REVEALED: High Leitrim unemployment rate identified in latest study

A new study by the National Pension Helpline has revealed the counties with the highest and lowest rate of unemployment with, Co. Leitrim in the top three highest rates. 

The total number of people on the Live Register was 166,600 in December 2024, which is a 2% increase from November.

According to data from CSO, "the jobless rate for men edged up to 4.2% from 4.1%, while that for women remained steady at 4.2%."

"Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate increased to 11.6% from 11.2%. Among individuals aged 25-74 years, the jobless rate stood at 3%, unchanged from the previous month," according to the CSO.

38,289 people between the age of 25 and 34 signed on in December 2024, according to the study.

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Co. Louth had the highest number of people on the Live Register per capita in December, with 496 per 10,000.

Louth was followed by Donegal with 464 and Leitrim with 438.

Counties with most people singing on per 10,000 people

1. Louth - 496
2. Donegal - 464
3. Leitrim - 438
4. Carlow - 434
5. Wexford - 428

Counties with fewest people signing on per 10,000 people

26. Meath - 170
25. Kilkenny - 209
24. Cork - 234
23. Kildare - 259
22. Kilkenny - 201

Meath was the county with the lowest unemployment rate with only 170 people signing on, which is almost three times lower than Co. Louth.

Kilkenny had the next lowest Live Register per capita rate with 209 per 10,000 people, followed by Cork (234) and Kildare (259).

Dublin was slightly below the national average in December with 291, while Galway had almost the same rate at 289.