The new report combines the data from the 2021 census of population in Northern Ireland and the 2022 census of population in Ireland.Getty Images

Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) published "Ireland and Northern Ireland – A Joint Census Publication 2021/2022" on Wednesday, July 2.

This is the second such collaboration between the CSO and NISRA following on from a Joint Census Publication in 2014.

This release presents findings from the 2021 census of population in Northern Ireland and the 2022 census of population in Ireland, offering a comprehensive look at statistics across the island of Ireland.

The census in Northern Ireland took place on Sunday, March 21, 2021. The census in Ireland took place on Sunday, April 3, 2022, having been delayed due to the pandemic.

Describing how the publication was developed, Maria Yasin, Statistician in the Census Division of the CSO, said: “This statistical release is the product of collaboration between the CSO and NISRA, bringing together census results for both Ireland and Northern Ireland in a single publication.

"This release combines population and housing statistics from Ireland and Northern Ireland, allowing for comparisons of trends, similarities, and differences.

"It analyses key topics such as demographics, households, ethnicity, place of birth, religion, health, unpaid care, housing, and employment.”

Commenting on the findings, Daniel McConville, Statistician in Census Office, NISRA said: “Through our ongoing collaboration, NISRA and the CSO are committed to delivering high-quality analysis of census data from both jurisdictions, providing the public and policymakers with a richer understanding of life across the island.

"This most recent publication tells us that the population of the island of Ireland stood at almost 7.1 million in 2022 with 73% of the population in Ireland and 27% in Northern Ireland.

"The combined population of Ireland and Northern Ireland increased by 1.5 million between 2002 and 2022.”

You can watch Yasin and McConville discuss key findings from the newly published report here:

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Highlights from "Ireland and Northern Ireland – A Joint Census Publication 2021/2022"

Population Growth Across the Island

Between 2002 and 2022, the island of Ireland experienced a 26% increase in population, reaching 7.1 million. In Ireland, the population increased by 31% over the two decades, compared with a 13% increase in Northern Ireland.

In both parts of the island, the population growth between 2011-2022 was highest nearest the respective capitals, Dublin and Belfast, with the lowest growth rates being in the more geographically remote areas.

In Northern Ireland the highest growth was in Lisburn and Castlereagh at 11%, while the Causeway Coast and Glens grew by 0.3%.

In Ireland, Fingal’s population grew by 21%, while that of Donegal increased by just 4% over the period.

Demographic Shifts and Aging Trends

The median age (i.e. the age at which half the population is younger, and half is older) has steadily increased, reflecting an aging population in both parts of the island.

In 2022, the median age stood at 38 years in Ireland and 40 years in Northern Ireland. This was still lower than the UK (41) and EU (44) median ages.

Northern Ireland had a higher proportion of people aged 65 and over (18%) compared with Ireland (15%).

Household Composition

Ireland had a higher percentage of households comprising a couple with children (of any age) at 34%, compared with 28% in Northern Ireland.

One-parent households were more common in Northern Ireland (14%) than in Ireland (10%).

Northern Ireland also had a higher proportion of households made up of one person living alone, at 31%, compared with 23% in Ireland.

In both parts of the island, one and two person households were the most common, at 52% in Ireland and 61% in Northern Ireland.

Country of Birth and Language

Ireland had a higher proportion of the population born outside the country at 20%, compared with 13% in Northern Ireland.

In Ireland, 15% of the population aged 3 and over reported a main language other than English or Irish compared with 4% in Northern Ireland. Polish was the most widely spoken foreign language in both jurisdictions.

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Religion

The most common religion in both parts of the island was Roman Catholic, with 69% of people in Ireland and 42% in Northern Ireland identifying as such.

Protestant and other Christian denominations accounted for 37% of Northern Ireland's population compared with 7% in Ireland.

The proportion of the population who reported having no religion was 17% in Northern Ireland and 15% in Ireland

Housing Occupancy and Tenure

The housing data provides insight into the proportion of habitable, permanent properties that were occupied or unoccupied across the island.

In Northern Ireland, 94% of permanent housing units were occupied by usual residents, compared with 89% in Ireland.

Unoccupied permanent housing units accounted for 6% of housing in Northern Ireland and 11% in Ireland.

In both parts of the island, around two-thirds of households were owner-occupied (66% in Ireland and 65% in Northern Ireland).

Northern Ireland had a higher proportion of rented dwellings at 33%, compared with 28% in Ireland.

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Health and Carers

Ireland had a higher proportion of people reporting their health as good or very good at 83% compared with 79% in Northern Ireland.

A higher proportion of people reported their general health as either bad or very bad in Northern Ireland at 8%, compared with 2% in Ireland.

Despite having a significantly larger population overall, 57,000 fewer people in Ireland reported having bad health.

When it comes to providing regular unpaid care, 6% of people aged five years and over were doing so in Ireland, while this was 12% in Northern Ireland.

Employment

There were almost 3.4 million people aged 16 and over in the labour force on the island, including nearly 2.5 million people in Ireland and more than 891,000 people in Northern Ireland.

The industries with the largest numbers of workers in both Ireland and Northern Ireland were Human Health & Social Work Activities, and Wholesale & Retail Trade (each accounted for 16% of workers in Northern Ireland and 12% of workers in Ireland).

There were 10,541 people travelling from Northern Ireland to work in Ireland, with 7,777 people commuting to work in the opposite direction