A report from the CSO (Central Statistics Office) states that the population of Ireland, at its current rate of increase, could rise to 5.5 million from the 4 million at present (there was a 33,000 natural increase in the population plus 53,000 net inward migration this year, with future estimates of at least 30,000 net inward migration per year until 2015, 20,000 until 2020 and 15,000 per annum until 2030).

As a result, around 1 in 5 people could be non-nationals. Only a few countries like Canada, New Zealand and Australia have similar ratios (of over 18%). This will have many positive effects as we move towards a true multi-ethnic society here in Ireland, but this change will also lead to a sharp increase in the number of households in the country (estimates are that this will almost double from 1.2 million to 2 million in 25 years time).

Here are some related articles from the New Zealand Herald, RTE and Bloomberg.