Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ireland
Ireland: Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates was 4.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ireland, 1983–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ireland is 4.7%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 5.0% on the previous year and down 52.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ireland peaked at 18.1% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 3.7%, in 2001.
Ireland ranks 107th of 185 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ireland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 14.8% | — |
| 1984 | 16.4% | +11.3% |
| 1985 | 17.9% | +9.0% |
| 1986 | 18.0% | +0.6% |
| 1987 | 18.1% | +0.2% |
| 1988 | 17.4% | -3.5% |
| 1989 | 16.1% | -7.7% |
| 1990 | 14.1% | -12.5% |
| 1991 | 15.8% | +12.0% |
| 1992 | 15.0% | -4.8% |
| 1993 | 15.6% | +3.7% |
| 1994 | 14.5% | -6.6% |
| 1995 | 12.0% | -17.7% |
| 1996 | 11.7% | -2.3% |
| 1997 | 10.2% | -12.8% |
| 1998 | 7.7% | -24.5% |
| 1999 | 5.8% | -24.6% |
| 2000 | 4.3% | -25.6% |
| 2001 | 3.7% | -14.7% |
| 2002 | 4.2% | +14.4% |
| 2003 | 4.5% | +6.2% |
| 2004 | 4.5% | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 4.2% | -5.7% |
| 2006 | 4.4% | +2.8% |
| 2007 | 5.0% | +14.4% |
| 2008 | 6.8% | +36.0% |
| 2009 | 12.6% | +86.1% |
| 2010 | 14.5% | +15.3% |
| 2011 | 15.4% | +5.6% |
| 2012 | 15.5% | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 13.7% | -11.1% |
| 2014 | 11.9% | -13.7% |
| 2015 | 9.9% | -16.4% |
| 2016 | 8.4% | -15.5% |
| 2017 | 6.7% | -19.8% |
| 2018 | 5.7% | -14.5% |
| 2019 | 5.0% | -13.8% |
| 2020 | 5.6% | +13.6% |
| 2021 | 6.4% | +13.1% |
| 2022 | 4.5% | -29.8% |
| 2023 | 4.2% | -5.0% |
| 2024 | 4.5% | +5.5% |
| 2025 | 4.7% | +5.0% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 4.7% is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.9%, 96% of the median. (77 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 4.7% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 5.6%, 85% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 17.0% | 14.8% | 18.1% | 7 |
| 1990s | 12.2% | 5.8% | 15.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.4% | 3.7% | 12.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.7% | 5.0% | 15.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.0% | 4.2% | 6.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More reference data data for Ireland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0921 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.87 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 3.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 21.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.5015 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ireland?
- Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ireland was 4.7% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 18.1% in 1987.
- What is the lowest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.7% in 2001.
- How does Ireland rank for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates?
- Ireland ranks 107th out of 185 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 52.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 43 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.