69% of residentsPeople in the Republic of Ireland identified themselves as Catholic in the 2022 census, down from 79% in 2016, 84% in 2011 and more than 90% in the 2006 census.
3,515,861: In 2022, the number of people living in Ireland who call themselves Catholic has decreased by 180,783 since the last census in 2016.
14% of Irish residents The number of people who checked the “no religious affiliation” box on the latest census form increased from 9.8% in 2011. Also, Orthodox Christians (up 65% to 100,165), Muslims (up 32% to 81,930), and Hindus (up 141% to 33,043).
736,210: The number of people in the Republic of Ireland who claim to be ‘non-religious’ has increased by 284,269 since 2016.
2,116: Total number of priests in Ireland (as of November 2022). Fifteen percent (299 priests) are over 75 and still working. 25% (547 priests) are between the ages of 60 and 75. 22% (464 priests) are between the ages of 40 and 60, and only 52 (2.5%) are under 40.
27%: Weekly Mass Attendance in 2020. Although still the highest attendance rate in Europe, his attendance rate is down from 91% in 1975.
8%: Population growth in the Republic of Ireland from 2016 to 2022. Population growth was primarily the result of immigration. Ireland’s total population will exceed 5 million in 2022 for the first time since the Great Famine of the mid-19th century, when more than 1 million people starved to death and another 1 million emigrated.
Sources: Irish Census Bureau, Irish Priestly Association.Iona Institute
Read “Ireland’s last priests and nuns: Exploring the rapid decline of the Irish Catholic Church”