Population rises by almost 100k boosted by immigrants and returning Irish

When it came to Irish people departing for pastures new abroad, the CSO said the 12-month period to April this year saw one of the highest tranches in recent years. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The largest yearly population rise in 15 years took place earlier this year, propelled by a 16-year high of immigrants including returning Irish, latest data show.

According to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), in the 12 months to the end of April this year, Ireland's population rose by 97,600, which was the largest 12-month increase since 2008.

The CSO said that a 16-year high of immigrants saw 141,600 come to the country, including 29,600 returning Irish citizens, 26,100 EU citizens, and 4,800 UK citizens.

It was the second successive 12-month period where over 100,000 people immigrated to Ireland, the body added.

When it came to Irish people departing for pastures new abroad, the CSO said the 12-month period to April this year saw one of the highest tranches in recent years.

Although not a new social phenomenon, compelling anecdotal evidence has shown younger people as well as professionals such as in healthcare and education depart Ireland, saying they are being priced out of home ownership and high rents, as well as stunted wages.

The CSO said that more than 64,000 people departed the Republic in the 12 months to April 2023, compared with 56,100 in the same period of 2022.

Of the 64,000 emigrants that departed the State in the year to April 2023, 30,500 were Irish citizens.

The net migration figure for Irish citizens for the 12 months to April 2023 indicates that 900 more Irish citizens departed Ireland than returning Irish citizens. The immigration figure for Irish citizens was 29,600 with 30,500 emigrants.

There were far more births in the 12-month period than deaths, the data shows.

The net migration figure for Irish citizens for the 12 months to April 2023 indicates that 900 more Irish citizens departed Ireland than returning Irish citizens. The immigration figure for Irish citizens was 29,600 with 30,500 emigrants.

There was a natural increase of 20,000 people in the State comprised of 55,500 births and 35,500 deaths, according to the CSO.

Statistician in population estimates and projections, Cathal Doherty, said Ireland's population was estimated to be 5.28 million, rising by 97,600 people in the year to April 2023. 

There was a natural increase of 20,000 people in the State comprised of 55,500 births and 35,500 deaths, according to the CSO

"This was the largest 12-month population increase since 2008 when the population rose by 109,200.

"The number of immigrants, or those entering the State in the year to April 2023 was estimated to be 141,600, while the number of emigrants, or those leaving the State, over the same period was estimated at 64,000. 

"These combined flows gave positive net migration - more people having arrived than left - of 77,600 in the year to April 2023, compared with 51,700 in the previous year," he said.

The number of immigrants in the 12 months to April 2023 was the highest since the year to April 2007, Mr Doherty added.

As well as the 29,600 returning Irish citizens, 26,100 other EU citizens, 4,800 UK citizens, there were 81,100 other citizens including Ukrainians, he said.

When it comes to returning Irish people, the number rose to 29,600 in the year to April 2023, from 23,500 the previous year, an increase of 26%.

There are now 806,300 people aged 65 and over as of April, according to the data.

Mr Doherty said: "Those aged 65 and over showed an increase in population share between 2017 and 2023 - increasing from 13.6% to 15.3% of the total - a volume increase of 153,900 people."

The data also show that the proportion of the population living in Dublin has increased from 27.6% of the total in 2011 to 28.4% of the total in 2023.

It now stands at 1,501,500 people, according to Mr Doherty.