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Irish Post
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Post
Northern Ireland's population to peak in 2033
NORTHERN Ireland's population is expected to reach its highest point in 2033, hitting nearly 1.95 million, before it starts to gradually decline, according to a recent report by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). The study emphasises a low birth rate as the main contributing factor. The projections show that by 2031, the number of deaths will surpass births, marking a demographic shift that is only going to continue. Any future population growth is likely to rely entirely on migration, which is becoming a particularly thorny issue across the whole of Europe. However, the report assumes migration will continue at its current pace, resulting in an overall population increase of only 1.1% between 2022 and 2047, which is significantly lower than growth rates seen elsewhere in mainland Britain. Another worrying detail in the report is the rapid ageing of Northern Ireland's population. By the middle of 2027, pensioners are projected to outnumber children for the first time. The working-age population, which includes those between 16 and 64 years old, is projected to begin shrinking by 2028. By 2047, more than a quarter of the population will be aged 65 or older, compared with about one in six today. Northern Ireland is predicted to have the largest drop in its child population and the largest increase in pensioners compared to Britain. These projections are based on current trends and assumptions. Changes in government policies, specifically on migration, could alter future demographic changes. Ireland's population has long been shaped by the migration of its people. Historical upheavals such as the Great Famine in the mid-1800s, led to mass starvation and the emigration of millions. Ulster was particularly affected. Between 1845-1851 the population fell by 340,000, a nearly 16% drop, with the worst losses in the counties of Cavan, Fermanagh and Monaghan. Since then, Ireland has seen changes in population both within and outside its borders but still hasn't returned to its pre-Famine peak of 8.5 million in 1845. See More: Great Irish Famine, Irish Population, NISRA, Northern Ireland
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Dublin to Derry flights ‘could resume by 2026' in boost to north-west region
Flights between City of Derry Airport (CoDA) and Dublin were cancelled in 2011. The airport is currently the least busy of three major airports in the north of Ireland. Recent air travel numbers from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) revealed the airport's summer quarter 2023 saw it welcome 48,000 travellers. The number is less than half the airport's strongest recorded quarter, when it saw close to 130,000 travellers in July-September 2011. Since that high point, the airport has faced the loss of routes like Ryanair's former Derry to Dublin flight, and the disruption of the global pandemic. Donegal TD Mr McConalogue told BBC News NI that talks to reinstate the Derry to Dublin route are ongoing. "The Irish government are committed to stepping this forward, have put a timeline in place as to how we can make this happen, and I have been liaising with the minister for transport and City of Derry management," he told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show. McConalogue said it been a commitment in the Government's programme for government and that it would move forward. He added that next month the transport Minister Darragh O'Brien will meet the airport management. McConalogue said the loss has "been a real disadvantage to Derry, Donegal, and the north-west region". In April, it was announced that direct flights between Derry and Heathrow will continue to be subsidised for two more years. It followed an announced by Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald of £4.626 million of funding from her department and Westminster's Department for Transport. It will ensure the continuation of flights between CoDA and Heathrow until March 31, 2027.
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Dublin to Derry flights ‘could resume by 2026' in boost to north-west region
An Irish Government minister has indicated that flights between Londonderry and Dublin could be reinstated by the end of 2026. Flights between City of Derry Airport (CoDA) and Dublin were cancelled in 2011. The airport is currently the least busy of NI's three major airports. Recent air travel numbers from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) reveal the airport's summer quarter 2023 saw it welcome 48,000 travellers. The number is less than half the airport's strongest recorded quarter, when it saw close to 130,000 travellers in July-September 2011. Since that high point, the airport has faced the loss of routes like Ryanair's former Derry to Dublin flight, and the disruption of the global pandemic. Irish Minister of State and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue told BBC News NI that talks to reinstate the Derry to Dublin route are ongoing. "The Irish government are committed to stepping this forward, have put a timeline in place as to how we can make this happen, and I have been liaising with the minister for transport and City of Derry management," he told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show. McConalogue said it been a commitment in the Irish government's programme for government and that it would move forward. He added that next month the transport Minister Darragh O'Brien will meet the airport management. McConalogue said the loss has "been a real disadvantage to Derry, Donegal, and the north-west region". In April it was announced that direct flights between Londonderry and Heathrow will continue to be subsidised for two more years. It followed an announced by Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald of £4.626 million of funding from her department and Westminster's Department for Transport. It will ensure the continuation of flights between CoDA and Heathrow until March 31 2027.
