The Preliminary Census 2022 Results have been released from the CSO, and show that the population of The Republic of Ireland is now 5,123,536.
Highest population in a Census since 1841
- Population of 5.1 million on 03 April 2022 – an increase of 7.6% from Census 2016
- All counties show population growth since 2016
- Longford saw biggest percentage increase (+14.1%), followed by Meath (+12.9%)
- In the six years between Census 2016 and Census 2022, there was net inward migration of more than 190,000
- Housing stock increased to 2.1m (+6%)
- Vacant dwellings (excluding holiday homes) fell to 166,752 (-9%)
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (23 June 2022) released the Preliminary Results from Census 2022.
These preliminary results, published 12 weeks after Census night (Sunday 03 April 2022), are based on initial counts from more than 5,000 enumeration areas.
Population
Commenting on the release, Cormac Halpin, Senior Statistician in the Census Division, said “The Preliminary Results show a population of 5,123,536 on Census night. This is an increase of 7.6% since 2016. It is also the highest population recorded in a census since 1841.
There were 2,593,600 females and 2,529,936 males recorded, which is an increase of 7.7% and 7.5% respectively. The population increase of 361,671 was made up of a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 171,338 and estimated net inward migration (population change minus natural increase) of 190,333.
The counties recording the highest population growth were in Leinster. Longford grew by more than 14%, with Meath, Kildare, and Fingal, also growing strongly. In contrast to Census 2016, when three counties (Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal) had a fall in their population, the Preliminary Results show that the population of every county has increased since 2016. In Leinster, 10 of the 12 counties showed a higher percentage increase than the national average, with Offaly (+6.0%), and Kilkenny (+4.5%), being lower. In Munster, Waterford (+9.4%) had a higher percentage increase than that of the State overall. Both Leitrim (+9.5%) and Roscommon (+8.4%) showed a higher percentage increase than the national rate, while Cavan, Donegal, or Monaghan did not.”
Housing
Mr. Halpin stated that the Preliminary Results also provide initial figures on the country’s housing stock. “The Preliminary Results show that the total housing stock on 03 April 2022 was 2,124,590, an increase of 6.0% on the 2016 figure. There were 16,560 fewer vacant dwellings (-9.0%) in 2022 compared to 2016. This does not include holiday homes, of which there were 66,135, compared with 62,148 in 2016.
A dwelling being classified as vacant for census purposes does not necessarily imply that it is available for re-use. Census vacancy is essentially a point in time measure which may be different to other reported measures of vacancy which may focus more on longer term vacancy. A dwelling is classed as vacant by census enumerators if it is unoccupied for a short or long period around Census night. For example, it may be unoccupied because it is up for sale or rent, under renovation, or if the owner has passed away, or is in a nursing home. Dwellings under construction and derelict properties are also not included in the Census count of vacant dwellings.” See Editor’s Note below for more information
Mr. Halpin added: “The publication of these Preliminary Results, less than 12 weeks after Census night, is only possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of both our census field staff and the permanent census staff in Swords, as well as the continued support for the census from the public. The CSO would like to thank both the staff involved in the census for their hard work, and the public for their overwhelmingly positive response to and engagement with our national census. The results provide valuable initial insights into how our population and housing situation is changing and developing since Census 2016. We are busy working on the completed census forms and look forward to begin sharing the full set of detailed results from April next year.”
Editor’s Note:
- The census population figures relate to the de facto population which means everyone who was present in the State on the night of Sunday, 03 April 2022. The de facto population includes those who do not usually live in the State but were in the State on Census night. It excludes those who do usually live in the State but who were temporarily absent outside of the State on Census night. People who were present in the State were enumerated and are reported at the location where they spent Census night. This may not have been the location where they usually live.
- Census definition of a vacant dwelling: A dwelling is classed as vacant by census enumerators if it is unoccupied on Census night, is not used as a holiday home and is not usually inhabited by occupants who are temporarily absent at the time of census. A dwelling being classified as vacant for census purposes does not necessarily imply that it is available for re-use.
- The Census definition of a vacant dwelling is a point in time indicator taken on Census night as to whether the property was inhabited or not on Sunday 03 April 2022. Census vacancy should not be used as a measure of long-term vacancy nor compared directly with vacancy figures produced by other sources which may use different definitions or methodology. A dwelling could be classed as vacant if it is unoccupied because it is up for sale, under renovation, or because it is an uninhabited rental property. The Census vacancy definition has been used over several censuses which enables comparisons over time.
- Holiday homes are not part of the vacant dwellings count.
- Dwellings under construction and derelict properties are also not included in the count of vacant dwellings. Dwellings which are classified as under construction for the census are not yet habitable as they are missing one or more of items such as their roof, windows, or doors. Derelict dwellings are not habitable because they are run down, boarded up, or generally in a poor state of repair. Please see our FAQ on Vacant Dwellings for more information Vacant Dwellings FAQ.
- The CSO will publish the full set of Census 2022 results between April and December 2023. These will include themed publications on topics such as housing and commuting. Further details of the various releases will be published on the CSO website later this year.
- Work has commenced on preparations for our next census, which will be held in 2027. This will include an online response option for the first time which will be partially funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)
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