Ireland Population: How Many People Live in Ireland?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Ireland? The current Ireland population is 5 380 257 people in 2024. Ireland has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 2 828 600 people in 1960, the population has grown to 5 380 257 in 2023, representing a growth of 2 551 657 people (+90.2%).
The country reached its peak population of 5 380 257 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into Ireland's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Ireland (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Ireland's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Ireland.
📊 Ireland Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2 828 600 | |
| 1970 | 2 957 250 | +128 650 (+4.5%) |
| 1980 | 3 412 800 | +455 550 (+15.4%) |
| 1990 | 3 513 974 | +101 174 (+3.0%) |
| 2000 | 3 805 174 | +291 200 (+8.3%) |
| 2010 | 4 560 155 | +754 981 (+19.8%) |
| 2020 | 5 039 747 | +479 592 (+10.5%) |
| 2024 | 5 380 257 | +340 510 (+6.8%) |
This table presents Ireland's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Ireland without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Ireland (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2 828 600 | |
| 1961 | 2 824 400 | -4 200 |
| 1962 | 2 836 050 | +11 650 |
| 1963 | 2 852 650 | +16 600 |
| 1964 | 2 866 550 | +13 900 |
| 1965 | 2 877 300 | +10 750 |
| 1966 | 2 888 800 | +11 500 |
| 1967 | 2 902 450 | +13 650 |
| 1968 | 2 915 550 | +13 100 |
| 1969 | 2 932 650 | +17 100 |
| 1970 | 2 957 250 | +24 600 |
| 1971 | 2 992 050 | +34 800 |
| 1972 | 3 036 850 | +44 800 |
| 1973 | 3 085 950 | +49 100 |
| 1974 | 3 137 500 | +51 550 |
| 1975 | 3 189 550 | +52 050 |
| 1976 | 3 238 050 | +48 500 |
| 1977 | 3 282 200 | +44 150 |
| 1978 | 3 329 100 | +46 900 |
| 1979 | 3 373 750 | +44 650 |
| 1980 | 3 412 800 | +39 050 |
| 1981 | 3 453 000 | +40 200 |
| 1982 | 3 485 800 | +32 800 |
| 1983 | 3 510 600 | +24 800 |
| 1984 | 3 532 423 | +21 823 |
| 1985 | 3 538 082 | +5 659 |
| 1986 | 3 539 690 | +1 608 |
| 1987 | 3 540 057 | +367 |
| 1988 | 3 524 949 | -15 108 |
| 1989 | 3 511 009 | -13 940 |
| 1990 | 3 513 974 | +2 965 |
| 1991 | 3 534 235 | +20 261 |
| 1992 | 3 558 430 | +24 195 |
| 1993 | 3 576 261 | +17 831 |
| 1994 | 3 590 386 | +14 125 |
| 1995 | 3 608 841 | +18 455 |
| 1996 | 3 637 510 | +28 669 |
| 1997 | 3 674 171 | +36 661 |
| 1998 | 3 712 696 | +38 525 |
| 1999 | 3 754 786 | +42 090 |
| 2000 | 3 805 174 | +50 388 |
| 2001 | 3 866 243 | +61 069 |
| 2002 | 3 931 947 | +65 704 |
| 2003 | 3 996 521 | +64 574 |
| 2004 | 4 070 262 | +73 741 |
| 2005 | 4 159 914 | +89 652 |
| 2006 | 4 273 591 | +113 677 |
| 2007 | 4 398 942 | +125 351 |
| 2008 | 4 489 544 | +90 602 |
| 2009 | 4 535 375 | +45 831 |
| 2010 | 4 560 155 | +24 780 |
| 2011 | 4 580 084 | +19 929 |
| 2012 | 4 599 533 | +19 449 |
| 2013 | 4 623 816 | +24 283 |
| 2014 | 4 657 740 | +33 924 |
| 2015 | 4 701 957 | +44 217 |
| 2016 | 4 762 722 | +60 765 |
| 2017 | 4 827 445 | +64 723 |
| 2018 | 4 898 022 | +70 577 |
| 2019 | 4 976 456 | +78 434 |
| 2020 | 5 039 747 | +63 291 |
| 2021 | 5 110 585 | +70 838 |
| 2022 | 5 212 836 | +102 251 |
| 2023 | 5 307 600 | +94 764 |
| 2024 | 5 380 257 | +72 657 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Ireland from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Ireland Population
What is the current population of Ireland?
The population of Ireland is estimated to be approximately 5 380 257 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Ireland growing?
Ireland has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 1.01% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 2 551 657 people (+90.2%) over this 64-year period.
How does Ireland's population compare to other countries?
Ireland ranks #166 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 5 380 257 people, Ireland accounts for approximately 0.01% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Ireland changed over time?
Over the past decades, Ireland's population has increased from 2 828 600 people in 1960 to 5 380 257 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 5 380 257 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of Ireland?
Ireland achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 2 828 600 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 5 380 257 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 5 380 257 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 2 824 400 in 1961.
What factors influence population growth in Ireland?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Ireland include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Ireland?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Ireland from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.