Unemployment has continued to decline this year from their peak in 2012. Seasonally adjusted unemployment in the third quarter of 2016 was 7.9% with 4.2% long-term unemployed (52% of total unemployment). The participation rate at the same time was 60.3% compared to 64% in the same quarter in 2007.
Initially, decline in employment numbers affected some sectors more than others and similarly the upturn is benefitting some more than others. This has resulted in a slight restructuring of the work force.
This Research inBrief examines the distribution of these employment gains sectorally and the likely implications of this restructuring for future growth and employment in a small open economy such as Ireland.