The seasonally-adjusted unemployment crept up from 4.2% to 4.3% this month as a net of 2,900 people entered unemployment, according to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures.

There are now 117,200 people in unemployment, up from 114,300 in July, and down from 140,7000 in August 2021, although that figure would not include people on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment or the Employers Wage Subsidy Scheme.

Unemployment has fallen from 5.5% this time last year, with a net of 23,500 people having rejoined the workforce in that time.

“Whilst the rate of unemployment slightly increased in August to 4.3%, the broad trend remains positive, and the labour market is proving resilient in the face of an inflation rate that hit a near four-decade high of 9.1% in July," said Jack Kennedy, economist with Indeed.

The strong employment data is consistent with the recent Labour Force Survey figures showing 2.55m people in active employment at the end of Q2 2022, up 8% on a year ago.

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"Whilst the jobs environment looks broadly positive, staff shortages and hiring difficulties are a challenge for employers."

The rate for men was unchanged month-on-month at 4.1%, but unemployment among women rose 0.1 points to 4.5% this month.

Youth unemployment among people aged 15-24 was measured at 11.6%, up from 11.1% in July, and the rate among people aged 25-74 was unchanged at 3.1%.

"There are currently around 58,000 job postings on Indeed Ireland, but considerable variation in the way different occupational categories have seen job postings recover since the pandemic. Some occupations are booming while others lag," Kennedy added.

"Social science, therapy, medical information and pharmacy job postings are well above pre-pandemic levels, but others such as chemical engineering, real estate and legal have been slower to recover.

High vacancies in certain sectors and overall low unemployment rates will continue to afford workers opportunities to move jobs and seek higher wages.

"With employees facing higher energy bills this winter the pressure employer group IBEC has warned that businesses won’t be able to cover the full cost of living increase through higher pay packets."

(Pic: Getty Images/Getty Images)