The unemployment rate in Ireland saw a slight rise from 4.8% to 4.9% in December, as per data from the country’s Central Statistics Office. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for men rose to 5.1% from 5.0% in November 2023, representing an increase from 4.3% in December 2022. Women, however, retained an unchanged unemployment rate of 4.6% in December 2023 from the previous month. This, however, indicates a rise from 4.5% in December 2022. Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) climbed to 13.4% in December 2023 from 13.0% in November 2023. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 25-74 remained stable at 3.5% from November 2023. After recording a significant low of 4.1% in early 2023, following economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate rose gradually as economic growth decelerated through the year.