Employment in pharma and medtech sectors jumps 60% - CSO
Total employment in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sector increased by 60% between 2019 and 2025 and the wage bill rose by 98%, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office.
Employment in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors surged by 60% between 2019 and 2025, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The wage bill within this sector grew by an impressive 98%, with total employment earnings reaching €7.9 billion in 2025, up from €4 billion in 2019. Over half of the workforce in these sectors, amounting to 56%, possessed at least a third-level qualification.
The CSO reported that total sales of goods in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors doubled from €105 billion in 2019 to €211 billion in 2025. The sector's total assets amounted to €436 billion in 2025, predominantly consisting of financial assets valued at €237 billion and intangible fixed assets worth €137 billion. Notably, 85% of these assets were owned by US companies.
Co Cork led the employment distribution in these sectors, with 17.3% of the workforce residing there, followed by Dublin at 15.6% and Galway at 15.1%. The number of employed individuals in these sectors increased from 60,537 in 2019 to 96,847 in 2025, as noted by CSO statistician Clare Sullivan.
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