Irish population highest it’s been since 1841, census shows

 The preliminary results of the 2022 Census show the population of Ireland is now the highest its been since before the famine, with an increase of 7.6% from Census 2016 to 5.1 million.

All counties have shown population growth since 2016 – Longford experienced the biggest population increase (+14.1%), followed by Meath (+12.9%).

Cormac Halpin, Senior Statistician in the Census Division said that the population increase of 361,671 was made up of a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 171,338 and estimated net inward migration (population change minus natural increase) of 190,333.

Via Central Statistics Office 

The counties recording the highest population growth were in Leinster. Longford grew by more than 14%, with populations in Meath, Kildare, and Fingal, also increasing significantly. In contrast to Census 2016, when three counties (Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal) had a fall in their population, the Preliminary Results show that the population of every county has increased since 2016.

Preliminary results have also shown that in the six years between Census 2016 and Census 2022, there was net inward migration of more than 190,000. Meanwhile housing stock has increased to 2.1m (+6%), and vacant dwellings (excluding holiday homes) fell to 166,752 (-9%).

Mr Halpin explained that a vacant dwelling as defined for Census purposes “does not necessarily imply that it is available for re-use”, for example, it may be unoccupied because it is up for sale or rent, under renovation, if the owner has passed away, or if they are in a nursing home. Dwellings under construction and derelict properties are also not included in the Census count of vacant dwellings.

Full preliminary results of the 2022 Census are available HERE.

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