45
Average Age
Contractor Profile
“The Government is either pro-business, or it isn't. It can't have one foot in the door. Pro-business means supporting all size businesses - including one-person businesses. People can be in business on their own account. Stop trying to force people to be employees. The problem isn't how people are working. The problem is Government policy and old school thinking about how people should be working. The Irish Government is sticking its head in the sand and ignoring the voice of the people - we want to work this way.”
Quote from Respondent
Independent contractors typically engage in two main types of work: gig/task-based work and project-based work.
Gig work is usually short-term, focused on specific tasks, and primarily involves the contractor delivering their individual service without deeper involvement in the organisation. In contrast, project-based work is more sustained and collaborative, with contractors usually working closely alongside employees to achieve broader project goals, (more than their individual contributions). While gig work can sometimes attract negative commentary, this is largely associated with low-skilled, low-paid roles.
Contractors Are Getting Younger (years)
Call for Government Recognition
84% of respondents believe that greater recognition of contractors as an important part of the workforce would positively affect their contract work.
Availability of Contract Work
88%
Expect the availability of contract work over the next 12 months to stay the same or increase!
Contractor Gender Split (%)
72
Men
27
Women
2
Undisclosed
Men
Women
Undisclosed
0
20
40
60
80
100
Age
The average and median age of respondents is 45, three years younger than in 2024, continuing the downward trend from 2022 when the average age was 49. While 64% of respondents remain over 40 (down from 72% in 2024), this suggests that time and experience are still needed to build the skills required for contracting. However, the rising number of younger contractors signals a shift, 36% are now under 40, up from 28% in 2024 and 24% in 2023, indicating that contracting is becoming more accessible and attractive to younger professionals. With respondents ranging from 22 to 82 years old, it’s clear that contracting can be a viable career choice at any age.
Additional Information
82
Oldest Age
22
Youngest Age
Gender Split
Women remain underrepresented in the contracting sector, with 27% of respondents identifying as female and 72% as male. This is consistent with 2024 figures. However, this reflects a slight increase from when the research started in 2021, when female participation was 25%. Male contractors continue to dominate the industry, while 2% of respondents chose not to disclose their gender.
Additional Information
Education Profile
Independent professionals are well educated with almost (95%) of respondents having attained third level qualifications of level 6 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| No formal qualifications | 1% | 1% | n/a | n/a |
| Junior Certificate | 0% | 1% | n/a | n/a |
| Leaving Certificate | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
| Advanced Certificate/Higher Certificate | 7% | 9% | 10% | 11% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 35% | 37% | 43% | 44% |
| Master’s Degree | 36% | 32% | 38% | 37% |
| Doctoral Degree | n/a | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Other professional qualifications | 17% | 15% | n/a |
Where The Work Happens
Within Ireland major cities still account for most of the work. The majority of respondents at 73% work in Dublin and Cork, down from 78% in 2024, 4.5% work in Limerick, 4% work in Kildare and 3% in Galway.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Antrim | 0.10% | 0.30% | 0.80% |
| Carlow | 1.40% | 0.90% | 0.30% |
| Cavan | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Clare | 0.60% | 0.10% | 1.10% |
| Cork | 19.60% | 18.30% | 16.90% |
| Donegal | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dublin | 53.40% | 59.70% | 61.80% |
| Galway | 3.40% | 2.50% | 3.00% |
| Kerry | 0.50% | 0.70% | 0.60% |
| Kildare | 4.30% | 3.30% | 2.40% |
| Kilkenny | 0.60% | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Laois | 0.30% | 0.10% | 0.30% |
| Limerick | 4.50% | 4.50% | 3.70% |
| Louth | 0.50% | 0.90% | 0.30% |
| Mayo | 1.40% | 0.40% | 0.30% |
| Meath | 1.00% | 0.80% | 0.60% |
| Monaghan | 0.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Offaly | 0.30% | 0.10% | 0.30% |
| Roscommon | 0.60% | 0.10% | 0.20% |
| Sligo | 0.60% | 0.40% | 1.00% |
| Tipperary | 2.60% | 1.50% | 1.30% |
| Waterford | 1.60% | 1.70% | 1.60% |
| Westmeath | 1.20% | 0.80% | 1.00% |
| Wexford | 0.50% | 0.90% | 1.10% |
| Wicklow | 0.40% | 0.50% | 0.80% |
Where the Work Happens
93% of respondents are completing their work for clients in the Republic of Ireland. There has been a 5% decrease in international trade in professional contractor service down from 12% in 2024 to 7% in 2025. There’s a 3% decrease in those working for clients in the EU and a 2% drop in those working with clients in the rest of the world.
Additional Information
Education Profile
Independent professionals are well educated with almost (97%) of respondents having attained third level qualifications of level 6 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Additional Information
Client Industry
Contractors are present across various industries but are concentrated in key sectors like Pharma, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), and Finance. The majority 82% work within the private sector, a 3% increase from 2024. 73% of contractors reported working with a single client at a time, while 27% engage with multiple clients.
Additional Information
Industry Sector
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Public sector | 16% | 16% | 17% | 16% |
| Private sector | 79% | 77% | 77% | 80% |
| Charitable/Not for profit | 3% | 5% | 4% | 2% |
| Other | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
My Office Is
The return to office continues in 2025 with 45% of respondents reporting working from home, (WFH) very often or always, this is down 5% on 2024 report where 50% reported WFH very often or always. 33% reported working in client company very often or always in 2025 up 4% on 2024 report. Just over half 51% of all respondents this year engage in some form of hybrid working, showing that where respondents carry out their work has changed significantly when compared with pre covid working arrangements. Pre covid only (13%) of independent professionals reported working from home with (63%) working in client offices. Participants in 2025 survey reveal that working in public spaces is an unattractive option for contractors, with 75% reporting that they never work in public spaces.
Additional Information
| At home | In client company | Working in public spaces | |
| Never (0%) | 15% | 16% | 74% |
| Infrequently (1-30%) | 18% | 39% | 20% |
| Often (31-60%) | 17% | 16% | 2% |
| Very often (61-99%) | 38% | 17% | 2% |
| Always (100%) | 12% | 12% | 2% |
Productivity
As part of the research this year respondents were asked to give some details on how the location of where they do their work affected their productivity.
The feedback from respondents suggests a balanced preference for both working from home (WFH) and working in the office, with many favouring a hybrid approach.
While home reportedly provides a focused, distraction-free environment, the office supports collaboration and relationship-building. The results suggest that the location that best serves the individuals productivity depends on the type of work being done and the environment’s suitability for that task.
Working from Home
Advantages
- Fewer Distractions: “Best concentration and least interruption when working from home.”
- No Commute, More Time: “No commute gives me extra hours to focus on work.”
- Customised Workspace: “I have the correct ergonomic setup at home, making it the most comfortable and productive space.”
- Better Work-Life Balance: “Working from home gives me flexibility to manage personal and professional tasks.”
- Deep Focus for Complex Tasks: “Deep work is better at home with no interruptions.”
Working from Home
Disadvantages
- Distractions at Home: “Home can be challenging with young children.”
- Lack of Social Interaction: “Working from home can feel isolating.”
- Blurred Work-Life Boundaries: “It’s harder to switch off when working from home.”
- Limited Collaboration: “Some tasks require being near colleagues for quicker decision-making.”
- Equipment and Connectivity Issues: “Connectivity is a concern when working away from office.”
Working in Office
Advantages
- Immediate Collaboration: “Being on-site helps build relationships and speeds up decision-making.”
- Access to Resources: “Better access to people and equipment on-site.”
- Clear Work-Life Separation: “The commute creates a mental shift into work mode.”
- Faster Problem-Solving: “Unscheduled conversations in the office lead to quicker resolutions.”
- Team Synergy and Learning: “Collaboration with colleagues drives better team outcomes.”
Working in Office
Disadvantages
- Commute Stress and Time Loss: “Commuting is an exhausting, dangerous waste of time.”
- Office Distractions: “A lot of distractions in the office from colleagues and meetings.”
- Limited Flexibility: “Office hours are more rigid, limiting personal flexibility.”
- Hot-Desking Discomfort: “Hot desk setups aren’t optimised for productivity.”
- Noise and Interruptions: “Background noise and movement in the office affect concentration.”
Contracting as a Career
A total of 78% of contractors voluntarily choose to contract. Having a strong network is important to ensure a continuous stream of work with 57% of respondents relying on their own initiative to find new work, up significantly on last year where 36% took the lead in finding their own work. (view data table for detail)
When probed further about how they mostly find their contracts, 15% reported using online job platforms such as Upwork, 30% found new work via social media, e.g. LinkedIn and Indeed, and 41% said they used their personal network and referrals to find new work. 23% rely solely on third parties (such as contract recruiters). 13% of 2025 participants used both approaches.
Additional Information
Days To Find New Contract
The average time respondents spent looking for a new contract was 12 days, 3 days longer than in 2024. In 2021 independent professionals spent 5 weeks looking for work, so over the course of this research there has still been a significant reduction in the length of time contractors spend looking for work. This is likely an indication of more companies utilising a blended workforce model leading to more availability of contract work.
Additional Information
Contract Lengths
The average contract length is 14 months, the same as last year. Almost half of the sample 51% reported their contract length between 7-12 months. Participants reported contracts between 13-24 months up slightly year on year 18% in 2025 versus 15% in 2024.
Additional Information
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