Annual employment growth moderates in first quarter of 2007
The number of persons in employment grew by 76,800 or 3.8% in the year to 2,074,900 in the first quarter of 2007. This compares to an annual growth rate of 4.3% in the previous quarter and to a rate of 4.7% in the same quarter last year. The number of men in employment increased over the year by 38,100 (+3.3%) while the number of females increased by 38,700 (+4.6%).
Migration continues to fuel labour force growth
Demographic factors, such as the increase in the population of working age and changes in its age structure, added an estimated 63,000 to the labour force over the year. Net inward migration is estimated to have accounted for almost 75% of this demographic increase. The demographic factor was particularly evident in the case of the 25-34 age group, the age group most affected by net inward migration, where a rise in the labour force of over 31,000 was recorded in the year.
Increased labour force participation accounted for the balance of 17,400 in the annual labour force growth. All age groups with the exception of those aged 25-34, which remained static recorded increases in participation rates, while female participation rates in particular continued to rise sharply.
These figures are taken from the latest Quarterly National Household Survey results, published today (15th May 2007). The main results are summarised below.
| Main results Q1 2007 |
Persons
|
Change in Quarter
|
Change in year
|
| Employment |
2,074,900
|
+8,800
|
+76,800
|
| Unemployment |
91,800
|
+3,100
|
+3,600
|
| Labour Force |
2,166,700
|
+11,900
|
+80,400
|
Construction accounts for almost three quarters of male employment growth
Employment growth in the Construction sector remained very strong, with an increase of 28,300 (+11.2%) to 282,100 in the year to the first quarter of 2007. The growth in the Construction sector was dominated by males (+27,800) and accounted for 73% of the overall annual increase in the number of males at work.
Increase in numbers unemployed
There were 56,100 males and 35,700 females unemployed in the first quarter of 2007, representing annual increases of 3,300 and 300 for males and females respectively. The largest annual increase in the numbers unemployed was in the 35-44 year age group where the numbers increased by 2,300 to 17,800.
For further information contact
Tara Galvin on 021 453 5093 or Noel Ryan on 021 453 5491
Fax 021 453 5492
E-mail: labour@cso.ie
15 May 2007
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