What is beach litter in Ireland?

Beach litter in Ireland was 256,994 number in 2022, according to United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest beach litter recorded in Ireland?

The highest recorded value was 307,597 number in 2021.

What is the lowest beach litter recorded in Ireland?

The lowest recorded value was 440.02 number in 2019.

How does Ireland rank for beach litter?

Ireland ranks 26th out of 71 regions with data for 2022.

Is beach litter rising or falling in Ireland?

Over the last ten years it is up 1,441.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Ireland data come from?

The figures come from United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Beach litter. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Beach litter in Ireland

Name: Beach litter in Ireland
Creator: United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Ireland: Beach litter was 256,994 number in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)

256,994 number

Change on year

down 16.5%

Rank

26th

of 71 regions

All-time high

307,597 number

in 2021

All-time low

440.02 number

in 2019

Years of data

2015–2022

Beach litter in Ireland, 2015–2022

Source: United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in number.

Analysis

The most recent figure for beach litter in Ireland is 256,994 number, measured in 2022.

That represents a change of down 16.5% on the previous year and up 1,441.9% over ten years.

That places Ireland 26th out of 71 regions with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	91,571 number	440.02 number	293,877 number	5
2020s	282,296 number	256,994 number	307,597 number	2

Countries ranked near Ireland

23 Tanzania 265,293 number compare
24 Mexico 262,943 number compare
25 Singapore 261,486 number compare
27 Portugal 248,759 number compare
28 Guernsey 234,647 number compare
29 Belize 233,388 number compare

See the full ranking of 71 places →

More reference data data for Ireland

Spring temperature anomalies 1.01 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies 1.31 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month -0.6528 °C (2026)
Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies -0.5528 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 0.8957 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 130.04 2010 = 100 (2025)
Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is beach litter in Ireland?: Beach litter in Ireland was 256,994 number in 2022, according to United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest beach litter recorded in Ireland?: The highest recorded value was 307,597 number in 2021.
What is the lowest beach litter recorded in Ireland?: The lowest recorded value was 440.02 number in 2019.
How does Ireland rank for beach litter?: Ireland ranks 26th out of 71 regions with data for 2022.
Is beach litter rising or falling in Ireland?: Over the last ten years it is up 1,441.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Ireland data come from?: The figures come from United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Beach litter. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Beach litter
Unit: number
Source: United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 71 places, 425 data points, 2015–2023
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Beach litter per square kilometer (Number)