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 30,000 (-20.1%) to 119,100 in the year to Q3 2022, using standard International Labour Organisation (ILO) criteria. The unadjusted unemployment rate for persons aged 15-74 years decreased from 5.7% to 4.5% over the year to Q3 2022. See Table 2.1.
Unemployment decreased by 19,200 (-24.4%) for males to 59,400 in the year to Q3 2022 – this compares with a fall of 10,800 (-15.3%) to 59,700 for females over the same period. The unemployment rate for males was 4.2% in Q3 2022 down from 5.7% a year earlier while the corresponding rates for females were 4.8% and 5.8% respectively.
The unemployment volume for males of 59,400 is the lowest since Q4 2006, and the male unemployment rate of 4.2% is the lowest since Q4 2005. See Tables 2.1 and 3.1.
The unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 years, known as the Youth Unemployment Rate, stood at 12.0% in Q3 2022 down from 12.1% in Q3 2021. See Table 2.2.
Just under three quarters (72.8%)* of unemployed persons in Q3 2022 were in short-term unemployment (less than one year). Over the year to Q3 2022, short-term unemployment fell by 13,500 (-14.4%) to 80,800 while there was a fall of 14,900 (-33.1%) in the numbers of long-term unemployed to 30,200. See Table 3.2.
*excluding ‘Not stated’
The long-term unemployment rate decreased from 1.7% in Q3 2021 to 1.1% in Q3 2022. Just over a quarter (27.2%)* of unemployed persons were in long-term unemployment in Q3 2022 which is down from 32.3%* a year earlier. See Table 3.2.
*excluding ‘Not stated’
On an annual basis, unemployment decreased in all eight NUTS 3 regions with the exception of the Border region.
The largest decrease occurred in the Dublin region (-9,000) followed by the Mid-East region (-7,600). Unemployment in the Border region increased by 3,900. See Table 2.5.
