Unemployment rate falls unexpectedly to 4.2% despite weakened economic performance

Fall in jobless rate set to bring relief as figures suggest economy 'has weathered recent challenges'

Monthly figures reflect a reduction of around 10,000 people currently jobless, with February's 4.2% representing a total of 119,300 individuals. Credit: Damian Coleman

The State's unemployment rate fell unexpectedly in February, alleviating fears that a weakened economic performance would bleed into Ireland's labour market.

New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the seasonally adjusted rate of unemployment fell to 4.2% last month, down from 4.5% in January, but remains up from 4.1% on an annual basis.