REVEALED: CSO releases dramatic data on Kildare's population

The CSO today released data which shows that the the Mid-East - which is made up of Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow - will see the largest growth outside of Dublin by 2042.

The Regional Population Projections release shows regional population projections under different scenarios for the period 2023-2042.

Ireland’s usual resident population, which stood at 5.18 million in 2022, is projected to increase to between 5.77 million and 6.40 million by 2042.

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However the Mid-East region which accounted for 14.9% of the total population share in 2022, is projected to increase to between 15.5% and 16.1% by 2042.

The South-West (Cork City and County, Kerry), Mid-West (Clare, Limerick, Tipperary), and Border (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo) regions are projected to account for a lower percentage share of the total population under all scenarios by 2042.

The number of people aged 65 years and over is set to increase significantly over the period of these projections with the number of people in this age category set to reach over 1 million nationally by 2030, with regional increases in this age bracket in excess of 62% across all regions by 2042 in all projection scenarios.

Eva Leahy, Statistician in the Life Events and Demography Division of the CSO, said: “This publication shows regional population projections under various scenarios for the period 2023-2042. These are derived from the national Population and Labour Force Projections for 2023-2057 which were published in July 2024.

"The projections illustrate potential future population trends at a regional level given specific potential scenarios (termed assumptions) for fertility, mortality and migration, both internal and international. It should be noted that while the assumptions/scenarios simply illustrate a range of possible scenarios, they are not attempts to forecast the future of regional population and migration patterns in Ireland.

"There is an increase in population expected under all three potential scenarios. The size of the increase depends on which assumptions are being considered. 

"In determining these scenario parameters, the CSO both considered the most up to date data as well as the guidance of the Regional Population Projections Expert Group.

"This Expert Group provides guidance in the process of establishing potential scenarios. Three meetings of the Expert Group took place between October and November 2024.

"As always, the CSO is very grateful to the members of the Expert Group for their contributions both in terms of advice and in time."