Majority of last year's graduates in employment despite uncertain jobs market, survey shows

Employment was highest amongst those graduating from education courses, at 91.6%, and lowest among arts and humanities graduates, at 63.1%.

Most 2024 graduates are in employment or further study despite an uncertain jobs market due to global uncertainty and the onset of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has published its graduate outcomes for 2024, surveying more than 71,000 graduates earlier this year.

More than 80% reported being in employment nine months after graduation, while almost 11% were currently undertaking further study.

Employment was highest amongst those graduating from education courses, at 91.6%, and lowest among arts and humanities graduates, at 63.1%.

However, unemployment did increase for undergraduates from the class of 2024. Unemployment was recorded at 5.6%, up from 4.7% for graduates in 2023, and 3.7% amongst graduates in 2022.

Of the graduates willing to share their salaries with the annual survey, almost 69% earned up to €39,999. A further 31.5% reported earning more than €40,000.

Almost 50% who took part in the 2024 survey earn more than €40,000.

More than 66% of all graduates reported having permanent or open-ended contracts, while a further 21% were in contracts of 12 months or more.

Nine months after graduation, 92.9% are working in Ireland, mostly in Dublin, followed by Cork and Galway.

Just over six in 10 said they considered their course very relevant or relevant to their job.

The proportion of graduates in 2024 pursuing further study was highest for those from arts and humanities courses, as well as natural sciences, mathematics and statistics graduates, and lowest for education.

As in previous years, the survey found technological universities generally have higher employment rates than universities, as more of their graduates tend to go directly into employment.

The 2024 survey found between 79.4% and 85.6% of undergraduate honours degree holders from technological universities are in employment nine months after graduation.

In universities, this figure is roughly between 65.1% and 79.1%.

Ireland has tracked graduate outcomes through an annual survey since 1982, which is completed nine months after graduation.

The survey is administered by their educational institutions.

Head of skills, engagement and statistics at the HEA Dr Vivienne Patterson said: “Despite the uncertain global economic outlook and the challenges posed by AI, the overall picture is still one of a strong labour market for recent graduates.” 

HEA chief executive Dr Alan Wall said that the results of the survey showed the added value of a higher education qualification.

“It is heartening to see that over 60% of all graduates in employment felt that their qualification was relevant to their employment. Clearly, this demonstrates the continued added value of a higher education qualification in the face of other challenges.”