Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland
Ireland: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 4.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland, 1983–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Ireland recorded 4.7% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.0% on the previous year and down 52.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland peaked at 18.1% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 3.7%, in 2001.
Ireland ranks 109th of 187 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, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 14.8% | — |
| 1984 | 16.4% | +11.3% |
| 1985 | 17.9% | +9.0% |
| 1986 | 18.0% | +0.6% |
| 1987 | 18.1% | +0.2% |
| 1988 | 17.4% | -3.5% |
| 1989 | 16.1% | -7.7% |
| 1990 | 14.1% | -12.5% |
| 1991 | 15.8% | +12.0% |
| 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 | 4.5% | +5.5% |
| 2025 | 4.7% | +5.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 17.0% | 14.8% | 18.1% | 7 |
| 1990s | 12.2% | 5.8% | 15.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.4% | 3.7% | 12.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.7% | 5.0% | 15.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.0% | 4.2% | 6.4% | 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, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland was 4.7% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 18.1% in 1987.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.7% in 2001.
- How does Ireland rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Ireland ranks 109th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 52.6%. 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, total (% of total 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.