'Remarkable growth' in employment numbers as Ireland reaches record levels

Over 100,000 jobs were created in the first quarter of this year with employment now standing at 2.61 million, latest figures show. 

Unemployment is down 12.7 per cent when compared with the same period in 2022. 

The Q1 2023 Labour Force Survey and latest Monthly Unemployment Release details:

Employment continues to grow, with 102,700 jobs created in the year to Q1 2023

Total employment stands at 2.61 million, in excess of the 2.5 million target set in the Economic Recovery Plan for 2024

Regions have driven this jobs growth – Employment outside of Dublin increased by 79,700 in the year to Q1 2023 (+ 4.6 percent)

Full time employment was up 73,800 (+3.7 percent) year on year in the first quarter

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) results published today by the Central Statistics Office show continued growth in Ireland’s labour market, with 102,700 jobs created in the year to Q1 2023. Employment now stands at 2.61 million, an increase of approximately 4.1 percent over Q1 2022.

Commenting on the figures, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, said:“We have more people employed in our country than ever before, with the monthly unemployment rate standing at just 3.9% in April. This is a considerable accomplishment given the challenges Ireland faced in recent years, including Brexit, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and global inflationary pressures. It is a testament to the hard work and remarkable resilience of Irish enterprise”.

Welcoming the figures, the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, said: “Today’s figures represent remarkable growth in employment since the end of the pandemic, more than 100,000 jobs have been added in the year to Q1 and almost 50,000 were added in the first quarter alone on a seasonally adjusted basis.

“Indeed, more than a quarter of a million jobs (+260,000) have been added since just before the pandemic.  This is a significant achievement given the global economic headwinds faced in recent years and points to the success of Government policies introduced in response to these challenges.

“Looking ahead, labour supply is likely to remain a constraint on employment growth over the near term and this presents a growing risk that self-reinforcing wage-price dynamics could take hold. The Government will therefore continue to be vigilant of these risks to avoid the emergence of a wage-price spiral that could damage our competitiveness and impact our economy.”

Please also find a link to the result themselves here.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department has lead responsibility for Irish policy on global trade and inward investment and a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.