Coronavirus: 45% of young people out of work, CSO figures show

While the official unemployment rate for people under 25 is 12.8%, this rises to 45.5% when those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment are taken into account.
Coronavirus: 45% of young people out of work, CSO figures show

File photo
File photo

Over 45% of people aged between 15-24 in the workforce are currently out of work, CSO figures reveal.

While the official unemployment rate for people under 25 is 12.8%, this rises to 45.5% when those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment are taken into account.

People who are getting the PUP are not counted in the official unemployment numbers, CSO statistician Catalina Gonzalez explained.

"Those persons in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at the end of June 2020 do not meet the internationally agreed criteria to be considered as unemployed for the purposes of the compilation of the standard Monthly Unemployment Estimates," she said.

"Therefore, the CSO is producing a supplementary measure of unemployment in parallel with the routine Monthly Unemployment Estimates."

The official unemployment rate is 5.3%, down from 5.6% last month - however, the figure rises to 22.5% when those receiving the PUP are considered.

"Today’s figures indicate positive movement in the labour market, with the main unemployment rate creeping back down to 5.3%, alongside the COVID-19 adjusted unemployment rate falling to 22.5%, down from 26.1% in May," Jack Kennedy, economist at global job site Indeed said.

Mr Kennedy said the PUP helped work as a "stop gap" however, a longer-term solution is needed.

"These were only ever intended as temporary measures, and with these supports slated to be phased out in the coming months the next phase of recovery will provide a real challenge," he added.

The figures come as the government prepare to announce a

Read More:

This is believed to include taking more businesses out of the Vat net, reducing taxes for the tourism sector, lowering commercial rates, and extending wage subsidies.

more articles

Leo Varadkar still has ‘some’ texts from pandemic period Leo Varadkar still has ‘some’ texts from pandemic period
Taoiseach visit to the US Leo Varadkar still has ‘some’ texts from covid pandemic period
Nolan says lessons need to be learned from Covid inquiry Nolan says lessons need to be learned from Covid inquiry

More in this section

Irish homelessness Government criticised for missing social and affordable housing targets
National Risk Assessment for Ireland Tánaiste urges Israel ‘to show humanity’ and allow more aid into Gaza
Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited