Ireland Population Pyramid (2026)
Ireland has a population of 5,356,950 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 123rd-largest population in the world and 0.06% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 17.6% of the population and people aged 65 and over 16.5%, with 98.0 males for every 100 females.
Ireland Demographics
Ireland has 5.4 million people in 2026, up 80.9% from 3.0 million in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 14,939 (UN projection for 2026).
Median age 39.2 — the 47th-highest of 194 countries.
65+ share 16.5% — the 50th-highest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen X — 21.9% (1,170,792)
All generations in Ireland →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Ireland's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Ireland has 98.0 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Women outnumber men by 53,404 (1.0% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:2,651,773
- Percentage:49.5%
Female Statistics
- Population:2,705,177
- Percentage:50.5%
- Ratio Format:1:1.020
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Ireland indicates more females than males.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 52,626 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60,066 | 11.9 | 1.78 | estimate |
| 2022 | 53,241 | 10.4 | 1.59 | estimate |
| 2023 | 53,268 | 10.3 | 1.60 | estimate |
| 2024 | 52,767 | 10.0 | 1.60 | projection |
| 2025 | 52,616 | 9.9 | 1.60 | projection |
| 2026 | 52,626 | 9.8 | 1.60 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (52,626 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Ireland's median age is 39.2 years
Half the population is younger than 39.2 years, half is older — indicating a middle-aged society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 278,553 | 5.2% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 318,666 | 5.9% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 348,138 | 6.5% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 376,947 | 7.0% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 361,303 | 6.7% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 339,716 | 6.3% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 310,630 | 5.8% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 331,112 | 6.2% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 386,414 | 7.2% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 414,095 | 7.7% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 374,584 | 7.0% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 330,948 | 6.2% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 299,946 | 5.6% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 264,170 | 4.9% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 222,662 | 4.2% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 178,645 | 3.3% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 120,336 | 2.2% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 64,749 | 1.2% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 27,155 | 0.5% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 7,248 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 100+ | 931 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 4 (low birth and death rates): fertility is below the replacement level of 2.1 (1.60 children per woman), and births still exceed deaths (9.8 vs 7.0 per 1,000). Read more about Stage 4 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Ireland Total Fertility Rate: 1.60 children per woman
Below the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.78 | 11.9 | |
| 2022 | 1.59 | 10.4 | ↓0.19 |
| 2023 | 1.60 | 10.3 | ↑0.01 |
| 2024 | 1.60 | 10.0 | 0.00 |
| 2025 | 1.60 | 9.9 | 0.00 |
| 2026 | 1.60 | 9.8 | 0.00 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 1.60
Ireland's total fertility rate is 1.60 children per woman in 2026 (below replacement), below the replacement level of 2.1. Ireland ranks 130 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the lowest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −54.3% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Ireland's population has increased by 83.9%.
The median age has increased from 29.0 in 1950 to 39.2 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding Ireland's Demographics
Ireland has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 17.6% of the population and people aged 65 and over 16.5%.
The largest five-year age band is 45–49, at 7.7% of the population, compared with 5.2% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: Ireland's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
Ireland's working-age share peaked in 2007 at 68.9% and is 65.8% in 2026.
Fertility Transition Stage
Ireland is in a period of below replacement, with a total fertility rate of 1.60 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Ireland's median age changed by +3.5 years from 2016 to 2026, faster than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 5,356,950 |
| Male Population | 2,651,773(49.5%) |
| Female Population | 2,705,177(50.5%) |
| Median Age | 39.2 years |
| Sex Ratio | 98.0 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 945,357(17.6%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 3,525,697(65.8%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 885,896(16.5%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 51.9 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 26.8 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 25.1 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Ireland
How long the average person in Ireland is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Ireland is projected to grow to 6.0 million people by 2050 (+11.4% from 2026).
The median age rises from 39.2 in 2026 to 42.9 by 2050.
Ireland's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 15.3%, growing from 3.0 million in 1970 to 3.4 million by 1980
The median age decreased by 0.7 years, indicating a younger demographic profile during this period.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 3.0M to 3.4M
- • Growth rate of 15.3% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 26.2 to 25.5 years (−0.7y)
- • 65+ share changed by −0.4 points; under-15 share by −0.8 points
Frequently Asked Questions About Ireland
How does Ireland rank globally by population?
Ireland ranks 123rd in the world by population with 5.36 million people as of 2026, representing 0.06% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does Ireland's age structure reveal about its development?
Ireland's age structure — 17.6% under 15, 65.8% working-age (15–64) and 16.5% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 4 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 39.2 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Ireland?
Ireland has 51.9 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Ireland experiencing a demographic dividend?
Ireland has moved past its demographic-dividend window. Ireland's working-age share peaked in 2007 at 68.9% and is 65.8% in 2026. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Ireland's population?
Ireland has more females than males, with 98.0 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Ireland Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/ireland
View UN World Population Prospects Data →