Ireland

Languages:

The official languages of Ireland are Irish and English. English is the most widely spoken language in the country, with over 95% of the population speaking it as their first or second language. Irish, also known as Gaelic, is spoken as a first language by around 40,000 people, mainly in the Gaeltacht regions along the west coast of the country. The Irish language is taught in all primary and secondary schools, and the government actively promotes its use through various initiatives. However, despite these efforts, the number of Irish speakers has declined over the years, with only 1.7% of the population speaking it daily outside of the Gaeltacht regions.

Religion:

The largest religion in Ireland is Christianity, with Roman Catholicism being the most widely practiced denomination, accounting for around 78% of the population. Protestantism, including Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, and Methodism, is the second-largest religious group, representing approximately 4% of the population. Other religions, such as Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism, are also practiced in Ireland but are much smaller in number, making up less than 1% of the population each. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people who identify as having no religion, with this group now representing around 10% of the population. The Irish Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religious beliefs.

Ethnic Groups:

Irish 82.2%, Irish travelers 0.7%, other White 9.5%, Asian 2.1%, Black 1.4%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.)