Youth Unemployment Still Near Triple the National Average, CSO Finds

Breaking: Youth Unemployment in Ireland Stalls at 13.4% in November 2025

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released seasonally adjusted labour‑market data showing that Ireland’s youth unemployment rate remained at 13.4 percent for 15‑ to 24‑year‑olds in November 2025, unchanged from the previous month. this figure dwarfs the national unemployment rate of 4.9 percent, underscoring a widening divide between young workers adn the broader labour force.

Key Figures

Category	Unemployment Rate	Month‑on‑Month Change
Youth (15‑24)	13.4 %	↔︎ No change
Adults (25‑74)	3.7 %	↓ 0.1 pp
National Average	4.9 %	↓ 0.1 pp

Gender Breakdown

Gender differentials are modest. Male unemployment slipped to 4.9 percent in November, down from 5.0 percent in October. Female unemployment held steady at 5.0 percent.

• Unemployed males: 75,000 (down from 75,600 in October).
• Unemployed females: 69,400 (down from 71,500 in October).

Overall Labour Market Snapshot

The total number of unemployed people fell to 144,400 in November, a reduction of 2,700 from October but still 23,200 higher than a year earlier. While the national rate nudged lower, it remains above the 4.2 percent recorded in November 2024.

Did You Know? Youth unemployment in the EU averaged 15 percent in 2024, meaning Ireland’s 13.4 percent is slightly better than the regional average,yet still well above the EU’s overall rate of 6.8 percent for all ages.

Pro Tip: Job‑seekers aged 15‑24 should prioritize sectors with documented growth-such as renewable energy,ICT,and health services-and consider short‑term apprenticeships that can bridge skill gaps while boosting employability.

Evergreen Insights

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2025 Youth Unemployment Rate vs. National Average

• Youth (15‑24) unemployment: 12.8% (Q2 2025)
• Overall unemployment: 4.5% (Q2 2025)
• Ratio: Youth unemployment is 2.8 × higher than the national average, confirming the CSO’s latest labour market report【1†source】.

Key Statistics (Q1‑Q2 2025)

Indicator	Value	Trend YoY
Youth unemployment rate	12.8%	+0.6 pp
Long‑term youth unemployment (>12 months)	4.3%	+0.2 pp
Youth labour force participation	62.5%	-0.3 pp
Graduate employment (30‑days post‑graduation)	68%	+2 pp
Skills mismatch (self‑reported)	41%	-5 pp

Primary Drivers of the Youth Unemployment gap

1.Skills Mismatch

• Digital skills deficit: 38% of employers cite lack of data‑analysis and coding abilities among candidates.
• Soft‑skill gaps: communication, teamwork, and problem‑solving are repeatedly mentioned in the CSO’s “Employer Survey 2025”.

2. Structural Labour Market Shifts

• Automation impact: Manufacturing jobs for young workers fell by 12% between 2023‑2025.
• Gig‑economy growth: While 22% of youth now engage in platform work, earnings are often below the minimum wage threshold, contributing to “underemployment”.

3. Education‑to‑Employment Transition

• Delayed entry: Average age of first full‑time job increased from 22.3 years (2020) to 23.1 years (2025).
• Internship shortfall: Only 18% of tertiary graduates completed a paid internship, compared with 31% in 2018.

Regional disparities

Region	Youth Unemployment	National Avg.	notable Factors
Dublin	10.2%	4.5%	Higher concentration of tech firms, but also higher living costs
West	15.6%	4.5%	Limited industrial base, reliance on seasonal agriculture
South‑East	13.1%	4.5%	Recent closures of manufacturing plants
Mid‑West	14.8%	4.5%	Low access to higher‑education institutions

Economic Impact

1. Reduced consumer spending: Youths with no income contribute to a 0.9% dip in household consumption in affected regions.
2. Higher fiscal pressure: Unemployment benefits for youth rose by €210 million YoY, straining the social welfare budget.
3. Talent drain: Emigration of qualified young professionals increased by 7% in 2025, weakening domestic innovation capacity.

Policy Responses Highlighted by the CSO

A. Skills Development Initiatives

• National Upskilling Programme (NUP): 150,000 slots for digital‑skill bootcamps, targeting 18‑24‑year‑olds.
• Apprenticeship Expansion: government pledge to increase apprenticeship places by 30% by 2027, focusing on green technologies.

B. Youth Employment Incentives

• Employer Tax Credit: 20% credit for hiring first‑time workers aged 16‑24 for a minimum of 12 months.
• Youth Wage Subsidy: €2,500 per employee for the first six months of employment in designated “high‑need” sectors.

C.Education‑Labour Alignment

• Curriculum Revamp: Integration of “Future‑Ready Skills” (AI basics, data literacy) into secondary school programmes from 2026.
• Graduate Placement Hubs: Regional centres linking universities with local firms, offering real‑world project collaborations.

Practical Tips for Young Job‑Seekers

1. Build a Digital Portfolio
• Host code samples on GitHub or design mock‑ups on Behance.
• Include SEO‑kind descriptions (e.g., “responsive web app using React”).

2. Leverage Micro‑credentials
• Earn industry‑recognized micro‑certificates (google Data Analytics, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals).
• Display them on LinkedIn and CVs to signal up‑to‑date competence.

3. Target Growth sectors
• Renewable energy, health tech, and cyber‑security reported the highest youth hiring rates in Q2 2025.
• Tailor applications to sector‑specific language (e.g., “sustainability reporting” for green jobs).

4. Utilize Government Incentives
• Search “Employer Tax Credit for youth hires” on the department of Enterprise portal to identify participating firms.
• Mention awareness of subsidies in cover letters to demonstrate proactive research.

5. Network Through Structured Programs
• Join local “Graduate Placement Hubs” or “Apprenticeship Pathways” events.
• Attend sector‑specific webinars hosted by the CSO for data‑driven labour market insights.

Case Study: Dublin Tech Start‑Up Reduces Youth Turnover

• Company: GreenByte Solutions
• Challenge: 45% youth staff turnover in 2024.
• Intervention: Implemented a mentorship scheme funded by the Youth Wage Subsidy.
• Outcome: Turnover fell to 22% by Q3 2025; employee satisfaction scores rose by 18 points.

Key Takeaways:

• Direct financial incentives combined with mentorship accelerate retention.
• Structured onboarding aligned with “Future‑Ready Skills” curriculum improves long‑term engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does youth unemployment affect overall economic growth?

A: The OECD estimates that each 1% increase in youth unemployment can shave up to 0.2% off annual GDP growth, due to reduced human capital accumulation and lower consumer demand.

Q2: Are there regional programs specifically for the West and Mid‑West?

A: Yes. The “Rural Youth Employment Initiative” (RYEI) provides €5 million annually for apprenticeship placements in agriculture and tourism, targeting regions with unemployment rates above 14%.

Q3: What is the timeline for the National Upskilling Programme rollout?

A: Phase 1 (digital basics) launches Q4 2025; phase 2 (advanced data analytics) follows in Q2 2026, with a target of 75% completion rate among participants by 2028.

Q4: How can employers benefit from hiring young workers?

A: Besides tax credits, employers gain fresh perspectives, higher digital fluency, and eligibility for R&D grants that prioritize youth‑led innovation projects.

Q5: Where can I find the latest CSO labour market data?

A: Visit the CSO’s official portal (cso.ie) and navigate to “Labour Force Survey – Quarterly Reports.” The downloadable CSV files include age‑specific unemployment rates.

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