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Press Statement

Preasráiteas

13 May 2020

Press Statement Employment and Life Effects of COVID-19

Almost half the population (aged 15 years+) have had their employment situation affected by COVID-19
  • Almost half the population (47%) aged 15 years+ have experienced employment impacts
  • Of those whose employment has been impacted, 34% have started remote working from home, 12% have increased their number of hours remote working from home and 23% have seen a change in their work hours
  • Of those who have lost their employment, were temporarily laid off or are on leave (paid or unpaid), 94% expect to return to the same job
  • Fear of shopping is highest among the older population
  • Almost a quarter of the population aged 15 years+ are feeling lonely, with older and younger people feeling this the most
  • Almost a quarter (24%) of 35-44 years olds have childcare issues

Go to release: Employment and Life Effects of COVID-19

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (13 May 2020) published Employment and Life Effects of COVID-19. 

Commenting on the data, Statistician, Sinead Bracken, said:

'Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many changes to employment and day-to-day life for the people of Ireland. This publication analyses changes to work/employment, emotional well-being, effect on finances, and the impact on families for the Irish population aged 15 years and over.

Of the 47% of the population who have had their employment impacted by COVID-19, just over a third (34%) have started remote working from home, and 23% of affected persons have seen a change to their work hours. Of the population whose employment situation was affected by COVID-19 in that they lost their employment, were temporarily laid off, are on paid leave or unpaid leave, 94% expect to return to the same job after COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen 46% of the population aged 15 years+ increasing positive family time, with 59% of the population increasing their contact with family via telephone, Skype, Facetime etc.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the emotional well-being of the population aged 15 years+, in that 17% are worried about money, 24% are feeling lonely and 26% are afraid to go shopping. People aged over 65 years are those most afraid to go shopping.'

Editor's Note:

These results are based on questions quickly included in the Q2 Labour Force Survey as the COVID-19 pandemic developed. These questions asked respondents about changes to their employment and their day-to-day life since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These results give an insight into how our personal, home and work lives are changing and what the impact is on our well-being.

The statistics in this publication are based on a survey of 2,288 persons aged 15 years and over, sampled through the Q2 2020 Labour Force Survey. The data was gathered from 8 April 2020 – 23 April 2020 via CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing). More details on survey methodology can be found in the Background notes to the survey.

For further information contact:

Sinead Bracken (+353) 21 453 5935 or Caroline Barrett (+353) 21 453 5485

or email Health@cso.ie

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