The Republic’s population now stands at 3.84 million - its highest level since before the formation of the State - according to the figures released today by the Central Statistics Office(CSO).
The natural increase in the population is at its highest level since 1988. Births now exceed deaths by almost 26,000.
Net immigration is at an all time high, measured at 26,300 in April of this year. The CSO says returning Irish nationals continue to be largest immigrant group at 39 per cent though this share has been decreasing steadily since 55 per cent in 1999.
The number of immigrants increased to 46,200 in the year to April 2001 while the number of emigrants declined to a record low of 19,900 for the same period.
The UK was the destination for over a quarter of emigrants from Ireland while it was the origin of a third of immigrants.
US nationals represented 6 per cent of immigrants compared with 15 per cent from the UK and 13 per cent from the EU.
According to the CSO, immigrants who are nationals of other countries accounted for 26 per cent of the total in the year to April compared with 18 per cent the previous year.
