About the publication
This statistical release is the product of collaboration between the CSO and NISRA, bringing together findings from Census 2021 in Northern Ireland and Census 2022 in Ireland in a single comprehensive report.
It covers a wide range of topics including demographics, marital status, ethnicity, language, health, unpaid care, religion, employment, and commuting patterns across the island.
Key findings
- In 2022, the population of the island of Ireland stood at 7.1 million people, an increase of 26%, or 1.5 million people, over the 20 years since 2002.
- Between 2002 and 2022, the population in Ireland increased by 31% and by 13% in Northern Ireland.
- Ireland now accounts for 73% of the all-island population with 5.15 million residents, while Northern Ireland makes up 27% with 1.91 million people.
- Population density in Northern Ireland (141 people per km²) is almost twice that of Ireland (73 people per km²).
- The median age is 38 years in Ireland and 40 years in Northern Ireland, both below the EU average of 44 years.
- Northern Ireland had a higher proportion of people aged 65 years and over (18%) compared with Ireland (15%).
Access the publication
Read the full report: Ireland and Northern Ireland – A joint census publication 2021-2022
View the NISRA statistics press notice for this joint census publication.
Access the Census 2011 report
Read the full report: Census 2011 Ireland and Northern Ireland