Back to Top

 Skip navigation

Extra information
Methodology Previous Releases
International comparison:
Eurostat
See also:
YouTube Video
For more information on this release:
E-mail: Demography@cso.ie James Hegarty (+353) 21 453 5429 Caroline Barrett (+353) 21 453 5485
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5226
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Population and Migration Estimates

April 2015

   Year ending
 April 2014April 2015 
Immigration60,60069,300 
Emigration81,90080,900 
Net migration-21,400-11,600 
of which Irish nationals-29,200-23,200 
Natural increase37,90037,400 
Population change16,50025,800 
    
Population4,609,6004,635,400 

Net outward migration falls to 11,600 in 2015

Figure 1 Net outward migration 2005-2015
go to full release

Net outward migration in the year to April 2015 is estimated to have fallen to 11,600, a decrease of 9,800 on the previous year’s figure of 21,400.  Emigration from Ireland in the twelve months to April 2015 is estimated to have decreased slightly to 80,900 from 81,900 in the year to April 2014, while the number of immigrants is estimated to have increased from 60,600 to 69,300 over the same period. 

Irish nationals continue to experience net outward migration, although at a lower level than in the previous year, falling from 29,200 to 23,200, while net inward migration among non-Irish nationals grew for the third year in a row, from 7,900 to 11,600.  See table 2.

The number of births in the period was 67,000 while the number of deaths was 29,600, resulting in a natural increase of the population of 37,400.  See table 1.

The combined effect of natural increase and negative net migration resulted in an overall increase in the population of 25,800 bringing the population estimate to 4.64 million in April 2015.  See table 1

Other main features of the 2015 figures are: 

  • Of the 80,900 people who emigrated in the year to April 2015, 35,300 (43.6%) were estimated to be Irish nationals. This represents a decrease of 5,400 (-13.3%) on the year to April 2014 when 40,700 Irish nationals emigrated.  See table 2.
  • Non Irish-nationals from outside the EU continued to display strong migration flows, accounting for 30,400 (43.9%) of total immigrants and 17,700 (21.9%) of total emigrants. This resulted in estimated net inward migration among non-Irish nationals from outside the EU of 12,700.  See table 2.
  • The majority of those emigrating were either at work or a student in the period prior to departing with fewer than 1 in 7 being unemployed.  See table 6.
  • A breakdown of emigration by education attainment, shows that slightly more than half of those aged 15 and over emigrating (52.8%) had a third level degree or above.  See table 6.
Table 1 Components of the annual population change, 1987 - 2015
         
Year ending AprilComponents of Population change
BirthsDeathsNatural increaseImmigrantsEmigrantsNet migrationPopulation changePopulation
  '000
         
198761.232.229.017.240.2-23.05.93,546.5
198857.831.626.219.261.1-41.9-15.83,530.7
198953.631.022.626.770.6-43.9-21.23,509.5
199051.932.819.133.356.3-22.9-3.73,505.8
199153.131.122.033.335.3-2.019.93,525.7
199252.831.421.440.733.47.428.83,554.5
199350.430.420.034.735.1-0.419.63,574.1
199449.132.616.630.134.8-4.711.83,585.9
199548.431.217.231.233.1-1.915.43,601.3
199648.832.016.739.231.28.024.83,626.1
199750.731.719.044.525.319.238.23,664.3
199852.731.221.546.028.617.438.83,703.1
199953.732.421.248.931.517.338.53,741.6
200054.032.121.852.626.626.047.93,789.5
200155.130.224.859.026.232.857.73,847.2
200258.129.328.866.925.641.370.03,917.2
200360.828.931.960.029.330.762.63,979.9
200462.028.633.358.526.532.065.34,045.2
200561.427.933.584.629.455.188.64,133.8
2006161.227.034.2107.836.071.8106.04,232.9
200766.628.438.2151.146.3104.8142.94,375.8
200873.028.044.9113.549.264.3109.24,485.1
200975.328.646.773.772.01.648.34,533.4
201077.228.448.841.869.2-27.521.44,554.8
201175.127.747.553.380.6-27.420.14,574.9
2012274.029.244.952.787.1-34.410.54,585.4
2013270.529.740.855.989.0-33.17.74,593.1
2014267.729.837.960.681.9-21.416.54,609.6
2015267.029.637.469.380.9-11.625.84,635.4
         
         
1 Up to and including 2005, the annual population estimates are on a de facto basis. From 2006 onwards the concept of usual residence is used.
2 Preliminary.
Table 2 Estimated Migration classified by Sex and Nationality, 2010 - 2015
                   
Year ending April / NationalityImmigrantsEmigrantsNet Migration
2010201112012220132201422015220102011201222013220142201522010201120122201322014220152
  '000
                   
Persons                  
                   
Irish17.919.620.615.711.612.128.942.046.550.940.735.3-11.0-22.4-26.0-35.2-29.2-23.2
UK2.54.12.24.94.95.03.04.63.53.92.73.8-0.6-0.5-1.21.02.21.3
Rest of EU1536.27.17.27.48.78.99.010.211.29.914.015.6-2.8-3.1-4.0-2.5-5.3-6.7
EU1349.310.110.410.910.012.819.013.914.814.010.18.5-9.8-3.8-4.4-3.2-0.24.3
Rest of world6.012.412.417.125.530.49.39.911.110.314.417.7-3.32.51.46.811.212.7
Total persons41.853.352.755.960.669.369.280.687.189.081.980.9-27.5-27.4-34.4-33.1-21.4-11.6
                   
Males                  
                   
Irish9.09.911.79.35.56.316.724.526.027.122.718.8-7.7-14.6-14.2-17.8-17.3-12.5
UK1.42.21.12.42.02.21.71.82.02.01.62.5-0.20.4-0.90.40.4-0.3
Rest of EU1532.63.42.42.74.33.54.03.75.02.65.75.3-1.5-0.3-2.70.0-1.4-1.7
EU1344.64.64.95.34.86.512.86.88.47.06.16.4-8.2-2.2-3.5-1.7-1.30.1
Rest of world2.85.94.98.511.614.25.45.17.56.25.99.3-2.60.8-2.62.35.74.9
Total males20.426.025.028.228.232.740.641.948.944.942.042.2-20.2-15.8-23.9-16.7-13.8-9.5
                   
Females                  
                   
Irish8.99.78.86.36.15.812.217.520.623.818.016.5-3.2-7.8-11.8-17.4-11.9-10.7
UK1.11.91.12.52.92.81.42.81.51.91.11.3-0.3-0.9-0.40.61.81.5
Rest of EU1533.63.74.84.74.35.45.06.66.27.28.310.4-1.3-2.9-1.4-2.5-4.0-5.0
EU1344.65.55.55.65.26.36.27.16.47.04.02.2-1.6-1.6-0.9-1.51.14.2
Rest of world3.26.57.68.613.916.23.94.83.64.18.58.4-0.71.74.04.55.47.8
Total females21.427.227.827.732.436.628.738.838.244.039.938.7-7.2-11.5-10.5-16.4-7.6-2.1
                   
                   
1 Census of Population.
2 Preliminary.
3 Rest of EU 15: countries before enlargement on 1 May 2004, (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Portugal).
4 EU13: defined as 10 countries that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 (i.e. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia), along with Bulgaria and Romania who joined on 1 January 2007 and Croatia who joined on the 1 July 2013.
Table 3 Estimated Migration classified by Sex and Country of Origin/Destination, 2010 - 2015
                   
Year ending April / Origin/DestinationImmigrantsEmigrantsNet Migration
2010201112012220132201422015220102011201222013220142201522010201120122201322014220152
  '000
                   
Persons                  
                   
UK9.111.98.49.79.710.415.320.019.021.917.919.2-6.2-8.1-10.5-12.2-8.2-8.7
Rest of EU 1537.89.710.210.311.210.811.913.914.411.516.215.3-4.1-4.2-4.2-1.2-5.0-4.5
EU 1348.79.89.311.89.813.414.610.49.614.28.76.8-5.9-0.5-0.3-2.41.16.5
Australia 6.54.54.95.33.62.910.413.418.215.410.07.5-3.9-9.0-13.3-10.1-6.4-4.7
Canada0.51.31.61.11.21.62.42.13.05.34.77.7-1.9-0.9-1.4-4.2-3.5-6.1
USA1.73.34.93.62.62.22.94.78.66.26.95.9-1.3-1.4-3.6-2.6-4.2-3.7
Rest of world 7.612.913.414.122.428.011.716.214.414.417.518.4-4.1-3.3-1.0-0.45.09.5
Total persons41.853.352.755.960.669.369.280.687.189.081.980.9-27.5-27.4-34.4-33.1-21.4-11.6
                   
Males                  
                   
UK4.05.94.56.13.95.48.811.110.811.59.39.0-4.8-5.2-6.3-5.4-5.4-3.5
Rest of EU 1533.44.73.75.15.34.55.47.07.14.47.25.5-2.0-2.4-3.30.7-2.0-1.0
EU 1344.74.54.85.14.76.29.04.95.07.55.34.4-4.3-0.4-0.2-2.5-0.51.8
Australia 3.52.22.83.41.61.56.67.410.97.74.83.8-3.2-5.1-8.1-4.3-3.2-2.3
Canada0.20.70.90.40.60.41.71.11.92.63.35.6-1.5-0.5-1.0-2.2-2.6-5.1
USA0.81.52.51.30.80.92.12.64.73.33.32.7-1.3-1.1-2.2-2.0-2.5-1.8
Rest of world 3.86.55.86.811.313.86.87.78.67.98.911.2-3.0-1.3-2.8-1.12.42.6
Total males20.426.025.028.228.232.740.641.948.944.942.042.2-20.2-15.8-23.9-16.7-13.8-9.5
                   
Females                  
                   
UK5.16.04.03.55.95.06.48.98.210.48.710.2-1.4-3.0-4.2-6.8-2.8-5.2
Rest of EU 1534.45.06.55.35.96.46.56.87.37.19.09.8-2.1-1.8-0.8-1.9-3.1-3.4
EU 1344.05.34.56.75.17.25.65.44.66.73.42.5-1.6-0.2-0.10.11.64.7
Australia 3.02.22.11.92.01.43.86.07.47.75.23.7-0.7-3.8-5.2-5.8-3.3-2.3
Canada0.30.60.70.70.61.10.71.01.12.81.42.1-0.4-0.4-0.4-2.0-0.9-1.0
USA0.81.72.42.31.91.30.82.13.92.93.63.20.0-0.3-1.5-0.6-1.7-1.9
Rest of world 3.86.57.67.211.214.24.98.55.86.58.67.2-1.1-2.01.80.72.67.0
Total females21.427.227.827.732.436.628.738.838.244.039.938.7-7.2-11.5-10.5-16.4-7.6-2.1
                   
                 
1 Census of Population.
2 Preliminary.
3 Rest of EU 15: countries before enlargement on 1 May 2004, (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Portugal).
4 EU13: defined as 10 countries that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 (i.e. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia), along with Bulgaria and Romania who joined on 1 January 2007 and Croatia who joined on the 1 July 2013.
Table 4 Estimated Migration classified by Sex and Age Group, 2010 - 2015
                   
Year ending April / AgeImmigrantsEmigrantsNet Migration
2010201112012220132201422015220102011201222013220142201522010201120122201322014220152
  '000
                   
Persons                  
                   
0 - 141.86.17.99.37.812.82.05.34.96.86.05.4-0.20.92.92.51.87.4
15 - 2417.314.614.612.915.914.726.734.535.834.833.530.4-9.4-19.9-21.3-21.8-17.6-15.7
25 - 4418.826.925.628.633.036.736.531.339.541.037.639.7-17.7-4.4-13.9-12.5-4.6-3.0
45 - 642.04.34.14.62.84.02.96.15.65.73.44.5-0.9-1.8-1.5-1.0-0.6-0.5
65 and over1.91.30.60.41.11.11.13.41.20.71.50.80.8-2.1-0.6-0.3-0.40.2
Total persons41.853.352.755.960.669.369.280.687.189.081.980.9-27.5-27.4-34.4-33.1-21.4-11.6
                   
Males                  
                   
0 - 141.43.13.23.93.06.51.02.52.33.92.22.90.40.60.90.00.83.6
15 - 247.66.46.06.36.84.913.715.917.415.115.813.2-6.1-9.5-11.4-8.8-9.0-8.3
25 - 449.913.613.315.416.918.823.017.924.722.522.322.1-13.1-4.4-11.4-7.1-5.4-3.3
45 - 640.82.21.92.41.12.02.43.13.83.11.43.5-1.7-0.9-1.9-0.7-0.2-1.4
65 and over0.70.70.50.10.40.40.52.40.60.40.40.60.3-1.8-0.1-0.2-0.1-0.2
Total males20.426.025.028.228.232.740.641.948.944.942.042.2-20.2-15.8-23.9-16.7-13.8-9.5
                   
Females                  
                   
0 - 140.53.04.65.44.86.31.12.72.62.93.82.6-0.60.22.02.40.93.7
15 - 249.78.28.66.69.19.813.018.618.419.617.717.3-3.3-10.5-9.9-13.0-8.6-7.5
25 - 448.813.312.313.216.117.913.513.314.818.515.317.6-4.60.0-2.5-5.40.80.3
45 - 641.32.12.22.21.71.90.53.11.82.62.01.00.8-1.00.5-0.3-0.40.9
65 and over1.10.70.10.30.70.60.61.00.60.41.10.20.5-0.3-0.5-0.1-0.30.4
Total females21.427.227.827.732.436.628.738.838.244.039.938.7-7.2-11.5-10.5-16.4-7.6-2.1
                   
                   
1 Census of Population.
2 Preliminary.
Table 5 Estimated Migration (aged 15 and over) classified by Sex and Education Attainment, 2010 - 2015
                   
Year ending April / Education AttainmentImmigrantsEmigrantsNet Migration
    2010    20111    20122    2013220142201522010    2011    20122    201322014220152    2010    2011    20122    201322014220152
  '000
 
Persons                 
                  
Higher secondary and below15.117.314.214.613.415.126.730.131.537.727.625.9-11.7-12.8-17.3-23.1-14.3-10.8
Post leaving cert32.55.33.22.13.52.37.16.26.86.76.34.3-4.6-0.9-3.6-4.6-2.8-2.0
Third level419.522.425.027.130.931.727.935.839.035.035.339.8-8.4-13.4-14.1-7.9-4.4-8.1
Not stated2.92.12.42.95.17.35.43.34.82.96.75.4-2.5-1.2-2.40.0-1.61.9
Total persons39.947.144.946.652.856.567.275.482.282.275.975.4-27.2-28.2-37.3-35.6-23.1-19.0
                   
Males                  
                   
Higher secondary and below7.38.98.57.96.87.715.515.717.618.315.814.1-8.2-6.8-9.1-10.4-9.0-6.4
Post leaving cert31.82.92.01.01.90.85.74.05.74.23.63.2-3.9-1.1-3.7-3.2-1.7-2.4
Third level48.410.010.314.514.314.414.717.420.616.717.418.9-6.3-7.4-10.3-2.2-3.1-4.6
Not stated1.41.10.90.82.23.33.72.22.61.93.13.0-2.2-1.1-1.7-1.1-0.90.3
Total males19.022.921.724.325.226.239.639.346.541.139.839.3-20.6-16.5-24.8-16.8-14.6-13.1
                   
Females                  
                   
Higher secondary and below7.78.45.86.66.57.411.214.413.919.311.811.8-3.5-6.0-8.1-12.7-5.3-4.4
Post leaving cert30.72.41.21.01.61.51.52.21.12.42.71.1-0.70.20.1-1.4-1.20.4
Third level411.112.414.612.616.617.413.218.418.418.318.020.9-2.1-6.0-3.8-5.8-1.3-3.5
Not stated1.41.11.52.12.94.01.71.12.21.03.62.4-0.3-0.1-0.71.1-0.71.6
Total females21.024.323.222.327.630.327.636.035.641.136.136.2-6.6-11.8-12.5-18.8-8.5-5.9
                   
                  
1 Census of Population.
2 Preliminary.
3 Technical or Vocational, Advanced Certificate or Diploma.
4 Third level degree or above.
Table 6 Estimated Migration (aged 15 and over) classified by Sex and Principal Economic Status1, 2010 - 2015
                  
Year ending April / Principal Economic StatusImmigrantsEmigrantsNet Migration
    2010    20112    20123    201332014320153    2010    2011    20123    201332014320153    2010    2011    20123    201332014320153
  '000
                  
Persons                 
                  
At work18.423.221.222.222.627.431.136.238.536.528.936.3-12.7-13.0-17.3-14.3-6.3-8.9
Unemployed8.59.79.37.56.85.816.415.218.617.212.310.3-7.9-5.5-9.3-9.8-5.5-4.5
Student6.19.07.311.016.214.814.217.619.520.229.022.5-8.1-8.6-12.3-9.2-12.8-7.7
Other7.05.27.16.07.38.55.56.55.58.35.76.31.5-1.21.5-2.31.62.1
Total persons39.947.144.946.652.856.567.275.482.282.275.975.4-27.2-28.2-37.3-35.6-23.1-19.0
                   
Males                  
                   
At work9.611.911.112.812.213.718.218.321.118.414.521.0-8.6-6.4-10.0-5.7-2.3-7.3
Unemployed4.85.25.44.83.03.613.210.913.512.08.06.6-8.4-5.7-8.0-7.2-5.0-3.0
Student2.64.23.26.08.57.26.98.410.18.514.910.3-4.3-4.2-6.9-2.5-6.4-3.1
Other1.91.62.00.71.51.61.31.71.92.22.51.30.6-0.20.1-1.5-0.90.3
Total males19.022.921.724.325.226.239.639.346.541.139.839.3-20.6-16.5-24.8-16.8-14.6-13.1
                   
Females                  
                   
At work8.711.310.19.410.313.612.917.917.418.114.415.2-4.2-6.6-7.2-8.7-4.1-1.6
Unemployed3.74.53.92.73.82.23.24.35.25.34.33.70.50.2-1.3-2.6-0.5-1.5
Student3.54.84.14.97.77.67.39.19.511.614.112.2-3.8-4.4-5.4-6.7-6.4-4.6
Other5.13.75.15.35.76.84.24.73.66.13.25.00.9-1.11.4-0.82.51.8
Total females21.024.323.222.327.630.327.636.035.641.136.136.2-6.6-11.8-12.5-18.8-8.5-5.9
                   
                  
1 As a person's principal economic status can change over the course of the year, for immigrants this refers to their current status, while for emigrants it is their status in the period prior to departure.
2 Census of Population.
3 Preliminary.
Table 7 Estimated Population classified by Sex and Age Group, 2010 - 2015
       
Sex and Age GroupPersons in April of each year
20102011120122201322014220152
  '000
       
Persons      
       
0 - 4 years347.0356.0364.6365.7362.6360.9
5 - 9 "314.6319.6324.8333.1341.9352.4
10 - 14 "296.1301.0305.4308.9311.4316.1
15 - 19 "289.4281.0275.7274.5279.1283.2
20 - 24 "326.3298.6277.7258.8244.3233.5
25 - 29 "381.6362.9341.2320.0305.0290.4
30 - 34 "381.2393.4392.3387.5378.1363.9
35 - 39 "359.7363.1364.3363.8366.6371.5
40 - 44 "321.8329.3335.7342.8348.1351.8
45 - 49 "300.9304.1308.1312.1314.9319.5
50 - 54 "267.4273.7278.2283.1289.6295.8
55 - 59 "239.6243.4248.0251.1255.3259.9
60 - 64 "214.0217.1220.0223.6226.4230.7
65 - 69 "163.5172.1181.5189.4196.3202.6
70 - 74 "127.9130.1132.7138.2143.3149.4
75 - 79 "99.1101.4103.6105.8108.3111.1
80 - 84 "68.469.871.072.674.976.9
85 years and over56.158.260.562.163.866.0
       
Total persons4,554.84,574.94,585.44,593.14,609.64,635.4
       
Males      
       
0 - 4 years177.6182.0186.0186.3184.6184.5
5 - 9 "160.8163.5166.1169.9174.4179.0
10 - 14 "152.1154.5156.4157.7159.0161.5
15 - 19 "147.7143.7141.3141.3144.0146.1
20 - 24 "160.1148.6138.6131.9124.7119.5
25 - 29 "186.1175.1163.5154.1146.2140.6
30 - 34 "189.8194.9191.3187.1181.2172.8
35 - 39 "181.0181.9181.5180.4180.6181.6
40 - 44 "162.2165.9168.5171.6173.6174.6
45 - 49 "149.8151.3153.1155.5157.5159.6
50 - 54 "133.7136.7138.2140.6143.5146.1
55 - 59 "120.3121.8123.6124.8126.9128.9
60 - 64 "107.6109.2110.0111.3112.5114.3
65 - 69 "81.585.690.694.697.9100.4
70 - 74 "61.862.964.467.270.073.0
75 - 79 "45.146.347.648.850.251.9
80 - 84 "27.328.329.430.632.033.1
85 years and over17.718.419.420.121.022.2
       
Total males2,262.22,270.52,269.62,273.82,279.72,289.5
       
Females      
       
0 - 4 years169.4174.1178.6179.4177.9176.4
5 - 9 "153.8156.2158.7163.2167.4173.4
10 - 14 "144.0146.6149.0151.1152.4154.6
15 - 19 "141.7137.4134.4133.2135.1137.1
20 - 24 "166.2149.9139.2126.9119.6114.0
25 - 29 "195.6187.8177.7165.9158.8149.8
30 - 34 "191.4198.5201.0200.4196.9191.0
35 - 39 "178.7181.2182.9183.4186.0189.9
40 - 44 "159.6163.4167.1171.1174.4177.2
45 - 49 "151.1152.9155.0156.6157.4159.8
50 - 54 "133.7137.1140.0142.5146.1149.7
55 - 59 "119.3121.6124.3126.3128.4131.0
60 - 64 "106.4107.9109.9112.3113.9116.4
65 - 69 "82.086.590.994.998.4102.2
70 - 74 "66.267.268.371.073.476.4
75 - 79 "54.055.055.957.058.159.2
80 - 84 "41.041.541.642.042.943.8
85 years and over38.539.841.141.942.843.8
       
Total females2,292.62,304.42,315.82,319.32,329.92,345.8
       
       
1 Census of Population.
2 Preliminary.
Table 8 Estimated Population classified by Sex, Age Group and Regional Authority Area, April 20151
          
Sex and Age GroupStateBorderDublinMid-EastMidlandMid-WestSouth-EastSouth-WestWest
  '000
          
Persons         
          
0 - 4 years360.939.0105.545.922.728.537.348.933.0
5 - 9 "352.440.488.449.324.129.138.949.133.0
10 - 14 "316.136.976.942.822.426.136.344.330.3
15 - 19 "283.232.568.636.120.125.033.140.427.5
20 - 24 "233.521.366.227.216.519.426.436.320.4
25 - 29 "290.422.4107.431.016.720.828.740.622.9
30 - 34 "363.930.8133.340.020.926.234.348.330.0
35 - 39 "371.536.5115.846.022.427.638.052.632.7
40 - 44 "351.836.498.446.622.327.937.350.732.3
45 - 49 "319.536.283.739.820.326.335.847.330.1
50 - 54 "295.833.677.534.718.624.733.744.428.6
55 - 59 "259.929.967.228.716.122.629.639.326.5
60 - 64 "230.727.258.424.814.020.626.335.124.2
65 - 69 "202.624.251.321.312.118.323.730.521.2
70 - 74 "149.417.838.315.28.813.317.722.715.4
75 - 79 "111.113.130.210.06.69.813.116.911.4
80 - 84 "76.99.320.96.54.56.58.912.08.3
85 years and over66.08.317.35.73.95.37.410.17.8
          
Total persons4,635.4496.01,305.3551.4293.2377.9506.7669.4435.5
          
Males         
          
0 - 4 years184.520.553.423.611.715.019.124.516.8
5 - 9 "179.021.144.224.712.615.319.624.616.9
10 - 14 "161.519.638.922.211.513.318.422.215.4
15 - 19 "146.117.035.118.910.213.017.120.414.3
20 - 24 "119.59.633.912.98.511.014.318.410.9
25 - 29 "140.69.853.813.88.110.013.719.811.6
30 - 34 "172.814.464.718.510.112.416.122.314.4
35 - 39 "181.617.656.622.511.013.718.325.716.3
40 - 44 "174.617.749.522.611.013.818.525.516.0
45 - 49 "159.618.441.319.910.513.117.823.515.2
50 - 54 "146.116.837.017.29.412.316.622.314.4
55 - 59 "128.915.132.214.18.211.514.819.813.2
60 - 64 "114.313.727.912.27.210.413.417.512.1
65 - 69 "100.412.224.510.86.09.111.715.310.9
70 - 74 "73.09.117.87.64.36.68.811.07.7
75 - 79 "51.96.313.44.73.24.66.37.85.6
80 - 84 "33.14.18.42.82.02.94.05.03.8
85 years and over22.22.85.62.01.31.72.63.42.7
          
Total males2,289.5245.6638.1271.0146.8189.8251.1329.1218.2
          
Females         
          
0 - 4 years176.418.652.122.411.013.418.224.416.3
5 - 9 "173.419.344.324.511.513.919.324.516.1
10 - 14 "154.617.338.020.611.012.817.922.114.9
15 - 19 "137.115.533.517.29.911.916.020.013.2
20 - 24 "114.011.732.314.38.08.412.117.89.5
25 - 29 "149.812.653.717.18.610.815.120.711.2
30 - 34 "191.016.468.721.510.813.818.226.015.6
35 - 39 "189.919.059.223.511.413.919.626.916.4
40 - 44 "177.218.748.923.911.314.118.925.116.3
45 - 49 "159.817.842.419.99.913.218.023.714.9
50 - 54 "149.716.840.517.59.212.317.122.114.2
55 - 59 "131.014.835.014.57.911.114.819.513.3
60 - 64 "116.413.530.512.66.810.212.917.612.1
65 - 69 "102.212.026.810.66.29.212.015.210.3
70 - 74 "76.48.720.57.64.56.78.911.77.6
75 - 79 "59.26.916.85.33.45.16.89.15.9
80 - 84 "43.85.112.53.62.53.75.06.94.5
85 years and over43.85.511.73.72.63.64.86.85.1
          
Total females2,345.8250.4667.2280.4146.4188.1255.6340.3217.4
          
          
1 Preliminary.
Table 9 Estimated Population classified by Sex and Nationality, 2010 - 2015
       
Year ending April / NationalityPopulation
20102011120122201322014220152
  '000
       
Persons      
       
Irish3,994.74,017.94,035.04,038.64,045.34,057.4
UK115.9114.9113.0113.4114.9115.5
Rest of EU15352.449.445.543.238.131.7
EU134233.0231.5229.4228.6230.7237.4
Rest of world158.7161.2162.5169.3180.5193.4
Total persons4,554.84,574.94,585.44,593.14,609.64,635.4
       
Males      
       
Irish1,983.31,991.91,999.92,002.32,003.82,009.6
UK57.757.856.556.656.756.1
Rest of EU15324.023.921.321.420.218.6
EU134117.6116.5114.1113.6113.4114.7
Rest of world79.680.477.779.985.690.6
Total males2,262.22,270.52,269.62,273.82,279.72,289.5
       
Females      
       
Irish2,011.42,026.02,035.12,036.42,041.62,047.8
UK58.257.156.456.858.259.4
Rest of EU15328.425.524.221.717.913.1
EU134115.5114.9115.3115.1117.4122.7
Rest of world79.180.884.889.494.9102.8
Total females2,292.62,304.42,315.82,319.32,329.92,345.8
       
       
1 Census of Population.
2 Preliminary.
3 Rest of EU 15: countries before enlargement on 1 May 2004, (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Portugal).
4 EU13: defined as 10 countries that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 (i.e. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia), along with Bulgaria and Romania who joined on 1 January 2007 and Croatia who joined on the 1 July 2013.

Background Notes

Coverage

The reference period for the population estimates is mid-April of the years shown, while the migration flows are in respect of the twelve months to mid-April of the corresponding years, as are the births and deaths. The population classified by age and sex for the year 2011 is taken from the Census of Population.

Source of Migration data

The principal source of information for the estimation of the gross annual migration flows is the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), which also provides the basis for the classification of the flows by sex, age group, origin/destination and nationality.

The migration estimates are compiled with reference to movements in other migration indicators such as the number of Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers allocated to non-Irish nationals and the number of visas issued to Irish nationals to a number of the destinations including Australia, US and Canada.  In addition, data on National Insurance numbers (equivalent to PPS numbers) issued to Irish nationals in the UK is referenced.

Calculation of annual population estimates

The annual population estimates for mid-April in this release were calculated by trending forwards the previous Census of Population data. For example, the base population data for estimating the April 2012 figure was the number of males and females in each region by single year of age and nationality as established by the 2011 Census. From this base, each person was aged by one year, births for the period were added and deaths were subtracted. 

The estimated number of immigrants was then added and the number of emigrants was subtracted. Allowance was also made for estimated inter-regional migration in arriving at the final 2012 figures. The end result of this overall process provided the population estimate for April 2012 which in turn will provide the base population for the subsequent year and so on. The population estimates are subject to revision once the definitive results of the next census become available.

The population by nationality estimates are made possible by trending forwards the previous Census of Population and incorporating gross migration flows by nationality based on responses in the QNHS. Births by nationality are estimated using the distribution of the nationality of babies as recorded in the 2011 census, while deaths by nationality are also estimated based on recent census results on the nationality distribution of the population by single year of age.

Migration classified by principal economic status and educational attainment

This release provides estimates of immigration and emigration by educational attainment (Table 5) and principal economic status (Table 6), based on responses in the QNHS.

The principal economic status question identifies whether the person sampled (who is aged 15 or over) is:

1. Working for payment or profit

2. Looking for first regular job

3. Unemployed, having lost or given up previous job

4. Actively looking for work after voluntary interruption of working life (for 12 months or more) for personal or domestic reasons     

5. Student or pupil

6. Engaged on home duties   

7. Retired from employment

8. Unable to work due to permanent sickness or disability

9. Other

 

This is a self-perception question, i.e. people are classified according to how they perceive their situation.  These categories are subsequently collapsed to provide the categories included in table 6.

 

As with all the breakdowns of migration (by age, nationality, origin and destination), the breakdown by educational attainment and principal economic status should be considered broadly indicative given the relatively small sample sizes associated with these flows. In addition, as a person’s principal economic status can change over the course of the year (and to a lesser extent their education attainment), for immigrants these two tables refer to their current status, while for emigrants these tables refer to their status in the period prior to departure.

This is part of the ongoing work by the CSO to improve data in this area, which in recent years has included new data on the nationality of emigrants (Table 2), the inclusion of Canada and Australia as individual countries of origin/destination in the migration estimates (Table 3) and an estimate of the total population by nationality (Table 9). 

Usual residence population concept

For the purpose of this release the population concept of usual residence has been used, i.e. all persons usually resident and present in the State on census night plus absent persons who are usually resident in Ireland but are temporarily away from home and outside the State on census night. All persons are classified according to their region of usual residence.

upArrowHide Background Notes

Scan the QR code below to view this release online or go to
http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2015/