More than half of the country living in Leinster

MORE than half of the population is living in Leinster, new Census figures have revealed.

There are 2.1 million people living in the province, a 9.4% rise on the last Census in 1996.

There was also a growth in the numbers living in Westmeath, Wexford, Laois, Louth and Carlow. The counties closest to Dublin also grew considerably with the number of people in Kildare and Meath rising by 28,952 and 24,273 respectively.

The movement of people from Dublin has led to a 1.3% drop in the number living in the capital.

The number of people living in towns has also increased 24.1% of the population compared to 21.9% in 1996.

Two in three people live in urban areas compared to just one in three in 1926. In the last six years, 226,291 people moved to built-up areas.

The number of people living in Cork city fell by 3.2%, although the number living in the county rose by 10.7%.

There were also large increases in the population of Clare, Limerick, Cavan, Donegal. The population of Leitrim rose by 3% the first ever increase in the county.

The Census found the average age profile has risen since 1996. The average age now is 35 compared to 34 in 1996. More than 113,800 people aged 65 or more are living alone. There are 59,800 people aged 75 or older living on their own.