Central Statistics Office Ireland

16/10/2026

Tree cover density in Ireland’s Forest & Woodland ecosystems 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟓𝟓% in 2024

The System of Environmental Economic Accounting - Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA) is a spatially-based, integrated statistical framework for organising biophysical information about ecosystems, measuring ecosystem services, tracking changes in ecosystem extent and condition, valuing ecosystem services and assets and linking this information to measures of economic and human activity.

Here are 𝟯 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 from the CSO Ecosystem Condition Accounts - Forests and Woodlands 2024 release:
1. Size of Forest & Woodland ecosystems:
Forest & Woodland ecosystems 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝟖𝟑𝟒,𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 in 2024, 11.9% of Ireland’s land area.

2. Tree Cover Density:
Tree cover density, a measure of how much of the forest area is occupied by tree canopies, has risen from 53.4% in 2018 to 55.3% in 2024.

3. Forest Health:
Forest health 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬. The type of damage and total area damaged varied from year to year, with just under a thousand hectares damaged in 2024, the majority of which was due to diseases. In 2025, this area increased to 28,870 hectares, with 1,470 hectares damaged by disease, and 27,400 damaged by storm / wind.

How might we continue to protect Ireland's forests and woodlands for the future?
Let us know in the comments below! 👇

CSO: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹
www.cso.ie

*Source - Ecosystem Condition Accounts - Forests and Woodlands 2024 (CSO Release)

15/10/2026

𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘.....Kelp Forests and Seagrass Meadows & Beds covered more than 38,300 hectares in Irish seas in 2024?

This release presents the first national map of Ireland’s Marine Ecosystems classified according to a new EU Ecosystem Typology, and gives us a greater insight into the range of ecosystems present in our ocean.

Here are 𝟯 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 from the CSO Ecosystem Extent Accounts – Marine 2024
release:
1. Size of Marine Ecosystem:
In 2024, Ireland’s Marine Ecosystems covered 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟕𝟏 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬, an area more than 10 times larger than our land area.

2. Types of Marine Ecosystems:
𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 (57.7%) of our Marine Ecosystems are 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩-𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬, which extended to more than 41 million hectares in 2024.

3. Irish Coral Reefs:
In 2024, Coral Reefs were present across 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟕𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬, which was almost half of the 152,600 hectares covered by naturally occurring ecosystems known as Biogenic Reefs & Animal Forests.

How might we help to protect our seas for the future?
Let us know in the comments below! 👇

CSO: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹
www.cso.ie

*Source - Ecosystem Extent Accounts – Marine 2024 (CSO Release)

13/10/2026

Growth in the 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 in August 2026

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published new data on residential property prices for September 2026. These figures reveal median prices for dwellings all across the country.

Here are 3 quick facts you should know from the release:
1. The national Residential Property Price Index:
The national Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝟓.𝟏% in the 12 months to August 2026, down from the 5.4% recorded in the 12 months to July 2026.
Property prices in 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝟑.𝟗% and prices 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐛𝐲 𝟔.𝟐% compared with August 2025.

2. Median Prices including highest and lowest price areas:
The 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 of a dwelling purchased in the 12 months to August 2026 was €400,000.
The 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 for a dwelling in the 12 months to August 2026 was €685,000 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, while the 𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 was €199,000 in Longford.

3. Property purchases and first time buyers:
In August 2026, 4,279 dwelling purchases by households were filed with the Revenue Commissioners at a total value of €1.95 billion. These purchases were made up of 3,241 existing dwellings and 1,038 new dwellings.
Revenue data shows there were 1,811 first-time buyer purchases filed in August 2026.

Are you looking at property prices in any particular area?
Let us know in the comments! 👇

CSO: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹
www.cso.ie

*Source - Residential Property Price Index August 2026 (CSO Publication)

13/10/2026

Households experiencing enforced deprivation in 2025 were 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 healthcare costs as a financial burden

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published new data on Health and Lifestyle from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions from 2025. These results provide an overview of how healthcare experiences and health-related behaviours vary across different groups in society.

Here are 3 facts you should know from the release:
1. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞
In 2025, 9.2% of households reported that medical expenses were a heavy financial burden with a further 26.3% of households indicating these expenses were somewhat of a burden. Over one in five (23.1%) deprived households reported that the associated costs of healthcare were a heavy financial burden, compared with 6.8% of households not experiencing deprivation.

2. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
In 2025, 49.6% of people experiencing deprivation, 48.7% of people living in consistent poverty and 42.1% of people at risk of poverty had consulted a GP three or more times, compared with 34.1% of those not experiencing deprivation, 35.8% of those not living in consistent poverty, and 35.5% of those not at risk of poverty.

3. 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭
In 2025, 25.2% of people never engaged in physical activity or did so less than once a week, while 32.1% engaged in physical activity once a day or more.
A greater proportion of females reported undertaking daily exercise across all age groups compared with men. For those aged 18 to 34 years a similar proportion of females and males exercised daily, 33.4% and 32.5% respectively.

CSO: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹
www.cso.ie

*Source - Health and Lifestyle – Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) 2025 (CSO Release)

09/10/2026

Major 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗩 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 trends in September 2026

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published new data on vehicle licensing for September 2026. These figures reveal significant shifts in the types of vehicles entering the Irish fleet.

1. Electric Vehicles Capture accounted for 𝟰𝟮% of all new private cars licensed in the month.
In September 2026, 3,074 new private electric cars (EVs) were licensed, a 54% increase from September 2025.

2. Combined Petrol & Diesel Market Share Falls
Between January and September 2026, the combined share of new petrol and diesel private cars 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝟯𝟭% (from 43% in the same period of 2025).
The most popular make of new private car licensed in September 2026 was Toyota, while the Tesla Model 3 was the most popular electric model.

3. Significant Increase in Used (Imported) Vehicles
The number of used (imported) private cars licensed 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟴% year-on-year to 8,013.

Which fuel type are you planning to choose for your next car?
Are you ready to make the switch to electric, or sticking with conventional engines?
Let us know in the comments! 👇

CSO: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹
www.cso.ie
*Source - Vehicles Licensed for the first time September 2026 (CSO Publication)

09/10/2026

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 ….. to celebrate the Irish Presidency, each county across Ireland has been paired with an EU member state during the Presidency period?

This week we highlight 𝗖𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗻 + 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮.
To celebrate, we have produced a very special commemorative infographic highlighting 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮 and how it compares to Ireland.

💻 https://eu2026.cso.ie/en/CountrySpotlight/

Learn more about the CSO and its role in the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 💻:
https://eu2026.cso.ie/en/

08/10/2026

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 continue to rise in September 2026!

The cost of keeping our homes warm and vehicles running has seen significant cost increases. The latest data published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), shows that fuel and home heating costs have jumped notably over the past year.

Here are 𝟯 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 from the CSO Insight Series on Fuel and Home Heating Costs release:

1. Soaring Cost of Home Heating Oil
The price of 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝟳.𝟮% between August and September 2026, marking a staggering 58.6% increase over the 12 months to September 2026.

2. Rising Diesel Prices
𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝟱.𝟰% in September 2026 alone, bringing the annual increase to 22% with a national average price of €2.06 per litre.

3. Petrol Increases
𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝗯𝘆 𝟰.𝟴% in the month of September 2026, rising by 14% over the past year to reach a national average of €1.96 per litre.

How are these rising home heating and transport costs impacting your household budget this autumn?
Let us know in the comments below! 👇

CSO: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹
www.cso.ie

*Source - Focus on Fuel and Home Heating Costs September 2026 (CSO Publication)

08/10/2026

01/10/2026

National Children's Art Competition - Growing Up in Ireland

The Growing Up in Ireland study has been helping us understand what life is like for children and young people by listening to their experiences, ideas and perspectives.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Growing Up in Ireland study, the 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻, 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 is inviting children and young people aged 4-15 from across Ireland to take part in the Growing Up in Ireland National Children's Art Competition.

The competition theme is "Ireland of the Future”. Young artists are encouraged to share their hopes, ideas and vision for the future through art.

There are three age categories for this competition.
Category 1: Children aged 4-7
Category 2: Children aged 8-11
Category 3: Children aged 12-15

Additional Needs Award: Children with additional needs may wish to be considered for an Additional Needs Award within their age category. You can indicate your wish to be considered for this award on the entry form.

For more information on:
- submissions
- closing date
- prizes
SEE 🔗 IN COMMENTS



Department of Children, Disability and Equality

30/09/2026

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 ......... In April 2026, the estimated number of people in Ireland aged 65 years and over was 𝟖𝟗𝟏,𝟏𝟎𝟎, up 30,000 on April 2025?

Here are 3 facts you should know from the release:
1. The 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 after the age of 65 that people can expect is 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, up from 11.7 years in 2023 to 12.3 years in 2024.
2. Almost half (47.5%) of respondents aged 65 to 74 years and 27.2% of respondents aged 75 years and over 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 at least three times a week in 2025.
3. More than four in ten (42%) respondents aged 60 years and over, worried they would be 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 in 2025, compared with 14% in 2019.

Do you think that the lives of older people in Ireland will change over the next few years?
𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 in the comments below! 👇

CSO: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹

*Data source - Older Persons Information Hub September 2026 (CSO Press Release)