Ireland's Project Economy 2025
Chapter Seven

Confidence Index

“I have been working independently for 18 years and have always found I've been able to generate work.”
Quote from Respondent

Confidence Index

Throughout this report you will see reference made to the ‘Confidence Index.’ The confidence the participants have in several areas was expressed through the way they answered a number of key questions almost identical in nature but presented in different ways. The average weighting of these answers is then used to calculate the confidence index. A confidence index of zero would indicate that there was a totally neutral feeling by the respondents. A positive figure represents a positive outlook, with the scale maxing at 100, while a negative score indicates the feeling of unfavourable negative feelings towards the economic or business future. The confidence index score relating to the performance of the Irish Economy varies depending on the age profile of the contractors and the industry the contractors operate in.

Confidence Index by Sector

The overall outlook for the Irish economy in 2025 is positive with a confidence index score of +17 – an improvement compared to the confidence index score for 2024 which was +16. The confidence index score relating to the performance of the Irish Economy varies depending on the gender, the age profile of the contractor and the industry they operate in.

When it comes to the performance of the Irish Economy by industry sector engineering has the lowest confidence index score of +2 and Pharma contractors report the highest confidence in the Irish Economy with an index score of +18.

Contractors are generally very positive about the future of the contracting sector in the next 3 – 5 years with a confidence index score of +26. The degree of positivity and subsequently the value of confidence index scores changes by gender and by industry. ICT contractors have the highest confidence index score at +31, and Medical Locum have the lowest at +4. Male contractors have a higher confidence index score at +27 compared to females at +25.

Contracting Sector in the Next 3-5 Years From Now

Millennials are the most optimistic about the contracting sector in the next 3-5 years with a confidence index score of +28, Boomers are the least +22.

 

+22

Boomers

+25

Gen X

+28

Millennials

+23

Gen Z

The Performance of the Irish Economy in 2025

Millennials and Gen Z both have the highest confidence index score for the Irish economy at +18. Boomers and Gen X report the same confidence index score of +15 in the Irish economy, Boomers confidence index score in 2025 is lower than 2024, where Gen X confidence index score in 2025 is higher than 2024.

+15

Boomers

+15

Gen X

+18

Millennials

+18

Gen Z

Confidence Index for Contractors, Recruiters, and Clients

Client companies have a more positive outlook on the performance of the Irish Economy in 2025 at +22, when compared to recruiters at +19 and contractors at +17.

The contractor outlook for the Irish economy in 2025 is positive with a confidence index score of +17, an improvement compared to the confidence index score for 2024 of +16.

With regard to the performance of the contracting sector in the next 3-5 years, recruiters have the highest confidence index score of +37, clients also very positive with a score of +27 with contractors also positive with a score of +26.

Project economy contractors have a confidence index score of +28 for the contracting sector and a confidence index score of +18 in relation to the Irish economy, as they are at the forefront of innovation and have insights into future work, it is safe to say that both contracting and the Irish economy look strong.

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Next - What The Recruiters Say

  • Benefits of Contracting
  • Concerns Recruiters Face from Candidates
  • Barriers Facing Recruiters from Client Company
  • Hardest Skillsets To Source
  • Future Expectations & More!
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