Fresh official data released on Irish migration trends reveals a steady decline in net immigration to the Republic of Ireland, retreating from the record highs seen at the height of the Ukrainian refugee crisis sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
For the 12-month period ending in April 2026, official estimates calculate that roughly 111,000 people relocated to Ireland for long-term residency, while approximately 62,500 individuals departed the country. This results in a net migration figure of around 48,000, marking a consistent downward shift from recent years. In comparison, net immigration hit nearly 60,000 in 2025, and reached almost 80,000 in both 2023 and 2024 — peaks driven by the large-scale arrival of people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Shortly after the outbreak of the war in early 2022, Ireland joined other European Union member states in welcoming Ukrainian refugees under the bloc’s Temporary Protection Directive. Between March and December 2022 alone, almost 68,000 Ukrainians arrived in the country to seek safety. This sudden, unprecedented influx placed extraordinary strain on Irish state and social infrastructure, particularly when combined with already rising migration from other regions. The Irish government was forced to implement emergency measures, including temporary tent-based accommodation to house new arrivals, as the crisis stretched existing housing and public services far beyond their planned capacity.
Critically, the sudden growth in immigration exacerbated a pre-existing housing shortage that had already left thousands of Irish residents struggling to access affordable accommodation. The issue quickly rose to become one of the most divisive social and political topics in Irish politics, prompting the current centre-right ruling coalition to implement a series of stricter migration enforcement policies, alongside a gradual phase-out of emergency state-funded accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.
Alongside the overall decline in net migration, the new data also highlights a surprising and growing trend: rising net migration from the United States. Estimates put net migration from the U.S. at 4,000 in the most recent reporting period, up from 3,500 in 2025. Many analysts and observers have linked this uptick to political shifts in the United States tied to Donald Trump’s political career. The most high-profile example of this trend is veteran American comedian and actress Rosie O’Donnell, who publicly relocated to Ireland in 2025, citing a refusal to live in a country led by Trump.