Unemployment rate increased to 4.9% in July

Ireland’s unemployment rate increased slightly in July to 4.9%, as some economists sounded warnings over rising global uncertainty.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the seasonally adjusted rate was 4.9%, up from 4.6% in June 2025.

On an annual basis, the July 2025 unemployment rate of 4.9% was up from a revised rate of 4.5% in July 2024.

Breaking down the results by sex, the monthly unemployment rate in July 2025 was 5% for men, up from a revised rate of 4.8% in June 2025, and up from a revised rate of 4.3% recorded in July 2024.

The monthly unemployment rate in July 2025 was 4.7% for women, up from a revised rate of 4.3% in June 2025, and unchanged from the July 2024 rate.

In terms of age, the monthly youth unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 years was 12.2%, up from a revised rate of 11.3% in June 2025.

The monthly unemployment rate for people aged 25-74 years was 3.8%, up from the revised rate of 3.6% in June 2025.

Andrew Webb, chief economist at Grant Thornton Ireland, said the figures suggest business confidence may be “softening”.

“The rise in unemployment to 4.9% is a warning light on the economic dashboard,” he said.

“After three months of rate stability, this sharp increase, especially the spike in youth unemployment to 12.2%, suggests that business confidence may be softening.

“Rising global uncertainty and the growing risk of tariffs are making firms more cautious.

“That hesitation is now showing up in the jobs data. Ireland’s labour market remains strong by historical standards, but policymakers should take this signal seriously.

“If ignored, today’s flicker could become a more persistent fault.”

Conor Delves, statistician in the CSO’s labour market analysis section, said: “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for all people aged 15-74 years in July 2025 was 4.9%, an increase from 4.6% in June 2025, and up from 4.5% in July 2024.

“In July 2025, the unemployment rate for men was 5% and for women was 4.7%.

“The seasonally adjusted number of people unemployed was 143,100 in July 2025, compared with 134,500 in June 2025.

“There was an increase of 12,700 in the seasonally adjusted number of people unemployed in July 2025 when compared with July 2024.

“The seasonally adjusted number of unemployed men rose to 78,200 in July 2025, compared with 75,100 in June 2025.

“The seasonally adjusted number of unemployed women in July 2025 was 64,900, up from 59,300 in June 2025.”