On June 30th 2021, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) released the Monthly Unemployment (MU) figures for June, 2021.
170,100 people were unemployed in June 2021, 42,200 more people than in June 2020. The Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) was 7.6%, 1.9 higher than a year ago. Unemployment increased for both men and women over the period; women accounted for 45% of the unemployed in June 2020 and 46% in June 2021.
In June 2021, 34,300 people aged 15-24 were unemployed: 5,900 fewer young people than a year ago. Their MUR was 16.7% in June 2021, 0.9 lower than June 2020. Over the year unemployment decreased amongst young men by 15% to 16,200, and for young women by 14% to 18,100. In June 2021, women account for 53% of those unemployed in this age category, and their unemployment rate was higher at 18.4%.
For people aged 25-74, 135,900 people were unemployed, an increase of 48,100 people over the year and their MUR had increased by 2.3 to 6.7%. Over the year unemployment increased for both men and women over the year by 50% and 62% to 76,100 and 59,800 respectively. Women account for 44% of those unemployed in this age category, and their unemployment rate is slightly lower at 6.5%.
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 408,015, and the unemployment rate is 18.3%. Women account for 46% of those unemployed and their unemployment rate is 18.5%.
For people aged 15-24 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 95,259 and their Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) moves from a lower bound of 19.9% to an upper bound of 44.2%. Women account for 52% of those unemployed in this age category, and their unemployment rate was 47%.
While for the older age group, people aged 25-74 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 312,756, and their MUR ranges from 6.8% to 15.5%. Women account for 45% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was 15.2%.