Ireland: immigration

How many immigrants come to Ireland each year?

An estimated 110,600 people immigrated to Ireland in the 12 months to April 2026, 12% fewer than a year earlier, according to the CSO Population and Migration Estimates, released on 24 August 2026. It was the fifth 12-month period in a row with more than 100,000 immigrants.

Of the immigrants, 30,200 were returning Irish citizens, 20,700 were citizens of other EU countries, 4,300 were UK citizens and over 55,000 were citizens of other countries. These are estimates based on surveys and administrative data and are revised after each census.

Official sources: CSO: Population and Migration Estimates, April 2026

How many people emigrate from Ireland?

An estimated 62,500 people emigrated from Ireland in the 12 months to April 2026, 5% fewer than a year earlier, according to the CSO Population and Migration Estimates. 35,400 of them were Irish citizens. Net migration, immigration minus emigration, was 48,100, down from 59,700.

53% of emigrants were aged 25 to 44 and 32% were aged 15 to 24. More Irish citizens left than returned, so net migration of Irish citizens was -5,200. The estimates are based on the usual residence concept and are revised after each census.

Official sources: CSO: Population and Migration Estimates, April 2026

How many people apply for asylum in Ireland?

1,005 applications for international protection (asylum) were made in Ireland in May 2026, compared with 941 in May 2025, according to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration's International Protection Summary Report. The main countries of origin in 2026 to the end of May were Somalia (1,180), Nigeria (699), Pakistan (523), Afghanistan (429) and Georgia (314).

May 2026 is the latest summary report listed on the International Protection in Numbers page, checked on 14 October 2026. Applications made from 12 June 2026 are processed under the International Protection Act 2026, so later figures may not be directly comparable.

Official sources: Department of Justice: International Protection Summary Report May 2026 (PDF) · Department of Justice: International Protection in Numbers

How many asylum applications are granted in Ireland?

40% of final decisions on international protection applications in Ireland in May 2026 were grants of protection, 59% were refusals and 1% were permission to remain, according to the Department of Justice's International Protection Summary Report.

Final decisions are those made after any appeals have been considered. The share of grants varies by nationality and month. 12,869 applications were pending at the International Protection Office at the end of May 2026, down from 23,863 at the end of September 2024, while 20,754 were pending at the appeals tribunal.

Official sources: Department of Justice: International Protection Summary Report May 2026 (PDF)

How long does an asylum decision take in Ireland?

The median time from application to a first decision for standard international protection cases in Ireland was 76 weeks in May 2026, according to the Department of Justice's International Protection Summary Report. It was 79 weeks in February 2026.

The median is the midpoint, so half of standard cases took longer. Cases in the accelerated procedure, which made up 31% of applications in May 2026, are processed faster. Applications made from 12 June 2026 fall under the International Protection Act 2026, which sets legally binding timeframes.

Official sources: Department of Justice: International Protection Summary Report May 2026 (PDF)

What share of Ireland's population are immigrants?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Ireland was 23.1% in 2024. It was 17.1% in 2015. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.7%, and Ireland placed 8th highest of 52. Worldwide: 23rd of 193.

How many people move to Ireland each year?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Ireland at 35,417 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 94,513; its low point was 2010, at -26,974. It is 9th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 158. World rank, highest first: 26th of 193.

How many refugees does Ireland host?

In 2025, the number of refugees in the country in Ireland was 137,869, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 62,365; Ireland is 17th highest of 50. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 44th highest.

How many refugees come from Ireland?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Ireland was 69, according to UNHCR. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 533; Ireland is 39th highest of 49. Worldwide: 157th of 189.

How much are remittances to Ireland?

According to the World Bank, personal remittances received in Ireland was 0.1% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 0.3% of GDP in 2011 and the low 0.0% of GDP in 2021. It is 44th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.4% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 115th of 127.