Steady employment growth in the West of Ireland highlights success of regional development strategy says Mayo Minister
Employment in the West of Ireland has increased in the second quarter of 2025.
Statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that between Q1 and Q2 of this year, the number of people aged 15 and over in employment rose from 260,500 to 269,300. An increase of 3.27pc.
In terms of gender balance, women now account for just under 46pc of the employment rate in the West.
The region’s unemployment rate also saw an improvement, with the number of unemployed individuals aged 15 and over falling by 7.8pc. The figure dropped from 11,800 in the first quarter, to 10,900 in the second. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.3pc between June and July of this year.
Compared to the same period last year, employment in the region has grown by 6.3pc, from 252,900 in Q2 2024, to 269,300 in Q2 2025. Unemployment figures have also improved, dropping by 15.3pc, down from 12,600 in 2024 to 10,900 this year.
The figures for the Western region encompass counties Mayo, Roscommon, Galway, and Galway City.
The CSO Labour Force Survey figures showed that regional growth remains strong, with over 56,000 jobs created outside of Dublin in the year to Q2 2025.
Mayo TD and Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Alan Dillon, welcomed the latest national figures from the CSO, which he said were a clear sign of Ireland’s economic resilience, and the success of the Government's regional development strategy.
“In counties like Mayo, this means more families can build their futures locally, supported by quality jobs and vibrant communities,” said Minister Dillon, “It also suggests that counties such as Mayo are contributing significantly to this growth, especially in sectors like construction, healthcare and education, which have seen notable increases,
“I’m particularly encouraged by the strong employment growth outside Dublin, which reflects our commitment to balanced regional investment and opportunity.”
Minister Dillon promised to advocate for policies that support job creation, rural development and sustainable growth across the West of Ireland.
“The employment gains support the Government’s target to create 300,000 additional jobs by 2030, as outlined in the White Paper on Enterprise. The figures also reflect strong female participation and ongoing efforts to promote flexible working, inclusion, and work-life balance,” he said.
The latest figures paint a positive picture for the West of Ireland, with Mayo and its neighbouring counties playing a vital role in Ireland’s regional development.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.