Ireland's population was just over five million in April 2021, for the first time in the post-famine era, according to new CSO figures.

The population increased by 34,000 (+0.7%) in the year to April 2021, compared with an increase of 55,900 (+1.1%) in the year to April 2020, according to the annual population and migration estimates.

While 65,200 persons immigrated to Ireland in the year to April 2021, a total of 30,200 (46.3%) of these were estimated to be returning Irish nationals – the highest number of returning Irish nationals since 2007.

There were 645,500 non-Irish nationals resident in Ireland in April 2021 – about one in eight (12.9%) of the total population.

The population of Dublin in April 2021 was estimated to be 1.43 million, or 28.5% of the total population.

There were 742,300 people living in Ireland aged 65 and over in April 2021, an increase of 112,500 (+17.9%) since April 2016.

Statistician James Hegarty said: "Ireland's population was estimated to be 5.01 million in April 2021, which is the first time the population has risen above five million since the 1851 census, when the comparable population was 5.11 million. The total population on the island of Ireland in 1851 was 6.6 million.

“The combination of positive net migration and natural increase gave population growth of 34,000 (+0.7%) in the year to April 2021. This was smaller than the rise of 55,900 (+1.1%) in the year to April 2020.

Natural increase

“There were 55,500 births and 32,700 deaths in the year to April, giving a natural increase (births less deaths) in the population of 22,800. This is the lowest level of natural increase recorded since the 2000 population estimates,” he said.

An estimated 65,200 immigrated, while 54,000 emigrated – giving positive net migration of 11,200 in the year to April 2021, compared with 28,900 in the previous year.

Of the 54,000 emigrants from Ireland, 22,800 (42.2%) were estimated to be Irish nationals. 

Therefore, the number of Irish nationals who returned here to live was just over 7,300 higher than the number who left to live abroad. 

In the year to April 2021, a total of 35,000 non-Irish nationals arrived to live in Ireland, while 31,200 non-Irish nationals emigrated.

Therefore, positive net migration among non-Irish nationals was 3,900 in 2021, decreasing from 28,300 in 2020 (-86.2%). 

Inflows

These inflows resulted in the number of non-Irish nationals living in Ireland increasing slightly to 645,500 people in April 2021 from 644,400 people in April 2020, accounting for 12.9% of the total population.

The Dublin region experienced weak growth in the year, increasing its population by just 8,300 (+0.6%), giving a total of 1.43 million, or 28.5% of the total population.

The population aged 65 and over increased by 22,200 (+3.1%) in the year to April 2021. 

There were 742,300 people living in Ireland aged 65 and over in April 2021, an increase of 112,500 (+17.9%) since April 2016.

James Hegarty added that the release reflects some of the demographic and social impacts of COVID-19.