Unemployment rate in Ireland
Ireland: Unemployment rate was 4.6% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
4.6%
Change on year
up 7.7%
World rank
109th
of 186 countries
All-time high
15.8%
in 1991
All-time low
3.7%
in 2001
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment rate in Ireland, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment rate in Ireland stood at 4.6%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.7% on the previous year and down 53.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate in Ireland peaked at 15.8% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 3.7%, in 2001.
Ireland ranks 109th of 186 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.
Unemployment rate in Ireland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 15.8% | — |
| 1992 | 15.0% | -4.8% |
| 1993 | 15.6% | +3.7% |
| 1994 | 14.5% | -6.6% |
| 1995 | 12.0% | -17.7% |
| 1996 | 11.7% | -2.3% |
| 1997 | 10.2% | -12.8% |
| 1998 | 7.7% | -24.5% |
| 1999 | 5.8% | -24.6% |
| 2000 | 4.3% | -25.6% |
| 2001 | 3.7% | -14.7% |
| 2002 | 4.2% | +14.4% |
| 2003 | 4.5% | +6.2% |
| 2004 | 4.5% | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 4.2% | -5.7% |
| 2006 | 4.4% | +2.8% |
| 2007 | 5.0% | +14.4% |
| 2008 | 6.8% | +36.0% |
| 2009 | 12.6% | +86.1% |
| 2010 | 14.5% | +15.3% |
| 2011 | 15.4% | +5.6% |
| 2012 | 15.5% | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 13.7% | -11.1% |
| 2014 | 11.9% | -13.7% |
| 2015 | 9.9% | -16.4% |
| 2016 | 8.4% | -15.5% |
| 2017 | 6.7% | -19.8% |
| 2018 | 5.7% | -14.5% |
| 2019 | 5.0% | -13.8% |
| 2020 | 5.6% | +13.6% |
| 2021 | 6.4% | +13.1% |
| 2022 | 4.5% | -29.8% |
| 2023 | 4.2% | -5.0% |
| 2024 | 4.3% | +1.3% |
| 2025 | 4.6% | +7.7% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 4.6% is below the median for high income countries, which is 5.0%, 92% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 4.6% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 5.6%, 83% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12.0% | 5.8% | 15.8% | 9 |
| 2000s | 5.4% | 3.7% | 12.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.7% | 5.0% | 15.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.9% | 4.2% | 6.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 106 Kazakhstan 4.8% compare
- 107 United Kingdom 4.7% compare
- 108 Norway 4.6% compare
- 110 Uzbekistan 4.6% compare
- 111 China 4.6% compare
- 112 Hungary 4.5% 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 rate in Ireland?
- Unemployment rate in Ireland was 4.6% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 15.8% in 1991.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.7% in 2001.
- How does Ireland rank for unemployment rate?
- Ireland ranks 109th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 53.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.