Louth named Ireland’s unemployment hotspot

Louth has the highest unemployment per capita in Ireland, analysis of new figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has revealed.

There were 512 people per 10,000 inhabitants on the Live Register in February in Louth, based on population data from the latest Census.

A total of 7,148 people were on the Live Register in Louth last month, an increase of 144 compared to January and 212 compared to December. 

The CSO data shows that 55% of those on the Live Register were male and 45% were female.

The national figure for February was 165,500, down by 200 people from January. Of those, 108,646 people were unemployed for less than one year, which was almost two of those on the Live Register.

Commenting on the findings, financial expert James Dorrian of the National Pension Helpline explained that the 25 to 34 age category made up the largest share of those on the Live Register last month.

“Those aged between 25 and 34 made up 23.3% of the overall number on the Live Register in February – a total of 38,439 people,” said Mr Dorrian.

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“In February 2025 the number of people on the Live Register for over a year was 9% lower than a year earlier, at 56,661.

"Louth's youth unemployment is consistent with the national picture, with 11% (789) of those on the Live Register aged under 25 in February.

“The county has again recorded the highest number of people on the Live Register per capita, with our analysis based on the most recent population data available from the most recent Census.”

“This means that any population changes since the Census are not taken into account.”