NY-IRISH-L Archives

From: "CIARAN COLGAN" <>
Subject: Ireland Immigration in reverse. Poverty - Riches
Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2005 23:28:06 +0100

Just a little news item which I believe maybe of interest to some readers
of things Irish but who are far away from its shores.

During the week the CSO in Dublin announced that the Irish population has
soared to its highest level in more than 140 years. The population went over
4 million mark last year and that on a population basis Ireland has become the
most popular country in the European Union for migrant workers per head of
population.

The population increased by 87000 last year and 16000 left. What a difference
when up to ten years ago the country was haemorrhaging 50000 young people a
year. I was amongst them one year but another country has had the benefit of
my talents.

70000 people migrated to Ireland last year the highest recorded in last 20 years.
I understand 250000 new people are required over the next five years as most
Irish people who wanted to return to Ireland have done so from around the world.

Over 20% migrated from Poland and Lithuania. The combined effect of natural
population increase along with migration is driving the Irish economy to such an
extent that its booming economy has in theory made Ireland the second richest
country in the world per head of population after Luxembourg.

It is good that 'the good old bad days ' are over in spite of the social failings on
the down side of economic achievement just to highlight some of the ambiguities

ciaran colgan

This thread:

• Ireland Immigration in reverse. Poverty - Riches by "CIARAN COLGAN" <>