Foreign Nationals Filled 61% of Ireland’s New Jobs, Adding 218,000 Workers Since 2019
Updated
Updated · The Irish Times · May 21
Foreign Nationals Filled 61% of Ireland’s New Jobs, Adding 218,000 Workers Since 2019
2 articles · Updated · The Irish Times · May 21
218,000 foreign employees were added in Ireland between 2019 and 2024, accounting for 61% of all employee jobs growth and lifting foreign nationals’ share of PAYE workers to 27.5% from under 22%.
CSO data show the surge was driven by labour shortages in a near-full-employment economy, with overseas workers increasingly filling roles the domestic workforce could not, especially in healthcare, IT, hospitality and support services.
79,632 Indians were employed in Ireland by end-2024, up sharply from 23,223, while Ukrainian employment rose to 26,419 from 2,162 and Brazilian employment climbed to 49,233 from 28,410.
45.6% of workers in administrative and support services were foreign nationals at end-2024, alongside 45.1% in accommodation and food services and 41.4% in information and communications.
A recent cooling in the jobs market could slow near-term arrivals, but CSO and Finance Department projections still see net migration staying positive as Ireland’s ageing population increases long-run reliance on overseas labour.
With AI displacing tech jobs, is Ireland's reliance on foreign workers a sustainable model for the future?
As foreign nationals fill most new jobs, can Ireland's housing and public services withstand the intense pressure?
27.5% of Ireland’s Workforce Are Foreign Nationals: Navigating Immigration, Social Tensions, and Policy Reform (2026)
Overview
Ireland's immigration debate has become highly sensitive, highlighted by recent remarks from Bertie Ahern that drew public criticism from Taoiseach Simon Harris for causing hurt and harm. This controversy reflects the intense scrutiny on public discourse about immigration. Amid these discussions, there is a growing consensus on the need for a more robust immigration system that aligns with Ireland’s interests. The debate is set against a labour market where over a quarter of the workforce is made up of foreign nationals, with even higher concentrations in certain sectors, showing how vital overseas labour has become to Ireland’s economy.