LFS estimates were updated on 22nd Feb 2024 to incorporate updated population estimates for the period 2016 Q3 to 2023 Q3, based on the results of Census 2022. LFS results are updated in this way following each Census of Population. For further information see Background Notes.
The data in this publication does not reflect these updates. Please refer to the relevant tables on LFS Px-stat for updated LFS estimates.
The number of persons aged 15-74 years who were unemployed decreased by 16,000 (-12.7%) to 110,700 in the year to Q1 2023, using standard International Labour Organisation (ILO) criteria. The unadjusted unemployment rate for persons aged 15-74 years decreased from 4.8% to 4.1% over the year to Q1 2023. See Table 2.1.
Unemployment decreased by 6,100 (-8.9%) for males to 62,700 in the year to Q1 2023– this compares with a fall of 10,000 (-17.2%) to 48,000 for females over the same period. The unemployment rate for males was 4.4% in Q1 2023 down from 5.0% a year earlier while the corresponding rates for females were 3.8% and 4.7% respectively.
The unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 years, known as the Youth Unemployment Rate, stood at 8.6% in Q1 2023 up from 7.5% in Q1 2022. See Table 2.2.
Just over two thirds (68.4%)* of unemployed persons in Q1 2023 were in short-term unemployment (less than one year). Over the year to Q1 2023, short-term unemployment fell by 7,900 (-10.3%) to 69,400 while there was a fall of 11,500 (-26.4%) in the numbers of long-term unemployed to 32,100. See Table 3.2.
*excluding ‘Not stated’
The long-term unemployment rate decreased from 1.7% in Q1 2022 to 1.2% in Q1 2023. Just under a third (31.6%)* of unemployed persons were in long-term unemployment in Q1 2023 which is down from 36.1%* a year earlier. See Table 3.2.
*excluding ‘Not stated’
On an annual basis, unemployment decreased in all NUTS 3 regions with the exception of the West region.
The largest decrease occurred in the Dublin region (-4,700) followed by the South-East region (-4,300). Unemployment in the West region increased by 1,100. See Table 2.5.
