Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in Ireland
Ireland: Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group was 5.3 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in Ireland, 1989–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup.
Analysis
Ireland recorded 5.3 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup for unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in 2025.
That represents a change of up 7.4% on the previous year and down 49.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in Ireland peaked at 24.75 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2016 and was at its lowest, 3.76 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup, in 2001.
That places Ireland 23rd out of 37 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 rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 13.58 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | — |
| 1991 | 14.35 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +5.7% |
| 1992 | 14.98 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 13.73 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -8.4% |
| 1995 | 11.38 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -17.1% |
| 2000 | 4.13 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -63.7% |
| 2001 | 3.76 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -9.1% |
| 2002 | 4.51 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +19.9% |
| 2003 | 4.76 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +5.6% |
| 2004 | 4.35 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -8.6% |
| 2005 | 4.2 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -3.4% |
| 2006 | 4.43 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +5.4% |
| 2007 | 4.72 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +6.6% |
| 2008 | 6.12 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +29.7% |
| 2009 | 13.11 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +114.1% |
| 2010 | 14.69 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +12.1% |
| 2011 | 16.39 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +11.6% |
| 2012 | 15.56 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -5.1% |
| 2013 | 13.85 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -11.0% |
| 2014 | 12.5 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -9.7% |
| 2015 | 10.42 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -16.6% |
| 2016 | 24.75 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +137.6% |
| 2017 | 7.1 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -71.3% |
| 2018 | 5.83 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -17.9% |
| 2019 | 5.22 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -10.5% |
| 2020 | 6.54 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +25.5% |
| 2021 | 6.08 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -7.1% |
| 2022 | 5.07 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -16.6% |
| 2023 | 4.93 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -2.8% |
| 2024 | 4.93 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 5.3 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +7.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 13.58 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 13.58 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 13.58 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 1 |
| 1990s | 13.61 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 11.38 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 14.98 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 4 |
| 2000s | 5.41 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 3.76 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 13.11 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 10 |
| 2010s | 12.63 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 5.22 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 24.75 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.48 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 4.93 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 6.54 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 20 OECD 6.5 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 21 Switzerland 5.81 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 22 India 5.44 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 24 Hungary 5.11 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 25 Germany 4.85 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 26 New Zealand 4.75 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup 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 rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in Ireland?
- Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in Ireland was 5.3 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 24.75 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2016.
- What is the lowest unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.76 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2001.
- How does Ireland rank for unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group?
- Ireland ranks 23rd out of 37 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 49.2%. 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 Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group and gender. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This dataset contains data on unemployment rates by educational attainment level, age group and gender. The default table displays 2025 data (or the latest available year) on the unemployment rates of 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary, upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary, or tertiary attainment. The selection can be changed to display data by more detailed educational attainment level, by programme orientation, by gender and by age group. Filter the time period to display historical data. Data for the latest available year are preliminary. Final data will be released on September 29, 2026. For more information, please consult the Education at a Glance web page and the OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics: Concepts, Standards, Definitions and Classifications.