The number of people on the Live Register rose slightly in July, with seasonally adjusted figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showing 169,600 claimants. This marks an increase of 0.7%, or 1,100 people, compared with June.
The unadjusted total for the month stood at 185,627, with men accounting for 52% of claimants and Irish nationals representing 73% of the total.
By age group, those aged 25–34 years made up the largest share, with 44,446 people, or nearly one-quarter of all registrants. Young people under the age of 25 accounted for 12.3% of the total, equivalent to 22,743 claimants.
Regional trends varied sharply over the past year. Dublin recorded the biggest percentage increase in Live Register numbers in the 12 months to July, up 5.6%. Kildare followed with a 2.8% rise. By contrast, Kerry saw the steepest fall, down 13.7%, while Clare reported a drop of 9.5%.
The Live Register is not a direct measure of unemployment, as it includes part-time employees, seasonal workers, and casual workers who qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance. Nonetheless, it is considered a key short-term indicator of labour market activity.
Separate CSO figures released this week showed the unemployment rate also inched higher in July. The seasonally adjusted rate was 4.9%, up from 4.6% in June. The slight rise suggests some cooling in the labour market after a period of strong employment growth earlier this year.
Economists note that while the Live Register captures a broader group than the official unemployment count, increases in both measures may reflect a combination of seasonal patterns, changes in hiring activity, and broader economic factors.
Labour market analysts will be watching the coming months closely to see whether the uptick is temporary or signals a more sustained slowdown. Seasonal factors, particularly in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and education, typically influence summer figures.
The CSO’s latest data will be closely scrutinised by policymakers, as the government prepares for the upcoming budget amid pressure to address cost-of-living challenges and support job creation. Maintaining a balance between labour market resilience and inflation control is likely to remain a priority for economic planners.
