groups (15+, 15-24, 25-54, 55-64, 15-64 and 15-74 where available) and sex and associated statistical methodological information and associated statistical methodological information, for the OECD member countries and for selected other economies. Chile, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom publish Labour Force Survey (LFS) data using a rolling quarter methodology. The OECD treats the middle month of the rolling quarter as the reference month. As a result, the publication of monthly LFS data for these countries may be delayed by one month or more relative to the OECD reference month. The unemployed are persons in their working age who, in the reference period, do not have a job; are available for work; and, have taken specific steps to find a job. The infra-annual labour statistics compiled for all OECD member countries, are drawn from Labour Force Surveys based on definition provided by the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013. The uniform application of these definitions across all OECD member countries results in estimates that are internationally comparable.