LAST UPDATE | 12 Nov

THE NEXT CENSUS will be conducted on Sunday, 9 May 2027. 

The date was agreed by Cabinet this morning. 

For the first time, people will have the option to complete the census online, while paper forms will also be available.

The census will also be available to complete in the weeks leading up to the census date for the first time, rather than on a single night.

In another change, the 2027 Census will count where people are normally resident, rather than where they are on Census night. The CSO said this will ensure more precise data on population distribution.

In general, a census has taken place every five years since 1946. 

Usually, a census is taken in a year ending in 1 and 6, however, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the last census took place in 2022. 

Ahead of the forthcoming census, the CSO held a public consultation on its content in late 2022, and an online pilot survey was carried out.

A time capsule option will be included again, where respondents can leave a personal message for future research.

The CSO’s Head of Census Digital Transformation Eileen Murphy said it was “an exciting time of change” and that preparations for Census 2027 are well underway. 

“The value of the census cannot be overstated. The results help to inform policy and decision making, provide the evidence to better target services where needed and offers insights into changes in Irish society,” she said.

“Moreover, it is a collective endeavour that forms a fundamental part of our national heritage and shared knowledge. We look forward to engaging with the public through an extensive awareness and communications campaign ahead of Census 2027.”

The 2022 Census showed that Ireland’s population on census night was 5,123,536, an increase of 7.6% from 2016.

This was the first time Ireland’s population had topped five million since 1851 and was at the highest level it had been since 1841, before the Famine caused widespread death and emigration.