Air passengers in Ireland
Ireland: Air passengers was 192.53 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Air passengers in Ireland, 1970–2023
Source: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for air passengers in Ireland is 192.53 million, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 54 years on record.
The figure is up 13.7% on the previous year and up 106.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, air passengers in Ireland peaked at 192.53 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 1.41 million, in 1972.
That places Ireland 3rd out of 183 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Air passengers in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1.48 million | — |
| 1971 | 1.54 million | +4.6% |
| 1972 | 1.41 million | -8.8% |
| 1973 | 1.50 million | +6.2% |
| 1974 | 1.47 million | -1.5% |
| 1975 | 1.48 million | +0.1% |
| 1976 | 1.58 million | +6.9% |
| 1977 | 1.68 million | +6.2% |
| 1978 | 1.78 million | +6.3% |
| 1979 | 2.02 million | +13.5% |
| 1980 | 1.83 million | -9.5% |
| 1981 | 1.98 million | +8.1% |
| 1982 | 1.95 million | -1.5% |
| 1983 | 1.78 million | -8.6% |
| 1984 | 1.84 million | +3.2% |
| 1985 | 1.83 million | -0.5% |
| 1986 | 1.97 million | +7.8% |
| 1987 | 2.28 million | +15.6% |
| 1988 | 3.68 million | +61.3% |
| 1989 | 4.38 million | +19.1% |
| 1990 | 4.81 million | +10.0% |
| 1991 | 4.76 million | -1.0% |
| 1992 | 5.01 million | +5.1% |
| 1993 | 4.65 million | -7.1% |
| 1994 | 4.83 million | +3.8% |
| 1995 | 6.59 million | +36.5% |
| 1996 | 7.68 million | +16.6% |
| 1997 | 8.96 million | +16.8% |
| 1998 | 10.40 million | +16.0% |
| 1999 | 11.95 million | +14.9% |
| 2000 | 13.98 million | +17.0% |
| 2001 | 15.45 million | +10.5% |
| 2002 | 19.73 million | +27.7% |
| 2003 | 28.86 million | +46.3% |
| 2004 | 34.75 million | +20.4% |
| 2005 | 42.87 million | +23.4% |
| 2006 | 50.74 million | +18.3% |
| 2007 | 60.10 million | +18.5% |
| 2008 | 69.45 million | +15.6% |
| 2009 | 77.75 million | +12.0% |
| 2010 | 84.78 million | +9.1% |
| 2011 | 89.96 million | +6.1% |
| 2012 | 92.64 million | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 93.41 million | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 98.45 million | +5.4% |
| 2015 | 115.93 million | +17.8% |
| 2016 | 134.06 million | +15.6% |
| 2017 | 153.94 million | +14.8% |
| 2018 | 167.60 million | +8.9% |
| 2019 | 170.16 million | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 54.58 million | -67.9% |
| 2021 | 74.07 million | +35.7% |
| 2022 | 169.38 million | +128.7% |
| 2023 | 192.53 million | +13.7% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 192.53 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.14 million, 21.1× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 192.53 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3.87 million, 49.8× the median. (49 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Air passengers in Ireland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +128.7% | 74.07 million | 169.38 million |
| 2020 | -67.9% | 170.16 million | 54.58 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.59 million | 1.41 million | 2.02 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.35 million | 1.78 million | 4.38 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.96 million | 4.65 million | 11.95 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 41.37 million | 13.98 million | 77.75 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 120.09 million | 84.78 million | 170.16 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 122.64 million | 54.58 million | 192.53 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More reference data data for Ireland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0921 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.87 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 3.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 21.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.5015 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is air passengers in Ireland?
- Air passengers in Ireland was 192.53 million in 2023, according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest air passengers recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 192.53 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest air passengers recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.41 million in 1972.
- How does Ireland rank for air passengers?
- Ireland ranks 3rd out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is air passengers rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 106.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Air passengers. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 54 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Domestic and international passengers of airlines registered in the country. Passengers counted each time they travel.