In 2024, there were 130,736 people aged between 35 and 39 in Northern Ireland, which was the most of any age group in this year.

National and subnational mid-year population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries by administrative area, age and sex (including components of population change, median age and population density).

Prior to 1921, the six counties that make up modern-day Northern Ireland were a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the separate state of Northern Ireland did not exist until after the partition of Ireland in 1921. From 1821 until 1841, both the male and female populations grew by 130,000 each, until the Great Famine of 1845 to 1849 caused a sharp decline in the population in the 1840s. This decline continued until 1891, and the male population of the six counties fell at a slightly higher rate than the female population. The number of men fell by 310,000 between 1841 and 1891, and the number of women fell by 300,000. From 1891 to 1937 growth remains quite low, particularly among women, and then from 1937 the growth rate increases again. There is one more decade where the population dropped, which coincides with the most violent period of the Northern Irish Troubles. This was in the 1970s, where the number of men and women fell by approximately 30,000 each.

This statistic shows the predicted median age of the population of Northern Ireland from 2017 to 2041, by gender. The figures show year on year increase over this twenty eight year period for both men and women, to **** years of age for women and **** years for men.

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents aged 16 and over in households in Northern Ireland by adult lifestage. The estimates are as at census day, 21 March 2021.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 60 to 64 data was reported at 49.556 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 48.283 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 60 to 64 data is updated yearly, averaging 35.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 49.556 Person th in 2017 and a record low of 31.000 Person th in 1980. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 60 to 64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.G004: Population: Northern Ireland.

Description of Data Notes: The estimates are produced using a variety of data sources and statistical models. Therefore small estimates should not be taken to refer to particular individuals. The migration element of the components of change have been largely derived from a data source which is known to be deficient in recording young adult males and outflows from Northern Ireland. Therefore the estimates are subject to adjustment to account for this and, while deemed acceptable for their use, will not provide definitive numbers of the population in the reported groups/areas. Further information is available in the Limitations section of the statistical bulletin: NISRA 2024 Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Time Period Estimates are provided for mid-1971 to mid-2024. Methodology The cohort-component method was used to create the population estimates for 2024. This method updates the Census estimates by 'ageing on' populations and applying information on births, deaths and migration. Further information is available at: NISRA 2024 Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Geographic Referencing Population Estimates are based on a large number of secondary datasets. Where the full address was available, the Pointer Address database was used to allocate a unique property reference number (UPRN) and geo-spatial co-ordinates to each home address. These can then be used to map the address to particular geographies. Where it was not possible to assign a unique property reference number to an address using the Pointer database, or where the secondary dataset contained only postcode information, the Central Postcode Directory was used to map home address postcodes to higher geographies. A small proportion of records with unknown geography were apportioned based on the spatial characteristics of known records. Further Information NISRA Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Contact: NISRA Customer Services 02890 255156 census@nisra.gov.uk Responsible Statistician: Shauna Dunlop

United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged >60 data was reported at 166.500 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 164.374 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged >60 data is updated yearly, averaging 164.374 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 206.684 Person th in 2014 and a record low of 138.000 Person th in 1971. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged >60 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.G004: Population: Northern Ireland.

United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged <1 data was reported at 12.195 Person th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.736 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged <1 data is updated yearly, averaging 13.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.000 Person th in 1972 and a record low of 11.000 Person th in 2004. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged <1 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.G004: Population: Northern Ireland.

United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Aged 16 to 59 Female & 16 to 64 Male data was reported at 1,177.175 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,176.381 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Aged 16 to 59 Female & 16 to 64 Male data is updated yearly, averaging 975.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,177.175 Person th in 2017 and a record low of 837.000 Person th in 1975. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Aged 16 to 59 Female & 16 to 64 Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.G004: Population: Northern Ireland.

From 1821 until 2011, the male and female populations of the 26 counties of the modern-day Republic of Ireland grew at a relatively similar rate, however some fluctuations did occur. During this time, the entire island of Ireland was a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, after both islands were united by the Acts of Union in 1800. This graph shows the populations of the 26 counties that would later form the Republic of Ireland in 1921, and does not include the six counties that became known as Northern Ireland.

As we can see, both populations follow a relatively similar trend throughout their respective histories. In the first three entries, women outnumber men by 70,000 to 120,000, although these figures do not include military personnel which would narrow this margin. Both populations fall at a similar rate during and after the famine, however the male population does fall slightly faster, possibly due to an increased rate of emigration among males. Another point where both populations differ is in the early twentieth century, where the female population declines in a relatively smooth curve, although the male populations peak in the census data before and after both world wars. From 1956 onwards both populations follow a very similar trend, and grow at the same rate. The difference in population sizes never exceeds 30,000 people, until the final entry in 2011 where the population of men is 2.27 million and the population of women is 2.31 million.

Description of Data Notes: Net Migration is the difference between inflows and outflows. Inflows = people coming to Northern Ireland to live Outflows = people leaving Northern Ireland to live elsewhere In general the precision of the migration estimates could be considered to be no better than to the nearest 100. The estimates are produced using a variety of data sources and statistical models. Therefore small estimates should not be taken to refer to particular individuals. The migration element of the components of change have been largely derived from a data source which is known to be deficient in recording young adult males and outflows from Northern Ireland. Therefore the estimates are subject to adjustment to account for this and, while deemed acceptable for their use, will not provide definitive numbers of the population in the reported groups/areas. Further information is available in the Limitations section of the statistical bulletin: NISRA 2024 Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Time Period Estimates are provided for mid-2002 to mid-2024. Methodology The cohort-component method was used to create the population estimates for 2022. This method updates the Census estimates by 'ageing on' populations and applying information on births, deaths and migration. Further information is available at: NISRA 2024 Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Geographic Referencing Population Estimates are based on a large number of secondary datasets. Where the full address was available, the Pointer Address database was used to allocate a unique property reference number (UPRN) and geo-spatial co-ordinates to each home address. These can then be used to map the address to particular geographies. Where it was not possible to assign a unique property reference number to an address using the Pointer database, or where the secondary dataset contained only postcode information, the Central Postcode Directory was used to map home address postcodes to higher geographies. A small proportion of records with unknown geography were apportioned based on the spatial characteristics of known records. Further Information NISRA Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Contact: NISRA Customer Services 02890 255156 census@nisra.gov.uk Responsible Statistician: Shauna Dunlop

United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 85 to 89 data was reported at 8.801 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.556 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 85 to 89 data is updated yearly, averaging 5.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.801 Person th in 2017 and a record low of 3.000 Person th in 1980. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 85 to 89 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.G004: Population: Northern Ireland.

In 1821, Ireland's population was just over 6.8 million people. During this time, the entire island was a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, after both islands were united by the Acts of Union in 1800. From the graph we can see that the population enjoyed steady growth between 1821 and 1841, and it rose by almost 1.4 million people in this time. However the Great Famine, which lasted from 1845 to 1849, had a devastating impact on the population, causing it to drop from 8.18 million in 1841 to 6.55 million in 1851. The Great Hunger The famine was caused by a Europe-wide potato blight that contributed to mass starvation and death throughout the continent, although it's impact on Ireland was much harsher than anywhere else. The potato blight affected Ireland so severely as the majority of potatoes in Ireland were of a single variety which allowed the disease to spread much faster than in other countries. As the potato blight spread, the population became increasingly dependent on dairy and grain products, however a lot of these resources were relocated by the British military to combat food shortages in Britain. Due to disproportional dependency on potatoes, and mismanagement by the British government, over one million people died and a further one million emigrated. The Great Famine lasted from just 1845 to 1849, but it's legacy caused almost a century of population decline, and to this day, the population of Ireland has never exceeded it's pre-famine levels. Road to recovery The population decline continued well into the twentieth century, during which time the Republic of Ireland achieved independence from the British Empire. After centuries of fighting and rebellion against British rule, Irish nationalists finally gained independence from Britain in 1921, although the six counties with the largest Protestant populations formed Northern Ireland, which is still a part of the United Kingdom today. In spite of the conflict that overshadowed Ireland for much of the twentieth century, which claimed the lives of thousands of people (particularly during the Northern Irish Troubles), and despite Ireland's high emigration rate, the population began growing again in the second half of the 1900s. The population was at it's lowest from 1926 to 1961, where it remained around 4.3 million, but in the following half-century the population grew by over two million people, reaching 6.4 million in 2011, although this number is still lower than in 1821. Gender stats The difference between the male and female populations throughout Ireland's recent history has also remained relatively low. The largest difference occurred in 1831, where there are 170,000 more women than men, although these figures do not include military personnel which would reduce the difference significantly. The gap then remains under 60,000 throughout the twentieth century.

United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged 5 to 14 data was reported at 119.693 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 117.443 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged 5 to 14 data is updated yearly, averaging 127.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 149.000 Person th in 1976 and a record low of 112.000 Person th in 2012. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged 5 to 14 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.G004: Population: Northern Ireland.

In 2021, there were **** births per 1,000 people in Northern Ireland, compared with eleven in the previous year. Between 2000 and 2008, Northern Ireland's birth rate increased from **** to **** but started to decline gradually until 2012 when it dropped from **** to **** in just one year. During this provided time period, the birth rate in Northern Ireland was highest in 1971, when it was **** and was at its lowest in 2020 when there were just eleven births per 1,000 people. Falling birth rates in the UK For the United Kingdom as a whole, the birth rate fell to **** births per 1,000 people in 2020, before a slight uptick to **** in 2021. After a postwar peak of **** births per 1,000 people in 1964, the UK birth rate fell sharply to just **** by 1977. Between 1977 and 2012 the birth rate fluctuated between **** and ****, but declined in every year between 2012 and 2020. In 2021, the UK's fertility rate (the number of births per women) fell to just ****, compared with **** in 1964. Since 1973, the UK has fallen below the minimum replacement level fertility rate of ***, and without immigration would likely see its population decline in the long term. Global demographic trends The considerable decline in the UK's fertility rate in recent decades is not an isolated phenomenon. As of 2025, Africa was, at ****, the only continent to have a fertility rate higher than the global average of ****. Several countries, mainly in East Asia and Europe, have far lower fertility rates than the UK or the global average, however. South Korea provides the most dramatic example of this trend, with its fertility rate falling from **** in 1960 to just **** by 2020. By the *****, it is expected that, as Africa's fertility rate converges with the rest of the world, the global population will peak at around **** billion and start to decline.

In Northern Ireland in the 1960s, widespread inequalities between the Catholic and Protestant communities led to a civil rights campaign, which later developed into a 30-year conflict known as the Troubles. Although Protestants made up around two-thirds of the north's population, they also had disproportionate control of the government and economy. As a result, the unemployment rate among Catholics was around 2.5 times higher than that of Protestants in the early-70s. As the conflict developed, high unemployment among young Catholic men in particular was a major factor in the growth of Republican paramilitary organizations such as the Irish Republican Army. The Fair Employment Act of 1976 sought to undo this inequality by promoting equal opportunities and prohibiting religious discrimination; however, unemployment grew even higher in the 1980s, with over a third of Catholic men unemployed by 1987.

This statistic presents the share of respondents that identified as having participated in weight training, lifting, and body building, from 2015 to 2020, in a survey undertaken to assess the experience of sport in Northern Ireland. Between 2015 and 2020 the share of the total population of respondent that have participated in weight lifting in Northern Ireland has remained consistent. Although the share of all respondents has remained at ** percent throughout the period, this statistic shows that there has been a significant change in the participation demographics of weight lifting in Northern Ireland. There has been a significant decrease in the share of male respondents that have participated in weight lifting and body building from 2015 to 2020, conversely the share of female respondents has increased over this period, allowing the share of the total population of respondents to remain relatively unchanged.

United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged 85 to 89 data was reported at 15.310 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 15.174 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged 85 to 89 data is updated yearly, averaging 13.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.000 Person th in 2000 and a record low of 6.000 Person th in 1972. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Female: Aged 85 to 89 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.G004: Population: Northern Ireland.

In 2024, the population of the United Kingdom was around **** million, with approximately **** million women and **** million men. Since 1953, the male population of the UK has grown by around *** million, while the female population has increased by approximately **** million. Throughout this provided time period, the female population of the UK has consistently outnumbered the male population. UK population one of the largest in Europe As of 2024, the population of the United Kingdom was the largest it has ever been, and with growth expected to continue, the forecasted population of the United Kingdom is expected to reach over ** million by the 2030s. Despite the relatively small size of its territory, the UK has one of the largest populations among European countries, slightly larger than France but smaller than Russia and Germany. As of 2024, the population density of the UK was approximately *** people per square kilometer, with London by far the most densely populated area, and Scotland the most sparsely populated. Dominance of London As seen in the data regarding population density, the population of the United Kingdom is not evenly distributed across the country. Within England, London has a population of over **** million, making it significantly bigger than the next largest cities of Birmingham and Manchester. As of 2024, Scotland's largest city, Glasgow had a population of around *** million, with the largest cities in Northern Ireland, and Wales being Belfast and Cardiff, which had populations of around ******* and ******* respectively.