Population change in the Republic of Ireland 1981-1991: trends and spatial patterns

Abstract

Demographic trends in the Republic of Ireland have gradually moved closer to Western European norms during the past two decades. Birth rates have continued to fall and internal migration flows have become diversified. External migration has continued to play an important role in population change, however, and in the most recent census period has contributed to net decline. Geographical patterns of change within the state reflect a concentration of growth in the environs of the larger centres of population.