THE population increased by 22,600 in the year to mid-April 1996, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. Preliminary results from the 1996 Census of Population show that the population increased to 3,621,000, made up of 1,823,500 women and 1,797,600 men. The rise in the population was made up of a natural increase - the excess of births over deaths - of 17,000 and a net inflow of 5,600 people.

Some 32,800 emigrated from Ireland in the year ending April 1996, according to the preliminary figures, while 38,400 entered the country. This net inflow for 1996 compared with a net outflow of 1,700 in the previous year. Annual net migration has ranged from a net outflow of 5,500 in 1993/94 to a net inflow of 6,100 in 1991/92. The latest figures show that there was a fall in the number of male emigrants from 18,400 to 16,000 while the number of male immigrants returning to Ireland increased from 15,500 to 18,300, giving an overall inflow of 2,300 males.

While the number of female emigrants rose from 15,500 to 16,800, according to the preliminary figures, there was a larger inflow of females, up from 16,700 to 20,100. There was a net inflow of 3,300 females.

The UK continues to be the main destination for emigrants and the main origin of immigrants. It was the destination for 45 per cent of emigrants and the origin of some 50 per cent of the people coming to Ireland.

About 64 per cent of emigrants leaving Ireland were in the 15 to 24 year age group, while 42 per cent of people coming into the country were aged between 25 and 44 years.