The jobs market in Laois saw a substantial 19% rise in the number of advertised vacancies during 2025, bucking the national trend where the overall jobs market in Ireland saw a double-digit decline last year.
This is according to the 2025 Review & 2026 Trends Forecast report, produced by FRS Recruitment, the winners of the Employment and Recruitment Federation’s Large Agency of the Year award for 2025.
While employers in most parts of the country took a cautious approach to hiring in the face of rising costs and the geopolitical uncertainty triggered the trade tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, Laois recorded a strong uplift in job opportunities.
This was supported by continued demand across manufacturing, agri-services and engineering roles.
The O’Moore County’s position as an accessible regional hub made it attractive to employers seeking cost-effective alternatives to larger cities.
The 2025 Review & 2026 Trends Forecast report shows the overall Irish jobs market saw a 17% year-on-year decline last year.
However, FRS Recruitment is forecasting the Irish jobs market will rebound in 2026.
A survey of Laois-based recruiters shows that they are expecting a further 5% increase in job opportunities in the county this year.
This figure is slightly below the estimated 6% increase in advertised vacancies for the rest of the country in the coming year, following on from a revival in the jobs market in the final quarter of 2025 which saw a significant pick up in hiring activity.
Speaking on the report, Lynne McCormack, General Manager of FRS Recruitment, said: “2025 was a challenging year for the Irish jobs market, with multiple headwinds creating a lot of uncertainty for companies to deal with.
“Despite the difficulties faced by employers across the country last year, Laois bucked the national trend with a strong increase in the number of new jobs advertised in the county.
“With a tariff agreement now in place between the EU and the US, there is much more trading certainty for businesses heading into 2026, and I would expect to see a rebound in the jobs market this year.
“Overall, Ireland’s economy continues to grow, and the labour market remains tight, meaning companies will need to compete for talent.
“It’s also likely we will continue to see trends around investment in AI technology and automation continue this year, as well as increased focused by employers on return to office policies.”
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: All smiles as Laois camogie come together to celebrate incredible 2025 season
