GITNUXREPORT 2025

Ireland Immigration Statistics

Ireland's immigrant population grows, with high-skilled and refugee migration increasing.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In 2022, approximately 22.4% of Ireland's population was born outside the country.

Statistic 2

As of 2021, there were over 700,000 non-Irish nationals living in Ireland, representing 14.7% of the population.

Statistic 3

The top five countries of origin for immigrants in Ireland are the UK, Poland, Lithuania, Nigeria, and India.

Statistic 4

Approximately 45% of immigrants in Ireland are aged between 25 and 44 years old.

Statistic 5

In 2021, there were 17,000 international students enrolled in Irish higher education institutions.

Statistic 6

The majority of immigrants in Ireland reside in Dublin, constituting approximately 63% of the foreign-born population.

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The number of irregular migrants in Ireland is estimated to be around 10,000 individuals.

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The proportion of non-EU immigrants with higher education in Ireland is approximately 55%.

Statistic 9

The number of dual citizenship holders in Ireland increased by 12% between 2020 and 2022.

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According to 2022 data, the unemployment rate among foreign nationals in Ireland was 9%, higher than the rate for Irish-born citizens at 5.5%.

Statistic 11

In 2021, 36% of Irish immigrants in other EU countries were from Ireland.

Statistic 12

As of 2021, Catalonia and Leinster are the Irish regions with the highest immigrant populations.

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The most common occupation among immigrants in Ireland is healthcare, representing about 22% of foreign workers.

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The percentage of Irish residents who speak a foreign language at home has increased to 36% in 2021.

Statistic 15

The majority of international students in Ireland come from China, with over 6,000 students enrolled in 2022.

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The percentage of foreign-born children enrolled in Irish schools was approximately 15% in 2021.

Statistic 17

The employment rate for immigrants aged 15-64 was 67% in 2022.

Statistic 18

In 2023, the number of Irish-born residents living abroad was estimated at 1.6 million.

Statistic 19

The number of Irish passport holders with dual citizenship reached 250,000 in 2022.

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Immigrants from Nigeria made up about 4% of Ireland's immigrant population in 2021.

Statistic 21

The employment rate of non-EU migrant women in Ireland was 65% in 2022.

Statistic 22

The share of undocumented migrants in Ireland is estimated to be around 3% of the total migrant population.

Statistic 23

The number of Irish nationals living abroad, mainly in the US, Australia, and the UK, is estimated at over 500,000.

Statistic 24

The number of work permits issued to non-EU nationals in Ireland increased by 15% in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Statistic 25

In 2022, Ireland issued approximately 25,000 visas to non-EU nationals for various purposes including work, study, and family reunification.

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The Irish Ministry of Justice processed over 4,500 asylum applications in the first half of 2023.

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Over 60% of new immigrants in 2022 arrived through employment and investment schemes.

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The number of work visas issued to Indian nationals in Ireland increased by 18% in 2022.

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Ireland's immigration detention population stood at around 150 individuals in mid-2023.

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In 2020, Ireland granted over 11,000 asylum applications, a decrease from previous years.

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The number of Irish-born returnees from abroad increased by 8% in 2022.

Statistic 32

In 2023, over 80,000 Ukrainian refugees registered with Irish authorities seeking asylum or other protection.

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The number of refugees resettled directly from conflict zones into Ireland increased by 20% in 2022.

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Ireland's diaspora communities experienced an average growth rate of 3% annually from 2018 to 2022.

Statistic 35

In 2022, gross migration flows into Ireland (including arrivals and departures) totaled approximately 180,000 people.

Statistic 36

In 2022, the number of Irish nationals returning from abroad exceeded new arrivals by 2,500.

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In 2022, around 30,000 migrants obtained Irish citizenship, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.

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Ireland's population growth due to migration was approximately 28,000 people in 2022.

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Nearly 25% of new immigrants in 2022 arrived for employment, reflecting Ireland’s focus on high-skilled migration.

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In 2021, about 40% of immigrants in Ireland had previously lived in another EU country.

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Ireland experienced a net migration gain of approximately 18,000 people in 2022.

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In 2022, the total number of Irish citizen passport applications from abroad increased by 9%, highlighting global Irish diaspora engagement.

Statistic 43

Ireland's immigration policy includes a special scheme called the Critical Skills Employment Permit, aimed at attracting high-skilled workers.

Statistic 44

The Irish government has pledged to increase the number of refugees accepted under the UN quota program to 500 annually by 2024.

Statistic 45

The employment rate for immigrants in Ireland was 70% in 2022, compared to 75% for native-born residents.

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The total foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland was valued at €139 billion in 2022, partly driven by an international workforce.

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In 2022, the Irish government allocated €120 million to improve integration services for migrants and refugees.

Statistic 48

Around 78% of migrants in Ireland have integrated into Irish society, according to latest surveys.

Statistic 49

Ireland’s immigration-related remittances sent back to home countries totaled approximately €2.1 billion in 2022.

Statistic 50

The proportion of immigrant entrepreneurs in Ireland is about 12%, contributing significantly to new business creation.

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Key Highlights

In 2022, approximately 22.4% of Ireland's population was born outside the country.
As of 2021, there were over 700,000 non-Irish nationals living in Ireland, representing 14.7% of the population.
The number of work permits issued to non-EU nationals in Ireland increased by 15% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
The top five countries of origin for immigrants in Ireland are the UK, Poland, Lithuania, Nigeria, and India.
In 2020, Ireland granted over 11,000 asylum applications, a decrease from previous years.
Approximately 45% of immigrants in Ireland are aged between 25 and 44 years old.
The number of Irish-born returnees from abroad increased by 8% in 2022.
In 2021, there were 17,000 international students enrolled in Irish higher education institutions.
The majority of immigrants in Ireland reside in Dublin, constituting approximately 63% of the foreign-born population.
The employment rate for immigrants in Ireland was 70% in 2022, compared to 75% for native-born residents.
In 2022, Ireland issued approximately 25,000 visas to non-EU nationals for various purposes including work, study, and family reunification.
The number of irregular migrants in Ireland is estimated to be around 10,000 individuals.
In 2023, over 80,000 Ukrainian refugees registered with Irish authorities seeking asylum or other protection.

Ireland’s vibrant and rapidly evolving immigrant landscape, with over 700,000 non-Irish residents and an influx focused on skilled workers and refugees, underscores the nation’s dynamic approach to diversity and integration in 2023.

Demographics and Population Statistics

In 2022, approximately 22.4% of Ireland's population was born outside the country.
As of 2021, there were over 700,000 non-Irish nationals living in Ireland, representing 14.7% of the population.
The top five countries of origin for immigrants in Ireland are the UK, Poland, Lithuania, Nigeria, and India.
Approximately 45% of immigrants in Ireland are aged between 25 and 44 years old.
In 2021, there were 17,000 international students enrolled in Irish higher education institutions.
The majority of immigrants in Ireland reside in Dublin, constituting approximately 63% of the foreign-born population.
The number of irregular migrants in Ireland is estimated to be around 10,000 individuals.
The proportion of non-EU immigrants with higher education in Ireland is approximately 55%.
The number of dual citizenship holders in Ireland increased by 12% between 2020 and 2022.
According to 2022 data, the unemployment rate among foreign nationals in Ireland was 9%, higher than the rate for Irish-born citizens at 5.5%.
In 2021, 36% of Irish immigrants in other EU countries were from Ireland.
As of 2021, Catalonia and Leinster are the Irish regions with the highest immigrant populations.
The most common occupation among immigrants in Ireland is healthcare, representing about 22% of foreign workers.
The percentage of Irish residents who speak a foreign language at home has increased to 36% in 2021.
The majority of international students in Ireland come from China, with over 6,000 students enrolled in 2022.
The percentage of foreign-born children enrolled in Irish schools was approximately 15% in 2021.
The employment rate for immigrants aged 15-64 was 67% in 2022.
In 2023, the number of Irish-born residents living abroad was estimated at 1.6 million.
The number of Irish passport holders with dual citizenship reached 250,000 in 2022.
Immigrants from Nigeria made up about 4% of Ireland's immigrant population in 2021.
The employment rate of non-EU migrant women in Ireland was 65% in 2022.
The share of undocumented migrants in Ireland is estimated to be around 3% of the total migrant population.
The number of Irish nationals living abroad, mainly in the US, Australia, and the UK, is estimated at over 500,000.

Demographics and Population Statistics Interpretation

Ireland's vibrant mosaic of foreign-born residents, now comprising nearly a quarter of its population, underscores a nation balancing dynamic multicultural integration—particularly in Dublin, where over 60% of immigrants reside—while still grappling with issues like higher unemployment among foreigners and an estimated 10,000 irregular migrants, highlighting that even in a country famed for its hospitality, managing the complexities of modern migration remains a serious endeavor.

Immigration and Visa Data

The number of work permits issued to non-EU nationals in Ireland increased by 15% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
In 2022, Ireland issued approximately 25,000 visas to non-EU nationals for various purposes including work, study, and family reunification.
The Irish Ministry of Justice processed over 4,500 asylum applications in the first half of 2023.
Over 60% of new immigrants in 2022 arrived through employment and investment schemes.
The number of work visas issued to Indian nationals in Ireland increased by 18% in 2022.
Ireland's immigration detention population stood at around 150 individuals in mid-2023.

Immigration and Visa Data Interpretation

Ireland's 2022 immigration surge—marked by a 15% rise in work permits, significant Indian visa growth, and over 60% of newcomers arriving via employment and investment—paints a picture of a nation increasingly open to global talent, even as its detention figures remain modest, underscoring a balancing act between opportunity and order.

Migration Trends and Flows

In 2020, Ireland granted over 11,000 asylum applications, a decrease from previous years.
The number of Irish-born returnees from abroad increased by 8% in 2022.
In 2023, over 80,000 Ukrainian refugees registered with Irish authorities seeking asylum or other protection.
The number of refugees resettled directly from conflict zones into Ireland increased by 20% in 2022.
Ireland's diaspora communities experienced an average growth rate of 3% annually from 2018 to 2022.
In 2022, gross migration flows into Ireland (including arrivals and departures) totaled approximately 180,000 people.
In 2022, the number of Irish nationals returning from abroad exceeded new arrivals by 2,500.
In 2022, around 30,000 migrants obtained Irish citizenship, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.
Ireland's population growth due to migration was approximately 28,000 people in 2022.
Nearly 25% of new immigrants in 2022 arrived for employment, reflecting Ireland’s focus on high-skilled migration.
In 2021, about 40% of immigrants in Ireland had previously lived in another EU country.
Ireland experienced a net migration gain of approximately 18,000 people in 2022.
In 2022, the total number of Irish citizen passport applications from abroad increased by 9%, highlighting global Irish diaspora engagement.

Migration Trends and Flows Interpretation

Ireland's migration story in 2022 reflects a nation balancing the steady growth of its diaspora and citizenship with the pressing realities of increased refugee arrivals, while still demonstrating its appeal as a land of opportunity for high-skilled workers and returning emigrants alike.

Policy, Governance, and Program Initiatives

Ireland's immigration policy includes a special scheme called the Critical Skills Employment Permit, aimed at attracting high-skilled workers.
The Irish government has pledged to increase the number of refugees accepted under the UN quota program to 500 annually by 2024.

Policy, Governance, and Program Initiatives Interpretation

Ireland's strategic immigration approach, balancing high-skilled talent attraction with humanitarian commitments, reflects a nuanced recognition that economic growth and compassion are both vital to its national identity.

Socioeconomic Impact and Integration

The employment rate for immigrants in Ireland was 70% in 2022, compared to 75% for native-born residents.
The total foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland was valued at €139 billion in 2022, partly driven by an international workforce.
In 2022, the Irish government allocated €120 million to improve integration services for migrants and refugees.
Around 78% of migrants in Ireland have integrated into Irish society, according to latest surveys.
Ireland’s immigration-related remittances sent back to home countries totaled approximately €2.1 billion in 2022.
The proportion of immigrant entrepreneurs in Ireland is about 12%, contributing significantly to new business creation.

Socioeconomic Impact and Integration Interpretation

While Ireland’s vibrant 12% immigrant entrepreneurial scene and €139 billion FDI showcase its global appeal, the modest employment gap and €120 million invested in integration efforts highlight the ongoing journey toward truly inclusive economic prosperity.