ROI Employer Confidence Index 2025 Survey

Peninsula Group has conducted an annual survey of 79,000 businesses across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK, to understand business sentiment and identify the latest trends. Questions are related to three key areas: business goals and concerns, staffing and ways of working. A wide variety of businesses, both in size and industry, share details of their current employment practices and offer their perspective on the challenges currently facing employers. This report explores the Irish results and how they compare globally. 

There were several legislative changes in 2024, with more to come throughout 2025. We have conducted a survey of Irish businesses regarding confidence as we move into 2025 - download our in-depth report now. 

With changes to National Minimum Wage, and the upcoming pension auto-enrolment scheme, it’s no surprise that rising costs are cited as the top concern for Irish employers in the year ahead for almost half of businesses (43.6%). The second biggest concern cited by Irish employers was a shortage of labour. 

On the other hand, despite rising costs being a worry for Irish businesses, business owners appear to be relatively hopeful about the country’s overall economy, and the direction in which this is going. Of all the countries surveyed globally, Ireland was the least concerned about recession, with just 2.6% citing this as a concern. Download our Employer Confidence Index 2025 survey for more in-depth analysis. 

Irish employers’ mixed feelings are also reflected in their business goals for the year ahead. Over one third (36%) of businesses feel optimistic, listing growth as their top business goal for 2025. However, the pressures businesses are under as we enter 2025 are taking their toll on many, with more than one in four (26%) simply hoping for survival in the year ahead. Download our Employer Confidence Index 2025 survey now for further details from Irish employers.