Professional job openings in Ireland decreased significantly by 14.6% in the final quarter of 2024, as global economic uncertainties led companies, particularly multinationals, to adopt a more cautious approach to hiring.
This was highlighted in the latest employment monitor released by recruitment agency Morgan McKinley, covering the period from October to December 2024.
Despite the decline in job openings, competition among professionals intensified, with the number of job seekers increasing by 6.8% by the end of the year. This trend reflects a growing imbalance between the supply of talent and the availability of positions in the professional employment market.
Trayc Keevans, global foreign direct investment director at Morgan McKinley Ireland, noted that the final months of 2024 were characterised by “global economic caution.”
Multinational corporations based in Ireland, a significant contributor to the country’s employment landscape, scaled back their hiring activities in response to uncertain economic conditions.
While the overall job market experienced a contraction, Morgan McKinley emphasised that Ireland’s employment market remained active.