Employment set to increase by 51,000 next year, compared with 109,000 in 1999.
The level of female participation in the workforce has increased to 48.5 per cent, a record high. Last year it was 45 per cent.
Employment is expanding in all sectors of the economy, even agriculture. Financial services and construction showed the strongest growth.
Unemployment is expected to fall by 10,000 next year, compared with a fall of 36,000 this year.
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The Border region continues to have the highest level of unemployment at 8.6 per cent. Dublin has the lowest at 4.5 per cent.
Average unemployment rates next year are expected to fall below 5 per cent. Average unemployment was 5.7 per cent this year and long-term unemployment 2.1 per cent.