On September 1st 2021, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Monthly Unemployment (MU) figures for August 2021.
171,200 people were unemployed in August 2021, 1,800 more people than in August 2020. The Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) was 6.4%, 0.7 lower than a year ago. Unemployment increased for men (+3,000) and decreased for women (-1,300) over the period. Women accounted for 49% of the unemployed in August 2020 and 47% in August 2021.
In August 2021, 61,000 people aged 15-24 were unemployed: 8,200 more young people than a year ago. Their MUR was 16.9% in August 2021, 2.2 lower than August 2020. Over the year unemployment increased amongst young men by 13% to 33,000, and for young women by 19% to 28,000. In August 2021, women account for 46% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was 16.9%.
For people aged 25-74, 110,200 people were unemployed, a decrease of 6,500 people over the year and their MUR had decreased by 0.7 to 4.8%. Over the year unemployment decreased for men by 1% to 57,100, and for women by 10% to 53,100. Women account for 48% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was at 4.9%.
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 335,178 and the unemployment rate is 12.4%. Women account for 47% of those unemployed and their unemployment rate is 12.4%.
For people aged 15-24 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 101,953 and their Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) moves from a lower bound of 19% to an upper bound of 25.6%. Women account for 46.5% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate is 24.2%.
While for the older age group, people aged 25-74 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 233,225 and their MUR ranges from 5% to 10.1%. Women account for 48% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate is 10.3%.