Net migration (UNICEF) in Ireland
Ireland: Net migration was 35,417 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
35,417
Change on year
down 9.3%
World rank
17th
of 74 countries
All-time high
94,513
in 2006
All-time low
-44,020
in 1988
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Ireland, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
Ireland recorded 35,417 for net migration in 2025.
The figure is down 9.3% on the previous year and up 164.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Ireland peaked at 94,513 in 2006 and was at its lowest, -44,020, in 1988.
Ireland ranks 17th of 74 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | -38,492 | — |
| 1961 | -22,237 | -42.2% |
| 1962 | -17,438 | -21.6% |
| 1963 | -16,615 | -4.7% |
| 1964 | -15,640 | -5.9% |
| 1965 | -14,016 | -10.4% |
| 1966 | -11,858 | -15.4% |
| 1967 | -11,708 | -1.3% |
| 1968 | -11,132 | -4.9% |
| 1969 | -10,250 | -7.9% |
| 1970 | -8,892 | -13.2% |
| 1971 | 5,851 | -165.8% |
| 1972 | 12,858 | +119.8% |
| 1973 | 13,164 | +2.4% |
| 1974 | 13,482 | +2.4% |
| 1975 | 13,828 | +2.6% |
| 1976 | 14,200 | +2.7% |
| 1977 | 14,505 | +2.1% |
| 1978 | 15,543 | +7.2% |
| 1979 | 1,486 | -90.4% |
| 1980 | -2,876 | -293.5% |
| 1981 | -10,834 | +276.7% |
| 1982 | -14,464 | +33.5% |
| 1983 | -15,043 | +4.0% |
| 1984 | -15,549 | +3.4% |
| 1985 | -16,178 | +4.0% |
| 1986 | -21,139 | +30.7% |
| 1987 | -38,426 | +81.8% |
| 1988 | -44,020 | +14.6% |
| 1989 | -28,752 | -34.7% |
| 1990 | -8,203 | -71.5% |
| 1991 | 4,944 | -160.3% |
| 1992 | 1,335 | -73.0% |
| 1993 | -3,762 | -381.8% |
| 1994 | -3,118 | -17.1% |
| 1995 | 10,019 | -421.3% |
| 1996 | 9,959 | -0.6% |
| 1997 | 17,425 | +75.0% |
| 1998 | 16,615 | -4.6% |
| 1999 | 23,592 | +42.0% |
| 2000 | 31,298 | +32.7% |
| 2001 | 39,220 | +25.3% |
| 2002 | 34,286 | -12.6% |
| 2003 | 32,220 | -6.0% |
| 2004 | 49,102 | +52.4% |
| 2005 | 63,983 | +30.3% |
| 2006 | 94,513 | +47.7% |
| 2007 | 76,465 | -19.1% |
| 2008 | 18,979 | -75.2% |
| 2009 | -18,524 | -197.6% |
| 2010 | -26,974 | +45.6% |
| 2011 | -26,529 | -1.6% |
| 2012 | -22,411 | -15.5% |
| 2013 | -12,309 | -45.1% |
| 2014 | 448 | -103.6% |
| 2015 | 13,376 | +2885.7% |
| 2016 | 18,967 | +41.8% |
| 2017 | 28,883 | +52.3% |
| 2018 | 33,387 | +15.6% |
| 2019 | 29,663 | -11.2% |
| 2020 | 15,746 | -46.9% |
| 2021 | 27,419 | +74.1% |
| 2022 | 93,535 | +241.1% |
| 2023 | 43,873 | -53.1% |
| 2024 | 39,059 | -11.0% |
| 2025 | 35,417 | -9.3% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 35,417 is above the median for high income countries, which is 9,502, 3.7× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 35,417 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 158, 224.2× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Ireland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | +2885.7% | 448 | 13,376 |
| 1995 | +421.3% | -3,118 | 10,019 |
| 1993 | -381.8% | 1,335 | -3,762 |
| 1980 | -293.5% | 1,486 | -2,876 |
| 1981 | -276.7% | -2,876 | -10,834 |
| 2022 | +241.1% | 27,419 | 93,535 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -16,939 | -38,492 | -10,250 | 10 |
| 1970s | 9,602 | -8,892 | 15,543 | 10 |
| 1980s | -20,728 | -44,020 | -2,876 | 10 |
| 1990s | 6,881 | -8,203 | 23,592 | 10 |
| 2000s | 42,154 | -18,524 | 94,513 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3,650 | -26,974 | 33,387 | 10 |
| 2020s | 42,508 | 15,746 | 93,535 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More population data for Ireland
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,725 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1157 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.4488 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.68 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.4488 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.5% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 217,052 people (2100)
- Population density 76.73 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1844 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Ireland?
- Net migration in Ireland was 35,417 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 94,513 in 2006.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was -44,020 in 1988.
- How does Ireland rank for net migration?
- Ireland ranks 17th out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 164.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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