73,628
Employed
Growing, strong and skilled workforce
Why Wexford?
A prime location for business and investment
Why Wexford
A Smart Location for Growth
Competitive costs, strong regional output, and a pro-business base for expansion
€6 Billion
Regional GVA
+7%
Annual GVA Growth
12.5%
Corporate Tax Rate
Ireland’s competitive 12.5% corporation tax rate on trading income, combined with the country’s ranking as the easiest place in Europe to pay taxes, making it a highly attractive location for businesses considering relocation or expansion. ¹
Ireland has also adopted the EU global minimum tax directive (15%) and OECD Pillar Two provisions for entities with global turnover exceeding €750 million, ensuring alignment with international standards. Businesses benefit from a comprehensive network of double taxation agreements, a highly competitive and refundable 30% R&D tax credit regime and tax depreciation allowances on the acquisition of intellectual property.
In addition, the Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) provides significant income tax relief, reducing the cost of assigning key employees to Ireland. County Wexford and the South East region offer a compelling alternative to Dublin, with a proven track record of attracting investment. Companies benefit from lower living costs, reduced labour expenses and more affordable commercial property and operating costs while still benefiting from access to Ireland’s favourable tax and business environment. Source: ¹KPMG, 2025
Why Wexford
Prime commercial property solutions
Wexford County Council provides a single point of contact for businesses locating or expanding the county, bringing together local authority and enterprise supports in one place. Investors benefit from coordinated access to sites, planning infrastructure and local insight, ensuring a smooth and informed setup.
Wexford County Council is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable office and industrial spaces across County Wexford for businesses at every stage of growth, in all five districts. Below, you’ll find a selection of exciting property developments currently underway throughout the county. Meetings and site visits can be organised and facilitated by Invest Wexford.
If you would like any further details, please feel free to get in touch by emailing economic@wexfordcoco.ie or by telephone on +353 (0)53 9196555
EDUCATION
Attracting and retaining exceptional talent
County Wexford combines access to a young, highly educated workforce with a strong quality of life. Housing in the region is far more accessible than in Dublin, purchase price is on average 52% cheaper than Dublin and rent prices are on average 44% cheaper than Dublin, (Source: Daft.ie) making the region attractive to employees and employers alike.
Ireland continues to rank strongly on the global stage, the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025 places Ireland among the top 10 most competitive economies worldwide, a nod to its skilled labour force and business-friendly environment.
South East Technological University has over 18,000 students across its campuses, including Wexford. They provide Tech Graduates Specialising in Software Development, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Digital Marketing with 37% of graduates employed and living locally, driving research collaborations and supporting the innovation capacity of industry in the region.
LIFE IN WEXFORD
An Adaptable Talent Pool
The Wexford Tertiary Education Campus, the first project of its kind in Ireland, will further strengthen the region’s strong talent pool. The campus is being developed as a partnership between South East Technological University (SETU), Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) and Wexford County Council. Upon completion the shared SETU and Waterford and Wexford ETB campus will provide one campus for students to move between vocational training and university degrees. Featuring state-of-the-art campus research facilities and business spaces, the campus has been designed as a “one-stop-shop” for tertiary education, clearly positioning Wexford as a leading regional centre for skills, innovation and enterprise.
Combined with a high quality of life, Ireland – and County Wexford in particular – offers a compelling environment for attracting and retaining exceptional talent.
Sources: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025; Central Statistics Office; IDA Ireland; KPMG 2025.
A Skilled Talent Pool
“Ireland is a great place to work and live” says Anna Scally, Head of Technology and Media at KPMG. “A combination of talented people, strong international trade links, and a proven track record sets us apart.” Ireland is ranked 8th worldwide on the UN Human Development Index ahead of markets such as the US, UK, Canada, France and Germany and was ranked as the second most peaceful country in the world in 2024.
Talent is a key differentiator; around 62.3% of Ireland’s 23–34-year-olds now hold a third-level qualification, well above the EU average of 43-44%. Ireland is part of the EU open labour market, ensuring companies can benefit from a wide pool of talent, providing access to a deep, adaptable talent pool. The Irish workforce has the highest level of STEM graduates per capita in the EU amongst 25–29-year-olds.
11,329
Active Enterprises
Vibrant and growing business base
€6 Billion
Regional GVA
+5.7%
Annual Growth (5y CAGR)
350,000
Commute Catchment
within 90 minutes
55%
Third-Level Education
Amongst 25-34 yr olds
53%
Cheaper home purchase vs Dublin
49%
Cheaper home rent vs Dublin
57%
Cheaper commercial purchase vs Dublin
55%
Cheaper commercial rent vs Dublin
60%
Cheaper industrial purchase vs Dublin
53%
Cheaper industrial rent vs Dublin
Sources: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025; Central Statistics Office; IDA Ireland; KPMG 2025, Irish Times, gov.ie & CSO; Wexford Socio‑Economic Baseline Report.
EMPLOYMENT
Leading employers in the Wexford region
The Irish economy has seen continued growth in recent years, underpinned by a combination of export‑led growth, robust labour markets and resilient domestic activity. Ireland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by an estimated 12.6% in 2025, reflecting strong export performance, particularly from multinational firms located here, positioning Ireland among the fastest‑growing economies globally. ¹
Employment in Ireland has reached record levels with total employment exceeding 2.78 million people and significant increases in full‑time jobs across sectors. ²
The region hosts more than 70 foreign‑owned multinational companies employing approximately 12,445 people, according to the most recent Central Statistics Office data and these firms span key sectors including International Financial Services, Life Sciences, ICT and internationally traded services.³
Within the county itself, 22 multinational companies employ close to 3,000 people locally, highlighting Wexford’s role as a significant centre of industrial and service employment in the South East.⁴
Set upon the picturesque River Slaney, Enniscorthy, a small yet bustling town in Wexford was voted in 2026 as the third best ‘Work Life Balance’ town in Ireland. With close proximity to both the majestic Blackstairs Mountains and the famous Curracloe coastline, residents of Enniscorthy enjoy great transport links and access to major towns and local amenities.⁵
Sources: ¹ Irish Times. ² gov.ie ³ & ⁴ CSO; Wexford Socio‑Economic Baseline Report. ⁵ Switcher.ie
UTILITIES
Wexford offers Strong Utilities Platform
County Wexford offers a strong and improving utilities platform for international investors, combining enhanced energy infrastructure, next-generation broadband connectivity, strategic port facilities, and direct access to Ireland’s developing offshore renewable energy sector. These assets position the county as an attractive location for advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology, financial services, and renewable energy supply-chain businesses.