Dublin: The Irish government has announced that the next national census will be conducted on Sunday, May 9, 2027. The Cabinet approved the date following a proposal from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). For the first time in the history of the Irish census, respondents will have the option to complete their forms online, marking a major step in the digital transformation of the national data collection process.
While the online platform will be introduced, traditional paper forms will also remain available. This means people will be able to complete their census returns in the weeks leading up to Census Day, rather than filling them out on a single night, as was the norm in previous years.
The 2022 Census, delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recorded a population of 5,123,536, a 7.6% increase from 2016. It also marked the first time since 1851 that Ireland’s population surpassed five million.
Unlike earlier censuses, which counted individuals based on where they spent census night, the 2027 Census will count people where they usually live. According to the CSO, this change is expected to provide a more accurate picture of Ireland’s resident population.
The census has been conducted every five years since 1946, with the exception of the pandemic-related delay in 2021. The CSO ran an online pilot survey in late 2022 to test digital participation ahead of the nationwide rollout.
Eileen Murphy, Head of Census Digital Transformation at the CSO, confirmed that preparations for the 2027 Census are well underway. She said a comprehensive public awareness and communications campaign will be launched in the coming years to encourage participation and ensure that all households are well informed about the new process.
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