DUBLIN: The Republic of Ireland’s population is estimated at 5.01 million people, according to the Irish Central Statistics Office. It is the first time the population has surpassed five million since the 1851 census.
This is an increase of 2.19 million from the 1961 census. The number of people aged 65 and over has increased by 22,200 as of April 2021, according to CSO figures. There are 7,42,300 people aged 65 and over in the Republic. This is an increase of 17.9% over the previous five years.
Since 2016, there has been an increase of about 6% in the general population. There was also an 18% increase in the number of people over the age of 65.
The CSO said there has been an increase of 34,000 people in 12 months due to positive net migration and natural growth.
COVID-19 and population
Statistician James Hegarty said that the latest statistics reflect some of the demographic and social impacts of COVID-19. Mr Hegarty said migration was an important factor in population growth.
More than 30,000 Irish people returned to live in Ireland in 2021, while 22,000 Irish people moved abroad. “That’s only the third time since 2010 that more Irish have returned than left,” he said.
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