Irish Services Growth Hits 4-Month High

The AIB Ireland Services PMI rose to 53.5 in September 2025, up from August’s 19-month low of 50.6, marking the first increase in four months. It also signaled the fastest expansion in the services sector since May, as both output and new business grew at their quickest pace in four months. Employment also increased solidly, rebounding from job losses in August. Three sectors registered growth in activity during September. Technology, media & telecoms recorded the fastest expansion—and the strongest in two years, while the transport, tourism & leisure sector posted a seventh consecutive monthly decline. On prices, input cost inflation accelerated to a six-month high, driven by rising wages, energy, freight, food, fuel, and travel costs. As a result, selling prices rose at the fastest pace in four months and remained above the long-run average. Finally, sentiment improved, though it remained below the long-run survey trend amid continued global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.