The document analyzes labor force participation rates in Ireland from 1998 to 2017, showing an overall decline from 67.4% to 62.2%. It highlights regional variations and contrasts the participation rates by age and gender, noting significant gaps especially among older age groups. Additionally, it provides an international comparison with EU averages, indicating Ireland's relatively higher participation rates.

1. An examination of Labour Force
Participation Rates in Ireland since 1998
Eamon Murphy – Economic and Social Analyst

2. Change in the Participation Rate, by region
Region % change
Border -3.8%
Midland -8.2%
West -6.3%
Dublin -3.8%
Mid-East -7%
Mid-West -3.8%
South-East -5.7%
South-West -6.1%
Ireland -5.2%
Ireland’s overall Participation Rate fell from 67.4% to 62.2%

3. The Labour Force Participation Rate
Calculated as:
(People at work +
People actively seeking work)
Total working-age population

4. 55
57
59
61
63
65
67
69
Labour Force Participation Rate - Entire population
15 years and over
67.4%
62.2%

5. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - By Age (All)
15 - 19 years 20 - 24 years 25 - 34 years 35 - 44 years 45 - 54 years 55 - 59 years 60 - 64 years 65 years and over 15 years and over

6. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - 15-19 versus General population
15 - 19 years 15 years and over
40.7%
21.5%

7. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - 15-19 and 20-24 versus General population
15 - 19 years 20 - 24 years 15 years and over
89.3%
71.8%
40.7%
21.5%

8. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - 25-34 versus General population
25 - 34 years 15 years and over

9. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - Older people of working age
55 - 59 years 60 - 64 years 15 years and over
69.5%
52.2%

10. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - Older people of working age
55 - 59 years 60 - 64 years 15 years and over
54.5%
35.2%

11. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Labour Force Participation Rate - By Gender
General Population Male Female

12. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - By Gender (20-24 year olds)
All Male Female

13. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - By Gender (25-34 year olds)
All Male Female

14. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - By Gender (35-44 year olds)
All Male Female

15. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - By Gender (45-54 year olds)
All Male Female

16. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Labour Force Participation Rate - By Gender (55-59 year olds)
All Male Female
78%
61.1%
31.2%
72.7%

17. Extent to which the gender gap has closed:
% Gaps between male and female participation over 20 years
Age Groups Q1 1998 Q4 2017 % of old rate
15-19 13.8 2.7 19.6%
20-24 5.8 5.2 89.7%
25-34 19.4 9.6 49.5%
35-44 33.1 13.8 41.7%
45-54 40.3 17.8 44.2%
55-59 41.5 16.9 40.7%
60-64 34 14.4 42.4%
65+ 11.7 12.6 107.7%
General Population 25.9 12.9 49.8%

18. 60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
80.0
85.0
90.0
95.0
100.0
Labour Force Participation Rate - International comparison: Ireland vs the EU
77.6%
72.6%74.1%
73.4%

19. 60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
80.0
85.0
90.0
95.0
100.0
Labour Force Participation Rate - International comparison: Ireland vs the EU (Male)
82.3% 79.3%
78.9%
78.8%

20. 60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
80.0
85.0
90.0
95.0
100.0
Labour Force Participation Rate - International comparison: Ireland vs the EU (Female)
72.9% 68.9% 67.9% 66.6%