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For more information on this release:
E-mail: Demography@cso.ie James Hegarty (+353) 21 453 5429
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5226

This release was compiled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results contained in this release reflect some of the initial demographic and social impacts of COVID-19. However, as the reference period for this release is the year to April 2020 the impact of COVID-19 is limited as much of the reference period predates the beginning of the pandemic.  Additional information and methodological detail are contained in the background notes of this release.

CSO statistical release, , 11am

Population and Migration Estimates

April 2020

   Year ending
 April 2019April 2020
Immigration88,60085,400
Emigration54,90056,500
Net migration33,70028,900
of which Irish nationals-2,100500
Natural increase30,80027,100
Population change64,50055,900
 
Population4,921,5004,977,400

Population estimated to be 4.98 million in April 2020

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The combined effect of positive net migration and natural increase resulted in an overall increase in the population of 55,900 (1.1%) in the year to April 2020. This compares to an increase of 64,500 for the year to April 2019 and brings the population estimate to 4.98 million in April 2020.  See table 1.

The number of immigrants to the State in the year to April 2020 is estimated to have decreased by 3.6% to 85,400 from 88,600 the previous year.  The number of emigrants increased over the same period to 56,500 (2.9%) from 54,900 in 2019. These combined flows resulted in net inward migration for Ireland in the year to April 2020 of 28,900, a reduction of 4,800 (-14.2%) on the previous year.  See table 1.

Irish nationals accounted for 28,900 (33.8%) of the 85,400 immigrants to Ireland, this is the highest number of returning Irish nationals since 2007.  Of the 56,500 emigrants from Ireland 28,300 (50.1%) were estimated to be Irish nationals.  Consequently, net inward migration of Irish nationals in the year to April 2020 was just over 500. This represents an increase of 2,600 on the year to April 2019 when net outward migration of Irish nationals was estimated to be -2,100. See table 2.

The number of births in the period was 58,300 while the number of deaths was 31,200, resulting in a natural increase of the population of 27,100.  This is the lowest level of natural increase recorded since the 2001 population estimates. See table 1.

 Other main features of the 2020 figures are: 

  • Of the 85,400 people who immigrated to Ireland in the year to April 2020, 28,900 (33.8%) were estimated to be Irish nationals. This is an increase of 2,000 (7.4%) on the year to April 2019 when 26,900 Irish nationals returned from abroad.  See table 2.
  • Of the 56,500 people who emigrated from Ireland in the year to April 2020, 28,300 (50.1%) are estimated to be Irish nationals. This represents a decrease of 700 (2.4%) on the year to April 2019 when 29,000 Irish nationals emigrated abroad.  See table 2.
  • Non-Irish nationals from outside the EU continued to display strong migration flows, accounting for 30,400 (35.6%) of total immigrants and 11,400 (20.4%) of total emigrants. See table 2.
  • In April 2020, there were 720,100 resident persons estimated to be aged 65 years and over, reflecting an increase of 90,200 persons (+14.3%), in this age group since April 2016. See table 7.
  • The population of Dublin in April 2020 was estimated to be almost 1.42 million persons, 28.5% of the total population.  See table 8.
  • In April 2020, there were an estimated 644,400 non-Irish nationals resident in Ireland accounting for 12.9% of the total population. See table 9.

 

Table 1 Components of the annual population change, 1987 - 2020
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
2006 161.227.034.2107.836.071.8106.04,232.9
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
201273.228.744.557.383.0-25.718.84,593.7
201369.429.839.662.781.3-18.721.04,614.7
201468.429.239.266.575.0-8.530.84,645.4
201566.429.936.575.970.05.942.34,687.8
2016 265.429.835.682.366.216.251.84,739.6
2017 363.930.833.184.664.819.852.94,792.5
2018 361.230.730.590.356.334.064.54,857.0
2019 361.230.430.888.654.933.764.54,921.5
2020 358.331.227.185.456.528.955.94,977.4
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 Census of Population 2016.
3 Preliminary.
Table 2 Estimated Migration classified by Sex and Nationality, 2014 - 2020
Year ending April / NationalityImmigrants Emigrants Net Migration
201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2
  '000
Persons
Irish22.826.628.427.428.426.928.9 45.042.537.130.828.329.028.3 -22.2-16.0-8.8-3.40.1-2.10.5
UK 34.25.05.96.17.37.45.5 5.85.65.24.04.13.22.5 -1.6-0.50.72.13.24.33.0
EU14 excl. IRL49.410.211.410.811.612.69.2 6.36.05.76.76.84.55.2 3.14.25.64.14.88.04.1
EU15 to EU27511.112.213.210.912.211.111.4 7.67.16.89.67.17.09.2 3.55.16.41.35.04.12.2
Rest of world19.021.923.629.430.930.630.4 10.28.811.413.710.011.211.4 8.813.112.315.720.819.419.0
Total persons66.575.982.384.690.388.685.4 75.070.066.264.856.354.956.5 -8.55.916.219.834.033.728.9
 
Males
Irish9.911.914.414.114.113.814.1 23.421.817.416.313.715.214.2 -13.5-9.9-3.0-2.20.4-1.4-0.1
UK 32.02.53.33.33.83.93.1 2.72.62.22.11.71.21.9 -0.7-0.11.11.22.12.71.2
EU14 excl. IRL44.34.65.25.25.46.14.1 2.92.82.43.53.12.12.0 1.41.82.81.72.34.02.1
EU15 to EU2754.95.56.85.65.55.45.3 3.73.53.05.13.83.64.5 1.22.03.80.51.61.80.8
Rest of world9.711.211.514.515.715.915.2 5.65.26.07.34.06.05.3 4.16.05.57.211.79.99.9
Total persons30.935.741.242.744.545.041.9 38.335.831.034.226.428.127.9 -7.4-0.110.18.518.216.914.0
 
Females
Irish12.914.713.913.314.313.214.8 21.620.719.714.614.613.814.1 -8.7-6.1-5.8-1.3-0.3-0.70.6
UK 32.22.52.62.83.53.62.4 3.12.93.01.92.42.00.6 -0.9-0.5-0.40.91.11.61.8
EU14 excl. IRL45.15.66.25.66.26.55.1 3.43.23.33.13.72.43.1 1.72.42.82.42.54.12.0
EU15 to EU2756.16.76.45.36.75.76.0 3.93.63.84.53.33.44.7 2.23.12.60.83.42.31.4
Rest of world9.310.712.114.915.114.715.3 4.63.65.46.56.05.26.1 4.77.16.88.59.19.59.2
Total persons35.640.241.241.945.843.643.5 36.634.135.130.630.026.828.7 -1.06.06.011.315.816.814.9
1 Census of Population 2016.
2 Preliminary.
3 In light of the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the European Union with effect from 1 February 2020, the EU labeling has been updated, the groupings are comparable with those published in estimates releases pre-2020.
4 Rest of EU14 excl. IRL: countries before enlargement on 1 May 2004, (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Portugal).
5 EU15 to 27: 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, 2014 - 2020
Year ending April / Origin/DestinationImmigrants  Emigrants  Net Migration
201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2
  '000
Persons
UK 313.516.418.218.720.119.715.316.416.614.412.111.411.610.0-3.0-0.23.86.68.68.15.3
EU14 excl. IRL411.711.914.715.114.914.013.814.813.313.912.912.310.412.2-3.2-1.40.92.22.63.61.6
EU15 to EU27510.811.911.912.211.09.18.78.05.99.39.76.53.89.12.86.02.72.54.55.3-0.4
Australia 5.45.86.97.17.25.86.49.26.55.35.34.56.56.1-3.8-0.71.61.82.7-0.70.2
Canada2.22.73.13.22.52.42.94.36.63.43.73.94.93.1-2.1-3.9-0.3-0.5-1.4-2.6-0.1
USA4.44.45.35.47.36.25.56.35.15.76.55.85.26.0-1.9-0.7-0.4-1.11.51.0-0.5
Rest of world 18.622.822.222.827.431.432.816.015.914.214.611.912.510.12.66.98.08.215.519.022.7
Total persons66.575.982.384.690.388.685.475.070.066.264.856.354.956.5-8.55.916.219.834.033.728.9
 
Males
UK 36.58.19.59.810.29.47.98.47.67.66.55.06.05.6-2.00.51.83.35.23.42.2
EU14 excl. IRL45.24.96.87.17.66.66.86.64.75.75.94.75.75.6-1.40.21.11.22.90.91.1
EU15 to EU2755.26.06.36.55.03.53.84.83.74.35.23.02.04.10.42.32.01.32.11.5-0.3
Australia 2.73.13.63.73.73.53.74.43.22.52.82.62.93.2-1.7-0.11.10.91.10.60.5
Canada1.31.51.71.71.11.41.33.04.71.72.12.12.31.8-1.7-3.30.0-0.4-1.0-1.0-0.6
USA1.51.72.42.53.43.22.63.02.32.84.33.03.32.8-1.5-0.6-0.4-1.80.4-0.1-0.3
Rest of world 8.610.411.011.413.517.515.98.19.56.47.46.05.94.60.50.94.64.07.411.711.3
Total males30.935.741.242.744.545.041.938.335.831.034.226.428.127.9-7.4-0.110.18.518.216.914.0
 
Females
UK 37.08.38.78.99.910.37.48.09.06.85.66.55.64.3-1.0-0.71.93.33.44.73.1
EU14 excl. IRL46.57.07.98.17.37.57.08.28.78.27.07.64.76.6-1.7-1.6-0.31.1-0.32.70.4
EU15 to EU2755.65.95.65.85.95.64.93.12.25.04.53.61.84.92.43.70.71.32.43.80.0
Australia 2.72.73.33.43.42.32.74.83.32.82.51.93.62.9-2.1-0.60.50.91.6-1.3-0.2
Canada1.01.21.51.51.41.01.61.31.81.71.61.82.61.2-0.4-0.6-0.3-0.1-0.4-1.60.4
USA2.92.72.92.93.92.92.93.32.82.82.22.81.93.1-0.4-0.10.00.71.11.1-0.2
Rest of world 10.012.411.211.413.913.917.07.96.47.87.35.86.65.52.16.03.44.28.17.311.4
Total females35.640.241.241.945.843.643.5 36.634.135.130.630.026.828.7 -1.06.06.011.315.816.814.9
1 Census of Population 2016.
2 Preliminary.
3 In light of the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the European Union with effect from 1 February 2020, the EU labeling has been updated, the groupings are comparable with those published in estimates releases pre-2020.
4 Rest of EU14 excl. IRL: countries before enlargement on 1 May 2004, (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Portugal).
5 EU15 to 27: 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, 2014 - 2020
Year ending April / AgeImmigrants  Emigrants  Net Migration
201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2
  '000
Persons
0 - 146.59.89.98.810.69.48.310.211.410.28.26.35.77.1-3.6-1.6-0.30.64.23.71.2
15 - 2421.818.318.218.624.121.420.821.817.318.316.212.517.615.70.01.1-0.12.411.63.85.1
25 - 4431.640.044.747.144.246.848.337.435.531.334.528.326.829.8-5.94.513.512.515.920.018.5
45 - 643.24.17.17.88.38.46.83.34.34.64.47.83.63.5-0.1-0.22.53.40.54.83.3
65 and over3.43.62.42.33.32.61.22.21.51.71.41.51.20.51.12.10.70.91.81.40.7
Total persons66.575.982.384.690.388.685.475.070.066.264.856.354.956.5-8.55.916.219.834.033.728.9
 
Males
0 - 142.65.15.04.15.45.44.34.56.04.74.22.82.73.3-1.9-0.80.3-0.22.62.71.0
15 - 2410.37.48.08.611.49.39.210.96.59.57.95.58.77.1-0.60.8-1.50.75.90.52.1
25 - 4415.019.423.124.121.824.824.620.319.613.918.213.714.415.0-5.3-0.39.25.98.110.49.6
45 - 641.42.24.04.74.24.52.91.92.92.23.03.71.82.3-0.5-0.71.81.70.52.70.6
65 and over1.61.71.11.11.71.10.80.80.80.70.80.60.50.20.80.90.40.31.10.60.7
Total males30.935.741.242.744.545.041.938.335.831.034.226.428.127.9-7.4-0.110.18.518.216.914.0
 
Females
0 - 143.94.74.94.75.14.04.05.75.55.54.03.53.03.8-1.8-0.8-0.60.81.61.00.2
15 - 2411.511.010.210.012.712.111.610.910.78.88.36.98.98.60.60.31.41.75.73.23.0
25 - 4416.620.621.623.022.422.023.717.115.817.416.414.612.414.7-0.54.84.36.67.89.68.9
45 - 641.82.03.13.14.03.93.91.41.42.41.44.01.81.20.40.50.71.70.02.12.7
65 and over1.81.91.31.21.61.50.41.50.71.00.50.90.70.30.31.20.30.60.70.80.1
Total females35.640.241.241.945.843.643.5 36.634.135.130.630.026.828.7 -1.06.06.011.315.816.814.9
1 Census of Population 2016.
2 Preliminary.
Table 5 Estimated Migration (aged 15 and over) classified by Sex and Education Attainment, 2014 - 2020
Year ending April / Education AttainmentImmigrants Emigrants Net Migration
201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2
 '000
Persons
Higher secondary and below15.117.718.016.818.416.914.323.520.120.020.212.814.616.9-8.4-2.4-2.0-3.45.62.3-2.6
Post leaving cert33.92.78.73.78.84.63.65.43.33.62.44.02.53.6-1.4-0.65.11.34.82.10.0
Third level435.137.242.448.649.253.056.930.131.025.527.926.528.326.34.96.216.820.722.724.730.5
Not stated5.88.63.46.83.44.72.35.74.26.86.16.63.82.60.14.4-3.40.7-3.30.9-0.3
Total persons60.066.172.475.879.879.277.164.858.655.956.650.049.249.4-4.87.516.519.229.830.027.7
 
Males
Higher secondary and below7.69.09.79.211.37.67.113.410.710.711.26.58.610.6-5.8-1.8-1.1-2.04.8-1.0-3.5
Post leaving cert32.10.95.22.75.72.73.23.02.41.91.72.11.51.3-0.9-1.53.31.03.61.11.9
Third level416.016.819.623.820.227.726.314.814.411.213.911.013.310.91.32.48.49.99.214.415.3
Not stated2.53.91.72.91.91.71.02.62.32.53.14.02.01.7-0.11.6-0.8-0.2-2.1-0.2-0.7
Total males28.330.636.238.639.139.637.633.929.926.330.023.625.424.6-5.60.79.98.715.614.213.0
 
Females
Higher secondary and below7.58.78.47.67.19.47.310.19.49.39.06.46.06.3 -2.6-0.6-1.0-1.40.83.31.0
Post leaving cert31.81.73.41.13.11.90.42.30.81.70.82.00.92.3 -0.50.91.80.31.11.0-1.9
Third level419.120.422.824.729.025.330.615.416.614.413.915.515.015.4 3.73.88.410.813.510.315.2
Not stated3.34.71.73.81.53.01.33.11.94.33.02.61.80.9 0.22.8-2.60.9-1.11.20.4
Total females31.635.536.337.240.739.539.5 30.928.729.626.626.423.824.8 0.76.86.610.614.215.814.7
1 Census of Population 2016.
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, 2014 - 2020
Year ending April / Principal Economic StatusImmigrants Emigrants Net Migration
201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2 201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2
  '000
Persons
At work25.632.041.142.148.748.046.724.728.123.526.627.929.728.60.93.917.615.520.818.318.1
Unemployed7.76.810.15.79.06.411.310.58.05.85.76.53.23.0-2.8-1.14.30.02.53.28.3
Student18.417.313.115.49.311.710.424.817.519.918.69.412.313.8-6.4-0.2-6.8-3.2-0.1-0.6-3.4
Other8.39.98.212.512.813.28.74.95.06.85.66.24.04.03.54.91.56.96.69.24.7
Total persons60.066.172.475.879.879.277.164.858.655.956.650.049.249.4-4.87.516.519.229.830.027.7
 
Males
At work13.716.122.823.828.329.124.812.316.012.315.613.316.615.71.40.010.58.315.012.49.1
Unemployed3.34.25.14.04.92.54.66.85.03.34.14.22.01.8-3.5-0.81.8-0.10.60.52.8
Student9.58.45.88.62.45.95.212.77.89.57.63.65.55.9-3.10.6-3.61.0-1.20.4-0.8
Other1.71.92.52.13.52.23.12.11.01.32.62.41.31.2-0.40.91.2-0.51.10.91.8
Total males28.330.636.238.639.139.637.633.929.926.330.023.625.424.6-5.60.79.98.715.614.213.0
 
Females
At work11.916.018.318.320.418.921.912.312.111.211.114.613.012.9-0.53.97.17.25.75.99.0
Unemployed4.42.65.01.74.23.96.73.72.92.51.62.31.31.20.7-0.32.50.11.92.65.4
Student8.88.97.26.86.95.85.312.19.710.411.05.86.87.9-3.3-0.8-3.2-4.21.1-1.0-2.6
Other6.68.05.710.49.210.95.62.84.05.53.03.72.72.83.84.00.27.45.58.22.8
Total females31.635.536.337.240.739.639.530.928.729.626.626.423.824.80.76.86.610.614.215.814.7
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 2016.
3 Preliminary.
Table 7 Estimated Population classified by Sex and Age Group, 2014 - 2020
Sex and Age GroupPersons in April of each year
201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2
  '000
Persons
0 - 4 years345.4337.9331.4324.6319.3315.2309.5
5 - 9 "342.1349.3355.3359.1356.9352.3344.1
10 - 14 "310.1314.4318.9323.3332.6341.4350.0
15 - 19 "290.6296.1301.2308.5316.2319.9323.9
20 - 24 "276.6275.5273.5276.3289.3298.1307.2
25 - 29 "305.9298.7296.7292.4291.1289.2292.2
30 - 34 "382.5369.2360.3347.9335.8330.8324.0
35 - 39 "371.6379.8388.1394.6398.3397.0386.5
40 - 44 "347.4353.0356.5363.1369.9379.9393.7
45 - 49 "312.6317.0324.9333.1341.2351.1358.5
50 - 54 "289.2295.2298.4303.3306.7310.5316.0
55 - 59 "255.7260.6268.2274.0279.9285.9292.7
60 - 64 "226.4230.8236.5242.3246.5253.8258.9
65 - 69 "197.2203.6208.0211.3215.8219.3224.2
70 - 74 "144.4150.8159.9169.2177.7184.8190.8
75 - 79 "109.1112.2114.2116.8121.9127.5134.1
80 - 84 "76.178.880.582.985.187.489.8
85 years and over62.764.967.369.773.077.381.2
Total persons4,645.44,687.84,739.64,792.54,857.04,921.54,977.4
 
Males
0 - 4 years176.0172.4169.7166.1163.3161.1158.2
5 - 9 "175.1178.5181.4183.1182.1180.2176.3
10 - 14 "158.4160.9163.1165.5170.5175.2179.4
15 - 19 "149.1152.0154.4157.6161.2162.3164.7
20 - 24 "139.4139.9138.4140.4147.3151.5156.0
25 - 29 "147.2143.7145.2144.3145.2145.3147.4
30 - 34 "184.9177.0172.5166.3161.1159.8157.5
35 - 39 "183.8186.9190.6192.7193.1192.0186.4
40 - 44 "172.9175.0177.2180.1183.2187.4193.8
45 - 49 "156.1158.4162.5166.2170.2174.7177.7
50 - 54 "143.4146.1147.7150.1152.0154.5157.4
55 - 59 "127.2129.3133.1135.9138.6141.1144.1
60 - 64 "112.9115.0117.7120.5122.4126.0128.0
65 - 69 "98.5101.2103.4104.8106.8108.4111.0
70 - 74 "70.473.678.482.987.490.893.5
75 - 79 "50.752.453.555.157.660.664.0
80 - 84 "32.634.134.936.237.538.740.1
85 years and over20.321.423.024.326.228.330.2
Total males2,299.02,317.72,346.52,372.12,405.82,438.02,465.6
 
Females
0 - 4 years169.3165.6161.7158.5156.0154.2151.3
5 - 9 "167.0170.8173.9176.0174.7172.0167.8
10 - 14 "151.6153.6155.7157.8162.1166.2170.6
15 - 19 "141.4144.1146.9151.0155.0157.6159.3
20 - 24 "137.3135.6135.1135.9142.0146.6151.2
25 - 29 "158.7155.0151.5148.2145.9143.9144.8
30 - 34 "197.6192.2187.8181.6174.8171.0166.5
35 - 39 "187.8192.9197.5201.9205.2205.1200.1
40 - 44 "174.4178.0179.3183.0186.7192.5199.9
45 - 49 "156.5158.6162.4166.9171.0176.4180.8
50 - 54 "145.8149.1150.8153.2154.6156.0158.7
55 - 59 "128.5131.3135.1138.2141.3144.8148.6
60 - 64 "113.4115.9118.7121.8124.1127.8130.9
65 - 69 "98.7102.3104.5106.4108.9110.9113.3
70 - 74 "74.077.281.686.390.294.197.4
75 - 79 "58.459.760.761.764.266.970.1
80 - 84 "43.544.745.546.647.648.749.6
85 years and over42.443.544.445.346.849.051.0
Total females2,346.42,370.12,393.12,420.42,451.32,483.52511.9
1 Census of Population 2016.
2 Preliminary.
Table 8 Estimated Population classified by Sex, Age Group and Regional Authority Area, April 20201
Sex and Age GroupStateBorderDublinMid-EastMidlandMid-WestSouth-EastSouth-WestWest
  '000
Persons
0 - 4 years309.525.387.348.321.128.826.843.328.6
5 - 9 "344.129.189.456.823.333.031.149.132.3
10 - 14 "350.030.786.358.623.834.732.750.233.0
15 - 19 "323.927.587.751.320.632.029.744.730.4
20 - 24 "307.224.694.443.417.730.426.542.827.5
25 - 29 "292.220.0104.537.615.725.822.440.725.4
30 - 34 "324.022.4117.343.218.027.324.644.027.1
35 - 39 "386.527.9125.156.622.734.530.754.734.3
40 - 44 "393.729.5118.960.123.336.332.956.935.8
45 - 49 "358.528.799.257.121.835.231.851.433.3
50 - 54 "316.027.082.049.019.732.229.346.430.4
55 - 59 "292.725.275.743.118.230.427.843.828.4
60 - 64 "258.923.166.735.815.927.724.238.826.7
65 - 69 "224.220.655.930.313.724.721.434.023.7
70 - 74 "190.817.847.225.311.421.318.429.420.0
75 - 79 "134.112.534.017.27.715.013.220.514.0
80 - 84 "89.88.224.110.55.29.98.613.89.5
85 years and over81.27.722.19.34.18.97.512.29.4
Total persons4,977.4407.91,417.7733.5304.0488.3439.6716.7469.8
 
Males
0 - 4 years158.212.944.524.811.014.813.622.014.7
5 - 9 "176.315.145.729.111.916.915.924.916.8
10 - 14 "179.415.844.329.912.317.816.725.517.1
15 - 19 "164.714.343.926.610.416.215.123.115.1
20 - 24 "156.012.747.322.58.915.513.322.013.8
25 - 29 "147.410.252.618.97.813.211.320.512.9
30 - 34 "157.511.057.520.58.613.511.921.313.1
35 - 39 "186.413.561.226.810.916.814.626.316.2
40 - 44 "193.814.758.929.111.518.216.127.917.4
45 - 49 "177.714.148.828.410.917.715.725.716.3
50 - 54 "157.413.539.924.610.016.214.623.215.2
55 - 59 "144.112.536.221.69.115.213.721.814.1
60 - 64 "128.011.531.817.98.114.012.219.413.2
65 - 69 "111.010.426.615.07.012.510.816.811.9
70 - 74 "93.58.922.012.55.710.59.114.510.2
75 - 79 "64.06.215.48.43.87.26.49.76.9
80 - 84 "40.13.910.24.82.34.53.96.14.5
85 years and over30.23.07.93.41.73.32.84.43.6
Total males2,465.6204.2694.8364.8152.0244.1217.6355.2232.9
 
Females
0 - 4 years151.312.442.823.510.214.013.221.313.9
5 - 9 "167.814.043.727.711.416.215.224.215.5
10 - 14 "170.614.842.028.711.516.916.024.715.9
15 - 19 "159.313.243.824.710.115.914.721.615.2
20 - 24 "151.211.947.120.98.814.913.120.813.8
25 - 29 "144.89.752.018.77.812.611.220.212.5
30 - 34 "166.511.559.722.69.413.812.822.614.0
35 - 39 "200.114.463.829.711.817.716.128.418.1
40 - 44 "199.914.959.931.111.718.116.829.018.4
45 - 49 "180.814.650.428.810.917.516.025.716.9
50 - 54 "158.713.542.124.49.716.014.723.215.2
55 - 59 "148.612.839.521.69.115.214.122.014.4
60 - 64 "130.911.634.917.97.813.712.019.413.6
65 - 69 "113.310.229.315.26.712.210.617.211.8
70 - 74 "97.48.825.112.85.710.89.314.99.8
75 - 79 "70.16.218.68.84.07.86.910.87.1
80 - 84 "49.64.413.95.72.85.44.77.75.1
85 years and over51.04.714.15.92.45.64.67.85.9
Total females2,511.9203.7722.9368.7151.9244.2222.0361.5236.9
1 Preliminary.
Please note that data at Single Year of Age level in available on table PEA11 of the CSO statbank service.
Table 9 Estimated Population classified by Sex and Nationality, 2014 - 2020
Year ending April / NationalityPopulation
201420152016 12017 22018 22019 22020 2
  '000
Persons
Irish4,117.64,152.94,189.14,225.94,263.54,298.84,333.0
UK 3107.1105.7105.7107.7110.8114.5116.9
EU14 excl. IRL456.960.364.969.073.781.885.8
EU15 to EU275242.8247.8249.4250.3255.0257.7258.2
Rest of world121.0121.1130.4139.6154.1168.7183.5
Total persons4,645.44,687.84,739.64,792.54,857.04,921.54,977.4
 
Males
Irish2,036.02,052.12,071.42,089.72,109.02,126.22,142.9
UK 354.153.654.255.357.359.760.6
EU14 excl. IRL427.628.431.333.035.339.341.4
EU15 to EU275121.5123.5123.5124.0125.6126.8126.9
Rest of world59.860.166.170.078.686.093.8
Total males2,299.02,317.72,346.52,372.12,405.82,438.02,465.6
 
Females
Irish2,081.62,100.82,117.72,136.12,154.52,172.72,190.2
UK 353.052.251.652.453.554.856.3
EU14 excl. IRL429.331.933.535.938.442.544.4
EU15 to EU275121.3124.2125.9126.3129.4130.9131.3
Rest of world61.261.064.469.675.582.689.7
Total females2,346.42,370.12,393.12,420.42,451.32,483.52,511.9
1 Census of Population 2016.
2 Preliminary.
3 In light of the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the European Union with effect from 1 February 2020,
the EU labeling has been updated, the groupings are comparable with those published in estimates releases pre-2020.
4 Rest of EU14 excl. IRL: countries before enlargement on 1 May 2004, (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Portugal).
5 EU15 to 27: 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 the end of April of each year. The migration flows are in respect of the twelve months to end April, while the births and deaths are for the 12 months ending Q1 of the reference year. The usually resident population classified by age and sex for 2016 are taken from the Census of Population.

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.

Migration Definitions

Immigration - means the action by which a person establishes his or her usual residence in the State for a period that is, or is expected to be, of at least 12 months, having previously been usually resident in another Member State or a third country.

Emigration - means the action by which a person, having previously been usually resident in the State, ceases to have his or her usual residence in the State for a period that is, or is expected to be, of at least 12 months.

Principal source of Migration data 

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

The release also provides estimates of immigration and emigration by educational attainment (Table 5) and principal economic status (Table 6), based on responses in the LFS.  The principal economic status question refers to persons aged 15 years or over and is a self-perception question, i.e. people are classified according to how they perceive their situation.

As with all 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 a year (and to a lesser extent their educational attainment), for immigrants these two tables refer to their status in the quarter prior to the April of the year in question, while for emigrants it is their status in the period prior to departure.

Effect of COVID-19 on data collection from the Labour Force Survey (LFS)

The LFS usually consists of a household being interviewed face-to-face initially while the majority of follow up interviews are conducted over the telephone.  The CSO had to suspend direct face-to-face interviews for the LFS (and other household surveys) due to the social distancing measures introduced in Ireland because of COVID-19. The CSO interviewer now sends an introductory letter to the household before the first interview, to explain the purpose of the survey and to arrange a suitable time for a phone call to conduct the initial LFS interview.

While most of the data collection for Q1 2020 was conducted in the usual way using a combination of face-to-face and telephone interviews, the last few weeks of the quarter consisted of telephone interviews only. This means that the collection of data for the LFS in Q1 2020 was only minimally affected due to COVID-19. As the 2020 population and migration estimates cover the reference period May 2019 - April 2020, the impact of COVID-19 on the collection of the migration data for this years estimates were also limited in nature.

The Social Data Collection team in the CSO are actively engaged in mitigating against the impact of COVID-19 on LFS response rates and the CSO’s Methodology Division are providing guidance in relation to the weighting, calibration, non-response adjustment and other relevant methodology required for the LFS due to COVID-19.

Other sources of migration data

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.  Typically between 50% - 65% of non-Irish nationals issued with a  PPSN in a given year, remain active the following year.

PPSN's issued to non-Irish nationals
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total
2018 10,217 9,592 8,743 9,970 10,424 9,851 11,092 11,254 11,387 12,332 10.982 7.203 123,047 
2019 10,212 10,210 10,357 9,687 10,557 8,750 11,273 9,858 11,972 12,122 12,339 8,427  125,764 
2020 10,050 10,130 6,186 2,887                  

Stocks of residence permits issued to 3rd country nationals are also examined for coherence purposes (see table below).  Note that while residence permits are generally required for those aged 15 years and over, the population stock of 3rd country nationals in the estimates applies to all ages.

Residence permits issued to 3rd country nationals - required for persons aged 15 and over
  2016 2017 2018 2019
Total Stock 110,927 128,066 142,286 168,297

The number of visas issued to Irish nationals to a number of destinations including Australia, USA and Canada are compared with the emigration data collected by the LFS.  In addition, data on National Insurance numbers (equivalent to PPS numbers) issued to Irish nationals in the UK is also examined.

Calculation of annual population estimates

The annual population estimates for April are calculated by trending forwards the previous Census of Population data. For example, the base population data for estimating the April 2017 figure was the number of males and females in each region by single year of age and nationality as established by the 2016 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 2017 figures.

The end result of this overall process provided the population estimate for April 2017 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 LFS. Allowance is also made for the non-Irish nationals who acquire citizenship certificates over the period in question. The number of births by nationality is estimated using the distribution of the nationality of births as recorded in the 2016 Census, while deaths by nationality are also estimated based on recent census results using the nationality distribution of the population by five year age groups.

Natural Increase 

The General Registration Office (GRO) supplies registered data for births and deaths and the latest available births and deaths are added to the population file quarterly.

Internal migration

By examining a person's usual residence at the time of a census and one year previously it is possible to determine inter-regional migration patterns. Following each Census a new internal migration matrix is produced and used to measure inter-censal internal migration. Internal migration for the year to April 2020 takes account of the Census 2016 results.

Census 2016 - Inter-regional internal migration flows
  Border Dublin Mid-East Midland Mid-West South-East South-West West State
Inwards 4,207 14,330 12,148 4,796 5,094 5,355 5,501 5,736 57,167
Outwards 3,691 18,716 10,282 4,052 5,185 4,344 5,470 5,427 57,167
Net Flow 516 -4,386 1,866 744 -91 1,011  31 309 0

 Nationality

All persons with Irish nationality or citizenship are classified under the category "Irish" in table 9 (Estimated population classified by sex and nationality).

The Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service provide annual data for persons who acquire Irish citizenship. The availability of the citizenship data for year N is N+2 and so estimates for 2018 and subsequent years will be achieved by trending forward the rates noted for the most recent year available.  Therefore, for the purpose of the 2020 release the 2018 distribution of citizenship acquisitions was applied.

 Citizenship Certificates issued
  2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
UK 85 55 51 54 98 529 687
Rest of EU 14 75 91 149 145 170  169  202
EU 15 to 27 1,265 1,615 2,725 2,921 3,058  3,022  3,024
Rest of World 23,685 22,482 18,177 10,443 6,712  4,474  4,310
Total 25,110 24,243 21,102 13,563 10,038  8,196  8,223

 

NUTS2 and NUTS3 Regions

The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) were created by Eurostat in order to define territorial units for the production of regional statistics across the European Union. In 2003 the NUTS classification was established within a legal framework (Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003).

As the administrative territorial breakdown of EU Member States is the basis of the NUTS classification, changes made under the 2014 Local Government Act prompted a revision to the Irish NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 Regions. These changes included the amalgamation of the local authorities of Tipperary North and South, Limerick City and County Councils and Waterford City and County Councils. In addition three Regional Assemblies were established (Northern & Western, Southern, Eastern & Midland).

The main changes at NUTS 3 level are the transfer of South Tipperary from the South-East into the Mid-West NUTS 3 region and the movement of Louth from the Border to the Mid-East NUTS 3 Region. There are now three NUTS 2 Regions which correspond to the Regional Assemblies established in the 2014 Local Government Act and are groupings of the new NUTS 3 Regions. The revisions made to the NUTS boundaries have been given legal status under Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/2066. The new NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 structure and classification are displayed in the table below:

NUTS2 Code
NUTS 2 Name
NUTS3 Code
NUTS 3 Name
 County 
IE04
Northern & Western
IE041
Border
Donegal
Sligo
Leitrim
Cavan
Monaghan
IE042
West
Galway
Mayo
Roscommon
IE05
Southern
IE051
Mid-West
Clare
Tipperary
Limerick
IE052
South-East
Waterford
Kilkenny
Carlow
Wexford
IE053
South-West
Cork
Kerry
IE06
Eastern & Midland 
IE061
Dublin
Dublin
IE062
Mid-East
Wicklow
Kildare
Meath
Louth
IE063
Midlands
Longford
Westmeath
Offaly
Laois

 

 

 

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