The annual population growth in Ireland increased by 0.1 percentage points (+3.85 percent) in 2023. With 2.71 percent, the population growth thereby reached its highest value in the observed period. Population growth deals with the annual change in total population, and is affected by factors such as fertility, mortality, and migration.Find more statistics on other topics about Ireland with key insights such as share of urban population in the total population.

Ireland Population: Age 15 and Over: Labour Force: Employed: Part Time data was reported at 454.300 Person th in Mar 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 460.200 Person th for Dec 2017. Ireland Population: Age 15 and Over: Labour Force: Employed: Part Time data is updated quarterly, averaging 416.800 Person th from Mar 1998 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 81 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 490.600 Person th in Sep 2016 and a record low of 267.500 Person th in Mar 1998. Ireland Population: Age 15 and Over: Labour Force: Employed: Part Time data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.G002: Population: by Economic Status: Labour Force Survey.

The total population of Ireland was about 5.42 million people in 2024. Between 1980 and 2024, the total population rose by approximately 1.99 million people, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. The total population will steadily rise by around 290 thousand people over the period from 2024 to 2030, reflecting a clear upward trend.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

Ireland Estimated Population: Female: Age 25 to 44 data was reported at 714.700 Person th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 716.100 Person th for 2016. Ireland Estimated Population: Female: Age 25 to 44 data is updated yearly, averaging 436.650 Person th from Apr 1950 (Median) to 2017, with 68 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 730.800 Person th in 2011 and a record low of 307.100 Person th in 1969. Ireland Estimated Population: Female: Age 25 to 44 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.G001: Population: by Age.

Description of Data Population estimates for the 3,780 Data Zones in Northern Ireland were published on 25th July 2024.

Time Period Estimates are provided for mid-2021 and mid-2022.

Notes: 1. Estimated populations are given as of 30th June for the year noted, rounded to the nearest person. 2. Rounding for estimates at this geographic level is independent. As such, figures may not add to higher geography totals.

Methodology The population estimates for small geographical areas are created from an average of two statistical methods: the ratio change and cohort-component methods. The ratio change method applies the change in secondary (typically administrative) data sources to Census estimates. The 2022 small geographical area estimates use a single statistical dataset which has been created by amalgamating a series of different administrative data sources. This statistical dataset is a de-duplicated admin based estimate for the usually resident population of NI. The cohort-component method updates the Census estimates by ‘ageing on’ populations and applying information on births, deaths and migration. An average of both methods is taken and constrained to the published population figures. Further information is available at: NISRA 2022 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 The next estimates of the population for Northern Ireland will be released later in 2024.

Contact: NISRA Customer Services 02890 255156 census@nisra.gov.uk Responsible Statistician: Jonathan Harvey

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 2023 Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Time Period Estimates are provided for mid-1971 to mid-2023. Methodology The cohort-component method was used to create the population estimates for 2023. This method updates the Census estimates by 'ageing on' populations and applying information on births, deaths and migration. Further information is available at: NISRA 2023 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

The island of Ireland is split into 32 different counties, and from 1800 until 1921 the whole island was a part of the United Kingdome of Great Britain and Ireland (although Britain had been a controlling presence on the island for considerably longer than this). In 1921 the island was split into two separate states, where the six counties with the highest population of Protestants formed part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other 26 counties became the Independent Republic of Ireland. From 1821 until 1841, the population of these 26 counties was growing steadily, until the Great Famine from 1845 to 1849 swept across the island, particularly devastating the west and south.

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. People in the west and south of Ireland were particularly dependent on potatoes, and these areas were affected more heavily than the north and west, where flax and cereals were the staple. As the potato blight spread, the population became increasingly reliant 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.

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 some independence from Britain in 1921, establishing an Irish Republic in the 26 counties. There was a lot of conflict in Ireland in the early 1900s, through the War of Independence and Irish Civil War, however the population of the Republic began growing again from the 1960s onwards as the quality of life improved and the emigration rate declined. The population was at it's lowest from 1926 to 1971, where it remained at just under three million, but in the following fifty years the population has grown by over two million people.

This is a dataset of vital statistics and cohort component population estimates at a spatially-disaggregated level for the island of Ireland for the period 1911-1920. The raw data were digitised by the authors using official UK government statistics. The population estimates were then derived by the cohort component method. These data provide novel intercensal population estimates at the county level that will be beneficial for researchers working in historical demography, as well as in economic and social history. The data provided can be readily reused and extended by other researchers to produce further series and indicators.

WorldPop produces different types of gridded population count datasets, depending on the methods used and end application. An overview of the data can be found in Tatem et al, and a description of the modelling methods used found in Stevens et al. The 'Global per country 2000-2020' datasets represent the outputs from a project focused on construction of consistent 100m resolution population count datasets for all countries of the World for each year 2000-2020. These efforts necessarily involved some shortcuts for consistency. The 'individual countries' datasets represent older efforts to map populations for each country separately, using a set of tailored geospatial inputs and differing methods and time periods. The 'whole continent' datasets are mosaics of the individual countries datasets

WorldPop (www.worldpop.org - School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton; Department of Geography and Geosciences, University of Louisville; Departement de Geographie, Universite de Namur) and Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University (2018). Global High Resolution Population Denominators Project - Funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1134076). https://dx.doi.org/10.5258/SOTON/WP00645

Description of Data Notes: 1. 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. 2. 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 2023 Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Time Period Estimates are provided for mid-1971 to mid-2023. 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 2023 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: Jonathan Harvey

There is a requirement, as per Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1799, to deliver Census data for the reference year 2021 to Eurostat. In September 2020, the Irish Government decided to postpone the scheduled April 2021 Census to April 2022 following a recommendation from CSO related to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The CSO however has agreed that the office will still meet its legal requirement. It will base the Eurostat requirements on Census 2022 data, using administrative and other sources to appropriately adjust the data to reference year 2021. A (preliminary) headcount of usual residents at the 1 km² grid level (there are approximately 73,000 such square kilometres in Ireland) is required by Eurostat by 31^st December 2022. The data was produced in the following manner:

Initial preliminary Census estimate for April 2022 As part of the field operation for the 2022 Census, the CSO introduced a new smartphone-based application that allowed field staff to capture information about every dwelling in the country. This application facilitated the production of a preliminary population publication less than 12 weeks (June 23^rd) after census night (April 3^rd). The information includes data on the number of de facto occupants. This information is provisional, and the final file will not be completed until all collected paper forms are fully processed, which is expected to be around the end of January 2023. The provisional data should however be a very strong indicator of the final results.

The preliminary Census de facto population estimate was 5,123,536 persons, available at the 1 km² grid level. As we need the population on a usual resident basis, it was decided to adjust this estimated de facto population at the 1 km² grid level by applying the arithmetic differences between the 2016 usual resident and de facto population counts at that level to the de facto population for 2022. A ratio model, where rates of change of de facto to usual resident counts are applied instead of differences, was also considered but this led to more extreme adjustments, mainly where there was a large change in the population count of a cell between 2016 and 2022. This reduced the usual resident population to 5,101,268 for April 2022, a fall of 22,268 persons.

Temporary Absent Dwellings Census also provided data on the temporarily absent dwellings dataset (at 1 km² grid level), containing a count of persons usually resident in the State but whose entire household were abroad on census night and therefore not included in the de facto population count. This covers 33,365 temporarily absent dwellings with 50,749 temporarily absent persons across 9,138 grid cells. This category was not present in the 2016 figures so it was decided to include these absent persons as they meet the definition of usual residents and will be present in the final transmission, due March 2024. The resulting usually resident population count for 3^rd April 2022 was estimated as 5,152,671 persons.

Note that in a small number cases (80 grid cells), adjustments resulted in a negative cell value, but these were set to zero.

Final preliminary estimate

The CSO then adjusted this figure of estimated usual residents for 3^rd April 2022 back to the 3^rd December 2021 reference point by performing a reverse cohort-survival model.

Firstly, there are an estimated 21,528 births, some 12,405 deaths and approximately 63,595 inward and 25,730 outward migrants for the four-month period December 2021 to March 2022. This affects a total of approximately 123,000 persons, or about 2.4% in a total population of around 5.15 million persons. These population changes were ‘reversed’, as indicated below. Secondly, we also ‘reversed’ those persons who moved from their address within Ireland after December 3^rd 2021 to their Census April 3^rd 2022 address. Based on the selection method approximately 85,000 persons were moved to their previous address, representing about 1.7% of the population.

The steps in the process were:

Births We took the actual November 2015 to April 2016 births from Census 2016 with the variables grid reference, gender and NUTS3 as the sampling frame for the selection of births. Then, using data from table 19 in the Q1 2022 Vital Stats quarterly release (Table VSQ19 on Statbank), we derived the number of Q1 2022 births at NUTS3 by gender level. We also included a proportion of Q4 2021 births, taking one-third to represent December 2021. There are 21,528 births in total for the four-month period we are interested in (16,121 for Q1 2022 plus a third of the value of Q4 2021 which is 5,407), see table 2. Then, using the SAS procedure surveyselect, we selected, at random, the required number of births per strata from the frame and totalled up per grid reference. The resulting figure is the number of people removed from the Census 2021 grid totals, as these figures represent those born during December 2021 to March 2022.

We took the entire Census 2016 data with the variables grid reference, gender, NUTS3 and broad age group (0-14, 15-29, 30-49, 50-64, 65-84 and 85+) as the sampling frame for the selection of people to add back in who died between December 2020 and March 2022. This stratification results in 96 cells. This frame serves as a proxy for the distribution of deaths across the 1km grid square strata. Next, we obtained the Q4 2021 and Q1 2022 mortality data stratified by gender, NUTS3 and age group, provided by the Vital Stats statistician. The total number is 12,405 deaths for the four-month period of interest (9,535 for Q1 2022 plus one third of the value for Q4 2021 which is 8,626), see tables 3 and 4.

Then using the SAS procedure surveyselect, we selected, at random, the required number of deaths per strata from the frame and total up per grid reference. The resulting figure is simply the number of people added to the Census 2021 grid figures as summarised at the grid level, as they represent those who died during December 2021 to March 2022.

Inward and outward migrants

The processing of the inward and outward migrants essentially follows the same methodology in that we used Census 2016 as a sampling frame for the inclusion of those who emigrated in December 2021 and March 2022 and the exclusion of those who immigrated in the same period.

We took the Census 2016 with the variables grid reference, gender, NUTS3, broad nationality (Irish, UK, EU14 excl. IE, EU15 to 27 and Rest of the World) and broad age group (0-14, 15-29, 30-49, 50-64, 65-84 and 85+) as the sampling frame for the selection of migrants. Using the Q4 2021 and Q1 2022 migration data, we got the required inward and outward movers. The Population and Migration statistician provided the data at an individual level for our purposes. There are 63,780 inward migrators (53,403 in Q1 2022 and 10,377 taking one-third of the Q4 2021 values) and 25,730 outward migrators (19,779 in Q1 2022 and 5,951 taking one-third of the Q4 2021 values), see tables 5 to 7.

Then, using SAS procedure surveyselect, we selected, at random, the required number of inward and outward migrants per strata from the frame and sum over grid reference. Given that there will be more inward than outward migrants, the resulting figures will generally be negative i.e., the population will fall.

Ukrainian refugees There are no official statistics, but it was estimated that there were more than 23,000 Ukrainian refugees present in the State in April 3 2022. It is difficult to know the exact numbers captured by the Census until the full final dataset is available. Ukrainian refugees were to be counted as immigrants and usual residents (UR) on the census form unless an individual classed themselves as a visitor, in which case they were de facto (DF) residents. From the point of view of the procedure being described here, Ukrainians who are classified

CD564 - Population aged 15 years and over that are usually resident and have lived outside Ireland for a period of one year or more. Published by Central Statistics Office. Available under the license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY-4.0).Population aged 15 years and over that are usually resident and have lived outside Ireland for a period of one year or more...

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.

PIAAC20 - Population changes between PIAAC Cycle 1 and Cycle 2. Published by Central Statistics Office. Available under the license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY-4.0).Population changes between PIAAC Cycle 1 and Cycle 2...

Population aged 15 years and over that are usually resident and have lived outside Ireland for a period of one year or more

Components of Population Change since 1926 (Number) by Intercensal Period, Province, CensusYear and Components of Population Change

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Analysis of ‘CD564 - Population aged 15 years and over that are usually resident and have lived outside Ireland for a period of one year or more’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from http://data.europa.eu/88u/dataset/0d324228-70c7-4f87-b309-2f7f9e41e3fc on 12 January 2022.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

Population aged 15 years and over that are usually resident and have lived outside Ireland for a period of one year or more

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

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 2023 Mid-year Population Estimates webpage Time Period Estimates are provided for mid-2002 to mid-2023. 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 2023 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

In 2021, there were 11.6 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 12.8 to 14.4 but started to decline gradually until 2012 when it dropped from 13.9 to 13.3 in just one year. During this provided time period, the birth rate in Northern Ireland was highest in 1971, when it was 20.6 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 10.2 births per 1,000 people in 2020, before a slight uptick to 10.4 in 2021. After a postwar peak of 18.8 births per 1,000 people in 1964, the UK birth rate fell sharply to just 11.7 by 1977. Between 1977 and 2012 the birth rate fluctuated between 11.3 and 13.9, 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 1.53, compared with 2.95 in 1964. Since 1973, the UK has fallen below the minimum replacement level fertility rate of 2.1, 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 2024, Africa was, at 4.12, the only continent to have a fertility rate higher than the global average of 2.31. 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 6.33 in 1960 to just 1.11 by 2020. By the 2080s, it is expected that, as Africa's fertility rate converges with the rest of the world, the global population will peak at around 10.4 billion and start to decline.

This feature layer was created using Census 2016 data produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Local Electoral Area boundary data (generalised to 20m) produced by Tailte Éireann. The layer represents Census 2016 theme 11.3, population aged 5+ by journey time to work, school or college. Attributes include a breakdown of population by time taken to travel to work, school or college (e.g. 1/4 hour - under 1/2 hour, 1 hours - under 1 1/2 hours). Census 2016 theme 11 represents Commuting. The Census is carried out every five years by the CSO to determine an account of every person in Ireland. The results provide information on a range of themes, such as, population, housing and education. The data were sourced from the CSO.For the purposes of County Council and Corporation elections each county and city is divided into Local Electoral Areas (LEAs) which are constituted on the basis of Orders made under the Local Government Act, 1941. In general, LEAs are formed by aggregating Electoral Divisions. However, in a number of cases Electoral Divisions are divided between LEAs to facilitate electors. The current composition of the LEAs have been established by Statutory Instruments No’s 427-452/2008, 503-509/2008 and 311/1998.