Sectoral Changes in the Labour
Force over the Period 1961-1980
with Particular Reference to Public
Sector and Services Employment. Quarterly Economic Commentary Special Article, August 1982
A knowledge of the significant changes which have been taking place in the
sectoral composition of employment is fundamental to a proper understanding
of the recent evolution of the labour force. This paper traces the changes in the
numbers at work in broad sectors of the Irish economy over the period
1961-80. The basic information is given in Appendix I, Table A which
contains an annual sectoral subdivision under four broad headings (Agriculture,
Manufacturing, Building and Services); Tables 1 and 1A following show
these data for selected years* in this period with a somewhat more detailed
sectoral subdivision, the second table giving absolute and relative employment
changes by sector for the 1961/1971 and 1971/1979 periods
