Non-Irish nationals ‘more likely to have jobs’

IMMIGRANTS are more likely to be in work than Irish people, new research shows.

An Economic and Social Research Institute study into how well migrants are settling into the country reports that they are also as well-educated as Irish people.

Ireland now also has one of the most diverse populations in the EU, with almost one in five people born abroad.

Just 4% of Western European nationals, excluding the UK, were unemployed in 2017, compared to 7% of Irish nationals and 16% of African nationals, according to the report. Employment rates were slightly higher for non-Irish nationals at 70% compared to 66% for Irish nationals.

Employment rates varied across national groups and the employment rate was very low for migrants from Africa, at around 45%.

Slightly more than a third – 37% – of Irish adults had thirdlevel education in 2017. The percentage was higher across almost all non-Irish groups.

Western European nationals, excluding the UK, were most likely to have third-level education, at 74%. Eastern Europeans were least likely, but the figure is still high at 35%.

More than 8,000 immigrants became Irish citizens last year, below the peak in 2012 when 25,100 people were granted citizenship.

Report author Dr Frances McGinnity said: ‘With both high rates of employment and educational attainment, immigrants from Europe and North America are performing very well in the Irish labour market.

‘However, more concerning findings emerge for other groups, including African nationals.’

Despite the successes, two years ago almost a quarter – 23% – of non-Irish nationals were living below the income poverty line, which is 60% of the average household income. By comparison it is just under 16% for Irish nationals.