The cart is empty 
Northern Ireland Population Continues to Grow
- 08 July 2013
Between July 2011 and June 2012 the number of people living in Northern Ireland increased by 9,300 people (+0.5%). The increase in population between July 2011 and June 2012 was due to:
- natural growth of 11,100 people (25,300 births less 14,200 deaths);
- an estimated net loss of 1,300 people due to migration. In total 23,300 people came here to live and 24,600 people left; and
- a net loss of 500 people due to changes in Her Majesty’s Forces.
In the period mid-2005 to mid-2007, migration accounted for more than half of population growth. Since then, migration into Northern Ireland has fallen and migration out of Northern Ireland has risen. Indeed 2011-12 is the second consecutive year where there is an estimated net loss in population due to migration.
In contrast, the numbers of births and deaths have remained relatively stable over the last five years. This is in spite of the older population (aged 65 and over) continuing to rise and currently standing at 15% of the population.
Responding to the findings, Dr David Marshall from NISRA said: “The population continues to rise, standing at 1.824million in June 2012, with more births than deaths being the cause of population growth. Migration into Northern Ireland is down by 24% from the 2005 to 2008 peak – last year just over 23,000 people came here to live. Over the same time period the number of people leaving Northern Ireland to live elsewhere has risen by 14% to nearly 25,000 people in 2011-12.”
