Population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate in Ireland
Ireland: Population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate was 3.01 % change on previous year in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate in Ireland, 1971–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate in Ireland is 3.01 % change on previous year, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 21.2% on the previous year and down 15.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate in Ireland peaked at 4.69 % change on previous year in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.0581 % change on previous year, in 1973.
Ireland ranks 153rd of 233 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate in Ireland, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 0.711 % change on previous year | — |
| 1972 | 0.9191 % change on previous year | +29.3% |
| 1973 | 0.0581 % change on previous year | -93.7% |
| 1974 | 0.4045 % change on previous year | +596.0% |
| 1975 | 0.7297 % change on previous year | +80.4% |
| 1976 | 1.7 % change on previous year | +132.7% |
| 1977 | 1.51 % change on previous year | -10.8% |
| 1978 | 1.86 % change on previous year | +23.1% |
| 1979 | 1.64 % change on previous year | -12.1% |
| 1980 | 1.28 % change on previous year | -21.8% |
| 1981 | 0.9221 % change on previous year | -28.0% |
| 1982 | 0.8313 % change on previous year | -9.8% |
| 1983 | 0.3295 % change on previous year | -60.4% |
| 1984 | 0.5472 % change on previous year | +66.1% |
| 1985 | 1.22 % change on previous year | +123.7% |
| 1986 | 1.1 % change on previous year | -9.8% |
| 1987 | 0.9123 % change on previous year | -17.4% |
| 1988 | 1.17 % change on previous year | +28.6% |
| 1989 | 1.07 % change on previous year | -8.5% |
| 1990 | 0.756 % change on previous year | -29.6% |
| 1991 | 0.6832 % change on previous year | -9.6% |
| 1992 | 0.733 % change on previous year | +7.3% |
| 1993 | 0.5398 % change on previous year | -26.4% |
| 1994 | 0.2359 % change on previous year | -56.3% |
| 1995 | 0.531 % change on previous year | +125.1% |
| 1996 | 0.5501 % change on previous year | +3.6% |
| 1997 | 0.6002 % change on previous year | +9.1% |
| 1998 | 0.8466 % change on previous year | +41.1% |
| 1999 | 0.6372 % change on previous year | -24.7% |
| 2000 | 0.4853 % change on previous year | -23.8% |
| 2001 | 0.9684 % change on previous year | +99.5% |
| 2002 | 1.34 % change on previous year | +38.1% |
| 2003 | 1.35 % change on previous year | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 1.6 % change on previous year | +18.5% |
| 2005 | 1.97 % change on previous year | +22.8% |
| 2006 | 1.22 % change on previous year | -37.8% |
| 2007 | 1.59 % change on previous year | +30.0% |
| 2008 | 2.49 % change on previous year | +56.5% |
| 2009 | 3.04 % change on previous year | +22.2% |
| 2010 | 3.29 % change on previous year | +8.3% |
| 2011 | 3.34 % change on previous year | +1.4% |
| 2012 | 3.54 % change on previous year | +6.0% |
| 2013 | 3.62 % change on previous year | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 3.53 % change on previous year | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 3.55 % change on previous year | +0.4% |
| 2016 | 3.33 % change on previous year | -6.1% |
| 2017 | 3.19 % change on previous year | -4.2% |
| 2018 | 3.43 % change on previous year | +7.5% |
| 2019 | 3.34 % change on previous year | -2.6% |
| 2020 | 3.37 % change on previous year | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 3.13 % change on previous year | -7.1% |
| 2022 | 2.75 % change on previous year | -12.3% |
| 2023 | 4.69 % change on previous year | +70.5% |
| 2024 | 3.82 % change on previous year | -18.6% |
| 2025 | 3.01 % change on previous year | -21.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.06 % change on previous year | 0.0581 % change on previous year | 1.86 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 1980s | 0.94 % change on previous year | 0.3295 % change on previous year | 1.28 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.6113 % change on previous year | 0.2359 % change on previous year | 0.8466 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.6 % change on previous year | 0.4853 % change on previous year | 3.04 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.41 % change on previous year | 3.19 % change on previous year | 3.62 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.46 % change on previous year | 2.75 % change on previous year | 4.69 % change on previous year | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 150 Australia 3.05 % change on previous year compare
- 151 Haiti 3.03 % change on previous year compare
- 152 Liberia 3.03 % change on previous year compare
- 154 Solomon Islands 2.98 % change on previous year compare
- 155 Sao Tome and Principe 2.97 % change on previous year compare
- 156 Martinique 2.95 % change on previous year compare
More population data for Ireland
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.4488 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1157 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,725 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.5372 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1844 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.455 (2100)
- Population density 76.73 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 217,052 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate in Ireland?
- Population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate in Ireland was 3.01 % change on previous year in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 4.69 % change on previous year in 2023.
- What is the lowest population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0581 % change on previous year in 1973.
- How does Ireland rank for population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate?
- Ireland ranks 153rd out of 233 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Population aged 65 years or older (thousands), annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Population aged 65 years or older (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Population aged 65 years or older UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Population aged 65 years or older (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.