Ireland Population

Ireland once had the highest fertility in Western Europe, a legacy of its Catholic past, but the rate has since fallen to around or below the replacement level. A country long defined by emigration has become one of immigration, with newcomers now driving population growth. That reversal, from people leaving to people arriving, is the heart of its modern demographic story.

With roughly 5.3 million people as of 2026, Ireland ranks 125th in the world by population. Set in Northern Europe, its demographic path this century turns on the balance of births, deaths and migration. Population density stands at about 78 people for every square kilometre of land.

The defining marker in Ireland's future is its peak, expected around 2053 at about 6.0 million. After that the population eases back toward 5.3 million by 2100, having passed through 6.0 million at mid-century.

Fertility sits at about 1.60 births per woman, below the replacement level of roughly 2.1, so without migration the population would eventually shrink. Net inward migration adds to the population each year and partly offsets the low birth rate.

Half of Ireland is currently younger than about 39, but by 2100 the median age is projected to reach around 50, even as life expectancy improves from about 83 years. A rising median age means fewer working-age people supporting each retiree over time.

All of this is a projection, not a prediction. The further out it runs the wider the plausible range becomes, which is why Ireland's charts show a low-to-high band around the central line.