CSO - Central Statistics Office Ireland

04/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2024 04:20

Monthly Estimates of Payroll Employees using Administrative Data February 2024

The Monthly Employee Index rose by 2.2% in the 12 months to February 2024

Online ISSN: 2811-5791
CSO statistical publication, 16 April 2024, 11am

A CSO Frontier Series Output

This publication is categorised as a CSO Frontier Series Output. Particular care must be taken when interpreting the statistics in this release as it may use new methods which are under development and/or data sources which may be incomplete, for example new administrative data sources.

Key Findings

  • On an annual basis, the seasonally adjusted employee index rose by 2.2% in the 12 months to February 2024.

  • The employee index for males rose by 1.9%, while the employee index for females increased by 2.3% over the same period.

  • The seasonally adjusted employee index rose by 0.1% in the month to February 2024.

  • The 65 years and over age group saw the largest rise in the monthly index to February 2024 (+0.9%).

  • The NACE sector with the largest monthly rise in February 2024 was Administrative & Support Service Activities (+0.6%), followed by Public Administration & Defence, and Human Health & Social Work Activities, (both +0.5%). The largest monthly decrease was in the Accommodation & Food Service Activities (-0.6%).

  • In the 12 months to February 2024, the Transportation & Storage sector saw the largest rise in the number of employees (+5.8%).

Statistician's Comment

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (16 April 2024) released Monthly Estimates of Payroll Employees using Administrative Data, February 2024.

Commenting on the release, Aoife McHugh, Statistician in the Labour Market & Earnings Division, said:

"Ten NACE sectors saw a monthly increase in the numbers employed in February 2024, three sectors decreased, while two saw no change. The largest monthly fall was in Accommodation & Food Service Activities (-0.6%), while the largest monthly rise was seen in the Administrative & Support Services Activities sector, which was up by 0.6%.

The 65 years and over age group saw the largest increase (+0.9%) in employment in the month to February 2024. All age groups observed monthly employment growth, apart from the 15-19 years age group which observed no change.

On an annual basis, the seasonally adjusted index rose by 2.2% over the full year from February 2023 to February 2024."

Data from this publication supplement those in the Labour Force Survey (LFS) quarterly series, which is the official measure of both employment and unemployment for the State. Monthly Estimates of Payroll Employees using Administrative Data are of relevance to LFS Seasonally Adjusted Estimates and Employment outputs.

Seasonal Adjustment

The Monthly Estimates of Payroll Employees using Administrative Data release is a very short time series (just under five years of monthly data) and is thus at the lower limit of acceptable length for the seasonal adjustment process. In the short term, care should be taken in interpreting the seasonally adjusted output. Users should be aware that there is increased uncertainty around the seasonally adjusted figures during the COVID-19 period due to the volatility of the data. Non-seasonally adjusted data are available on PxStat. The seasonal models were revised in June 2023. The models are being updated as part of the annual review process in accordance with the CSO and ESS (European Statistical System/Eurostat) guidelines.

Revisions and Rounding

The Monthly Estimates of Payroll Employees using Administrative Data is published as a 'Frontier' release, therefore the methodology and data are subject to revision. As more data become available, due to later transmissions from employers, the series may change from month to month. As this particularly affects the most recent months, figures should be considered provisional for the two most recent months for the non-seasonally adjusted data. All figures for monthly percentage change and annual percentage change are calculated prior to the input data being rounded.

Headline Table

Number of Employees and Employee Index, Monthly and Annual Changes, Seasonally Adjusted
Period Number of Employees Employee Index (Base year: 2019=100) Monthly % Change Annual % Change
February 2023 2,413,100 112.0 0.2 4.3
January 2024 2,461,500 114.3 0.3 2.2
February 2024 2,465,200 114.5 0.1 2.2

Employee Index Totals, Seasonally Adjusted

The seasonally adjusted index increased by 2.2% in February 2024 when compared with February 2023. March 2021 was the last month to show a negative annual change (-10.9%) in the employee index.

Figure 1: Employee Index, Seasonally Adjusted

© Central Statistics Office, Ireland
https://data.cso.ie/table/EIA04

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Table 1 Employee Index and Total Number of Employees, Seasonally Adjusted
Table 1 Employee Index and Total Number of Employees, Seasonally Adjusted
Year Month Employee Index (Base year 2019=100) Total Number of Employees Monthly % Change Annual % Change
2022 February 107.4 2,314,400 0.9 18.4
March 108.4 2,334,600 0.9 17.9
April 109.1 2,350,300 0.7 16.9
May 109.3 2,353,500 0.1 13.2
June 109.3 2,353,900 0.0 10.5
July 109.5 2,357,800 0.2 9.0
August 109.6 2,360,700 0.1 8.2
September 110.2 2,373,200 0.5 7.6
October 110.6 2,382,500 0.4 6.3
November 111.2 2,395,600 0.5 6.4
December 111.6 2,404,500 0.4 5.8
2023 January 111.8 2,407,800 0.1 5.0
February 112.0 2,413,100 0.2 4.3
March 112.2 2,416,600 0.1 3.5
April 112.3 2,419,400 0.1 2.9
May 112.5 2,423,100 0.2 3.0
June 112.6 2,426,100 0.1 3.1
July 112.6 2,426,200 0.0 2.9
August 113.0 2,433,400 0.3 3.1
September 113.2 2,438,700 0.2 2.8
October 113.6 2,445,900 0.3 2.7
November 113.7 2,449,200 0.1 2.2
December 114.0 2,455,400 0.3 2.1
2024 January 114.3 2,461,500 0.3 2.2
February 114.5 2,465,200 0.1 2.2
Source: PMOD Revenue Commissioner's Employee Tax Data

Employee Index by Sex, Seasonally Adjusted

On an annual basis, the female index grew by 2.3% while the male index rose by 1.9%. On a monthly basis both the female and male indices rose by 0.2% in February 2024.

Figure 2: Employee Index classified by Sex, Seasonally Adjusted

© Central Statistics Office, Ireland
https://data.cso.ie/table/EIA04

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Table 2 Employee Index by Sex, Seasonally Adjusted
Table 2 Employee Index by Sex, Seasonally Adjusted
Male Female Both Sexes
Year Month Employee Index (Base Year 2019=100) Monthly % Change Annual % Change Employee Index (Base Year 2019=100) Monthly % Change Annual % Change Employee Index (Base Year 2019=100) Monthly % Change Annual % Change
2022 February 107.7 0.9 17.1 107.8 1.0 19.4 107.4 0.9 18.4
March 108.2 0.5 16.7 108.8 0.9 18.9 108.4 0.9 17.9
April 108.7 0.4 15.4 109.3 0.5 18.7 109.1 0.7 16.9
May 108.7 0.0 12.7 109.7 0.3 13.8 109.3 0.1 13.2
June 108.8 0.1 10.1 109.4 -0.3 11.2 109.3 0.0 10.5
July 109.0 0.2 8.8 109.6 0.2 9.1 109.5 0.2 9.0
August 109.3 0.3 8.1 109.7 0.1 8.5 109.6 0.1 8.2
September 109.8 0.5 7.3 110.4 0.6 8.1 110.2 0.5 7.6
October 110.2 0.3 6.0 111.0 0.5 6.7 110.6 0.4 6.3
November 110.7 0.5 6.0 111.8 0.7 6.9 111.2 0.5 6.4
December 111.2 0.4 5.3 112.3 0.4 6.2 111.6 0.4 5.8
2023 January 111.4 0.2 4.4 112.5 0.1 5.3 111.8 0.1 5.0
February 111.7 0.2 3.7 112.7 0.2 4.5 112.0 0.2 4.3
March 111.8 0.1 3.3 112.8 0.1 3.7 112.2 0.1 3.5
April 111.8 0.0 2.9 112.9 0.0 3.3 112.3 0.1 2.9
May 111.9 0.1 2.9 113.0 0.1 3.0 112.5 0.2 3.0
June 111.9 0.1 2.9 113.1 0.1 3.4 112.6 0.1 3.1
July 111.9 0.0 2.6 113.1 0.0 3.2 112.6 0.0 2.9
August 112.2 0.3 2.7 113.6 0.4 3.5 113.0 0.3 3.1
September 112.6 0.3 2.5 113.8 0.2 3.1 113.2 0.2 2.8
October 112.9 0.3 2.5 114.2 0.3 2.9 113.6 0.3 2.7
November 113.2 0.2 2.2 114.3 0.1 2.2 113.7 0.1 2.2
December 113.5 0.3 2.1 114.6 0.3 2.1 114.0 0.3 2.1
2024 January 113.6 0.2 2.0 115.0 0.3 2.3 114.3 0.3 2.2
February 113.8 0.2 1.9 115.2 0.2 2.3 114.5 0.1 2.2
Source: PMOD Revenue Commissoner's Employee Tax Data

Table 2a Number of Employees by Sex, Seasonally Adjusted
Table 2a Number of Employees by Sex, Seasonally Adjusted
Male Female Both Sexes
Year Month Number of Employees Monthly % Change Annual % Change Number of Employees Monthly % Change Annual % Change Number of Employees Monthly % Change Annual % Change
2022 February 1,177,500 0.9 17.1 1,143,600 1.0 19.4 2,314,400 0.9 18.4
March 1,183,400 0.5 16.7 1,153,500 0.9 18.9 2,334,600 0.9 17.9
April 1,188,100 0.4 15.4 1,159,400 0.5 18.7 2,350,300 0.7 16.9
May 1,188,600 0.0 12.7 1,163,400 0.3 13.8 2,353,500 0.1 13.2
June 1,189,200 0.1 10.1 1,160,100 -0.3 11.2 2,353,900 0.0 10.5
July 1,192,000 0.2 8.8 1,162,700 0.2 9.1 2,357,800 0.2 9.0
August 1,195,000 0.3 8.1 1,163,700 0.1 8.5 2,360,700 0.1 8.2
September 1,200,600 0.5 7.3 1,171,200 0.6 8.1 2,373,200 0.5 7.6
October 1,204,800 0.3 6.0 1,177,200 0.5 6.7 2,382,500 0.4 6.3
November 1,210,300 0.5 6.0 1,186,000 0.7 6.9 2,395,600 0.5 6.4
December 1,215,500 0.4 5.3 1,191,100 0.4 6.2 2,404,500 0.4 5.8
2023 January 1,218,200 0.2 4.4 1,192,700 0.1 5.3 2,407,800 0.1 5.0
February 1,221,200 0.2 3.7 1,195,100 0.2 4.5 2,413,100 0.2 4.3
March 1,222,400 0.1 3.3 1,196,600 0.1 3.7 2,416,600 0.1 3.5
April 1,222,200 0.0 2.9 1,197,200 0.0 3.3 2,419,400 0.1 2.9
May 1,223,100 0.1 2.9 1,198,500 0.1 3.0 2,423,100 0.2 3.0
June 1,223,900 0.1 2.9 1,199,900 0.1 3.4 2,426,100 0.1 3.1
July 1,223,500 0.0 2.6 1,199,500 0.0 3.2 2,426,200 0.0 2.9
August 1,227,100 0.3 2.7 1,204,500 0.4 3.5 2,433,400 0.3 3.1
September 1,230,900 0.3 2.5 1,207,300 0.2 3.1 2,438,700 0.2 2.8
October 1,234,600 0.3 2.5 1,211,200 0.3 2.9 2,445,900 0.3 2.7
November 1,237,300 0.2 2.2 1,212,300 0.1 2.2 2,449,200 0.1 2.2
December 1,240,500 0.3 2.1 1,215,700 0.3 2.1 2,455,400 0.3 2.1
2024 January 1,242,600 0.2 2.0 1,220,000 0.3 2.3 2,461,500 0.3 2.2
February 1,244,500 0.2 1.9 1,222,200 0.2 2.3 2,465,200 0.1 2.2
Source: PMOD Revenue Commissioner's Employee Tax Data

Employee Index by Age Groups, Seasonally Adjusted

With the exception of the 15-19 years age category (-1.8%), all age groups saw annual increases in the employee index. The age group with the largest annual rise in employees was 65 years and over (+9.6%) followed by those aged 60-64 years (+5.4%).

Figure 3: Employee Index Monthly and Annual Percentage Changes February 2024, Seasonally Adjusted

© Central Statistics Office, Ireland
https://data.cso.ie/table/EIA05

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Table 3 Employee Index by Age Group, Seasonally Adjusted
Table 3 Employee Index by Age Group, Seasonally Adjusted
Employee Index (Base Year 2019=100) Monthly % Change Annual % Change
Age Group February 2023 January 2024 February 2024
15 - 19 years 135.5 133.1 133.1 0.0 -1.8
20 - 24 years 114.8 115.7 116.5 0.7 1.5
25 - 34 years 106.5 107.2 107.3 0.1 0.8
35 - 44 years 106.3 107.2 107.2 0.1 0.9
45 - 54 years 116.8 121.3 121.8 0.4 4.2
55 - 59 years 115.3 118.8 119.2 0.3 3.4
60 - 64 years 120.8 126.8 127.4 0.4 5.4
65 years and over 131.7 143.1 144.4 0.9 9.6
15 years and over 112.0 114.3 114.5 0.1 2.2
Source: PMOD Revenue Commissioner's Employee Tax Data

Table 3a Number of Employees by Age Group, Seasonally Adjusted
Table 3a Number of Employees by Age Group, Seasonally Adjusted
Number of Employees Monthly % Change Annual % Change
Age Group February 2023 January 2024 February 2024
15 - 19 years 122,000 119,800 119,800 0.0 -1.8
20 - 24 years 257,000 259,100 260,800 0.7 1.5
25 - 34 years 556,000 560,100 560,600 0.1 0.8
35 - 44 years 616,400 621,400 621,900 0.1 0.9
45 - 54 years 507,400 526,900 528,800 0.4 4.2
55 - 59 years 183,500 189,000 189,600 0.3 3.4
60 - 64 years 122,100 128,100 128,700 0.4 5.4
65 years and over 57,100 62,100 62,600 0.9 9.6
15 years and over 2,413,100 2,461,500 2,465,200 0.1 2.2
Source: PMOD Revenue Commissioner's Employee Tax Data

Employee Index by Economic Sectors

Most economic sectors showed an annual increase in the employee index when compared with February 2023. The sectors showing the largest annual increases were Transportation & Storage (+5.8%), and Human Health & Social Work Activities (+5.7%). The largest decreases were recorded in Services (T, U) (-6.5%) and Information & Communication (-3.4%).

Figure 4: Employee Index classified by NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector, Seasonally Adjusted

© Central Statistics Office, Ireland
https://data.cso.ie/table/EIA03

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Table 4 Employee Index classified by NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector, Seasonally Adjusted
Table 4 Employee Index classified by NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector, Seasonally Adjusted
Employee Index (Base Year 2019=100) Monthly % Change Annual % Change
Sector February 2023 January 2024 February 2024
Agriculture, forestry and fishing (A) 108.6 110.6 110.4 -0.1 1.7
Industry (B to E) 110.2 112.0 112.5 0.4 2.0
Construction (F) 117.7 121.2 120.8 -0.4 2.6
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G) 107.9 110.2 110.2 0.0 2.1
Transportation and storage (H) 112.7 119.0 119.2 0.2 5.8
Accommodation and food service activities (I) 110.6 112.1 111.4 -0.6 0.8
Information and communication (J) 124.0 119.3 119.8 0.4 -3.4
Financial, insurance and real estate activities (K,L) 111.1 113.5 113.9 0.3 2.5
Professional, scientific and technical activities (M) 118.2 121.3 121.7 0.3 2.9
Administrative and support service activities (N) 111.6 109.2 109.9 0.6 -1.5
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (O) 111.8 116.1 116.6 0.5 4.3
Education (P) 112.7 115.0 115.5 0.4 2.5
Human health and social work activities (Q) 114.5 120.4 121.0 0.5 5.7
Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities (R,S) 99.2 100.8 100.9 0.2 1.7
Services (T,U) 122.3 114.4 114.4 0.0 -6.5
Not stated .. .. .. .. ..
Aggregated Sectors
Cultural and Creative Industries 102.5 104.0 104.8 0.8 2.2
Tourism Industries 111.6 112.2 111.8 -0.4 0.2
All Economic Sectors 112.0 114.3 114.5 0.1 2.2
Source: PMOD Revenue Commissioner's Employee Tax Data

Table 4a Number of Employees classified by NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector, Seasonally Adjusted
Table 4a Number of Employees classified by NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector, Seasonally Adjusted
Number of Employees Monthly % Change Annual % Change
Sector February 2023 January 2024 February 2024
Agriculture, forestry and fishing (A) 28,200 28,800 28,700 -0.1 1.7
Industry (B to E) 261,600 265,800 266,900 0.4 2.0
Construction (F) 134,500 138,500 138,000 -0.4 2.6
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G) 381,200 389,200 389,200 0.0 2.1
Transportation and storage (H) 88,800 93,700 94,000 0.2 5.8
Accommodation and food service activities (I) 203,800 206,600 205,300 -0.6 0.8
Information and communication (J) 125,800 120,900 121,500 0.4 -3.4
Financial, insurance and real estate activities (K,L) 126,000 128,800 129,200 0.3 2.5
Professional, scientific and technical activities (M) 156,000 160,100 160,600 0.3 2.9
Administrative and support service activities (N) 161,100 157,700 158,700 0.6 -1.5
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (O) 198,400 206,000 206,900 0.5 4.3
Education (P) 168,200 171,600 172,400 0.4 2.5
Human health and social work activities (Q) 275,900 290,200 291,600 0.5 5.7
Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities (R,S) 96,200 97,700 97,900 0.2 1.7
Services (T,U) 4,700 4,400 4,400 0.0 -6.5
Not stated1 3,000 0 0 .. ..
Aggregated Sectors
Cultural and Creative Industries 36,200 36,700 36,900 0.8 2.2
Tourism Industries 222,500 223,700 222,800 -0.4 0.2
All Economic Sectors 2,413,100 2,461,500 2,465,200 0.1 2.2
Source: PMOD Revenue Commissioner's Employee Tax Data
1May be subject to revision due to a lag in coding of activity in Revenue's PMOD file