In 2024 alone, the net migration to Ireland has reached 79,300, making migration the main factor for the labour force growth in the country.
According to a press release issued by the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, thanks to migration, the labour force has increased significantly in the last five years, with 149,200 people migrating to Ireland in 2024, Schengen.News reports.
In 2024, Ireland had inward migration of 149,200 persons with outward flows of 69,900 persons resulting in net inward migration of 79,300. This uptick in immigration has also become the main driver of labour force growth.
Previously, the Irish Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, noted that 2024 was a “strong year” for the Irish labour market, as 2.78 million people were employed by the end of the year and about 70,000 more workers were recorded compared to the previous year.
Ireland: Uptick in Net Migration in the Last Years, While More Women & Youngsters Are Leaving the Country
As the press release reveals, the number of incoming migrants to Ireland was high in 2024, but there is an emerging trend of outward migration that has grabbed the attention. The data show that there is a higher tendency in females and younger age cohorts to emigrate.
This has occurred during a time of strong economic growth, which is unusual. Whether this is a cyclical or cultural phenomenon or something more substantive merits further attention.
According to the report “Recent Trends in Migration Flows Impacting the Irish Labour Market” emigration of females has increased by 56 per cent between 2020 and 2024. Emigration of males, on the other hand, has increased only by 12 per cent.
Two of the reasons believed to have driven the emigration of these two categories could be the desire for people to travel and to spend time abroad, as the report points out. The other reason is related to the rising costs of accommodation within Ireland.
A High Number of People From India, the Philippines & Brazil Have Migrated to Ireland
The number of employment permits has doubled in 2022 compared to the pre-pandemic levels, and the main countries of origin for beneficiaries were India, the Philippines, and Brazil.
Moreover, India accounts for over a third of all permits issued in this period, followed by Brazil and the Philippines.
About 53 per cent of permits were granted in Dublin, while Cork (eight per cent), Kildare (five per cent) and Limerick (four per cent) also emerged as popular destinations for workers.