The population in Ireland has increased by over 8 per cent in the four years to April 2006 to 4,234,925 people, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office today.
Ireland's population is now 4,234,925
The data, contained in the CSO's Statistical Yearbook of Ireland 2006, also shows that the number of people in employment has risen from 1.1 million to 1.9 million in the 20 years to 2005.
Last year, 26,600 days were lost due to 15 industrial disputes, involving just under 3,300 workers. The unemployment rate has fallen from 12.2 per cent in 1995 to 4.2 per cent in 2005.
Over the 15-year period to 2005, the National Debt as a percentage of GDP has fallen from 87.7 per cent to 23.7 per cent
Last year the general Government balance was a surplus of €1,623 million in 2005 compared with a surplus of €2,288 million in 2004.
Total construction output increased by 58 per cent between 2001 and 2005. The number of new houses granted planning permission increased by over 89 per cent from 1998 to 2005.
Last year the average price of new houses for which loans were approved in 2005 was €276,221 nationally and €350,891 in Dublin.
Since 2001 Irish people have increasingly taken holidays abroad, with 45 per cent more Irish people taking foreign holidays last year. Over the same period, the number of tourists coming to Ireland increased by 16 per cent.
Irish people's thirst for new cars was unabated last year, with an increase of over 11 per cent in the number of new private cars licensed.
Between 1990/91 and 2004/2005 the number of students in third-level education increased by 105 per cent.