Quick facts
Ireland population overview
Ireland is the 26th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 5,334,280 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 129 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 52,276 births (9.8 per 1,000 people) and 37,340 deaths (7 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 32,006 people. The infant mortality rate is 2.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,828,600 in 1960 to 5,484,367 in 2025 — a change of +93.9%, or +1% per year on average. It peaked at 5,484,367 in 2025 and has declined 2.1% since.
Demographically, the median age is 39.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 82.9 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 18.1% of residents are under 15 and 16.2% are 65 or older (2025); 64.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Dublin. Ireland covers 70,280 km², giving a population density of about 76.4 people per km². GDP was $721.70B in 2025 — about $131,592 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Ireland population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 5,371,714 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 5,334,280 |
| World rank | #125 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #26 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.065% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.9% |
| Births per year est. | 52,276 |
| Deaths per year est. | 37,340 |
| Net migration per year est. | +32,006 |
| Birth rate | 9.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 2.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 39.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 82.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 64.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 70,280 km² |
| Population density | 76.4 per km² |
| Capital | Dublin |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $721.70B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $131,592 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Ireland population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 5,371,714 | – | – |
| 2025 | 5,484,367 | +88,577 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 5,395,790 | +84,252 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 5,311,538 | +98,702 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 5,212,836 | +102,251 | +2% |
| 2021 | 5,110,585 | +70,838 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 5,039,747 | +337,790 | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 4,701,957 | +141,802 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 4,560,155 | +400,241 | +1.9% |
| 2005 | 4,159,914 | +354,740 | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 3,805,174 | +196,333 | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 3,608,841 | +94,867 | +0.5% |
| 1990 | 3,513,974 | -24,108 | -0.1% |
| 1985 | 3,538,082 | +125,282 | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 3,412,800 | +223,250 | +1.4% |
| 1975 | 3,189,550 | +232,300 | +1.5% |
| 1970 | 2,957,250 | +79,950 | +0.5% |
| 1965 | 2,877,300 | +48,700 | +0.3% |
| 1960 | 2,828,600 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Ireland
Population over time
- From 2,828,600 in 1960 to 5,371,714 today — up 89.9%.
- Population peaked at 5,484,367 in 2025 and is down 2.1% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 83 years (2024), up 12.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10 births vs 6.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 3.5 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 18.1% of the population is under 15 and 16.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 11.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 32.57 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 47.69 Mt in 2006 — down 31.7% since.
- Per person: 6.04 t in 2024, vs 6.99 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,467.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 12.5% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 12.7% of final energy in 2021 (+10.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 11.5% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 6.7% to 11.5% since 1990 — roughly 3,391 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 64.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 44.9% in 1960 (+19.7 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1967.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 3.4% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 9,400 m³ in 2022, down 45.8% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $721.70B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 138.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $131,592 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.6% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 97.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 112.6 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Ireland in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Ireland in 2026?
As of October 2026, Ireland has an estimated population of 5,371,714. The United Nations estimated 5,334,280 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Ireland growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.9% per year — roughly 129 more people every day. Each year there are about 52,276 births and 37,340 deaths, with net migration of +32,006.
What is the population density of Ireland?
About 76.4 people per square kilometre: 5,371,714 people living on 70,280 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Ireland?
The median age is 39.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 82.9 years. 18.1% of the population is under 15 and 16.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Ireland rank by population?
Ireland is the 125th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 26th in Europe, with 0.065% of the global population.
How has the population of Ireland changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,828,600; by 2025 it had grown to 5,484,367 (+93.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Costa RicaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.