A new study has revealed the hardest working county in the country, taking into account things like commuting times, travel distances and employment rates across the country
The study, conducted by business utility consultants Procure.ie, analysed the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) data to create a Hard-Working Index ranking all 26 counties.
The index combined figures on unemployment, average commute times, and the distance people travel to work to assess overall levels of work effort and commitment nationwide.
Laois took the top spot with a score of 271.5, standing out for its long average commuting distances and low unemployment rate.
The findings suggest that residents of the midlands county are among the most dedicated workers in the country, spending more time on the road to reach their workplaces than most.
Meath ranked second with an index score of 266.6, supported by a strong jobs market and high numbers of daily commuters travelling into Dublin.
Leitrim came third, followed by Wicklow and Westmeath, both of which performed well thanks to consistent employment and long journey times for workers.
The top 10 hardest-working counties were rounded out by Roscommon, Offaly, Cavan, Kildare, and Longford.
Top 10 Hardest-Working Counties in Ireland
Laois – 271.5
Meath – 266.6
Leitrim – 249.0
Wicklow – 244.2
Westmeath – 243.9
Roscommon – 243.8
Offaly – 242.2
Cavan – 240.9
Kildare – 239.9
Longford – 229.9
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.”