Ireland Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Ireland's services employment was 77.93% in 2025, ranked 152nd globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Ireland's services employment stood at 77.93% in 2025, a rise of +0.34% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 78.66% by 2026. Ireland ranked 152nd globally.
Ireland’s share of employment in services rose steadily over the 35‑year series, climbing from an all‑time trough of 58.61 in 1991 to a peak of 78.09 in 2023, and standing at 77.93 in 2025, the 152nd highest level worldwide. The long‑term advance reflects the country’s structural shift toward a knowledge‑intensive, export‑oriented economy, reinforced by foreign direct investment in high‑value sectors such as information technology, pharmaceuticals and financial services. The near‑parity with peers such as Montenegro (77.58) and Iceland (78.15) underscores Ireland’s position among advanced service‑oriented economies, while still lagging marginally behind the top‑ranked Switzerland (78.17). The modest decline from the 2023 peak suggests a slight cooling, possibly linked to global demand fluctuations and tightening labour markets. Continued attraction of multinational firms and investment in digital infrastructure are likely to sustain the upward trajectory, although adverse external shocks could temper further gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 79.57% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 79.11% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 78.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 77.93% | +0.34% | #152 |
| 2024 | 77.59% | −0.50% | #152 |
| 2023 | 78.09% | +1.31% | #156 |
| 2022 | 76.78% | +0.71% | #154 |
| 2021 | 76.06% | −0.63% | #156 |
| 2020 | 76.70% | −0.10% | #158 |
| 2019 | 76.80% | +0.38% | #157 |
| 2018 | 76.42% | +0.31% | #156 |
| 2017 | 76.11% | −0.06% | #157 |
| 2016 | 76.17% | −0.39% | #159 |
| 2015 | 76.56% | −0.69% | #159 |
| 2014 | 77.26% | +0.26% | #163 |
| 2013 | 76.99% | −0.24% | #162 |
| 2012 | 77.23% | +0.41% | #167 |
| 2011 | 76.82% | +0.66% | #166 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ireland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ireland's services employment was 77.93% in 2025. Ranked 152nd globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from the previous year.
Ireland's services employment peaked at 78.09% in 2023.
The lowest services employment in Ireland was 58.61% in 1991.
Ireland ranks 152nd globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ireland's services employment is projected to reach 78.66% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Ireland in 2025 was 77.93%. This ranks 152nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ireland_services-employment,
title = {Ireland Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ireland/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}