back to articles

September 2021, Monthly Unemployment Figures

06 October 2021 - 10:59 am


AdobeStock_389076245

On October 6th, 2021, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Monthly Unemployment (MU) figures for September, 2021.

173,800 people were unemployed in September 2021, 1,000 less people than in September 2020. The Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) was 6.4%, 0.8 lower than a year ago. Unemployment increased for men (+3,400) and decreased for women (-4,300) over the period. Women accounted for 48% of the unemployed in September 2020 and 46% in September 2021.

In September 2021, 65,300 people aged 15-24 were unemployed: 9,200 more young people than a year ago. Their MUR was 17.4% in September 2021, 2.2 percentage points lower than September, 2020.  Over the year unemployment increased amongst young men by 20% to 37,100, and their unemployment rate was 19.2%. Unemployment amongst young women rose by 11% to 28,100, and their unemployment rate was 15.5%. In September 2021, women account for 43% of those unemployed in this age category, and 45% in September 2020.  

For people aged 25-74, 108,600 people were unemployed, a decrease of 10,100 people over the year and their MUR had decreased by 0.8% to 4.7%. Over the year unemployment decreased for men by 5% to 56,900 and for women by 12% to 51,600. Women account for 47% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was at 4.7%.

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 273,444 and the unemployment rate is 10%. Women account for 45% of those unemployed and their unemployment rate is 9.6%.

For people aged 15-24 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 76,907 and their Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) moves from a lower bound of 17% to an upper bound of 19.6%. Women account for 42% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate is 17.2%.

While for the older age group, people aged 25-74 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 196,537 and their MUR ranges from 4.5% to 8.4%. Women account for 46% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate is 8.3%.