Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Ireland
Ireland: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) was 4.6% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Ireland, 1983–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Ireland stood at 4.6%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.1% on the previous year and down 48.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Ireland peaked at 19.5% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 3.5%, in 2001.
That places Ireland 116th out of 181 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 15.9% | — |
| 1984 | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| 1985 | 19.2% | +10.2% |
| 1986 | 19.5% | +1.4% |
| 1987 | 19.0% | -2.4% |
| 1988 | 18.4% | -3.4% |
| 1989 | 16.5% | -10.3% |
| 1990 | 15.0% | -9.2% |
| 1991 | 16.6% | +10.9% |
| 1992 | 15.3% | -7.9% |
| 1993 | 15.8% | +3.4% |
| 1994 | 14.7% | -7.2% |
| 1995 | 12.1% | -17.9% |
| 1996 | 11.7% | -2.5% |
| 1997 | 10.1% | -13.6% |
| 1998 | 7.3% | -27.7% |
| 1999 | 5.6% | -23.4% |
| 2000 | 4.3% | -24.0% |
| 2001 | 3.5% | -16.8% |
| 2002 | 3.7% | +5.6% |
| 2003 | 4.0% | +6.9% |
| 2004 | 3.8% | -4.4% |
| 2005 | 3.8% | -0.9% |
| 2006 | 4.1% | +8.0% |
| 2007 | 4.9% | +20.2% |
| 2008 | 5.7% | +15.7% |
| 2009 | 9.5% | +66.8% |
| 2010 | 11.4% | +20.0% |
| 2011 | 12.5% | +9.6% |
| 2012 | 12.8% | +2.0% |
| 2013 | 12.4% | -2.6% |
| 2014 | 10.9% | -12.4% |
| 2015 | 8.9% | -18.1% |
| 2016 | 7.6% | -14.7% |
| 2017 | 6.3% | -17.2% |
| 2018 | 5.7% | -9.6% |
| 2019 | 4.7% | -17.7% |
| 2020 | 5.6% | +20.6% |
| 2021 | 6.4% | +12.7% |
| 2022 | 4.6% | -27.1% |
| 2023 | 4.2% | -9.2% |
| 2024 | 4.4% | +3.8% |
| 2025 | 4.6% | +5.1% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 4.6% is below the median for high income countries, which is 5.5%, 84% of the median. (75 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 4.6% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6.0%, 77% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 18.0% | 15.9% | 19.5% | 7 |
| 1990s | 12.4% | 5.6% | 16.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.7% | 3.5% | 9.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.3% | 4.7% | 12.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.0% | 4.2% | 6.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 113 Faroe Islands 4.9% compare
- 114 Switzerland 4.9% compare
- 115 Cyprus 4.8% compare
- 117 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 4.6% compare
- 118 Bhutan 4.5% compare
- 119 Iceland 4.4% compare
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 unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Ireland?
- Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Ireland was 4.6% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 19.5% in 1986.
- What is the lowest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.5% in 2001.
- How does Ireland rank for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
- Ireland ranks 116th out of 181 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 48.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.