County Kilkenny has one of the lowest business closure rates in Ireland , data suggests

A new study suggests that Kilkenny ranks second among the counties in Ireland with the lowest rate of business closures so far this year.

The research, conducted by business energy provider Procure.ie, analysed over 3,250 company closures since the start of 2025. By standardising the data per 100,000 people in each county, the study reveals where business activity is declining fastest — and where companies are proving more resilient.

According to the data, 22 businesses have closed in County Kilkenny so far in 2025. When adjusted for population, this equates to 21 closures per 100,000 people, placing the county in the top five nationally.

While every county has felt the impact of rising costs and ongoing economic uncertainty, businesses in County Kilkenny may be particularly affected by a combination of factors — including limited access to support schemes, rising operational overheads, and shifting consumer behaviour. These pressures are being felt especially among SMEs and independent retailers, who often operate on tighter margins.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS

Counties With the Most Business Closures in Ireland
The top five counties with the highest closure rates per 100,000 people are:

Dublin – 121.04

Louth – 60.8

Clare – 60.2

Meath – 55.7

Wicklow – 52.0

Dublin tops the national list with more than 1,000 business closures so far this year — highlighting that even the country’s most economically active regions aren’t immune to the pressures faced by businesses today.
READ NEXT: LETTER TO THE EDITOR - SAD TO SEE SO MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES CLOSE

Counties With the Lowest Closure Rates
Meanwhile, the counties with the lowest closure rates are:

Mayo – 18.1

Kilkenny – 21.1

Offaly – 22.9

Cavan – 23.3

Laois – 23.9

These counties may be benefitting from smaller commercial property costs, stronger local support networks, or slower but steadier economic growth — allowing businesses to operate with more stability.

The study highlights an increasing disparity between counties. While larger or commuter-heavy counties like Dublin, Meath, and Wicklow show higher closure rates, some smaller and more rural counties are managing to retain more of their local businesses.

For more information on the study, click here.