Louth records highest rate of jobseekers in Ireland

Louth has the highest rate of jobseekers in the country according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). 

Louth recorded 71 people signing on per 1,000 working-age residents (aged 15-64), placing it top nationally, according to the National Pension Helpline study.

The figures mean that around one in 14 working-age residents in the county were on the Live Register in January, compared to just one in 42 people in Meath, which had the lowest rate.

Longford and Donegal both recorded 66 per 1,000, while Leitrim (65) and Wexford (62) also had high per capita rates.

At the other end of the spectrum, Meath had the lowest rate, with just 24 jobseekers per 1,000 residents, followed by Kilkenny (32) and Cork (34).

Read Next: Dundalk's flooding problem at 'crisis' point as Uisce Éireann's response labelled a 'disgrace'

“These figures highlight the continued variation in jobseekers across Ireland,” said James Dorrian of the National Pension Helpline.

“For Louth, this means that roughly one in 14 working-age residents is on the Live Register. For comparison, the figure in Meath is just one in 42.

“This contrast underscores why it’s important to consider both per-capita rates and total numbers when assessing labour market pressures across the country.”

Mr Dorrian added that local economic conditions, limited employment opportunities, and recent changes to national schemes such as the Jobseeker’s Pay Related Benefit can all influence monthly trends.

“Keeping a close eye on these figures helps policymakers and local authorities target interventions, skills development programmes, and investment where job creation is most urgently needed,” he said.