Ireland’s unemployment rate declined to 4.1% in April, according to the latest figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), down from a revised 4.4% in March. The annual figure also marks a drop from 4.4% recorded in April 2024, suggesting continued stability in the Irish labour market despite growing global economic uncertainty.
The CSO noted revisions to previous months, with February’s unemployment rate adjusted upward to 4.4% from an earlier estimate of 3.9%, which had initially suggested a return to record low levels not seen since the early 2000s. Despite fluctuations, the jobless rate has remained in a relatively narrow band between 4.1% and 4.6% since March 2022.
In terms of gender, the unemployment rate for men fell to 4% in April, compared to 4.2% in March and 4.4% a year earlier. The rate for women also improved, declining to 4.2% from 4.5% in March and 4.4% in April 2024.
However, youth unemployment saw a notable increase, rising to 11.4% in April from 10.5% the previous month. The total number of unemployed individuals, adjusted for seasonal factors, dropped to 119,500 in April from 127,900 in March.
Jack Kennedy, senior economist at hiring platform Indeed, said the latest data reflect a resilient Irish labour market, though signs of cooling are emerging. “These figures show no immediate shift in the strength of the market, but with global volatility—including trade concerns and economic uncertainty—businesses are increasingly cautious,” Kennedy said.
He noted that job postings on Indeed have softened recently, falling by 4.1% since April 2, coinciding with the announcement of proposed U.S. tariffs—though these have since been paused. Sector-specific trends show pharmaceutical-related postings down by as much as 4%, while software development roles have seen a slight uptick of 0.7%.
Despite overall job postings remaining 12% above pre-pandemic levels, they have declined by nearly 16% year-on-year, Kennedy added. “While Ireland is close to full employment, a more pronounced or rapid decline in job vacancies could mark the beginning of a more uncertain phase for the labour market.”
The CSO’s April report comes as Ireland continues to navigate an evolving economic landscape shaped by international trade tensions, inflationary pressures, and shifting business sentiment.
