Press Statement

Preasráiteas

25 June 2019

The Dublin and Mid-East regions are projected to show the strongest population growth to 2036

Go to release: Regional Population Projections 2017 - 2036

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (25 June 2019) released the Regional Population Projections 2017-2036 report.  Commenting on the report, CSO Statistician James Hegarty said: “With international migration into Ireland of 20,000 persons per annum and internal migration inflows to Dublin from the other regions, the population of Dublin is expected to increase by 31.9%, from 1.34 million in 2016 to 1.76 million persons by 2036, representing 31.6% of the State total.  With the same level of international migration into Ireland, but this time accompanied by population movement from Dublin to other regions, the population of Dublin is expected to increase by just 11.6% to 1.49 million persons by 2036.  In this scenario, the Mid-East region is projected to show the strongest population gains, increasing by 35.6% from 690,900 persons in 2016 to 937,100 persons by 2036.”

The report presents six regional population projection results for each year from 2017 to 2036. The scenarios are consistent with those used in the national population and labour force projections, published in June 2018.  Mr. Hegarty explained: “This publication is not an attempt to predict the future but rather presents how the population could evolve under six different scenarios. By making assumptions about future trends in mortality, fertility, internal and international migration we can project the population forward and examine the possible outcomes for demographic groups such as the school-going population, the working-age population and the elderly.”

Mr. Hegarty concluded: “The CSO were assisted in this work by an Expert Group consisting of representatives of government departments, as well as universities and other relevant bodies, and we would like to put on record our appreciation for their time on this work."

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