Wicklow In Top Five Counties For Hardest Workers In National Index

Wicklow has been ranked the 4th hardest-working county in Ireland, with new research highlighting its long commutes, strong employment levels, and exceptional workforce dedication.

Wicklow has been officially recognised as one of the hardest-working places in Ireland, securing 4th place in the newly released Hard-Working Index.

The study, conducted by leading business utility consultants Procure.ie, highlights Wicklow’s strong work ethic, long commuting patterns, and high levels of workforce participation.

The research analysed the latest Central Statistics Office figures, comparing how far people travel to work, the time spent commuting, and unemployment levels across the country.

Wicklow’s impressive score of 244.2 places it firmly within the country’s top performers — a reflection of the county’s strong employment base and the daily dedication shown by its residents.

For many in Wicklow, long journeys into Dublin and other employment hubs are part of everyday life, underscoring the county’s reputation for commitment and resilience.

How Wicklow Compares Nationally

Despite tough competition, Wicklow stands proudly among Ireland’s most industrious counties.

Here’s how the top 10 counties ranked:

1. Laois – 271.5

2. Meath – 266.6

3. Leitrim – 249.0

4. Wicklow – 244.2

5. Westmeath – 243.9

6. Roscommon – 243.8

7. Offaly – 242.2

8. Cavan – 240.9

9. Kildare – 239.9

10. Longford – 229.9

Wicklow’s strong performance highlights a county where residents balance long commutes with active workforce participation — and continue to do so in consistently high numbers.

Commitment That Keeps the Country Moving

Commenting on the findings, Simon Lawlor, Chief Operating Officer at Procure.ie, said:

“This research highlights the effort and commitment shown by people across Ireland every day. Counties like Laois and Meath stand out for their long commutes and strong employment levels, showing the dedication that keeps our economy moving.

Behind that effort are businesses working just as hard to manage costs and support their teams. At Procure.ie, we help those businesses save on one of their biggest expenses, energy, so they can focus their resources on growth and their people.”

How the Hard-Working Index Was Calculated

• Procure.ie’s analysis used publicly available CSO data and ranked each county on three core measures:
• Average distance travelled to work (km)
• Average journey time (minutes)
• Total number of unemployed people per county