Write a commentThe Northern Ireland population is projected to rise by 6% over the next 10 years (2010-2020).
The population is projected to reach 1.910 million by 2020, according to new figures released today by the Statistics and Research Agency.
The figures show that:
the projections indicate a marked increase in the size of the older population.
The number of older people (those aged 65 or more) is projected to increase by over a quarter in the next ten years (2010-2020), whilst the population aged 85 or more is projected to rise by 51% in the same period;
the projected population increase will be due to more births than deaths in Northern Ireland.
Between 2010 and 2020 it is projected that there will be 107 thousand more births than deaths, accounting for over 95% of population growth; and the population is projected to rise from just under 1.8 million in 2010 to 1.9 million in 2019 and 2 million in 2034.
Dr David Marshall, from the Statistics and Research Agency, noted: “Over the next 10 years, the population is set to grow by around 10,000 persons each year. The population will also continue to age, with the population aged 85 and over set to double within two decades. Understanding and responding to these trends will be important for public services in Northern Ireland.”
