Ireland ranked third in European hiring index, new study finds

Ireland has been ranked as the third-best country to hire staff in Europe, according to The Conference Board’s latest Where to Hire Index. 

The study analysed 31 countries, assessing the factors that drive investment decisions, including workforce quality, talent flexibility, and organisational capability.

Denmark and Switzerland were placed first and second, respectively, while Ireland’s globally oriented talent pool and adaptable labour market were credited with attracting major investment. 

The report noted that Ireland’s strong HR frameworks and workforce readiness make it a preferred location for companies seeking skilled employees.

However, the index also cautioned that rising costs and infrastructure pressures may limit the country’s ability to scale operations rapidly. 

Europe’s largest economies, including Germany, the UK, France, Italy, and Spain, risk falling behind as aging populations, slow digitalisation, and high operational costs force companies to consider more agile, innovation-driven alternatives.

Jean-Marc Verbist, Human Capital Centre Leader Europe at The Conference Board, said: “The index is an alarm call to European leaders about how political paralysis and poor regulation is upending Europe’s competitiveness. Europe’s largest labour markets are hitting a structural breaking point. They have the skills, but not the competitiveness to match them.”

The report serves as a benchmark for HR and business leaders in workforce planning, talent acquisition, and long-term strategic growth. Its findings emphasise the importance of agility, operational efficiency, and the ability to harness high-quality human capital in a competitive European market.

Companies looking to benchmark their hiring strategies can explore the full findings of the Where to Hire Index for insights into attracting and retaining top talent.

Access the full report for detailed insights on European hiring trends.

(Photo credits to Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash)