Fast Facts about Ireland: People & Society
Posted in: Facts about Ireland
Photo by Fazen
This page has, at a quick glance, a lot of major demographic information about Ireland.
Much new data became available in the last year or two from the census held in 2006, and where it is available that is used here. Other figures may be earlier, and if so this is stated.
This page is updated regularly with new up-to-date data as it becomes available – check the date above for the time of last update.
Population Data
Total Population (2006): 4,234,925 (Male: 2,118,209 Female: 2,116,716 )
The total population is up from 3,917,203 in 2002, a remarkable increase of 317,722 (8.1%) in just four years.
Much of this can be put down to the large number of immigrants who have moved from other EU states to live and work in Ireland over the last few year, as well as to the return home of many emigrants as the economy here improved and opportunities for work became available.
Population by Age in 1000’s:
| 0-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-44 | 45-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 827 | 313 | 328 | 1,180 | 480 | 197 | 154 | 436 |
Births, Marriages & Deaths
Earlier years given for comparative purposes.
| Marriages | Births | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 16,018 | 63,567 | 37,741 |
| 1998 | 16,783 | 53,551 | 31,352 |
| 2006 | 21,841 | 64,237 | 27,479 |
- Life Expectancy (2002): 75.1 (male) 80.3 (female)
- Births outside Marriage: 21,295 or 32.6%
(1989: 12.6%) - Average age of 1st time mothers: 32.9 (married) 27.1 (unmarried)
- Top Baby Names: In 2006, the latest year for which stats are available, the top boy’s name was Sean and the
top girl’s name was Sarah.
Education
- Number in Full-time Education: 929,673
- Level of Education: About 2.5 million people have completed their full-time education. Levels at which their education was completed:
| Level of Education | Number |
|---|---|
| Primary (Grade school) | 514,085 |
| Lower secondary (Junior High) | 573,411 |
| Upper secondary (Senior High) | 803,498 |
| Third Level (College) Non-degree | 301,327 |
| Third Level (College) Degree or higher | 527,775 |
| Still in full time education | 525,065 |
Data refers only to those aged over 15, those younger than that are assumed to be in full time education, since this is mandartory to that age.
Crime
The most interesting figures here are how, and how many, people experience crime, either on a household or an individual basis.
The trends are interesting: it seems that crimes experienced by households have stayed much the same (given the increased population), or even dropped, but crimes against the individual have significantly increased in both number and violence.
All figures below relate to 2006 unless otherwise stated, historical figures added for interest.
| 1998 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Number of Households | 1,242,800 | 1,513,800 |
| Burgled | 42,600 | 48,700 |
| Vandalised | 59,700 | 72,800 |
| Car Stolen | 14,500 | 10,600 |
| Car theft | 36,600 | 40,300 |
| Bicycle stolen | 16,800 | 20,300 |
| People over 18 | 2,690,700 | 3,243,800 |
| Theft without violence | 31,400 | 82,500 |
| Theft with violence | 17,500 | 38,700 |
| Physical assault | 17,900 | 37,100 |
| Assault involving a weapon | 4390 | 11,130 |
- Average daily number of Prisoners in Custody (2004): 3,199
- Murders: 60 (1955: 4; 1990: 17)
- Rape/Sexual Assault: 1,378
- Untraced Missing Persons: 75
- Total number of Gardai (Police): 14,969
Drug Offences
| Total Drug Offences | 2003 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Possession Only | 6,498 | 10,856 |
| Supplying/Dealing | 2,448 | 2,853 |
| Main Drug Types Involved | ||
| Cannabis | 4805 | 6,920 |
| Cocaine | 1,015 | 1,967 |
| Heroin | 995 | 1,601 |
| Ecstasy | 1,529 | 1,105 |
| Amphetamines | 525 | 447 |
Traffic Offences
There were 368 traffic fatalities in 2006, down from 415 in 2000.
| Traffic Offences | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Drunk Driving | 17,898 |
| Speeding | 181,335 |
| Not wearing seatbelt | 26,687 |
| Using Mobile Phone | 6,171 |
| Dangerous Driving | 5,810 |
Sources: Central Statistics Office, Garda Annual Report.
Education
- Number in Full-time Education: 929,673
- Level of Education: About 2.5 million people have completed their full-time education. Levels at which their education was completed:
Education Level Number Primary (Grade school) 552,220 Lower secondary (Junior High) 565,433 Upper secondary (Senior High) 724,099 Third Level (College) Non-degree 250,429 Degree or higher 396,408
This was really useful. Thanks!!