On August 9th, 2021, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) released revised Monthly Unemployment (MU) figures for July 2021.
170,800 people were unemployed in July 2021, 13,300 more people than in July 2020. The Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) was 6.5%, 0.2 lower than a year ago. Unemployment increased for both men and women over the period. Women accounted for 48% of the unemployed in July 2020 and 47% in July 2021.
In July 2021, 58,600 people aged 15-24 were unemployed: 9,600 more young people than a year ago. Their MUR was 17.3% in July 2021, 1.7 lower than July 2020. Over the year unemployment increased amongst young men by 22% to 32,000, and for young women by 17% to 26,600. In July 2021, women account for 45% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was 16%.
For people aged 25-74, 112,200 people were unemployed, an increase of 3,700 people over the year and their MUR had decreased by 0.3% to 4.9%. Over the year unemployment increased for men by 7% to 58,800 and decreased women by 0.2% to 53,400. Women account for 48% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate was slightly higher at 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 356,655 and the unemployment rate is 13.5%. Women account for 48% of those unemployed and their unemployment rate is 13.7%.
For people aged 15-24 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 107,014 and their Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) moves from a lower bound of 20.1% to an upper bound of 28.6%. Women account for 47.5% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate is 27.7%.
While for the older age group, people aged 25-74 years, the upper bound of people out of work stands at 249,641 and their MUR ranges from 5.2% to 11%. Women account for 48% of those unemployed in this age category and their unemployment rate is 11.3%.