Urban Population: Ireland
Ireland's urban population is currently 64.3% as of 2024. # Ireland Urban Population Ireland's urban population reached 64.
Current (2024)
64.3%
+0.4% y/y
Peak (2024)
64.3%
Low (1960)
44.9%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Ireland
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Ireland
Analysis# Ireland Urban Population
Ireland's urban population reached 64.347% in 2024, marking an all-time high and reflecting a dramatic demographic shift over the past six decades. The country has urbanized substantially since 1960, when only 44.87% of the population lived in urban areas—a total increase of 43.4 percentage points. This upward trajectory demonstrates Ireland's transition from a predominantly rural economy to an increasingly urban one, driven by industrialization and economic development.
The consistent year-on-year growth from 2015 through 2024 reveals sustained urbanization momentum. Annual increases averaged 0.18 percentage points during this recent decade, suggesting Ireland continues attracting people to cities and towns. With the nation now at its highest urbanization level on record, the trend indicates continued migration toward urban centers, likely fueled by employment opportunities and infrastructure concentration in metropolitan areas.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 64.3% | +0.36% |
| 2023 | 64.1% | +0.35% |
| 2022 | 63.9% | +0.34% |
| 2021 | 63.7% | +0.32% |
| 2020 | 63.5% | +0.31% |
| 2019 | 63.3% | +0.30% |
| 2018 | 63.1% | +0.29% |
| 2017 | 62.9% | +0.29% |
| 2016 | 62.7% | +0.13% |
| 2015 | 62.6% | +0.17% |
| 2014 | 62.5% | +0.21% |
| 2013 | 62.4% | +0.24% |
| 2012 | 62.3% | +0.27% |
| 2011 | 62.1% | +0.32% |
| 2010 | 61.9% | +0.40% |
| 2009 | 61.6% | +0.46% |
| 2008 | 61.4% | +0.49% |
| 2007 | 61.1% | +0.48% |
| 2006 | 60.8% | +0.47% |
| 2005 | 60.5% | +0.48% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 60.2% | +0.48% |
| 2003 | 59.9% | +0.46% |
| 2002 | 59.6% | +0.44% |
| 2001 | 59.4% | +0.42% |
| 2000 | 59.1% | +0.42% |
| 1999 | 58.9% | +0.41% |
| 1998 | 58.6% | +0.40% |
| 1997 | 58.4% | +0.40% |
| 1996 | 58.2% | +0.41% |
| 1995 | 57.9% | +0.42% |
| 1994 | 57.7% | +0.41% |
| 1993 | 57.5% | +0.38% |
| 1992 | 57.2% | +0.33% |
| 1991 | 57.1% | +0.27% |
| 1990 | 56.9% | +0.23% |
| 1989 | 56.8% | +0.20% |
| 1988 | 56.7% | +0.20% |
| 1987 | 56.6% | +0.23% |
| 1986 | 56.4% | +0.24% |
| 1985 | 56.3% | +0.25% |
| 1984 | 56.1% | +0.26% |
| 1983 | 56.0% | +0.29% |
| 1982 | 55.8% | +0.33% |
| 1981 | 55.7% | +0.39% |
| 1980 | 55.4% | +0.44% |
| 1979 | 55.2% | +0.50% |
| 1978 | 54.9% | +0.55% |
| 1977 | 54.6% | +0.60% |
| 1976 | 54.3% | +0.65% |
| 1975 | 53.9% | +0.70% |
| 1974 | 53.6% | +0.74% |
| 1973 | 53.2% | +0.79% |
| 1972 | 52.8% | +0.83% |
| 1971 | 52.3% | +0.92% |
| 1970 | 51.8% | +1.08% |
| 1969 | 51.3% | +1.21% |
| 1968 | 50.7% | +1.31% |
| 1967 | 50.0% | +1.37% |
| 1966 | 49.3% | +1.52% |
| 1965 | 48.6% | +1.77% |
| 1964 | 47.8% | +1.87% |
| 1963 | 46.9% | +1.78% |
| 1962 | 46.1% | +1.49% |
| 1961 | 45.4% | +1.16% |
| 1960 | 44.9% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Ireland
Compare Urban Population
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data