The CSO have published some preliminary findings from last April’s Census.
The population was measured to be 4.76 million up from 4.59 million in 2011 giving an increase of 170,000 (+3.7%). The natural increase was just over 198,000 so the estimate of net migration over the five years since the last census is –28,500. This is the second consecutive occasion where inter-censal population estimates were out by around 100,000.
The housing stock increased from 2,003,914 to 2,022,895, a rise of less than 20,000 over the five years. On census night just over 1.7 million units were occupied with 45,000 units where the occupants were temporarily absent and there were 60,000 unoccupied holiday or second homes. There were just under 200,000 “other vacant dwellings” a drop of 30,000 in this category since 2011. There is a wide variation in vacancy rates by area.
There is plenty of interesting detail available by following the link.