- Employment in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased by 66,800 (3.1 per cent) relative to the same quarter the previous year.
- Full-time employment increased by 90,100 (5.4 per cent) over the same period – a very positive development.
- The increase in employment remains broad based – with annual gains across most sectors and regions recorded by the CSO.
- Unemployment continues to fall, with the unemployment rate declining to 6.1 per cent in February.
Today’s (14th March) Labour Force Survey (LFS) data published by the CSO show continued strong momentum in the labour market with robust jobs growth.
Welcoming the figures, Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D. said:
“Today’s figures show that the number at work continues to expand, with 66,800 additional jobs created over the year to the fourth quarter of 2017. For last year as a whole, total employment growth was 2.9 per cent. This is evidence that the economy is performing well and generating jobs-rich growth.
We have now seen 22 consecutive quarters of employment growth and employment is now at its highest level since 2008. Crucially, employment growth remains broad-based with annual gains recorded in most sectors and regions.
In parallel, unemployment continues to fall, with the unemployment rate reaching 6.1 per cent in February. Encouragingly, we are also seeing declines in long-term unemployment and the youth unemployment rate.
The Government is committed to ensuring these positive trends continue, by safeguarding the gains in competitiveness made in recent years. Recent policies such as progressive reductions in the labour tax burden are contributing to these positive trends.”
Ends