Ireland’s next national census will take place on May 9, 2027, with the government set to sign a memorandum of understanding today confirming the date.
For the first time in the country’s history, residents will have the option to complete their census forms online, marking a significant modernization of the data collection process. However, traditional paper forms will remain available for those who prefer the conventional method.
Ireland has typically conducted its census every five years since 1946. The most recent census, originally scheduled for 2021, was postponed to 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 2022 census revealed significant demographic changes in Ireland, recording a population of 5,123,536 people. This represented a 7.6 percent increase compared to the 2016 census figures.
The 2022 results were particularly historic, as they marked the first time since 1851 that Ireland’s population exceeded five million people. The milestone reflected sustained population growth driven by both natural increase and immigration.
The introduction of online census forms in 2027 is expected to streamline the data collection process and provide faster, more accurate results. The Central Statistics Office will oversee the census operation, which provides crucial data for government planning across healthcare, education, housing and infrastructure.