Cost of Living Pressures and AI Skills will Shape Ireland’s Job Market in 2025

New research published today by LinkedIn reveals how inflation pressures and evolving workplace trends are reshaping Ireland’s job market. Rising financial strain and reduced flexible work options have become key concerns for Irish professionals surveyed, with nearly two in five (38%) worried about the rising cost of living and over a third (34%) concerned about the lack of salary increases in the past year.

Flexibility and Salary Driving Job Moves

As financial pressures continue, money remains the primary motivator for job changes. Just over three in five (61%) Irish professionals highlighted salary as the most important factor in considering whether to apply for a new role, while flexibility is a close second, with 53% emphasising the importance of work-life balance. Flexible work policies continue to attract talent, as shown by LinkedIn data revealing that Ireland had the second-highest share of remote job applications in Europe at 21.6% in December 2024.

AI’s Growing Influence on the Job Market

AI has emerged as a game-changer in the job market, both as a critical skill and a tool for job searching. Nearly half (46%) of Irish professionals feel intimidated by how AI tools are changing the hiring landscape, yet a growing number are embracing the technology to get ahead. Almost a third (30%1) have used AI tools for job applications, from CV optimisation to interview preparation. Skills in AI, such as ChatGPT use and prompt engineering, now rank as the third most important career skill to succeed in today’s job market according to respondents (39%), behind digital/ technical skills (40%) and human skills (51%). skills.

Emerging Job Trends in Ireland for 2025

LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2025 list highlights Ireland’s 15 fastest-growing roles, reflecting key global trends like the rise of AI, sustainability efforts, and increasing demand for both technical expertise and interpersonal roles. Notably, roles in healthcare, energy, compliance, and frontline services have seen significant growth, balancing technical advancements with essential service roles.

Ireland’s Jobs On The Rise 2025:

—  Fundraiser
—  Learning Specialist
—  General Practitioner (GP)
—  Facilities Manager
—  Energy Engineer
—  Compliance Manager
—  Category Manager
—  Psychologist
—  Bus Driver
—  Audit Manager
—  Commissioning Engineer
—  Data Manager
—  Treasury Analyst
—  Automation Engineer
—  Animator

Commenting on the insights, LinkedIn Head of Ireland, Sue Duke, said: “The world of work is being reshaped by AI, with the skills needed for jobs predicted to change by 70% by 2030. The rapid rate of developments are naturally causing concern for professionals, but it also represents opportunity for those who continue to upskill and embrace the wave of change.

Hiring of technical AI talent on LinkedIn has increased by 323% over the past six years, so it comes as no surprise to see positions like automation engineer feature prominently on our list of the fastest growing jobs in Ireland. It’s clear that upskilling is a major factor for ongoing professional success, so we have made a range of LinkedIn Learning courses available for free to help Irish professionals take the next step in their careers in 2025.”

Empowering Professionals with Skills Development

To help professionals stay competitive in this evolving landscape, LinkedIn is offering free access to a curated selection of LinkedIn Learning courses, covering topics such as AI literacy, leadership skills, and data analysis.