High quality employees are the greatest asset at any business owner’s disposal, which is why smart recruitment should be a priority at all times. Finding the right candidates is no easy task, especially as you want to gain the best return on your investment of time and money. In our opinion Irish workers have long been touted as some of the most sought after workers on the planet, but just how productive are they?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Irish work ethic, as well as the impact that employees from Ireland can have on the economy and the reasons behind their sky-high demand. And if you need help finding the best talent that the country has to offer, we can support you through that challenge too.

Irish Workers Officially the World’s #1!

Following an extensive study into productivity around the world, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has officially confirmed that Irish workers are the most productive on the planet. The average individual adds a huge $99.50 (€87.42) to the economy for every hour that they work, making them even more valuable than workers from Luxembourg, Norway, and a host of other countries renowned for their productivity.

In fact, Ireland’s workers produce almost double the global average value OF $54.80 while sitting comfortably ahead of the US ($72) and the UK ($61.10) workforces. With an average of $56.6 across the EU, Ireland’s workers are performing better than ever.

Meanwhile, findings from The Central Statistics Office (CSO) found an average annual spike of 4.5pc from 2000-2016 despite the negative impacts of the global recession around the midpoint of this period. The increased concentration of multinationals resident in the country saw productivity reach its all-time high in the 2014-2016 era, with a 23.5pc increase in 2015 alone.

The release of those OECD figures last month prove the value of Irish workers once and for all.

What Makes Irish Workers the Best?

While the studies do not offer insight into the reasons behind Ireland’s position at the top of the productivity chart, it shouldn’t come as a major surprise. There are many contributing factors to consider. Here are just three elements that the productivity levels can be attributed to.

The Irish economy:

It goes without saying that the Irish economy is a lot stronger than the economy in a lot of other countries. The political landscape, GDP, and thriving tourism in the major cities are just some of the reasons behind this fact. This gives Ireland a great platform, but the success is still largely down to the people.

Great morale:

While the happy go lucky stereotype is a little overplayed, there’s no doubting that a happy worker is a better worker. The correlation between the natural Irish personality and the high productivity levels is not to be overlooked. In addition to boosting individual performance, it can have a huge influence on others.

Industry DNA:

It’s also worth noting that the focus on highly lucrative industries is another key factor. It’s only natural that workers are able to add more to the economy when they work in better fields. When combined with the general performance of the country and the employee spirits, it’s no wonder Ireland sits top of the productivity charts.

There are many other reasons for Ireland’s high productivity. Either way, their value to businesses across the country and further afield cannot be emphasised enough.

Demand for Irish Workers at an All-Time High

As a result of the released figures, a lot of businesses are eager to hire Irish workers. This can manifest from paying greater attention to the Irish endeavours, opening new branches on Irish soil, or convincing Irish workers to relocate. Either way, the Irish workforce is in greater demand than ever.

This is coupled with the fact that there is a skills shortage across a range of sectors including IT, construction, and sciences just some of those currently affected. In fact, over 4 in 5 Irish business confirms to suffering from shortages of skilled workers. This puts the qualified and experienced professionals in a position of power, not least thanks to their impact on the economy due to high productivity rates.

A lack of overseas workers has played a significant role in the gradual but palpable decline of talent in jobs across the board. Consequently, many Irish workers are open to switching jobs for a more rewarding role – this could be defined by financial remuneration or a better challenge.

Regardless of the talent pool being shallow, companies are constantly on the look for the very best talent. As the OECD study confirms, there’s only one place to start. Ireland.

Find the Best Irish Candidates Today!

As a result, targeting Irish workers is a fantastic starting point for businesses across the whole of this island, whether it’s Belfast, Dublin, or another city. Likewise, recruiting Irish workers – either through relocation or remote contracts – can be the perfect solution for companies in England and further afield. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that only the best will do.

Operating through an agency brings many benefits including access to national job boards, sector expertise, and the ability to fill seasonal posts. Ultimately, it’ll save you a lot of time and money, in addition to the stress of handling recruitment. This allows you to focus on the core principles of running the business, including those day-to-day challenges.

PRL Recruitment was established in 1973 and has been the go to recruitment agency for Sales, Marketing and Senior Executives for over four decades. With offices in Dublin and Belfast, PRL Recruitment offer a Pan-Ireland service and can source some of the most difficult to find high calibre candidates. We maintain great communication and a transparent approach through every step of the recruitment process to find the most suitable candidates for your requirement needs. Frankly, filling your vacant roles has never been easier.

Interested in working with us?

Put your business back on track by upgrading your recruitment processes today and call PRL Recruitment on 01668 5144 for a free – no obligatory conversation with one of our recruitment consultants. With our support, your team will be stronger than ever in no time. Or simply get in touch using our contact form below: