Tag: indeed

1 in 10 job postings now reference AI

New research from Indeed shows that one in ten (11%) job postings in Ireland mention AI, leading ahead of the US, UK, France and Germany. This trend is reflective of the tech sector’s sizable footprint in the Irish economy.

Job postings which mention AI are most frequently seen in tech-related categories, led by data & analytics (56%). That’s followed by software development (48%), IT systems & solutions (37%) and IT infrastructure, operations & support (29%). However, several non-tech categories also have significant shares of AI postings, including arts & entertainment (24%), human resources (20%) and sales (19%).

The research also shows that remote and hybrid work mentions have reached a new high of 19.4% by the end of December 2025 – more than four times higher than pre-pandemic levels. The occupations with the highest share of remote or hybrid mentions include software development (47%), media & communications (44%) and data & analytics (43%).

Indeed’s report shows that while job postings in Ireland are well down from peaks seen in early 2022, they still remain 7% above their pre-pandemic baseline as of January 2026. The level of postings has also remained relatively stable since May.

Other key findings in the report include:

  • Salary transparency growth has stalled: The share of Irish job postings which include salary information has dipped recently to around 34%, its lowest since late-2022. The report highlights how the Irish Government’s transposing of incoming EU legislation will result in increased transparency.
  • Benefit offerings have levelled off: The share of Irish job postings mentioning at least one benefit has levelled off over the past 18 months, after rising steadily since 2018. Standing at 48% in November, the share was unchanged from its level in May 2024.
  • Foreign interest in Irish jobs remains high: The Irish labour market remains attractive to foreign workers. On average in 2025, around 13% of searches for Irish jobs on Indeed originated outside Ireland. That was broadly in line with 2024 and higher than seen in recent years since at least 2017.
  • Posted wage growth remains solid: Tight labour-market conditions continue to translate into strong pay pressures in Ireland. At 4.1% in December (on a three-month average basis), wage growth as measured by the Indeed Wage Tracker remains well above the euro area average (2.5%).

Commenting on the report, Jack Kennedy, senior economist at Indeed, said:

“Ireland enters 2026 with the economy in good shape. Growth is set to slow slightly after a strong 2025, but lower interest rates and continued government spending mean the outlook remains broadly positive: jobs are still being created, unemployment remains low, but pay pressures haven’t gone away. For workers and employers alike, this year’s labour market story is one of ongoing change and adaptability.

For jobseekers, AI is rapidly reshaping how work gets done, with a clear expectation emerging for workers across all sectors to be comfortable using AI tools, even in roles that aren’t traditionally tech-focused. Those who adapt to these skills will have a competitive edge, as employers increasingly seek ways to integrate AI into their processes.

From an employer perspective, hybrid and flexible working have moved from a perk to an expectation in 2026, and they will need to keep this in mind when recruiting. The organisations that will stand out will be those offering not just competitive salaries, but transparency, flexibility and support for employees navigating a rapidly changing work environment.”

Indeed on CSO unemployment: Unemployment rate increases to 4.3%

The main unemployment rate was 4.3% in March on a seasonally adjusted basis, up from 4.2% in February of this year and up from 4.1% in March 2023. There was an increase of 9,400 in the seasonally adjusted number of people unemployed in March 2024 compared with a year earlier. 

Jack Kennedy, senior economist at global jobs platform Indeed, comments on the latest CSO data:

“The main unemployment rate was 4.3% in March, up from the 4.2% recorded in February and compared to 4.1% in March 2023.

The latest figure remains down from the 4.6% recorded in January though and is lower than rates seen in the second half of 2023.

Overall, the Irish labour market remained resilient in Q1 and barring any other major shocks to the economy, the outlook for the remainder of the year is positive, although it is possible that there will be some further modest softening.

Irish job postings on Indeed were down to 14% above pre-pandemic levels at the end of March. This compares to 17% at the end of February 2024 and 22% in January. This is also down from a high of 65% recorded in February 2022. We expect to see job postings continue to gradually recede to levels similar to those prevailing before the pandemic. 

Wage growth in Ireland continues to hold steady and was at 4.1% year-on-year at the end of February. This reflects the ongoing pressure employers are under to recruit and retain staff at a time when the cost of living remains high, but may ease somewhat later this year if the labour market continues to soften and cost-of-living pressures ease further.  

For now, however, employees are likely to continue to press for pay rises despite signs that the inflation rate is falling amid lower energy and food prices. The latest CSO figures showed the annual inflation rate in Ireland fell below the euro zone target of 2% for the first time in almost three years after slowing to 1.7% in March.

This is good news for hard-pressed households and offers some relief, but it is likely to take time before they feel the real impact, especially as government energy and fuel supports have either ended or are about to end later this month. Many households may also require reductions in the European Central Bank’s key interest rate before regaining full confidence in their financial position and ability to spend.”

Unemployment continues to fall to 4.1%, but wage pressures may be past their peak

The main unemployment rate was 4.1% in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, down from 4.2% in June and down from a level of 4.2% twelve months ago. The seasonally adjusted number of people unemployed fell by 3,600 in July but was up by 100 in the past 12 months.

Jack Kennedy, senior economist at global job site Indeed, comments on the latest CSO data:

“The labour market remains incredibly tight with the unemployment rate at 4.1% — the joint-record lowest since 2001 according to the latest revised figures— and is proving resilient amidst global challenges. The continuing low level of Ireland’s unemployment rate reflects the culmination of concerted efforts by both the public and private sectors to foster a robust and sustainable economy.

Recent data from Eurostat shows that the Eurozone economy returned to growth in the second quarter, as the euro area grew 0.3 per cent in the three months to July, after stagnating in the previous quarter. Unemployment in the eurozone also dipped to a new all-time low of 6.4%. This is an indication that the economy is stabilising; however, it is essential to remain cautious and vigilant.

Economic success is not without challenges, and as the labour market remains at near full employment, the coming months could reveal sector squeezes.

Pay pressures remain strong and workers will push for higher wages to compensate for high inflation. That said, wage pressures may be past their peak. The Indeed Wage Tracker, based on advertised pay for new hires, showed a further easing to 4.3% y/y in June, down from a peak of 5.5% in March. 

This corresponds with a gradual softening in employers’ hiring appetite, though the latter remains strong. The latest figures from Indeed show that job postings on Indeed Ireland are 30% above the pre-pandemic baseline as of July 2023 (Fig. 1).

The country’s commitment to nurturing a highly skilled and educated workforce has bolstered productivity and competitiveness. As we remain at full employment, now is the time to future-proof the Irish economy. Prioritising various educational routes, including apprenticeships, and investing in sustainable career options for young people who might otherwise seek to emigrate, can ensure our highly talented workforce remains a key driver of economic growth.

Unemployment rate rises as concerns turn to wage pressures and cost of living

The main unemployment rate was 5.5% in March on a seasonally adjusted basis, up from 5.2%  in February but down from a level of  7.7% twelve months 7.7% ago. The seasonally adjusted number of people unemployed rose 11,200 in the month but fell 42,100 in the past 12 months.

Pawel Adrjan, economist at global job site Indeed, comments on the latest CSO data:

“Unemployment rose last month, reflecting what we expect to be another temporary pause in the long term downward trend we saw for much of last year. Forecasts over the longer term are for a continued decline, with an unemployment rate of 5% by 2024 forecast by the CBI in its latest quarterly bulletin1.”

Pawel Adrjan

Despite Covid-19 still being with us, from a labour market perspective we have moved into a post-pandemic phase, with the ending by the Government yesterday of any further Pandemic Unemployment Payments (PUP). Remaining recipients, if eligible, will now transition to jobseekers’ payments. They will do so in a jobs environment that looks broadly positive. Indeed’s data continues to show employers very actively hiring, with the level of Irish job postings on Indeed up 60% at 1 April 2022, compared to 1 February 2020 (Fig 1). However, the current geopolitical situation has created uncertainty, as noted in the CBI’s recent forecast  which downgraded their economic growth and employment expectations. 

Of particular concern is the increasing rate of inflation, driven by higher energy costs. With the cost-of-living rising employers are bracing themselves for growing wage demands. In 2021 average earnings growth was 4.8% and in a recent bulletin the ESRI warned that the increased growth in job vacancies is putting upward pressure on wages in 2022.2 It remains to be seen to what extent workers will look to be compensated for the rising cost of living.”

 

1 Central Bank, Quarterly Bulletin, April: https://www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/publications/quarterly-bulletins/qb-archive/2022/quarterly-bulletin-q2-2022.pdf

2 Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), Economic consequences of invasion of Ukraine sees consumer prices increase, continuing supply chain disruption: https://www.esri.ie/news/economic-consequences-of-invasion-of-ukraine-sees-consumer-prices-increase-continuing-supply