On May 6th, 2021, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) released the Monthly Unemployment (MU) figures for April, 2021. 134,700 people were classified as unemployed, 24,500 more people than in April 2020. The Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) was 5.8%, 1.1 higher than a year ago. Unemployment increased for both men and women over the period; women accounted for 44% of the unemployed in April 2020 and 46% in April 2021.
In April 2021, 34,600 people aged 15-24 were unemployed, 1,400 more young people than a year ago. Their MUR was 15.9%, while in April, 2020 it was lower at 13.1%. Over the year unemployment decreased amongst young men by 30.5% to 10,700, while it increased amongst young women by 34% to 23,900. In April 2021, women account for 69% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was higher at 22.2%.
For people aged 25-74, 100,100 people were unemployed, an increase of 23,200 people over the year and their MUR had increased by 1.1 to 4.8%. Over the year unemployment for women increased by 26% to 38,200, and for men by 33% to 62,000. Women account for 38% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was 4%.
The impact of COVID-19
To allow for and capture the impact of COVID-19 on the labour market, the Central Statistics Office produce a lower and an upper bound to the monthly unemployment figures. The ‘upper bound’ assumes that everyone on a COVID-19 unemployment payment would be classified as unemployed. In this case the number of people out of work increases to 514,300 and the unemployment rate is 22.4%. Women account for 47% of those unemployed and their unemployment rate is 23.1%.
For people aged 15-24 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 131,098 and their Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) moves from a lower bound of 16.8% to an upper bound of 61.8%. Women account for 56% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was an astonishing 69.6%.
While for the older age group, people aged 25-74 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 383,202 and their MUR ranges from 4.5% to 18.4%. Women account for 44% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was 17.9%.