FX.co ★ Irish Services Growth at 19-Month Low

In August 2025, the AIB Ireland Services PMI recorded a slight dip to 50.6, down from 50.9 in July, reaching its lowest point since January 2024. Employment witnessed its sharpest decline since October 2020, exacerbated by a second decline in outstanding business volume within three months due to tepid demand. Only the technology, media & telecoms, and business services sectors experienced positive activity growth in August, with the former seeing a swifter expansion compared to July, while the latter reported only modest growth. Although new business increased at its fastest rate in three months, it still trailed significantly behind the long-term average growth pace. On the price side, input cost inflation surged to a four-month peak, spurred by increased expenses in wages, insurance, freight, and IT. Consequently, selling prices rose at their quickest rate in three months, maintaining levels above the long-standing trend. Looking forward, business sentiment showed improvement, fueled by investments in new products and services, economic recovery, and technological advancements.