The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released their Population and Migration Estimates this week for the year to April 2024, with a total of 64,700 Irish citizens returning or emigrating abroad during this period. In this post, Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project breaks down these latest figures, highlighting some interesting emerging trends.
Emigration vs. Return
Emigration of Irish citizens in this period is estimated at 34,700, which is an increase on the 2023 figure of 30,500 (14%). The number of citizens returning to Ireland also increased slightly on last year, up 400 to 30,000. This demonstrates that for a second year in a row, more Irish people have emigrated than returned.
Emigration Destinations
The UK continues to be the most popular destination for those emigrating from Ireland (including non-Irish nationals), with 15,200 people moving to the UK. Australia has seen the largest increase in emigrants, with an estimated 10,600 people moving there from Ireland in the 12 months up to April 2024. This represents a 126% increase on the year previous. The number of people returning from Australia (6,400) was down 17% on the 2023 figure of 7,700.
Note that these numbers include non-Irish citizens that moved to Australia.
Overall, Ireland continues to see growth in those emigrating abroad post-pandemic, while the number of those returning has remained relatively stable across this period. The opening of borders in destinations such as Australia has seen an increase in the numbers of people emigrating, particularly evident in those within the Working Holiday Visa age cohort.
Note that these numbers include non-Irish citizens who left Ireland in the year to 2024.
Our Response
Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project continues to support Irish citizens both returning to, and emigrating from Ireland. Along with our global partners and network of Irish groups and organisations, we offer support to Irish citizens at all stages of their emigration journey.
With a continued flow of returning Irish emigrants, our service also continues to experience high demand for information on returning to Ireland. In June of this year, Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project held our first Returning to Ireland E-Conference Abhaile, which attracted a large number of attendees across a number of subject areas.
To meet the increased appetite for emigration information among younger Irish citizens, we continue to provide working holiday visa information for various destinations, including our upcoming webinar on the International Experience Canada programme.
If you or someone you know would like more information on returning to Ireland or emigrating abroad, please contact us here.
