Ireland's Net Migration Falls 19% to 48,100 as CSO Data Shows Population Reaches 5.5 Million
Ireland's net migration fell by 19% to 48,100 in the 12 months to April 2026, according to new Central Statistics Office data published on August 24th, as immigration dropped 12% to 110,600 and emigration also declined, with the country's total population reaching 5,525,600 — a milestone that reflects both the sustained attractiveness of Ireland as a destination and the beginning of a moderation in the extraordinary migration flows of recent years.
Background
Ireland's population trajectory over the past decade has been shaped by a complex interplay of economic recovery, the Ukraine war, and the country's position as a destination of choice for migrants from across the European Union and beyond. The period from 2022 to 2025 saw exceptionally high levels of net migration, driven in part by the arrival of Ukrainian refugees following Russia's invasion and by the continued attraction of Ireland's labour market for workers from EU member states and further afield. The CSO's latest figures suggest that this period of exceptional migration is beginning to moderate, though net migration remains historically high by Irish standards.
The population figure of 5,525,600 represents a milestone in Irish demographic history. For most of the 19th and 20th centuries, Ireland's population was defined by emigration and decline, with the Famine of the 1840s reducing the island's population by approximately 25% through death and emigration. The recovery of the population to its current level — which, on an all-island basis, is approaching the pre-Famine figure — is a remarkable demographic reversal that reflects the transformation of Ireland's economic and social circumstances over the past three decades.
The CSO data also reveals a significant demographic shift: for the first time since 2014, the number of people aged 0 to 14 has fallen below one million, reaching 992,400. This decline in the child population, combined with a rise in the number of people aged 65 and over to 891,100, signals the beginning of an ageing demographic transition that will have profound implications for public services, pension provision, and the labour market in the decades ahead.
Key Developments
The 19% decline in net migration — from 59,700 in the year to April 2025 to 48,100 in the year to April 2026 — was driven primarily by a 12% fall in immigration, which dropped from 125,300 to 110,600. This marks the fifth consecutive year in which immigration exceeded 100,000, though the downward trend in arrivals from outside the EU and UK continued, falling by 13% following a 27% decline in the 2024-2025 period. Emigration also declined for the second consecutive year, with 62,500 people leaving the State, down 5% from 65,600 in the previous year.
Among those leaving Ireland, 57% were Irish citizens, while 14% were citizens of other EU countries, 3% were UK citizens, and 26% were citizens of other countries. Australia remained a primary destination for Irish emigrants, though the number moving there decreased from 13,500 to 11,800, reflecting both the moderation of the post-pandemic emigration surge and the increasing attractiveness of Ireland's own labour market for those who might previously have sought opportunities abroad.
The overall population growth of 66,900 was attributed 72% to net migration and 28% to natural increase — the excess of births over deaths — with the natural increase rising slightly to 18,800. This balance between migration-driven and natural population growth is broadly consistent with the pattern of recent years, though the declining birth rate and ageing population suggest that natural increase will play a diminishing role in population growth over the coming decades.
Why It Matters
The moderation in net migration is significant for several reasons. It suggests that the extraordinary pressures on housing, public services, and infrastructure that accompanied the migration surge of 2022-2025 may begin to ease, though the cumulative impact of those years will take time to work through the system. The housing crisis, in particular, has been exacerbated by the rapid growth in population, and a sustained reduction in net migration — if it continues — would provide some relief to a market that has been under severe strain.
The demographic data also has implications for the political debate about immigration in Ireland, which has become increasingly contentious in recent years. The CSO figures provide an evidence base for a more nuanced discussion about the scale and composition of migration flows, moving beyond the often polarised rhetoric that has characterised public debate on the issue. Unlike Northern Ireland, where migration patterns are shaped by different economic and political factors, the Republic's migration trends are closely tied to its position within the EU single market and its role as a hub for multinational investment.
Local Impact
The demographic changes reflected in the CSO data have tangible implications for communities across Ireland. In Dublin, where the population has grown most rapidly, the pressure on schools, GP services, and public transport has been most acute. In regional cities including Cork, Galway, and Limerick, population growth has been more manageable but has still created challenges for housing and infrastructure. The decline in the child population below one million has implications for school planning, with the Department of Education expected to review its projections for school places in the coming years. Irish Rail and Bus Éireann have both noted the impact of population growth on demand for public transport services, and the moderation in migration may provide some breathing space for infrastructure planning.
What's Next
The CSO will publish its next population and migration estimates in August 2027, covering the year to April 2027. In the meantime, the data will inform Budget 2027 planning, with the Department of Finance and the Department of Housing both expected to use the figures in their assessments of housing demand and public service requirements. The government's housing targets, which are based on population projections, may be revised in light of the moderation in net migration, though housing advocates have cautioned against using the figures as a justification for reducing the pace of housing delivery.
