People overestimate number of migrants in Ireland, study findsJames CoxPeople are "misjudging" and "misconceiving" immigration statistics here, according to a new study. Data from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) finds most citizens believe more than a quarter of the population were born abroad, which is not true. Participants estimated that 28 per cent of the population was born abroad, though the highest official figure is 22 per cent. Mr Timmons said: "While most people do not hold negative attitudes toward immigration, those who do tend to strongly underestimate migrants’ economic contribution. In reality, there are fewer migrants living in Ireland than people think, and far more come for work and education than people believe.”

Source: Irish Independent January 15, 2026 12:47 UTC