Population Growth and Ageing in Ireland: What It Means for Work

Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) report highlights major implications for labour supply, skills planning and lifelong learning.

Summary

• Population projected to increase by close to one-fifth over the next two to three decades—around +1 million people.
• Population ageing will intensify pressure on the labour force, increasing the need for measures that expand labour supply.
• Long-term skills planning will be required to support enterprise growth, productivity and public services.
• This report underscores the importance of lifelong learning and initiatives to help more people participate in the labour market.

Ageing in Ireland, trends to watch

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has published a new report, ‘Skills Needs for Ireland in the Long-term’, setting out how demographic change is likely to shape Ireland’s labour market and skills requirements in the decades ahead. The analysis indicates that Ireland’s population is expected to grow significantly while also ageing—creating both opportunities for economic growth and challenges for labour supply, skills availability and workforce participation.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, welcomed the report and noted its relevance as Ireland plans for long-term competitiveness and workforce resilience.

“This report on skills needs for Ireland in the long-term is timely, and I congratulate the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs for this work. The findings are clear: demographic change is already happening at pace across our economy and that is why we need to continue to invest in our economy, in our workforce and in our enterprise sector.

“While the labour market remains robust, we need to focus on investing in education, training and helping people to enter and re-enter the labour force. We must continue to be proactive in preparing for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead as Ireland’s population evolves over the coming decades.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon also welcomed the publication as a timely input into Ireland’s evolving demographic and labour market needs.

“I would like to thank the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) for their work in producing this new report examining ‘Skills Needs for Ireland in the Long-term.’
It is clear that our labour market has performed very well of late with record numbers of people at work. This analysis however clearly shows us that we cannot and will not stand still. Our economy will continue to grow but we must be increasingly cognisant of demographic pressures. That is why we will continue to pursue policies that support growth and generate jobs.”

• Skills Needs for Ireland in the Long-term was produced by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN).
• The paper was authored by Diarmaid Smyth and issued by the Chair of the EGFSN, Colm Kelly.

Report link:
Publications – Skills Needs for Ireland in the Long-term

The EGFSN advises Government on future skills requirements and labour market issues that affect Ireland’s potential for enterprise development and employment growth.

For further information please contact Press Office, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, press.office@enterprise.gov.ie

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