The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Ireland inched higher to 4.9% in May of 2026 from 4.8% in the previous month and 4.6% in the previous year, although it remained below this year's peak of 5%. The number of net employment in the Irish economy rose by 1,000 to 141,700. The unemployment rate for the male population was held unchanged at 4.5%, while that for the female population inched higher to 5.3% from 5.2%. source: Central Statistics Office Ireland

Unemployment Rate in Ireland increased to 4.90 percent in May from 4.80 percent in April of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Ireland averaged 9.82 percent from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 17.30 percent in December of 1985 and a record low of 3.90 percent in October of 2000. This page provides the latest reported value for - Ireland Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Ireland Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Ireland increased to 4.90 percent in May from 4.80 percent in April of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Ireland is expected to be 4.80 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Ireland Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 5.00 percent in 2027 and 5.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-07 10:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 4.8% 5% 4.7%
2026-06-04 10:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
May 4.9% 4.8% 4.9%
2026-07-01 10:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 4.9% 4.8%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings 33.13 31.12 EUR Mar 2026
Average Weekly Hours 32.40 32.50 Hours Mar 2026
Employed Persons 2794.50 2832.90 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Rate 73.30 74.50 percent Mar 2026
Full Time Employment 2233.00 2250.40 Thousand Mar 2026
Initial Jobless Claims 10156.00 12663.00 Persons Apr 2026
Job Vacancy Rate 1.30 1.30 percent Dec 2025
Labor Force Participation Rate 65.00 65.80 percent Mar 2026
Part Time Employment 561.50 582.50 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployed Persons 141.70 140.70 Thousand May 2026
Unemployment Change -5900.00 -1500.00 Persons Apr 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.90 4.80 percent May 2026
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 4.40 3.10 percent Mar 2026
Wages 1074.61 1011.88 EUR/Week Mar 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 1271.04 1144.42 EUR/Week Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 9.90 9.80 percent May 2026


Ireland Unemployment Rate
In Ireland, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.90 4.80 17.30 3.90 1983 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Irish Unemployment Rate Inches Higher
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Ireland inched higher to 4.9% in May of 2026 from 4.8% in the previous month and 4.6% in the previous year, although it remained below this year's peak of 5%. The number of net employment in the Irish economy rose by 1,000 to 141,700. The unemployment rate for the male population was held unchanged at 4.5%, while that for the female population inched higher to 5.3% from 5.2%.
2026-06-04
Irish Jobless Rate Falls to 4.8% in April
Ireland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 4.8% in April 2026, down from a revised 5.0% in March and slightly above the 4.6% recorded a year earlier. The total number of unemployed people fell by 5,900 to 140,300. By gender, the unemployment rate for females decreased to 5.2% from a revised 5.3% in March, with the number of unemployed women dropping by 2,300 to 71,200. For males, the rate fell to 4.5% from 4.7%, with unemployment declining by 3,500 to 69,200. Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) also improved, falling to 9.8% from 11.2% in March. For those aged 25-74, the rate edged down to 4.1% from 4.2%.
2026-05-07
Ireland’s Unemployment Rises to 4.7% in March 2026
Ireland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.7% in March 2026, up from 4.6% in February and 4.5% a year earlier. The total number of unemployed people reached 140,000, a rise of 1,100 from the previous month. Female unemployment grew by 2,100 to 66,100, while male unemployment fell by 1,000 to 73,900. Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) edged up to 12.5%, compared to 12.4% in February. For those aged 25-74, the rate remained steady at 3.5%.
2026-04-01