Recent Labour Market Trends in Ireland

This discussion paper serves as a general overview of recent labour market trends in Ireland. Quarterly National Household Survey Data from Q2 2007, Q2 2008 and Q1 2009 is utilised. The structure of employment and unemployment is outlined at both a regional and sectoral level. Those most at risk of unemployment in the current downturn are profiled (by analysing the attributes of the unemployed using the most up-to-date data available to us, Q1 2009). The analysis shows that male unemployment increased over the period with the proportion of unemployed males to females going from 60% in Q2 2007 to 68% in Q2 2008 and 71% in Q1 2009. Those aged 34 or less were also more vulnerable with 59% of the unemployed across regions falling into this age category in Q1 2009. Of the unemployed stating a previous sector of employment, 56% were previously employed in Construction, Manufacturing or Wholesale and Retail in Q1 2009. The proportion of the unemployed previously employed in construction went from 16% to 26% to 32% over the period Q2 2007 to Q1 2009. In terms of nationality, both Irish and non-Irish were adversely affected during the period but unemployment figures for Q1 2009 show a larger increase for non-Irish from Q2 2008. Finally, with regard to educational attainment, the analysis shows that increasing numbers of educated workers are at risk of unemployment with 21% of the unemployed nationally now holding a third level degree or higher up two percentage points from Q2 2008.