The share of Irish job postings offering remote or hybrid work reached a record high at the end of December 2024, according to Indeed’s latest Jobs & Hiring Trends Report. At 17.5%, this figure is more than four times higher than pre-pandemic levels, signaling the enduring appeal of flexible work arrangements despite some high-profile return-to-office mandates from companies.
The increase in remote and hybrid job postings is particularly notable in industries like media and communications, insurance, and software development. This shift in the job market comes amid a tight labour market in Ireland, where unemployment remains well below 5%. Job flexibility, it seems, is a key factor in attracting talent.
Indeed’s report also highlighted wage growth in the country, with posted wages rising by 4.6% year-on-year in December, surpassing the euro area average of 3.3%. Wage growth has consistently stayed above 4% since the start of 2024. Although overall job postings have gradually declined from their peak in 2022, they remain 19% above pre-pandemic levels and have remained relatively stable since mid-2024.
The report also noted a significant increase in the share of job searches from outside Ireland. Over the course of 2024, 13% of job searches on Indeed were made by individuals outside the country, the highest level since 2017. Sectors such as agriculture, personal care and home health, civil engineering, and physicians and surgeons have seen the most interest from foreign candidates.
Certain occupations, particularly in engineering, technology, professional services, and agriculture, are still proving difficult to fill, reflecting long-standing skill shortages. Additionally, while jobs specifically mentioning generative AI remain rare, they are growing rapidly across fields like data science and software development.
Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist at Indeed, commented on the resilience of the Irish labour market. “Despite global uncertainty, the Irish labour market continues to be resilient and looks set to remain so in 2025,” he said. “For jobseekers, that means they retain leverage when it comes to pay and benefits, as evidenced by robust wage growth and employers continuing to offer flexibility.”
Kennedy also pointed out that offering competitive pay and benefits is crucial for employers, not only to attract new talent but also to retain existing employees in a market where replacing staff can be challenging. For employers looking to expand their talent pool, recruiting from abroad may be an increasingly viable solution.