Land area (sq. km) in Ireland was reported at 68890 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ireland - Land area (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Surface area (sq. km) in Ireland was reported at 70280 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ireland - Surface area (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Ireland IE: Population Density: People per Square Km data was reported at 69.874 Person/sq km in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 69.028 Person/sq km for 2016. Ireland IE: Population Density: People per Square Km data is updated yearly, averaging 51.358 Person/sq km from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2017, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 69.874 Person/sq km in 2017 and a record low of 40.999 Person/sq km in 1961. Ireland IE: Population Density: People per Square Km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates.; Weighted Average;

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in Ireland was reported at 75.67 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ireland - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Ireland: Forest area, sq. km: The latest value from 2022 is 7900.2 sq. km, an increase from 7860.2 sq. km in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 210902.1 sq. km, based on data from 191 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1990 to 2022 is 6652.1 sq. km. The minimum value, 4616.4 sq. km, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 7900.2 sq. km was recorded in 2022.

Ireland IE: Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data was reported at 74.030 Person in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 72.750 Person for 2021. Ireland IE: Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data is updated yearly, averaging 61.440 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2022, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.030 Person in 2022 and a record low of 50.890 Person in 1990. Ireland IE: Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.OECD.GGI: Social: Demography: OECD Member: Annual.

Ireland: Population density, people per square km: The latest value from 2021 is 73 people per square km, an increase from 72 people per square km in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 456 people per square km, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1961 to 2021 is 54 people per square km. The minimum value, 41 people per square km, was reached in 1961 while the maximum of 73 people per square km was recorded in 2021.

Ireland IE: Density of Road: km per One Hundred sq. km data was reported at 149.778 km/100 sq km in 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 149.778 km/100 sq km for 2022. Ireland IE: Density of Road: km per One Hundred sq. km data is updated yearly, averaging 139.378 km/100 sq km from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2023, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 149.778 km/100 sq km in 2023 and a record low of 132.826 km/100 sq km in 1994. Ireland IE: Density of Road: km per One Hundred sq. km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.OECD.ITF: Transport Infrastructure, Investment and Maintenance: OECD Member: Annual. [COVERAGE] LENGTH OF ROADS The road network is all roads in a given area. A road is a line of communication (travelled way) open to public traffic, primarily for the use of road motor vehicles, using a stabilised base other than rails or air strips. Paved roads and other roads with a stabilised base, e.g. gravel roads, are included. Roads also cover streets, bridges, tunnels, supporting structures, junctions, crossings and interchanges. Toll roads are also included. Dedicated cycle lanes are not included. [STAT_CONC_DEF] LENGTH OF ROADS The length of the road is the distance between its start and end point. If one of the directions of the carriageway is longer than the other then the length is calculated as the sum of half of the distances of each direction of the carriageway from first entry point to last exit point.

Agricultural land (sq. km) in Ireland was reported at 43370 sq. Km in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ireland - Agricultural land (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Ireland: Land area in sq. km: The latest value from 2022 is 68890 sq. km, unchanged from 68890 sq. km in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 673036 sq. km, based on data from 191 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1961 to 2022 is 68890 sq. km. The minimum value, 68890 sq. km, was reached in 1961 while the maximum of 68890 sq. km was recorded in 1961.

Population density of Ireland went up by 2.00% from 74.2 people per sq. km in 2021 to 75.7 people per sq. km in 2022. Since the 0.42% improve in 2012, population density jumped by 13.33% in 2022. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers.

Ireland IE: Rural Land Area data was reported at 63,249.215 sq km in 2010. This stayed constant from the previous number of 63,249.215 sq km for 2000. Ireland IE: Rural Land Area data is updated yearly, averaging 63,249.215 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2010, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 63,249.215 sq km in 2010 and a record low of 63,249.215 sq km in 2010. Ireland IE: Rural Land Area data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.World Bank: Land Use, Protected Areas and National Wealth. Rural land area in square kilometers, derived from urban extent grids which distinguish urban and rural areas based on a combination of population counts (persons), settlement points, and the presence of Nighttime Lights. Areas are defined as urban where contiguous lighted cells from the Nighttime Lights or approximated urban extents based on buffered settlement points for which the total population is greater than 5,000 persons.; ; Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)/Columbia University. 2013. Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates Version 2. Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/data/set/lecz-urban-rural-population-land-area-estimates-v2.; Sum;

Forest area (sq. km) in Ireland was reported at 7900 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ireland - Forest area (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Ireland: Agricultural land, sq. km.: The latest value from 2021 is 43370 sq. km., a decline from 45120 sq. km. in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 245857 sq. km., based on data from 193 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1961 to 2021 is 46090 sq. km.. The minimum value, 42600 sq. km., was reached in 2006 while the maximum of 49315 sq. km. was recorded in 1980.

Ireland Land Use: Land Area: Arable Land and Permanent Crops data was reported at 4,370.000 sq km in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,450.000 sq km for 2020. Ireland Land Use: Land Area: Arable Land and Permanent Crops data is updated yearly, averaging 4,760.000 sq km from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2021, with 61 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,546.000 sq km in 1961 and a record low of 3,947.000 sq km in 1991. Ireland Land Use: Land Area: Arable Land and Permanent Crops data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Use: OECD Member: Annual.

Ireland Land Use: Land Area: Forest data was reported at 7,900.200 sq km in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,860.200 sq km for 2021. Ireland Land Use: Land Area: Forest data is updated yearly, averaging 6,843.720 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2022, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,900.200 sq km in 2022 and a record low of 4,616.400 sq km in 1990. Ireland Land Use: Land Area: Forest data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Use: OECD Member: Annual.

Land area of Ireland remained stable at 68,890 sq. km over the last 10 years. Land area is the total area of the country excluding area under inland water bodies.

Ireland IE: Rural Land Area Where Elevation is Below 5 Meters data was reported at 1,163.863 sq km in 2010. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1,163.863 sq km for 2000. Ireland IE: Rural Land Area Where Elevation is Below 5 Meters data is updated yearly, averaging 1,163.863 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2010, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,163.863 sq km in 2010 and a record low of 1,163.863 sq km in 2010. Ireland IE: Rural Land Area Where Elevation is Below 5 Meters data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.World Bank: Land Use, Protected Areas and National Wealth. Rural land area below 5m is the total rural land area in square kilometers where the elevation is 5 meters or less.; ; Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)/Columbia University. 2013. Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates Version 2. Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/data/set/lecz-urban-rural-population-land-area-estimates-v2.; Sum;

Description: This data provides a range of statistics on population density per square KM for Ireland, Regional Assemblies and all Strategic Planning Areas. Data is also available for the EU-27. Data has been sourced from Eurostat and full details are available in the link below. Geography available in RDM: EU28, State, Regional Assembly and Strategic Planning Area (SPA).Source: EurostatWeblink: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/DEMO_R_D3DENS_custom_2763207/default/table?lang=enDate of last source data update: 2019Update Schedule: Annual (August)

The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and the British Geological Survey (BGS) completed a regional geochemical survey of Northern Ireland's soils, sediments and waters between 2004 and 2006.

Soil sampling of all of Northern Ireland was completed under the Tellus survey between 2004 and 2006. Soil samples were collected on a systematic basis from rural areas in most of the region, excluding only the major urban centres of Belfast and Bangor. Soils were also collected at a higher sampling density from the urban areas of Belfast, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Carryduff, Castlereagh, Greenisland, Holywood, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Londonderry, although these urban results are not reported here.

In rural areas, samples were collected from alternate 1 km Irish national- grid squares. Site selection within each square was random, subject to the avoidance wherever possible of roads, tracks, railways, human habitation and other disturbed ground. At each site two composite samples of five auger flights were collected, each composite sample comprising approximately 750 g of unsieved material. Samples were collected using a hand auger with a 20 by 5 cm flight from a standard depth interval of 5–20 cm for designated ‘A’ samples, referred to subsequently as ‘surface soils’, and at 35–50 cm for designated ‘S’ samples (nominally the B horizon), referred to subsequently as ‘deep soils’. Some 6,862 regional soil sites were sampled (see supplementary map - soil locations) and analysed, resulting in an average regional sampling density of 1 site per 2 km2. Observations of soil colour, depth, clast lithology and abundance were recorded at site. The samples were classified into five textural groups (sand, sand-silt, silt, silt-clay and clay).

The methods used for urban soils were similar except that (1) the sample density was higher, at four sites per square kilometre; (2) the sample sites corresponded closely to a predefined grid and did not avoid areas of human influence. In addition, extra samples requiring special treatment were taken for the determination of selected organic constituents (Smyth, 2009: especially Appendix 1).

At each soil sample site, information on the location, site and catchment geology, contamination, land use, and other features required for data interpretation were entered onto field cards. The sample location was also plotted on a field copy of the 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI) map.

Observations from field cards were entered into a digital Access2000™ database after undergoing a field quality control process (Lister et al, 2005). This involved checking that the correct codes had been recorded on field cards and that GPS coordinates recorded on the card matched those in the GPS unit for each site. Thus both a traditional paper archive of observations was maintained as well as the construction of a computerised database.

Soils were initially air-dried at the field-base prior to transport to the sample store where they were dried in a temperature controlled oven at 30°C for 2–3 days. At the end of each field campaign samples were checked against field sheets prior to packing for transport to the BGS laboratory for sample preparation. On arrival at the laboratory samples were checked against shipping lists prior to assigning laboratory batch numbers in the BGS UKAS Quality Assurance System. The A and S soils were prepared in the same manner in a trace-level sample preparation laboratory.

Samples were disaggregated prior to sieving to a <2 mm fraction using nylon mesh. Replicate samples were prepared by riffle splitting each of the duplicate samples. Soil pH and LOI was determined for every A surface soil sample. A representative 30 g (± 2 g) sub-sample was obtained by cone and quartering. This sub-sample was then milled in an agate ball mill at 300 rpm for 30 minutes.

Different analytical procedures were employed for the surface and deep soils. Pressed pellet production and XRF analysis were completed by laboratory on surface soils only. Sub-samples of milled soil were weighed and placed into tamper-evident plastic sample tubes. The XRF pressed pellet was prepared by adding an aliquot (3 g ±0.05 g) of two blended synthetic waxes comprising 90 % EMU 120 FD wax and 10 % Ceridust (both waxes are styrene based co-polymers) to 12 g (± 0.05 g) of milled material. This mixture was milled for 4 minutes at 300 rpm. On completion of the binder milling the prepared powders were placed into tamper evident plastic sample tubes for temporary storage prior to pellet preparation. Pellets (40 mm) were pressed using a calibrated Herzog semi-automatic pellet press at 25 kN.

Prior to analysis, concealed certified reference materials and secondary reference materials were inserted into the sample batches. XRF analysis of the A samples was undertaken at the BGS; ICP analysis of A and S samples at SGS Laboratories, Toronto; and fire-assay of S samples at SGS Laboratories, Toronto.

For the Tellus samples, Energy Dispersive Polarised X-Ray Fluorescence (ED(P)- XRF) spectrometers were used to analyse those elements for which the WD-XRF spectrometers were insufficiently sensitive. Certified Reference Material (CRM) standards were used to calibrate the instruments. The PANalytical software was used for spectral deconvolution and to fit calibration curves, applying matrix correction by internal ratio Compton correction method. The calibrations were validated by analysis of a wide range of RMs. The detectors were calibrated weekly. All backgrounds and peaks were corrected for instrument drift using two external ratio monitors, when required. Quality control was maintained by regular analysis of two glass monitor samples containing 47 elements at nominally 30 mg/ kg and 300 mg/kg. Results were presented as run charts for statistical analysis using statistical process control software (SPC).

The lower limits of detection are theoretical values for the concentration equivalent to three standard deviations (99.7 % confidence interval) above the background count rate for the analyte in an iron-rich alumino-silicate matrix. For silicate matrices the practical detection limits for most elements approach the theoretical values due to high instrumental stability. LLDs were calculated from a matrix blank and the ‘synthetic’ Pro-Trace standards.

Individual results are not reliable below the quoted lower limits, but reliable estimates of the average or typical values over an area may be obtained at lower levels of concentration; meaningful distribution patterns may thus be recognised for some elements at levels lower than the LLD.

The data are described in Young, Mike; Donald, Alex, eds. 2013 A guide to the Tellus data. Belfast, UK, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, 233pp. available for free download from: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/509171/

The Tellus survey was funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), now the Department for the Economy (DfE) in Northern Ireland and the INTERREG IVA programme of the European Union (EU) Regional Development Fund.