The employment rate in Ireland has increased almost 3% to over 74%, while female participation is at a record high.
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that over 2.7 million people over the age of 15 and uder 65 were in employment between April and June. That is 71,000 more than the same time last year.
At 61.4%, the female participation rate was the highest recorded since the CSO started analysing the data in 1998.
Across both males and females, the estimated participation rate was 66%, up from 65.7% the same time last year.
The CSO figures show that over 20% worked part-time, while almost 25% of those in part-time employment were classified as underemployed – meaning they would like to work more hours for more pay.
In the 12 months to the end of June, the age group with the highest employment rate was those aged 35-44 years at 84.7%. This was down 0.8% on the previous year.
The lowest employment rate by age group was among 15-19 year olds at 27.3%.
The CSO said the biggest annual rise in employment rate was in the 25-34 year old group, which was up 1.7% to 84.3%.
Meanwhile, the estimated average number of hours worked between April and June was 87.3 million hours per week, which was 1.7 million more hours worked per week when compared the same period last year.
Today’s figures show that the overall unemployment rate was 4.6% in the second quarter of the year, up from 4.4% the same time last year.
In total, 131,200 people between the age of 15-74 were unemployed during the period.
The rate for those aged 15-24 years, known as the youth unemployment rate, stood at 12%, up from 12.2% in the second quarter of 2023.
There were 26,900 people in long-term unemployment, meaning unemployed for 12 months or longer.
This was 5,400 fewer people than the same time last year.
Article Source – Employment rate rises, female participation at record high – RTE
