Evidence on Tightness in the Irish Labour Market. ESRI WP131. October 2002

Smyth, Diarmaid (2002) Evidence on Tightness in the Irish Labour Market. ESRI WP131. October 2002. [Working Paper]

PDF - Published Version Download (251Kb)

Abstract

Over recent months, increasing attention has been focused on the extent to which the current phase of high economic growth in Ireland can be sustained. Concerns that the economy is in danger of overheating have been raised on almost a daily basis. Certainly the substantial rise in the price of accommodation, and with consumer price inflation expected to average 5.3 per cent this year1, coupled with quite chronic traffic congestion in urban areas, would all point towards excess demand pressures and supply side shortages. In addition to these symptoms of an overheating economy, the market for labour is also showing signs of tightening with the unemployment rate in the second quarter of the year down to 4.3 per cent, indicating that the economy could be rapidly converging to a full employment situation.

Actions (login required)