Ireland’s productivity story reveals a tale of two economies

Ireland’s labour productivity soared to more than double the EU average in 2023—on paper. At €105.8 per hour, the numbers look impressive, driven by high-performing multinational sectors like manufacturing and ICT. But strip out the foreign-owned giants, and the picture shifts. Domestic productivity is far closer to the EU norm, and total productivity actually declined by 7.5%, in stark contrast to the EU’s modest 0.2% drop.

This data underscores the need for C-suite leaders to dig beneath headline figures. Real, sustainable productivity growth must come from strengthening domestic capabilities—not just relying on foreign-led performance.

Read the full article to unpack the risks and opportunities for long-term resilience.