Urban area over the long-term in Ireland
Ireland: Urban area over the long-term was 1,155 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1,155 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
89th
of 202 countries
All-time high
1,155 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Ireland, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban area over the long-term in Ireland is 1,155 km² per grid cell, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 13.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Ireland peaked at 1,155 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Ireland ranks 89th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Ireland, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1200 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1300 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1400 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1500 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1600 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1700 | 34.38 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1710 | 57.57 km² per grid cell | +67.4% |
| 1720 | 74.15 km² per grid cell | +28.8% |
| 1730 | 90.56 km² per grid cell | +22.1% |
| 1740 | 107.02 km² per grid cell | +18.2% |
| 1750 | 123.74 km² per grid cell | +15.6% |
| 1760 | 137.25 km² per grid cell | +10.9% |
| 1770 | 150.69 km² per grid cell | +9.8% |
| 1780 | 183.83 km² per grid cell | +22.0% |
| 1790 | 237.74 km² per grid cell | +29.3% |
| 1800 | 276.78 km² per grid cell | +16.4% |
| 1810 | 342.69 km² per grid cell | +23.8% |
| 1820 | 435 km² per grid cell | +26.9% |
| 1830 | 513.34 km² per grid cell | +18.0% |
| 1840 | 584.3 km² per grid cell | +13.8% |
| 1850 | 512.21 km² per grid cell | -12.3% |
| 1860 | 460.18 km² per grid cell | -10.2% |
| 1870 | 453.83 km² per grid cell | -1.4% |
| 1880 | 460.79 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1890 | 441.17 km² per grid cell | -4.3% |
| 1900 | 440.61 km² per grid cell | -0.1% |
| 1910 | 455.27 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1920 | 476.27 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1930 | 335.9 km² per grid cell | -29.5% |
| 1940 | 356.37 km² per grid cell | +6.1% |
| 1950 | 368.1 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1951 | 373.52 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1952 | 380.16 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1953 | 386.32 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1954 | 391.92 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1955 | 396.97 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1956 | 400.73 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1957 | 401.43 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1958 | 402.27 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1959 | 403.67 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1960 | 405.98 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1961 | 409.92 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1962 | 416.75 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1963 | 424.42 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1964 | 432.42 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 440.39 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1966 | 448.12 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1967 | 455.71 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1968 | 463.69 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1969 | 472.63 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1970 | 482.98 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1971 | 492.77 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1972 | 503.08 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 515.25 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1974 | 528.44 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 541.9 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1976 | 555.4 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1977 | 568.78 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1978 | 581.85 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1979 | 593.97 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 604.86 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 618.24 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1982 | 628.67 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1983 | 637.17 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1984 | 643.13 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 646.22 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1986 | 650.45 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1987 | 651.64 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1988 | 651.5 km² per grid cell | -0.0% |
| 1989 | 651.88 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1990 | 654.16 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1991 | 656.15 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1992 | 661.47 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1993 | 668.92 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 677.91 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1995 | 688.05 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1996 | 695.01 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1997 | 703.72 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1998 | 714.47 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1999 | 728.19 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 745.45 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2001 | 761.66 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 2002 | 777.12 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 790.67 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 805.18 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2005 | 820.54 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2006 | 836.93 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 854.1 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 2008 | 870.97 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 932.41 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 2010 | 949.74 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 962.51 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 975.41 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2013 | 988.46 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 1,002 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 1,015 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 1,028 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 1,042 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 1,056 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 1,070 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 1,084 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 1,098 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 1,112 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 1,126 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 1,140 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2025 | 1,155 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 1,155 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 1.1× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 1,155 km² per grid cell is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 84% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1710 | +67.4% | 34.38 km² per grid cell | 57.57 km² per grid cell |
| 1930 | -29.5% | 476.27 km² per grid cell | 335.9 km² per grid cell |
| 1790 | +29.3% | 183.83 km² per grid cell | 237.74 km² per grid cell |
| 1720 | +28.8% | 57.57 km² per grid cell | 74.15 km² per grid cell |
| 1820 | +26.9% | 342.69 km² per grid cell | 435 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 34.38 km² per grid cell | 34.38 km² per grid cell | 34.38 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 57.57 km² per grid cell | 57.57 km² per grid cell | 57.57 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 74.15 km² per grid cell | 74.15 km² per grid cell | 74.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 90.56 km² per grid cell | 90.56 km² per grid cell | 90.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 107.02 km² per grid cell | 107.02 km² per grid cell | 107.02 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 123.74 km² per grid cell | 123.74 km² per grid cell | 123.74 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 137.25 km² per grid cell | 137.25 km² per grid cell | 137.25 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 150.69 km² per grid cell | 150.69 km² per grid cell | 150.69 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 183.83 km² per grid cell | 183.83 km² per grid cell | 183.83 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 237.74 km² per grid cell | 237.74 km² per grid cell | 237.74 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 276.78 km² per grid cell | 276.78 km² per grid cell | 276.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 342.69 km² per grid cell | 342.69 km² per grid cell | 342.69 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 435 km² per grid cell | 435 km² per grid cell | 435 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 513.34 km² per grid cell | 513.34 km² per grid cell | 513.34 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 584.3 km² per grid cell | 584.3 km² per grid cell | 584.3 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 512.21 km² per grid cell | 512.21 km² per grid cell | 512.21 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 460.18 km² per grid cell | 460.18 km² per grid cell | 460.18 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 453.83 km² per grid cell | 453.83 km² per grid cell | 453.83 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 460.79 km² per grid cell | 460.79 km² per grid cell | 460.79 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 441.17 km² per grid cell | 441.17 km² per grid cell | 441.17 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 440.61 km² per grid cell | 440.61 km² per grid cell | 440.61 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 455.27 km² per grid cell | 455.27 km² per grid cell | 455.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 476.27 km² per grid cell | 476.27 km² per grid cell | 476.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 335.9 km² per grid cell | 335.9 km² per grid cell | 335.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 356.37 km² per grid cell | 356.37 km² per grid cell | 356.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 390.51 km² per grid cell | 368.1 km² per grid cell | 403.67 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 437 km² per grid cell | 405.98 km² per grid cell | 472.63 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 536.44 km² per grid cell | 482.98 km² per grid cell | 593.97 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 638.38 km² per grid cell | 604.86 km² per grid cell | 651.88 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 684.81 km² per grid cell | 654.16 km² per grid cell | 728.19 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 819.5 km² per grid cell | 745.45 km² per grid cell | 932.41 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,009 km² per grid cell | 949.74 km² per grid cell | 1,070 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,119 km² per grid cell | 1,084 km² per grid cell | 1,155 km² per grid cell | 6 |
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 urban area over the long-term in Ireland?
- Urban area over the long-term in Ireland was 1,155 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 1,155 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Ireland rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Ireland ranks 89th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 108 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.