2022 census of Ireland

Census 2022
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General information
CountryIreland
Topics
Census topics
  • Population change
  • Geographical distribution
  • Age and sex composition
  • Households and families
  • Diversity
  • Ethnicity and Irish Travellers
  • The Irish language
  • Religion
  • Housing
  • Commuting
AuthorityCentral Statistics Office
Websitehttps://www.census.ie
Results
Total population5,149,139 (8.1%Increase)
Most populous ​countyDublin (1,458,154)
Least populous ​countyLeitrim (35,199)

The 2022 census of Ireland was held on Sunday, 3 April 2022.[1] It was organised by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and reported a total population of 5,149,139, or an 8.1% increase since the prior 2016 census.[2][3] It is the highest population recorded in a census since 1841 and the first time the population exceeded five million since 1851.[4] The census results were released gradually between May and December 2023 in a series of reports organised either as summaries or in-depth results of specific themes, like age, ethnicity, or religion.[5]

A census was originally planned for 18 April 2021, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Background

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On 15 September 2020, the Irish government postponed the planned 2021 census on advice from the CSO, citing concerns for public health, the health of CSO staff, and the census response rate, all pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.[7]

The CSO hired 5,100 enumerators, supported by 466 field supervisors, who reported in turn to 46 regional supervisors.[8]

Census form

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Preparation of the 2022 census form began in 2017 with a public consultation process drawing input from various governmental departments, interest groups, and academics.[9] The consultation was organised by the Census Advisory Group between October and November 2017, assessing over 400 submissions which informed a test survey of revised and new questions in September 2018.[10] The consultation process led to the inclusion of 8 new questions, which covered topics like ownership of renewable energy sources, working from home, and smoking habits.[11] Additionally, all 25 questions used in the 2016 and 2011 censuses were revised.

The 2022 form was also the first to include a 'time capsule' section, offering a space for respondents to write a voluntary message to remain sealed for 100 years due to data protection requirements.[12]

In February 2021, the CSO confirmed it was researching possible questions to record gender identities, but that no such question would appear on the 2022 census form, which will only ask respondents for their sex with the options 'male' or 'female'.[13] The decision was criticised by multiple LGBT groups and advocates.[14]

Results

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The preliminary results were released on 23 June 2022, showing a national population of five million for the first time since 1851.[15][4] Results published on 30 May 2023 found that Catholicism dropped to 69%, down from 79% in 2016.[16] It also found the average age of the population increased by 1.4 years since 2016, people who speak the Irish language increased by 6% and approximately a third of all workers worked from home for at least some part of their week.[17][18]

Population by province

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Province Flag Irish name Population (2022) Density (km2) Counties
Connacht Connacht Connachta
Cúige Chonnacht		 589,338 33.3 5
Leinster Leinster Laighin
Cúige Laighean		 2,870,354 145.0 12
Munster Munster Mumhain
Cúige Mumhan		 1,373,346 55.6 6
Ulster (part of) Ulster Ulaidh
Cúige Uladh		 314,076 38.8 3

Population by county and region

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Population by region and local government area
Region/county/city 2022 pop.[19]
Border 419,473
Cavan 81,704
Donegal 167,084
Leitrim 35,199
Monaghan 65,288
Sligo 70,198
Dublin 1,458,154
Dublin city 592,713
Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown 233,860
Fingal 330,506
South Dublin 301,705
Mid-East 764,154
Kildare 247,774
Louth 139,703
Meath 220,826
Wicklow 155,851
Mid-West 505,369
Clare 127,938
Limerick 209,536
Tipperary 167,895
Midland 317,999
Laois 91,877
Longford 46,751
Offaly 83,150
Westmeath 96,221
South-East 457,410
Carlow 61,968
Kilkenny 104,160
Waterford 127,363
Wexford 163,919
South-West 740,614
Cork city 224,004
Cork county 360,152
Kerry 156,458
West 483,941
Galway city 85,910
Galway county 190,541
Mayo 137,231
Roscommon 70,259

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census 2022 takes place tonight". Central Statistics Office. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Census of Population 2022 - Summary Results". Central Statistics Office. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Census 2021 Postponement FAQ - CSO - Central Statistics Office". CSO. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  4. ^ a b "Census of Population 2022 - Preliminary Results". Central Statistics Office. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Census 2022 Publication Schedule". Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Census 2021 postponed until 2022 due to Covid-19". 15 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Press Statement Postponement of Census 2021 - CSO - Central Statistics Office". CSO (Press release). Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  8. ^ "Your Census Enumerator and the Census Team". Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  9. ^ Colgan, Laura (1 July 2021). "Next year's census won't include any questions on Covid-19 pandemic". Irish Mirror. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Revealed: The eight new questions added to Census 2021 - and the new 'Time Capsule' feature". Independent. 10 July 2019. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  11. ^ Goodbody, Will (10 July 2019). "2021 census will include 'time capsule' feature". Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Time capsule - Census 2022 - Central Statistics Office Ireland". Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  13. ^ Aodha, Gráinne Ní (10 Feb 2021). "A question on gender identity won't be in Census 2022 - but may be in future ones". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  14. ^ McCrave, Conor. "'Rectifying the historic wrong': LGBT advocates wanted sexual orientation included on the next Census". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  15. ^ Coyne, Ellen (23 June 2022). "Census 2022: Ireland's population passes the five-million mark for the first time since 1851 – here's what we learned". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  16. ^ McGreevy, Ronan (30 May 2023). "Census 2022: Number of Catholics in the State falls from 79% of population to 69 % as country ages". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  17. ^ Hyland, Paul; Moloney, Eoghan (30 May 2023). "Census 2022: Drop in Catholicism, more Irish speakers and population above 5m – everything you need to know". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  18. ^ Conneely, Ailbhe (30 May 2023). "Working from home up, Catholic households down in Census figures". RTÉ News. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Census 2022 - Summary Results - FY003A- Population". 30 May 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
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