Unemployment rates by educational attainment level in Ireland
Ireland: Unemployment rates by educational attainment level was 4.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
4.7%
Change on year
up 9.3%
World rank
29th
of 45 countries
All-time high
18.1%
in 1986
All-time low
3.7%
in 2001
Years of data
43
1983–2025
Unemployment rates by educational attainment level in Ireland, 1983–2025
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.
Analysis
Ireland recorded 4.7% for unemployment rates by educational attainment level in 2025.
The figure is up 9.3% on the previous year and down 53.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rates by educational attainment level in Ireland peaked at 18.1% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 3.7%, in 2001.
Ireland ranks 29th of 45 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 rates by educational attainment level in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Percentage | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 14.8% | — |
| 1984 | 16.5% | +11.5% |
| 1985 | 18.0% | +9.1% |
| 1986 | 18.1% | +0.6% |
| 1987 | 18.1% | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 17.5% | -3.3% |
| 1989 | 16.2% | -7.4% |
| 1990 | 14.1% | -13.0% |
| 1991 | 15.8% | +12.1% |
| 1992 | 15.1% | -4.4% |
| 1993 | 15.6% | +3.3% |
| 1994 | 14.6% | -6.4% |
| 1995 | 12.0% | -17.8% |
| 1996 | 11.7% | -2.5% |
| 1997 | 10.2% | -12.8% |
| 1998 | 7.7% | -24.5% |
| 1999 | 5.8% | -24.7% |
| 2000 | 4.3% | -25.9% |
| 2001 | 3.7% | -14.0% |
| 2002 | 4.2% | +13.5% |
| 2003 | 4.5% | +7.1% |
| 2004 | 4.5% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 4.4% | -2.2% |
| 2006 | 4.4% | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 5.0% | +13.6% |
| 2008 | 6.8% | +36.0% |
| 2009 | 12.6% | +85.3% |
| 2010 | 14.6% | +15.9% |
| 2011 | 15.4% | +5.5% |
| 2012 | 15.5% | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 13.8% | -11.0% |
| 2014 | 11.9% | -13.8% |
| 2015 | 10.0% | -16.0% |
| 2016 | 8.4% | -16.0% |
| 2017 | 6.7% | -20.2% |
| 2018 | 5.8% | -13.4% |
| 2019 | 5.0% | -13.8% |
| 2020 | 5.7% | +14.0% |
| 2021 | 6.2% | +8.8% |
| 2022 | 4.5% | -27.4% |
| 2023 | 4.3% | -4.4% |
| 2024 | 4.3% | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 4.7% | +9.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 17.0% | 14.8% | 18.1% | 7 |
| 1990s | 12.3% | 5.8% | 15.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.4% | 3.7% | 12.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.7% | 5.0% | 15.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.0% | 4.3% | 6.2% | 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 unemployment rates by educational attainment level in Ireland?
- Unemployment rates by educational attainment level in Ireland was 4.7% in 2025, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest unemployment rates by educational attainment level recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 18.1% in 1986.
- What is the lowest unemployment rates by educational attainment level recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.7% in 2001.
- How does Ireland rank for unemployment rates by educational attainment level?
- Ireland ranks 29th out of 45 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rates by educational attainment level rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 53.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Unemployment rates by educational attainment level. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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