1. Rural Economy Research Centre Population and Settlement Change 1991 – 2006: David Meredith Opportunities for rural development

2. Rural Economy Research Centre Overview  Rural Change 1991 - 2006 Population Change Settlement Change  Implications of Population & Settlement Change Demography Human Capital  The Future of Rural Areas Opportunities Challenges

3. Rural Economy Research Centre Population Change in the Republic of Ireland Population increase of 1,262,933 (42%) since 1926

4. Rural Economy Research Centre Population Change in the Republic of Ireland 56% of the total population increase since 1926 has occurred after 1991

5. Rural Economy Research Centre Ireland’s Changing population distribution 1991 – 2006  Map: Choropleth map 3440 Electoral Divisions  Widespread, large-scale population increases.  Accessible areas have increased most.

6. Rural Economy Research Centre Population Loss 1996 - 2006  977 EDs experienced population decline of 108,528 persons  281 EDs in the five cities and parts of Dublin County account for 72% (-78,647) of the total population decline  Rural population decline is predominantly located in less accessible areas.

7. Rural Economy Research Centre Impact of Population Change on Settlement Patterns 1991 - 2006

8. Rural Economy Research Centre UrbanRural Change in Classified Area (%) 77.46-1.91 Percentage of Total Area 4.2695.74 Impact of Population Change on Settlement Patterns 1991 - 2006

9. Rural Economy Research Centre Rural Population Change 1991 - 2006 Rural Areas Population 1991 1,638,125 Population 2006 1,779,221 Population Change (%) 9% Percentage of national population 42% Growth rate 02 – 06 2.29%

10. Rural Economy Research Centre Implications of Population and Settlement Change  Demographic Restructuring  Human Capital

11. Rural Economy Research Centre Ireland’s Demographic Structure 1991  Population Pyramid Depict the ‘structure’ or distribution of the population by age and gender  Population is grouped into five year age groups known as cohorts

12. Rural Economy Research Centre Demographic Structure of the Rural Population: 1991

13. Rural Economy Research Centre Demographic Structure of the Rural Population: 2006

14. Rural Economy Research Centre Impact of Demographic Restructuring 1991 - 2006

15. Rural Economy Research Centre Impact of Demographic Restructuring 1991 - 2006

16. Rural Economy Research Centre Human Capital RuralUrban % of total population with 3 rd level degree 1991 38%62% % of total population with 3 rd level degree 2006 36%64%

17. Rural Economy Research Centre Impact of Population and Settlement Change  Contemporary developments represent a clear break with past trends  Population growth in rural areas is being driven by in migration  Rural population is younger than the recent past.  Age structure of migrants highly significant for the development of rural areas (Human Capital)

18. Rural Economy Research Centre The Future of Rural Areas  Opportunities Population Increase  Critical Mass Support for rural products Support for infrastructure investment Support for rural services  Challenges Harnessing human capital Maintaining quality of life (Migration)