Leitrim population has fallen 37% from 1926 until latest Census in 2022

Leitrim's population has shrank by 37% since 1926, a new report has shown

The figures were complied by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which published Then and Now: Life in Ireland in 1926 and 2022, this week.

The CSO compares 1926 data with 2022 data with Census 1926 showing a population of just 2.97 million people nationwide, one of the lowest recorded since the Great Famine. 

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The report showed that Dublin accounted for 17% of the population in 1926, while Cork was 12% and counties such as Mayo, Galway, and Donegal were between 5% and 6%. By 2022, Dublin’s share had risen to 28%, while Cork stood at 11%. In contrast the populations of Leitrim (-37%), Mayo (-20%), and Roscommon (-16%) saw double digit declines from 1926 to 2022.

The largest population growth by far was in Kildare where the population increased by 327% from 58,028 in 1926 to 247,774 in 2022, followed by Meath with an increase of 251%, and Dublin with an increase of 188%.

Other figures show that the population born in Great Britain was most prevalent in Leitrim (8%), Mayo (9%) and Roscommon (8%) and agriculture was the overwhelming driver of the economy, particularly in the West.

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Leitrim also recorded the highest agricultural dependency at 81%, followed closely by Mayo (80%), and Roscommon (80%), while Dublin City recorded just 1%. 

It was also found that 97% of the people in Ireland were born in Ireland, with less than 1% of the population born outside of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, reflecting a period of low inward migration and high emigration.

By 2022, 14% of residents were born outside Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, reflecting increased inward migration driven by Ireland’s economic growth and freedom of movement within the EU.

In terms of Irish speakers, in 1926, 18% of the population were recorded as Irish speakers while in 2022, 40% of people reported being able to speak Irish.