Ireland Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Ireland's dependency ratio was 52.51 in 2025, ranked 131st globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Ireland's dependency ratio stood at 52.51 in 2025, a decline of +0.04 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 52.51 by 2025. Ireland ranked 131st globally.
Ireland’s total dependency ratio has fallen markedly from a post‑war high of 73.52 in 1966 to a historic low of 45.09 in 2007, before rising again to 52.51 in 2025, placing the country 131st globally. The long‑term decline reflects the combined impact of falling fertility, rising life expectancy and strong labour‑force participation, especially among women, while the recent uptick coincides with an ageing population and the return of younger cohorts after the 2008 financial crisis. Over the 66‑year span, Ireland’s ratio remains close to that of Bangladesh (52.36) and the Dominican Republic (52.59), underscoring a convergence with other economies experiencing similar demographic transitions. The upward movement since the 2007 trough suggests that without sustained policies to boost labour‑force attachment or immigration, the dependency ratio is likely to continue edging higher, potentially pressuring public finances and social‑security systems in the coming decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 52.26 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 52.38 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 52.51 | - | - |
| 2025 | 52.51 | −0.04 | #131 |
| 2024 | 52.55 | −0.26 | #86 |
| 2023 | 52.81 | −0.14 | #89 |
| 2022 | 52.95 | −0.10 | #92 |
| 2021 | 53.04 | −0.01 | #92 |
| 2020 | 53.05 | +0.02 | #94 |
| 2019 | 53.04 | +0.01 | #99 |
| 2018 | 53.03 | +0.09 | #99 |
| 2017 | 52.94 | +0.16 | #99 |
| 2016 | 52.78 | +0.27 | #104 |
| 2015 | 52.50 | +0.46 | #103 |
| 2014 | 52.05 | +0.65 | #104 |
| 2013 | 51.40 | +0.86 | #100 |
| 2012 | 50.54 | +1.12 | #96 |
| 2011 | 49.42 | +1.34 | #87 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ireland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ireland's dependency ratio was 52.51 in 2025. Ranked 131st globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Ireland's dependency ratio peaked at 73.52 in 1966.
The lowest dependency ratio in Ireland was 45.09 in 2007.
Ireland ranks 131st globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ireland's dependency ratio is projected to reach 52.51 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Ireland in 2025 was 52.51. This ranks 131st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ireland_dependency-ratio,
title = {Ireland Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ireland/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}