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 15,400 (-12.1%) to 112,000 in the year to Q4 2022, using standard International Labour Organisation (ILO) criteria. The unadjusted unemployment rate for persons aged 15-74 years decreased from 4.9% to 4.2% over the year to Q4 2022. See Table 2.1.
Unemployment decreased by 10,900 (-16.1%) for males to 57,200 in the year to Q4 2022 – this compares with a fall of 4,400 (-7.5%) to 54,800 for females over the same period. The unemployment rate for males was 4.0% in Q4 2022 down from 4.9% a year earlier while the corresponding rates for females were 4.4% and 4.8% respectively.
The unemployment volume for males of 57,200 is the lowest since Q4 2006. The male unemployment rate of 4.0% is the lowest since Q2 2001, when the same rate was recorded. See Tables 2.1 and 3.1.
The unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 years, known as the Youth Unemployment Rate, stood at 9.1% in Q4 2022 down from 10.2% in Q4 2021. See Table 2.2.
Just over two thirds (67.1%)* of unemployed persons in Q4 2022 were in short-term unemployment (less than one year). Over the year to Q4 2022, short-term unemployment fell by 6,700 (-8.7%) to 69,800 while there was a fall of 10,000 (-22.5%) in the numbers of long-term unemployed to 34.300. See Table 3.2.
*excluding ‘Not stated’
The long-term unemployment rate decreased from 1.7% in Q4 2021 to 1.3% in Q4 2022. Just under a third (32.9%)* of unemployed persons were in long-term unemployment in Q4 2022 which is down from 36.7%* a year earlier. See Table 3.2.
*excluding ‘Not stated’
On an annual basis, unemployment decreased in all NUTS 3 regions with the exception of the Border region.
The largest decrease occurred in the Dublin region (-4,800) followed by the Mid-East region (-4,200). Unemployment in the Border region increased by 1,900. See Table 2.5.
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