Healthy staffing environments are expected in Ireland with a Net Employment Outlook of 25%
In Q3 2024, healthy staffing environments are expected in Ireland with a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 25 percentage points. The outlook strengthens by 4 points compared to last quarter, but worsens by 3 points since this time last year. Ireland ranks in the top third of the region for its employment outlook, 5 points above the regional average.
Ireland’s employers are benefitting from easing inflation that has improved considerably. Economic growth is still modest but increasing from 2023. However, the many multinational companies headquartered in Ireland are likely still recovering from the falling demand and exports seen last year. Job vacancy rate in Ireland is also still low, although job creation may strengthen in the months ahead. In this context, Irish employers are slightly accelerating their hiring pace.
Irish employers in 8 of 9 sectors anticipate an increase in staffing levels in the next quarter, while 1 sector is expecting a decrease. Compared to last quarter, staffing climates have strengthened in 6 of 9 sectors and weakened in 3 sectors. Compared to a year ago, staffing climates have weakened in 5 of 9 sectors, strengthened in 3, while seen no change in 1 sector.
Irish hiring managers in all 5 regions expect an increase in staffing levels from June to September 2024. Since the previous quarter, job markets have strengthened in 4 of 5 regions and weakened in 1 region. Looking back to a year ago, staffing climates have strengthened in 3 of 5 regions and weakened in 2 regions.
Irish employers in very large organizations with 1000-4999 employees are the most optimistic with a NEO of 48, rising by 26 percentage points since Q2 2024, and 5 percentage points since this quarter last year. However, micro-organizations with less than 10 employees have seen a NEO drop of 15 points to 0 this since last quarter.
