Ireland Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Ireland's unemployment rate was 4.63% in 2025, ranked 77th globally. This represents a 7.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1985–2025.
Overview
Ireland's unemployment rate stood at 4.63% in 2025, a rise of +0.32pp from 2024. The IMF projects 4.58% by 2025. Ireland ranked 77th globally.
Ireland’s unemployment rate has fallen dramatically from its all‑time peak of 18.80 % in 1987 to a trough of 3.68 % in 2001, reflecting structural reforms and a buoyant export‑driven economy during the Celtic Tiger era. After a modest rise in the post‑financial‑crisis period, the rate reached 4.63 % in 2025, placing Ireland 77th globally and virtually matching the 4.62 % recorded by Uzbekistan and China and the 4.64 % of Norway. The 41‑year series shows a long‑term downward bias despite cyclical fluctuations, underscoring the resilience of the labour market to external shocks such as Brexit and the COVID‑19 pandemic. Continued diversification of high‑skill sectors and sustained investment in education are likely to keep the unemployment rate near the current low‑single‑digit level, although a sharp external demand shock could reverse the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 4.81% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 4.78% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 4.67% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 4.60% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 4.56% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 4.58% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.63% | +0.32pp | #77 |
| 2024 | 4.30% | −0.01pp | #78 |
| 2023 | 4.24% | −0.22pp | #81 |
| 2022 | 4.47% | −1.79pp | #79 |
| 2021 | 6.36% | +0.52pp | #102 |
| 2020 | 5.62% | +0.64pp | #82 |
| 2019 | 4.95% | −0.86pp | #87 |
| 2018 | 5.74% | −1.02pp | #104 |
| 2017 | 6.71% | −1.68pp | #111 |
| 2016 | 8.37% | −1.55pp | #126 |
| 2015 | 9.91% | −1.98pp | #138 |
| 2014 | 11.86% | −1.92pp | #149 |
| 2013 | 13.74% | −1.75pp | #158 |
| 2012 | 15.45% | +0.04pp | #165 |
| 2011 | 15.35% | +0.75pp | #164 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ireland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ireland's unemployment rate was 4.63% in 2025. Ranked 77th globally. This represents a 7.5% increase from the previous year.
Ireland's unemployment rate peaked at 18.80% in 1987.
The lowest unemployment rate in Ireland was 3.68% in 2001.
Ireland ranks 77th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ireland's unemployment rate is projected to reach 4.58% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Ireland in 2025 was 4.63%. This ranks 77th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ireland_unemployment-rate,
title = {Ireland Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ireland/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}