New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

Friday, 13 February 2026 14:31

By Hannah Kelly

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so

International Protection applicants in employment earn less than workers in the general population.

New data from the CSO's International Protection Applicants: Employment and Demographic Insights 2022-2024 report shows the median earnings of someone who's working and seeking International Protection is just over €544 a week in 2024, compared to €711 for an employee in the general population.

Of the International Protection applicants who are working, 74 per cent are men.

36 per cent of workers applying for International Protection are employed in admin and support services, 16 per cent work in hospitality and 11 per cent have jobs in the retail and wholesale sector.

The highest median weekly earnings in 2024 for the IPA group by nationality were those from Georgia, at €658.60 and Zimbabwe, at €566.55.

Countries with the lowest median weekly earnings for this group in 2024 included Botswana with a median of €527.35, followed closely by Nigeria with a median of €527.93.

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so.

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