Ireland’s Population Reaches 5.53 Million as Older Age Groups Grow

Ireland’s population rose to an estimated 5.526 million in the year to April 2026, with new figures showing a growing share of older people and a decline in the number of children.

The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the population increased by 66,900 people over the 12-month period. The growth came despite a slowdown in both immigration and net migration compared with the previous year.

An estimated 110,600 people moved to Ireland in the year to April, down 12% from the same period in 2025. Despite the decline, it was the fifth consecutive year in which more than 100,000 people immigrated to the State.

Emigration also fell for the second year in succession. The CSO estimated that 62,500 people left Ireland during the period, a decrease of 3,100, or 5%, compared with the previous year.

The difference between immigration and emigration resulted in net migration of 48,100 people. That was down from 59,700 in the previous 12-month period, representing a decline of 19%.

The figures also point to a continuing shift in Ireland’s age structure.

There were an estimated 891,100 people aged 65 and over living in the State in April. The proportion of the population in this age group has increased steadily, rising from 14.4% in 2020 to 16.1% in 2026.

That represents an increase of about 165,000 people aged 65 and over during the six-year period.

At the other end of the age scale, the number of children aged under 14 has fallen. The CSO estimated that 992,400 people in this age group were living in Ireland in April.

It was the first time since 2014 that the population aged under 14 had fallen below one million.

Children under 14 accounted for 18% of the population in 2026, compared with 20% in 2020. The number in this age group declined by 21,300 over the period.

The latest data also show that Dublin continues to account for a growing share of the national population. The capital was home to an estimated 1.598 million people in April, representing 28.9% of the total population.

That compares with 28.3% in 2020.

The figures highlight major demographic changes taking place across Ireland, including continued population growth, lower migration than in previous years and a gradual shift towards an older population.

The fall in the number of children alongside the increase in older residents could have implications for housing, healthcare, education and public services as Ireland’s population continues to change.