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Census

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This chapter contains a representative selection of tables on the population of the State. The figures are taken from Censuses of Population carried out since 1841. The tables selected give an insight into the historical evolution of the population, the factors affecting population change, the distribution of the population by geographic area and by the main demographic characteristics, ie age, sex and marital status. The importance of migration in Irish population dynamics is underscored by the selection of tables dealing with usually resident population by place of birth and nationality. Detailed figures for intercensal years are taken from the annual series of population and migration estimates. 

The first major census, using a household form, was the so-called Great Census of 1841. Censuses were subsequently taken at ten-year intervals up to 1911. The first census following the formation of the State was undertaken in 1926. This was followed by censuses in 1936 and 1946. Commencing with 1951, censuses have been taken every five years. The census planned for 1976 was cancelled at a late stage as a Government economy measure. However, the need for up-to-date population figures resulted in a census being specially undertaken in 1979 with a restricted number of questions. This was followed by a full census in 1981, and a resumption of the five-year interval for census taking. This five-year periodicity was broken in 2001 when the census planned for that year was postponed until April 2002 due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The most recent census was taken on 10 April 2011.

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LeinsterMunsterConnachtUlster (part of)
18411973.7312396.1611418.859740.048
18511672.7381857.7361010.031571.052
18611457.6351513.558913.135517.783
18711339.4511393.485846.213474.038
18811278.9891331.115821.657438.259
18911187.761172.402724.774383.758
19011152.8291076.188646.932345.874
19111162.0441035.495610.984331.165
19261149.092969.902552.907300.091
19361220.411942.272525.468280.269
19461281.117917.306492.797263.887
19511336.576898.87471.895253.252
19561338.942877.238446.221235.863
19611332.149849.203419.465217.524
19661414.415859.334401.95208.303
19711498.14882.002390.902207.204
19791743.861979.819418.5226.037
19811790.521998.315424.41230.159
19861852.6491020.577431.409236.008
19911860.9491009.533423.031232.206
19961924.7021033.903433.231234.251
20022105.5791100.614464.296246.714
20062295.1231173.34504.121267.264
20112504.81246.1542.5294.8
2.1 Population by province

Interactive table: StatBank link

 

The population of the area comprising the Republic of Ireland was over 6.5 million as measured by the 1841 Census of Population.  The deaths which resulted from the famine of 1845/49 and the large scale emigration which followed in its wake and which continued throughout the second half of the 19th century culminated in a halving of the population by 1901.  Further population declines followed between 1901 and 1926, albeit at a lower level than previously. The population stabilised at around 2.9 million for over a quarter of a century before reaching its low point of 2.8 million as determined by the 1961 Census.  Apart from the decline experienced in the late 1980's the direction of population change has since been positive.

With 36.7%, Munster had the largest population share in 1841, followed by Leinster with 30.2%.  Leinster's share gradually began to increase and surpassed that of Munster by 1891.  Its share continued to increase further and by 1971 it accounted for over half of the population of the State and currently stands at 54.6%. Munster's share of the total population has declined from 36.7% in 1841 to 27.1% in 2011.  The decline in the share of Connacht and Ulster (part of) has been even more acute, the 2011 levels being 11.8% and 6.4% respectively according to the 2011 Census results. 

2.2 Average annual births, deaths, natural increase and estimated net migration for each intercensal period
     Thousands
PeriodTotal birthsTotal deathsNatural increaseChange in populationEstimated net migration
1926-19365842160-17
1936-1946604317-1-19
1946-19516640261-24
1951-1956633627-12-39
1956-1961613426-16-42
1961-196663332913-16
1966-197163333019-11
1971-19796933354914
1979-198173334038-3
1981-198667333419-14
1986-1991563224-3-27
1991-1996503118202
1996-20025431234926
2002-20066128338148
2006-20117328457025
Source: CSO     

Interactive table: StatBank link

The census figures relate to the number of persons present in the State on census night.  The change in population between successive censuses reflects the effect of births and deaths and the movement of persons into and out of the State during the relevant period.  As the number of births and deaths is known from the vital statistics registration system, it is possible to determine net migration (the difference between inward and outward migration) as a residual figure.  Because of differing lengths, it is best to express the figure for intercensal periods as annual averages.

In the period from 1926 to 1951, gains due to natural increase were counterbalanced by losses due to net emigration, resulting in little change to the overall population totals.  The heavy losses due to high net emigration during the 1950's resulted in an average annual fall in population of around 14,000 during that decade and culminated in the population low point of 2.8 million in 1961.  The population has increased in every intercensal year since then, apart from 1986-1991 when a fairly modest decline was experienced.  Population growth peaked at 81,000 per annum during the 2002-2006 period.  The most recent intercensal period (2006-2011) shows the highest natural increase at 45,000 persons per annum, with 73,000 births and 28,000 deaths.

2.3 Estimated annual population classified by sex and age group
       Thousands
All Persons 
Age Group 2008200920102011201220132014
0-4 Years324.0335.2347.0356.0364.6365.7362.6
5-9 Years306.2310.7314.6319.6324.8333.1341.9
10-14 Years283.1290.5296.1301.0305.4308.9311.4
15-19 Years295.6294.3289.4281.0275.7274.5279.1
20-24 Years373.6354.4326.3298.6277.7258.8244.3
25-29 Years408.3400.6381.6362.9341.2320.0305.0
30-34 Years369.5374.5381.2393.4392.3387.5378.1
35-39 Years348.6356.3359.7363.1364.3363.8366.6
40-44 Years313.6316.7321.8329.3335.7342.8348.1
45-49 Years288.5295.6300.9304.1308.1312.1314.9
50-54 Years258.0262.3267.4273.7278.2283.1289.6
55-59 Years232.6235.7239.6243.4248.0251.1255.3
60-64 Years199.8207.7214.0217.1220.0223.6226.4
65-69 Years149.8156.6163.5172.1181.5189.4196.3
70-74 Years121.7124.6127.9130.1132.7138.2143.3
75-79 Years94.596.899.1101.4103.6105.8108.3
80-84 Years65.966.968.469.871.072.674.9
85 Years and over51.954.056.158.260.562.163.8
Total4,485.14,533.44,554.84,574.94,585.44,593.14,609.6
       
Males       
Age Group 2008200920102011201220132014
0-4 Years165.9171.4177.6182.0186.0186.3184.6
5-9 Years156.3158.5160.8163.5166.1169.9174.4
10-14 Years145.3149.2152.1154.5156.4157.7159.0
15-19 Years149.6150.3147.7143.7141.3141.3144.0
20-24 Years186.5173.5160.1148.6138.6131.9124.7
25-29 Years204.7198.4186.1175.1163.5154.1146.2
30-34 Years186.9188.1189.8194.9191.3187.1181.2
35-39 Years177.6180.3181.0181.9181.5180.4180.6
40-44 Years157.5159.5162.2165.9168.5171.6173.6
45-49 Years144.5147.9149.8151.3153.1155.5157.5
50-54 Years129.5131.6133.7136.7138.2140.6143.5
55-59 Years117.3118.7120.3121.8123.6124.8126.9
60-64 Years101.0104.9107.6109.2110.0111.3112.5
65-69 Years74.478.081.585.690.694.697.9
70-74 Years58.159.861.862.964.467.270.0
75-79 Years42.443.945.146.347.648.850.2
80-84 Years25.326.327.328.329.430.632.0
85 Years and over15.916.817.718.419.420.121.0
Total2,238.62,257.32,262.22,270.52,269.62,273.82,279.7
Females       
Age Group 2008200920102011201220132014
0-4 Years158.1163.8169.4174.1178.6179.4177.9
5-9 Years150.0152.2153.8156.2158.7163.2167.4
10-14 Years137.9141.2144.0146.6149.0151.1152.4
15-19 Years146.0143.9141.7137.4134.4133.2135.1
20-24 Years187.1180.9166.2149.9139.2126.9119.6
25-29 Years203.6202.1195.6187.8177.7165.9158.8
30-34 Years182.6186.4191.4198.5201.0200.4196.9
35-39 Years171.0176.0178.7181.2182.9183.4186.0
40-44 Years156.1157.3159.6163.4167.1171.1174.4
45-49 Years143.9147.7151.1152.9155.0156.6157.4
50-54 Years128.5130.7133.7137.1140.0142.5146.1
55-59 Years115.3117.0119.3121.6124.3126.3128.4
60-64 Years98.8102.8106.4107.9109.9112.3113.9
65-69 Years75.478.682.086.590.994.998.4
70-74 Years63.664.866.267.268.371.073.4
75-79 Years52.152.954.055.055.957.058.1
80-84 Years40.540.641.041.541.642.042.9
85 Years and over36.037.238.539.841.141.942.8
Total2,246.52,276.12,292.62,304.42,315.82,319.32,329.9
Source: CSO       

Interative table: StatBank link

 

The estimated average age of the population continued to increase and stood at 36.8 in April 2014 compared with 35.5 in 2008, a gain of 1.3 years.  Since 1996, when it was 34.1, the average age has increased by just over two and a half years.

Looking at the above table, a comparison of the population structure for 2008 and 2014 shows that in 2014 the number of people in Ireland has increased across all ages, except in the 15-29 age group which shows a decrease.  This is due to the decline in births in the late 1980's and early 1990's combined with the effects of emigration, particularly on those in their mid-twenties.

People are living longer as can be seen in the changes in the estimated population aged over 65 in 2014, which shows an increase of 21.3% since 2008.  This is especially evident in the male population aged over 65 which is estimated to have increased by 25.4% compared with 17.9% for women. 

Overall it is estimated that there were 50,200 more females than males in the State in April 2014 resulting in an overall sex ratio of 97.8 males for every 100 females. 

The population estimates for the years 2012 to 2014 are subject to revision once the definitive results of the next census become available.

2.4 Persons usually resident in the State on census night, by place of birth and age group, 2011
       
 All ages0 - 14 years15 - 24 years25 - 44 years45 - 64 years65 years and over
Ireland3,758,511880,170461,0961,048,018876,839492,388
Ireland - county of usual residence2,825,408731,189367,727736,424632,325357,743
Ireland - county other than county of usual residence933,103148,98193,369311,594244,514134,645
All countries excluding Ireland766,77093,822104,375381,957150,29336,323
EU 555,59461,77571,901270,629119,87531,414
Northern Ireland58,4707,8084,84019,97217,2358,615
England and Wales212,28622,04530,25074,53168,11617,344
Scotland17,8711,2501,3836,6676,2302,341
Austria708919634312652
Belgium1,47925723762127490
Bulgaria1,7831312111,13629114
Cyprus2603730948217
Czech Republic5,4944707243,71153257
Denmark8858114844215856
Estonia2,4792243771,56330312
Finland8736011355312621
France10,0708711,8866,0091,131173
Germany12,9801,2471,7656,0702,8811,017
Greece57549823537615
Hungary7,4137057415,33857752
Italy7,1464995944,849920284
Latvia19,9892,6433,45011,1302,66997
Lithuania34,8474,6115,65820,3814,075122
Luxembourg14146493583
Malta336342312212334
Netherlands4,4995656061,6671,255406
Poland115,19314,17212,41679,1259,218262
Portugal2,2463072271,41626432
Romania17,9951,7553,37911,1911,58090
Slovakia10,6958691,4577,45088435
Slovenia1901322123284
Spain7,0038008014,794492116
Sweden1,68813533694322153
Other Europe 22,4273,2952,68012,5683,511373
Russian Federation5,9361,6405802,6081,04266
Ukraine4,1234013992,66463425
Moldova, Republic of3,4213204862,2213877
Other Europe 8,9479341,2155,0751,448275
Africa 54,4197,2028,25030,4097,801757
South Africa8,1169701,3273,9741,518327
Nigeria19,7803,2482,71211,2952,46857
Mauritius2,9191725981,90821823
Zimbabwe2,7903504351,41252568
Congo2,2763044941,17728318
Other Africa 18,5382,1582,68410,6432,789264
Asia 79,02111,17210,84346,1449,7211,141
China11,4586042,3047,76369493
India17,8562,9691,09611,9181,500373
Philippines13,8332,2191,2517,7902,51756
Pakistan8,3291,0261,1355,0031,09471
Malaysia3,7822428372,09453970
Bangladesh2,9202543512,1091988
Hong Kong1,7058125156574167
Other Asian countries 19,1383,7773,6188,9022,438403
America 47,1168,8489,23518,4498,1862,398
United States27,7266,9695,3977,5185,8272,015
Brazil9,2986902,2325,78155936
Canada4,8094178882,3111,010183
Other America 5,2837727182,839790164
Australia5,9641,2151,2652,544777163
New Zealand2,0522991761,10539874
Other Oceanic countries 1771625109243
All countries4,525,281973,992565,4711,429,9751,027,132528,711
Source: CSO      

Interactive table: StatBank link

 

According to the 2011 Census, 83% of persons usually resident in the State were born there.  Of these just over three out of four live in the county in which they were born.  Just 58,470 Northern Ireland-born persons were usual residents of the State in 2011.  The groups that showed the largest increase were those already well established in Ireland.  The fastest growing groups were Romanians (up 110%), Indians (up 91%), Polish (up 83%), Latvians (up 43%) and Lithuanians (up 40%).

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This map is © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. License number 01/05/001.
2.5 Persons usually resident in the State on Census night, by nationality and age group, 2011

Interactive table: StatBank link

 

Between  2006 and 2011 the number of non-Irish nationals increased by 124,624 persons, or 29.7%, from 419,733 to 544,357.

A small number of groups accounted for the majority of the increase.  Polish nationals increased by 93.7% from 63,276 to 122,585, accounting for almost half of the total increase among this group, and overtaking UK nationals as the largest non-Irish group living in Ireland.

Other groups that showed large increases were Latvians (up 7,274, 54.6%), Lithuanians (up 12,055, 48.9%), Romanians (up 9,608, 124.8%), Brazilians (up 4,316, 98.4%) and Indians (up 8,526, 100.8%).

In the twelve months leading up to census night in 2011, 53,267 persons immigrated into the State.  Of these, 36.8% were Irish born.  In terms of non-nationals, 4,549 UK and 3,825 Polish were the leading immigrant groups.

2.6 Occupied and vacant permanent housing units by area, classified by occupancy status on census night
 Occupied by usual resident(s) of the householdOccupied by visitors onlyUnoccupied - residents temporarily absentUnoccupied - vacant houseUnoccupied - vacant flatUnoccupied - vacant holiday homeTotal housing stockVacancy rate %
 ABCDEFG=A+B+C+D+E+F(D+E+F)/G
Leinster895,1494,66624,42958,40136,70211,5551,030,90210
Carlow19,3651424562,28763228323,16514
Dublin466,4612,98214,51517,59725,333777527,6658
Dublin City207,8472,0737,1207,99516,321322241,67810
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown75,7865652,9292,7463,75012085,8968
Fingal92,9511992,4394,0702,823311102,7937
South Dublin89,8771452,0272,7862,4392497,2985
Kildare70,5042731,7064,4321,69118878,7948
Kilkenny33,583987003,56965440139,00512
Laois27,916755863,27766114932,66413
Longford14,410502883,20255631718,82322
Louth43,8971638944,2071,40661951,18612
Meath61,9221631,4394,3111,56529769,6979
Offaly26,543875002,85854421830,75012
Westmeath30,6242668483,4801,14130036,65913
Wexford52,3452351,2345,8401,5746,91568,14321
Wicklow47,5791321,2633,3419451,09154,35110
Munster453,1123,43812,09754,95814,12023,807561,53217
Clare42,5342861,0145,9361,2364,61055,61621
Cork187,5551,2705,52120,1235,8647,342227,67515
Cork City47,1104781,8773,3422,7666055,63311
Cork County140,4457923,64416,7813,0987,282172,04216
Kerry53,0886651,2759,8601,6578,20274,74726
Limerick69,4217231,8987,1332,52845382,15612
Limerick City22,3002898191,4991,7641026,68112
Limerick County47,1214341,0795,63476444355,47512
North Tipperary25,6111095433,33950967930,79015
South Tipperary32,6641065973,80957143738,18413
Waterford42,2392791,2494,7581,7552,08452,36416
Waterford City18,1991456971,7871,4545922,34115
Waterford County24,0401345522,9713012,02530,02318
Connacht196,5301,8316,12835,9647,04112,232259,72621
Galway88,3419333,08212,2043,1603,457111,17717
Galway City27,6975511,6521,8871,68518333,65511
Galway County60,6443821,43010,3171,4753,27477,52219
Leitrim12,2281032713,4635731,49018,12831
Mayo47,9323721,25810,1941,5824,45465,79225
Roscommon23,6011095435,6306401,06231,58523
Sligo24,4283149744,4731,0861,76933,04422
Ulster (part of)104,6177682,62919,1043,76611,801142,68524
Cavan25,7201245905,3259521,00033,71122
Donegal57,7215791,62211,0482,31210,63683,91829
Monaghan21,176654172,73150216525,05614
State1,649,40810,70345,283168,42761,62959,3951,994,84515
Source: CSO        

Interactive table: StatBank link

 

In April 2011 there were 1,994,845 permanent dwellings or housing units in the State.  Of these, 1,649,408 were occupied by persons usually resident in the State, while 10,703 were occupied by guests or visitors.

There were 45,283 dwellings where all the occupants were temporarily absent on census night.  A total of 59,395 housing units were classified as vacant holiday homes.  The remaining 230,056 were vacant houses and apartments, of which 168,427 were vacant houses and 61,629 were vacant apartments.

The overall vacancy rate in 2011, including holiday homes was 14.5%.  If holiday homes are excluded from the housing stock the vacancy rate drops to 11.5%.

The figure of 1,994,845 permanent dwellings recorded in Census 2011 was an increase of 225,232 (12.7%) on the housing stock enumerated in 2006, and represents an average annual growth rate of 2.4% during the 2006 to 2011 intercensal period.

 

 

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