Irish multinationals employed more than 300,000 people abroad in 2014, and generated turnover in excess of €99 billion, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office.

The figures show turnover among Irish multinationals abroad fell 2.7 per cent, from €102 billion, in 2013, with services and distribution the dominant sector. In this sector, employment fell slightly to just under 172,000, while turnover decreased by 0.8 per cent to more than €67.5 billion.

Turnover in manufacturing multinationals decreased by 7.3 per cent in 2014, to under €30 billion, though employment in this sector rose by 5.2 per cent to almost 131,000 people.

Turnover in Irish construction multinationals abroad rose to €745 million, while employment fell by 1.1 per cent to 1,000 people.

The US was the most important destination country for Irish multinationals in terms of employment – more than 100,000. The US was followed by the UK, with more than 86,000 employees.

In terms of turnover, affiliates in the UK had the highest turnover, at €37.6 billion, followed by the US with turnover of €27.2 billion.

Other countries with relatively high employment and turnover were Germany, the Netherlands and France.