New research released today by Linkedin has revealed a shift in professional migration patterns, with more British workers moving to Ireland than in the other direction, the reverse of findings just six months ago.

Despite remaining as the top destination for professionals leaving Ireland, the UK now accounts for the largest net migration to this country, with 21% of all professional talent that migrated to Ireland coming from the UK.

The country continues to be a net beneficiary of talent migration, with more professionals moving to the country than departing based on an analysis of LinkedIn’s membership data between October 2016 and October 2017. According to LinkedIn’s data, the top five countries for migrating talent (net) coming to Ireland were:

United Kingdom - 21%

Brazil - 18%

India - 11%

Australia - 6%

Italy - 5%



LinkedIn’s latest data also showed that the software sector continues to be the largest net beneficiary of talent moving to Ireland, with the 900+ software companies based in the country continuing to be a lure for technology professionals. The overall top five sectors attracting talent to Ireland were:

Technology - Software

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical

HR/Recruitment

Financial Services & Insurance

Architecture & Engineering



The top five sectors that departing Irish professionals joined abroad were:

Media & Entertainment

Oil & Energy

Retail & Consumer Products

Technology - Hardware

Aero/Auto/Transport



Commenting on the data, Senior Director International Operations and Site Leader of LinkedIn Ireland, Sharon McCooey said, "The flow of talent between the UK and Ireland has long been significant, but this year the combined forces of uncertainty in the UK and our continued recovery in Ireland, led by strong growth in Dublin, sees us welcome more British resident workers to Ireland than the reverse."

She added, "Ireland’s communities, businesses and leadership have built momentum behind the understanding that this is an attractive place to live and work. This is a trend that we expect to continue given that we will soon be the only English speaking member of the European Union. There’s no surprise that the software industry remains the biggest lure for skilled workers moving to Ireland, underlining the glowing reputation of the indigenous firms and multinationals operating here."



Source: www.businessworld.ie