Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland
Ireland: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 4.6% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland is 4.6%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 7.7% on the previous year and down 53.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland peaked at 15.8% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 3.7%, in 2001.
That places Ireland 110th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 15.8% | — |
| 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 | 4.3% | +1.3% |
| 2025 | 4.6% | +7.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12.0% | 5.8% | 15.8% | 9 |
| 2000s | 5.4% | 3.7% | 12.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.7% | 5.0% | 15.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.9% | 4.2% | 6.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 107 Kazakhstan 4.8% compare
- 108 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 4.7% compare
- 109 Norway 4.6% compare
- 111 Uzbekistan 4.6% compare
- 112 China 4.6% compare
- 113 Hungary 4.5% compare
More education data for Ireland
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 32,531 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,942 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 52,745 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 49,975 (2022)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 456,625 (2022)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 548,873 (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.49 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1053 units per person (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ireland was 4.6% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 15.8% in 1991.
- 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 110th 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 53.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO 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.