Demographics of the Republic of Ireland

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Demographics of Ireland
Ireland 2023 population pyramid.svg
Population pyramid of Ireland in 2022
Population5,281,600 (2023)
Density73 per km2
Growth rate8.1%
Birth rate13.7 births/1,000 population
Death rate6.5 deaths/1,000 population
Life expectancy80.19 years
  male78 years
  female82.6 years
Fertility rate1.91 children born/woman
Infant mortality rate3.85 deaths/1,000 live births
Net migration rate0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Age structure
0–14 years21.3%
15–64 years67.0%
65 and over11.7%
Sex ratio
Total0.99 male/female
At birth1.057 male/female
Under 151.07 male/female
15–64 years1.00 male/female
65 and over0.81 male/female
Nationality
NationalityIrish
Major ethnicIrish 76.5%
Minor ethnicOther White 10.3%, Asian: 3.7%, Black: 1.5%, Irish Travellers 0.7%, Other 1.3%, Not stated 6.7% (2022)
Language
OfficialIrish, English
Spoken Irish sign language, Shelta, Ulster Scots

Ireland had an estimated population of 5,281,600 as of 1 April 2023. [1]

Contents

Demographic history

The island of Ireland's population has fluctuated over history. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Ireland experienced a major population boom as a result of the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. In the 50-year period 1790–1840, the population of the island doubled from 4 million to 8 million. At its peak, Ireland's population density was similar to that of England and continental Europe.

This changed dramatically with the Great Famine of the mid-19th century, which led to mass starvation and consequent mass emigration. In the area covering the present day Republic of Ireland, the population reached about 6.5 million in the mid-1840s. Ten years later it was down to 5 million. The population continued a slow decline well into the 20th century, with the Republic recording a low of 2.8 million in the 1961 census. [2]

During the 1960s, the population started to grow once more, although slowly as emigration was still common. In the 1990s the country entered a period of rapid economic growth as a result of the Celtic Tiger Irish economic boom, and the Republic started to receive immigration. Many former Irish emigrants returned home, and Ireland became an attractive destination for immigrants, from other member states EU such as Central Europe, but also from outside the EU such as Africa, Asia and elsewhere. With the 2008 onset of the Irish economic and banking crisis, the state's economy suffered, and Ireland has once again been experiencing net emigration of its citizens, but immigration remains high.

In November 2013, Eurostat reported that the Republic had the largest net emigration rate of any member state, at 7.6 emigrants per 1,000 population. However, it has the youngest population of any European Union member state [3] and its population size is predicted to grow for many decades, in contrast with the declining population predicted for most European countries. A report published in 2008 predicted that the population would reach 6.7 million by 2060. [4] The Republic has also been experiencing a baby boom, with increasing birth rates and overall fertility rates. [5] Despite this, the total fertility rate is still below replacement depending on when the measurement is taken. The Irish fertility rate is still the highest of any European country. [6] This increase is significantly fuelled by non-Irish immigration – in 2009, one-quarter of all babies born in Ireland were born to foreign-born mothers. [7]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1841 6,528,799    
1851 5,111,557−2.42%
1861 4,402,111−1.48%
1871 4,053,187−0.82%
1881 3,870,020−0.46%
1891 3,468,694−1.09%
1901 3,221,823−0.74%
1911 3,139,688−0.26%
1926 2,971,992−0.37%
1936 2,968,420−0.01%
1946 2,955,107−0.04%
1951 2,960,593+0.04%
1961 2,818,341−0.49%
1971 2,978,248+0.55%
1981 3,443,405+1.46%
1991 3,525,719+0.24%
2002 3,917,203+0.96%
2011 4,588,252+1.77%
2022 5,149,139+1.05%
Source: CSO [8] 2019 [9]

Population

The population of Ireland was 5,123,536 people in 2022. Demographic statistics as of 2019. [10]

Geographic Population Distribution

Urban population (areas with >1,500 people): 62.0% (2011)

Rural population: 38.0% (2011)

A graph of the populations of the island of Ireland and Europe
from 1750 to the present
showing Ireland's "massive" population spike in the early 19th century and subsequent collapse due to the 1845-49 famine and subsequent emigration. Population of Ireland and Europe 1750 to 2005.svg
A graph of the populations of the island of Ireland and Europe from 1750 to the present showing Ireland's "massive" population spike in the early 19th century and subsequent collapse due to the 1845–49 famine and subsequent emigration.

Fertility

The total fertility rate is the number of children born per woman. [11]

Year18501851185218531854185518561857185818591860 [11]
Total fertility rate of Ireland4.204.134.063.993.933.863.793.723.653.583.51
Year1861186218631864186518661867186818691870 [11]
Total fertility rate of Ireland3.453.383.313.243.473.543.533.583.583.71
Year1871187218731874187518761877187818791880 [11]
Total fertility rate of Ireland3.673.723.633.573.513.573.543.403.443.31
Year1881188218831884188518861887188818891890 [11]
Total fertility rate of Ireland3.333.223.153.203.153.113.103.063.042.99
Year189118921893189418951896189718981899 [11]
Total fertility rate of Ireland3.053.013.093.083.123.173.163.133.09

Birth rate; 13.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 137th

Total fertility rate; 1.96 children born/woman (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 125th

Mother's mean age at first birth; 30.7 years (2015 est.)

Life expectancy

Life expectancy in Ireland since 1901 Life expectancy in Ireland.svg
Life expectancy in Ireland since 1901
Life expectancy in Ireland since 1960 by gender Life expectancy by WBG -Ireland -diff.png
Life expectancy in Ireland since 1960 by gender

Death rate; 6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 140th

PeriodLife expectancy in
Years
PeriodLife expectancy in
Years
1950–195566.91985–199074.2
1955–196069.21990–199575.3
1960–196570.11995–200076.0
1965–197070.82000–200577.8
1970–197571.22005–201079.7
1975–198072.02010–201580.9
1980–198573.2

Source: UN World Population Prospects

Age structure

Age structure [12]

0–14 years: 21.37% (male 554,110 /female 529,067)
15–24 years: 11.92% (male 306,052 /female 297,890)
25–54 years: 42.86% (male 1,091,495 /female 1,080,594)
55–64 years: 10.53% (male 267,255 /female 266,438)
65 years and over: 13.32% (male 312,694 /female 362,455) (2018 est.)

Median age; total: 37.1 years

male: 36.8 years
female: 37.5 years (2018 est.)

Vital statistics

Vital statistics for Ireland since 1900 [13]
Population on 1 AprilLive birthsDeathsNatural changeCrude birth rate (per 1000)Crude death rate (per 1000)Natural change (per 1000)Crude migration (per 1000)Total fertility rate [fn 1] [11]
19003,231,00070,43521.83.04
19013,234,00070,19421.72.92
19023,205,00071,15622.23.08
19033,191,00070,54122.13.09
19043,169,00072,26122.83.16
19053,160,00071,42722.63.13
19063,164,00072,14722.83.15
19073,145,00070,77322.53.11
19083,147,00071,43922.73.12
19093,135,00072,11923.03.14
19103,132,00071,74422.93.12
19113,129,00071,35122.83.07
19123,116,00070,73450,48920,24522.716.26.5-9.73.10
19133,106,00070,21452,18418,03022.616.85.8-8.43.09
19143,098,00069,10249,67419,42822.316.06.3-16.03.05
19153,068,00067,50153,71313,78822.017.54.5-3.52.99
19163,071,00064,81450,62714,18721.116.54.6-4.62.87
19173,071,00061,42951,7139,71620.016.83.2-3.92.71
19183,069,00061,09253,6827,41019.917.52.4-5.32.73
19193,060,00061,82955,7766,04419.918.21.712.02.75
19203,102,00067,01545,52121,49421.614.76.9-8.83.20
19213,096,00061,01044,53716,47319.714.45.3-13.72.79
19223,070,00058,84944,54714,30218.514.54.0-22.22.61
19233,014,00062,41742,21719,47320.514.06.5-9.52.74
19243,005,00063,40245,18018,22221.115.06.1-12.82.83
19252,985,00062,06943,65018,41920.814.66.2-10.92.79
19262,971,00061,17641,74019,43620.614.06.5-11.22.76
19272,957,00060,05443,67716,37720.314.85.5-9.92.72
19282,944,00059,17641,79217,38420.114.25.9-8.32.69
19292,937,00058,28042,99115,28919.814.65.2-8.62.66
19302,927,00058,35341,70216,65119.914.25.7-3.72.54
19312,933,00057,08642,94714,13919.514.64.80.72.49
19322,949,00056,24042,98413,25619.114.64.5-0.12.43
19332,962,00057,36440,53916,82519.413.75.7-2.72.47
19342,971,00057,89739,08318,81419.513.26.3-6.32.49
19352,971,00058,26641,54316,72319.614.05.6-6.92.50
19362,967,00058,11542,58615,52919.614.45.2-11.62.50
19372,948,00056,48845,08611,40219.215.33.9-7.62.45
19382,937,00056,92540,04116,88419.413.65.7-6.72.47
19392,934,00056,07041,71714,35319.114.24.93.32.43
19402,958,00056,59441,88514,70919.114.25.06.82.43
19412,993,00056,78043,79712,98319.014.64.3-14.32.42
19422,963,00066,11741,64024,47722.314.18.3-14.02.85
19432,946,00064,37543,49420,88121.914.87.1-7.82.80
19442,944,00065,42545,12820,29722.215.36.9-4.22.84
19452,952,00066,86142,76224,09922.614.58.2-6.52.90
19462,957,00067,92241,45726,46523.014.08.9-3.22.94
19472,974,00068,97844,06124,91723.214.88.4-4.72.98
19482,985,00065,93036,35729,57322.112.29.9-11.22.80
19492,981,00064,15338,06226,09121.512.88.8-12.82.75
19502,969,00063,56537,74125,82421.412.78.7-11.22.74
19512,961,00062,87842,38220,49621.214.36.9-9.62.69
19522,953,00064,63135,10529,52621.911.910.0-11.42.97
19532,949,00062,55834,59127,96721.211.79.5-12.22.95
19542,941,00062,53435,53526,99921.312.19.2-16.03.18
19552,921,00061,62236,76124,86121.112.68.5-16.43.28
19562,898,00060,74033,91026,83021.011.79.3-13.83.41
19572,885,00061,24234,31126,93121.211.99.3-20.43.52
19582,853,00059,51034,24825,26220.912.08.9-11.43.43
19592,846,00060,18834,24325,94521.112.09.1-14.03.63
19602,832,00060,73532,66028,07521.411.59.9-14.83.78
19612,818,00059,82534,76325,06221.212.38.9-4.63.78
19622,830,00061,78233,83827,94421.812.09.9-2.83.92
19632,850,00063,24633,79529,45122.211.910.3-5.44.01
19642,864,00064,07232,63031,44222.411.411.0-6.84.07
19652,876,00063,52533,02230,50322.111.510.6-7.84.04
19662,884,00062,21535,11327,10221.612.29.4-3.93.95
19672,900,00061,30731,40029,90721.110.810.3-5.83.84
19682,913,00061,00433,15727,84720.911.49.6-5.13.77
19692,926,00062,91233,73429,17821.511.510.0-1.83.83
19702,950,00064,38233,68630,69621.811.410.4-0,93.85
19712,978,00067,55131,89035,66122.710.73.412.03.97
19723,024,00068,52734,38134,14622.711.411.34.93.93
19733,073,00068,71334,19234,52122.411.111.25.43.78
19743,124,00068,90734,92133,98622.111.210.96.13.64
19753,177,00067,17833,17334,00521.110.410.75.43.43
19763,228,00067,71834,04333,67521.010.510.43.23.35
19773,272,00068,89233,63235,26021.110.310.82.03.31
19783,314,00070,29933,79436,50521.210.211.05.33.27
19793,368,00072,53933,77138,76821.510.011.5-1.73.26
19803,401,00074,06433,47240,59221.89.811.90.43.25
19813,443,00072,15832,92939,22921.09.611.4-0.73.10
19823,480,00070,84332,45738,38620.49.311.0-4.12.98
19833,504,00067,11732,07635,04119.29.210.0-2.92.76
19843,529,00064,06232,15431,90818.29.19.0-5.92.57
19853,540,00062,38833,21329,17517.69.48.2-7.92.48
19863,541,00061,62033,63027,99017.49.57.9-6.22.44
19873,547,00058,43331,41327,02016.58.97.6-12.12.31
19883,531,00054,60031,58023,02015.58.96.5-12.42.17
19893,510,00052,01832,11119,90714.89.15.7-6.82.08
19903,506,00052,95431,37021,58415.18.96.2-0.52.12
19913,526,00052,71831,30521,41315.08.96.12.12.09
19923,555,00051,08930,93120,15814.48.75.7-0.41.99
19933,574,00049,30432,14817,15613.89.04.8-1.41.91
19943,586,00048,25530,94817,30713.58.64.8-0.61.85
19953,601,00048,53031,49417,03613.58.74.72.21.86
19963,626,00050,39031,51418,87613.98.75.25.31.89
19973,664,00052,31131,60520,70614.38.65.74.91.93
19983,703,00053,55131,35222,19914.58.56.04.51.95
19993,742,00053,35431,68321,67114.38.55.87.01.90
20003,790,00054,78931,39123,39814.58.36.28.81.89
20013,847,00057,85430,21227,64215.07.97.211.01.96
20023,917,00060,50329,68330,82015.47.67.88.31.97
20033,980,00061,52929,07432,45515.57.38.28.11.99
20044,045,00061,97228,66533,30715.37.18.213.81.96
20054,134,00061,37228,26033,11214.86.88.015.91.88
20064,233,00065,42528,48836,93715.46.78.716.31.93
20074,339,00071,38928,11743,27216.36.49.99.22.04
20084,422,00075,17328,27446,89916.86.310.5-2.12.09
20094,459,00075,55428,38047,17416.76.310.4-7.92.10
20104,470,00075,17427,96147,21316.56.110.413.12.07
20114,575,00074,03328,45645,57716.26.210.0-5.82.03
20124,594,00071,67429,18642,48815.66.49.2-4.61.98
20134,615,00068,95429,50439,45015.06.48.6-2.11.93
20144,645,00067,29529,25238,04314.66.48.21.11.89
20154,688,00065,53630,12735,40914.06.47.63.51.86
20164,740,00063,84130,39033,45113.56.57.23.81.82
20174,792,00061,82430,41831,40612.96.36.67.01.77
20184,857,00061,01631,11629,90012.66.46.27.11.75
20194,921,50059,29431,18428,11012.06.35.75.71.72
20204,977,40055,95931,76524,19411.26.44.82.11.63
20215,011,50058,44333,05525,38811.76.65.112.61.71
2022c5,149,13957,54035,47722,06311.37.04.310.01.70
20235,281,60055,50035,50020,00010.56.73.814.7

c = Census results.

Current vital statistics

[14]

PeriodLive birthsDeathsNatural increase
January – June 202230,58018,861+11,719
January – June 202327,41518,954+8,461
DifferenceDecrease2.svg -3,165 (-10.35%)Increase Negative.svg +93 (+0.49%)Decrease2.svg -3,258

Structure of the population

Population by Sex and Age Group (Census 10.IV.2011): [15]
Age GroupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total2 272 6992 315 5534 588 252100
0–4182 076174 253356 3297.77
5–9164 037156 733320 7706.99
10–14155 076147 415302 4916.59
15–19144 262138 757283 0196.17
20–24146 636150 595297 2316.48
25–29173 714187 408361 1227.87
30–34194 774199 171393 9458.59
35–39182 237182 024364 2617.94
40–44166 330164 482330 8127.21
45–49151 516153 669305 1856.65
50–54136 737137 649274 3865.98
55–59122 121122 401244 5225.33
60–64109 869108 917218 7864.77
65-6986 29887 340173 6383.78
70-7463 47667 714131 1902.86
75-7946 63155 405102 0362.22
80-8428 42341 69070 1131.53
85-8913 59126 29639 8870.87
90-944 15510 72214 8770.32
95-996822 5813 2630.07
100+583313890.01
Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPercent
0–14501 189478 401979 59021.35
15–641 528 1961 545 0733 073 26966.98
65+243 314292 079535 39311.67
Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.I.2021) (Data refer to usual resident population.): [15]
Age GroupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total2 477 8032 528 5215 006 324100
0–4155 762149 311305 0736.09
5–9173 176164 974338 1506.75
10–14182 865174 327357 1927.13
15–19164 643158 528323 1716.46
20–24156 739151 495308 2346.16
25–29146 911145 135292 0465.83
30–34155 831163 136318 9676.37
35–39181 494197 232378 7267.56
40–44195 943204 498400 4418.00
45–49179 647183 297362 9447.25
50–54160 508161 545322 0536.43
55–59145 919150 061295 9805.91
60–64130 499133 847264 3465.28
65-69112 741115 631228 3724.56
70-7494 77798 767193 5443.87
75-7967 51873 623141 1412.82
80-8440 94650 35091 2961.82
85-8920 87029 97750 8471.02
90-948 15115 39523 5460.47
95-992 2805 7968 0760.16
100+5831 5962 1790.04
Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPercent
0–14511 803488 6121 000 41519.98
15–641 618 1341 648 7743 266 90865.26
65+347 866391 135739 00114.76

Ethnic groups

Percentage of White Irish nationally and proportionally by county in Ireland in 2016 Percentage of White Irish in Irish Counties.png
Percentage of White Irish nationally and proportionally by county in Ireland in 2016
Ethnic GroupYear
2006 [16] 2011 [17] 2016 [17] [18] 2022 [19]
Number%Number%Number%Number%
White: Total3,956,60994.84%4,264,46594.24%4,331,94092.37%4,444,14587.4%
White Irish3,645,19987.37%3,821,99584.46%3,854,22682.2%3,893,05676.5%
Irish Traveller22,3690.54%29,4950.65%30,9870.7%32,9490.65%
White Roma------16,0590.31%
Other White289,0416.93%412,9759.13%446,7279.5%502,0819.87%
Asian: Total52,3451.25%84,6901.87%98,7202.10%186,3213.7%
Chinese16,5330.40%17,8320.39%19,4470.4%26,8280.5%
Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi------94,4341.86%
Arab------20,1150.4%
Other Asian35,8120.86%66,8581.48%79,2731.7%44,9440.88%
Black: Total44,3181.06%65,0781.44%64,6391.38%76,2451.5%
Black Irish and Black African40,5250.97%58,6971.30%57,8501.24%67,5471.32%
Other Black3,7930.09%6,3810.14%6,7890.14%8,6990.17%
Other including Mixed------64,9921.28%
Not Stated118,7412.85%111,0482.45%194,6223.98%313,1766.16%
Total:4,172,013100%4,525,281100%4,689,921100%5,084,879100%

Immigration

Ireland's immigration history (and of one of a multi-ethnic society) is most of that of a country of emigration, remaining exclusively homogeneous for the vast majority of 20th century history, rather than one of net migration and increased ethnic and racial diversity.

However, from the 1990s, with the rise of the 'Celtic Tiger', the nation shifted to one of a net receiver of immigration at a rapid pace, [20] [21] changing from one of the most 'homogeneous countries in the EU, to a country with a rate of change almost unparalleled in speed and scale'. [2] The Celtic Tiger economic boom saw a large expansion of the labour market, which contributed to the large increase of immigration towards the country, with the additional enlargement of the European Union in 2004 and the further 2007 enlargement contributing to increased levels of immigration.

Additionally, asylum seekers rose dramatically as well: from 364 in 1994 to 11,634 in 2002, before falling off towards the end of the decade. [20] The Irish Government amended legislation in 2023 with the intention of streamlining the naturalisation process. [22] [23]

Nationalities

Ireland contains several immigrant communities, especially in Dublin and other cities across the country. The largest immigrant groups, with over 10,000 people, being Poles, British, Indians, Romanians, Lithuanians, Brazilians, Italians, Latvians, Spaniards, French, Croats, Americans, Chinese, Germans and Ukrainians.

Nationality Group2002 [24] 2006 [24]
Number%Number%
Europe3,714,51697%4,006,88396%
Ireland3,584,97592.9%3,706,68388.8%
United Kingdom103,4762.7%112,5482.7%
Other EU-1529,9600.8%42,6931%
New EU-10120,5342.9%
Other European23,1050.6%24,4250.6%
United States11,3840.3%12,4750.3%
Africa20,9810.5%35,3260.8%
Asia21,7790.6%46,9521.1%
Other nationalities11,2360.3%22,4220.5%
Multi-no nationality3,1870.1%3,6760.1%
Not stated48,4121.3%44,2791.1%
Total3,858,495100%4,172,013100%
Persons usually resident, by nationality [fn 2]
NationalityPopulation (2022) [25]
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 93,680
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 83,347
Flag of India.svg  India 45,449
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 43,323
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 31,177
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 27,338
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 18,319
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 18,300
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 17,953
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of France.svg  France 13,893
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 13,649
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 13,412
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 13,050
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 12,390
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 11,791
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 9,309
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 8,600
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 8,503
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 8,368
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 9,336
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 8,310
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 8,250
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 7,736
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 4,670
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 4,530
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 3,994
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 3,528
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 3,481
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 3,407
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 3,267
Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 3,119

Nationality of mothers

Of the 57,540 births in 2022, there were 43,651 babies (76%) born to mothers of Irish nationality compared to 45,381 (78%) in 2021. There were 8.3% of births to mothers of EU15 to EU27 nationality, 1.9% of mothers were of UK nationality, and 2.3% were of EU14 nationality (excluding Ireland). Mothers of nationalities other than Ireland, UK and the EU accounted for 12% of total births registered. There were 0.01% of mothers where the nationality was not stated. [26]

Country of birth

In 2022, 20% of the usually resident population in Ireland were born elsewhere, an increase of 3% since 2016. This represented 1,017,437 people, an increase of 207,031 from six years previously.

Persons usually resident, by country of birth [27]
Country19861991199620022006201120162022
Flag of England.svg Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg England and Wales 128,668126,487139,330182,624200,488212,296203,188210,434
Flag of Poland.svg Flag of Europe.svg Poland 2,16762,495115,193115,161106,142
Northern Ireland 36,53835,98639,56749,92849,17158,47057,38961,750
Flag of India.svg India 3,4029,19217,85620,96956,624
Flag of Romania.svg Flag of Europe.svg Romania 5,8388,49217,99528,70242,460
Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil 1,2324,6669,29815,79639,556
Flag of Lithuania.svg Flag of Europe.svg Lithuania 2,12024,61134,84733,34434,242
Flag of the United States.svg United States 15,35014,53315,61921,54124,64327,76228,65034,236
Flag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria 9,22516,32719,78016,56920,559
Flag of Latvia.svg Flag of Europe.svg Latvia 2,28113,85419,98918,99120,330
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines 4,0869,42713,83314,72519,846
Flag of Spain.svg Flag of Europe.svg Spain 1,1131,8012,1044,6326,1227,00311,80918,356
Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 12,58611,37811,75115,96316,48817,87116,64416,869
Flag of Moldova.svg Moldova 1,0322,2333,4216,47216,155
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 5,66911,02211,45811,26216,425
Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa 6,2607,5768,1168,08515,886
Flag of Italy.svg Flag of Europe.svg Italy 1,3141,5071,8443,7055,7057,14610,91315,689
Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 1,4853,3674,1234,62415,678
Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan 3,3915,7578,32912,89115,185
Flag of France.svg Flag of Europe.svg France 2,4604,5123,5936,7949,14510,08111,92414,821
Flag of Germany.svg Flag of Europe.svg Germany 3,8535,7926,3438,77011,54412,98012,96414,789
Flag of Croatia.svg Flag of Europe.svg Croatia 9805,20212,743
Flag of Slovakia.svg Flag of Europe.svg Slovakia 8,1299,5379,44310,695
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 6,1076,4785,9646,7489,947
Flag of Hungary.svg Flag of Europe.svg Hungary 3,2858,1297,4138,6488,634
Flag of Russia.svg Russia 2,5564,5115,9366,4147,900
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 4,0814,4924,8095,3147,122
Flag of Portugal.svg Flag of Europe.svg Portugal 1241471925901,4962,2463,8665,987
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Flag of Europe.svg Netherlands 1,8881,9852,4903,5124,2114,4994,7295,376
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Zimbabwe 1,4622,2302,7902,8115,246
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Flag of Europe.svg Czech Republic 5,2305,4944,9365,092
Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia 2,1953,3403,7824,0164,864
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Flag of Europe.svg Bulgaria 1,7832,9114,585
Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh 1,9242,9203,4104,388
Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 1,3011,6074,086
Flag of Syria.svg Syria 3089203,922
Flag of Egypt.svg Egypt 1,4371,8663,452
Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico 8891,4763,364

Support and accommodation

Migrants are supported/represented by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Irish Refugee Council, Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, Nasc and the state's Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. [28] [29] [30] They are managed by the International Protection Accommodation Service under the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) as well being policed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. [31] Some minor parties have voiced opposition to immigration in the country and its capability to continue to let refugees in; that "Ireland is full". They include the National Party and the Irish Freedom Party. [32] [33] The DCEDIY projected a shortfall of 15,000 beds for refugees in December 2022 and admitted that there was mounting pressure to house 65,000 people. [34] [35]

Approximately 7,400 refugee adults and children [36] were projected to be living in 38 "direct provision" centres across 17 counties in Ireland by the end of April 2020. [37] The government of Ireland have said that they project to end direct provision by 2024 [38] and are looking towards alternative forms of accommodation.

Religion

Religions in Ireland (2022) [39]

   Catholicism (69.1%)
   Protestantantism (4.6%)
   Eastern Orthodoxy (2.0%)
   Hinduism (0.6%)
   Islam (1.6%)
  No Religion or atheist (14.5%)
  Not stated (6.7%)

Ireland is a predominantly Christian country. The majority are Catholic; however, the number of people who declare themselves Catholic has been declining in recent years. Irreligion has increased since 2016 with 14% declaring 'No Religion' in 2022, meaning this is the second largest religious affiliation in Ireland. Immigration has also brought other faiths, with Islam at 1.7%, or over 83,000 people. As well as Hinduism, with 33,043 Hindus in the state, an increase of over 250% from 2016.

Languages

English is the most commonly used language, with 84% [40] of the population calling it their mother tongue. Irish is the first official language of the state, with 11% [40] calling it their mother tongue. Irish is the main language of the Gaeltacht regions, where 102,973 people lived as of 2022. The main sign language used is Irish Sign Language.

Languages in Ireland
LanguagePercent
English
84%
Irish
11%
Irish and English (bilingual)
1%
others
3%

Education

Literacy rate;definition: age 15 and over who can read and write

total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education); total: 19 years

male: 19 years
female: 19 years (2016)

Employment and income

For November 2022 the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was:

Unchanged at 4.3% for males from October 2022, and down from 5.3% in November 2021.

Unchanged at 4.6% for females from October 2022, and down from 5.2% in November 2021.

Unchanged at 12.1% for persons aged 15–24 years (youth unemployment rate) from a revised rate of 12.1% in October 2022.

Down to 3.3% for persons aged 25–74 years from 3.4% in October 2022. [41]

The median household disposable income in 2020 was €46,471, an increase of €2,556 (+5.8%) from the previous year. Disposable household income is gross household income less total tax, social insurance contributions, pension contributions and inter-household transfers paid. [42]

See also

Groups:

Notes

  1. In fertility rates, 2.1 and above is a stable population and have been marked blue, 2 and below leads to an aging population and a reducing population.
  2. These statistics only show non-Irish citizens of the below countries that do not also have Irish citizenship. Individuals which have acquired Irish nationality are not counted under their nation's figures.

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