The number of pensioners in Northern Ireland is expected to increase by half over the next 25 years, new figures reveal.
Data from Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) also indicates that the north’s population is expected to be 1.93 million people by mid-2047.
This is an increase of 1.1 per cent over the 25 years from mid-2022.
The latest statistics published by NISRA suggest that net migration is projected to cause a population increase of 53,800, while natural change is projected to cause a population decrease of 32,400 people between mid-2022 and mid-2047.
Population of Northern Ireland projected to reach 1.95 million in 2033 before falling to 1.93 million by 2047https://t.co/yQbuGKmtsf pic.twitter.com/e9j0y80ftt
— NISRA (@NISRA) January 28, 2025
Figures suggest 463,500 projected births and 495,900 projected deaths over the period.
The projections also show the continuing ageing of the Northern Ireland population with those aged 65 and over projected to increase by 49.6 per cent between mid-2022 and mid-2047.
Likewise, the population aged 85 and over is projected to increase by 122.2 per cent over the same period.
By mid-2027, there is projected to be more people aged 65 and over (377,700 people) than children (aged 0-15) (366,700 people) in Northern Ireland.
NISRA figures also suggest that Northern Ireland is projected to have the lowest population growth (1.1 per cent) between mid-2022 and mid-2047 cross the UK.
England is projected to have the highest population growth (14.5 per cent), followed by Wales (10.3 per cent), then Scotland (6.2 per cent).
NISRA said these latest projections result in population figures that are generally lower than those reported in the 2021-based interim projections.
By mid-2047, it is projected that there will be 71,700 (3.6 per cent) less people in Northern Ireland than previously projected in mid-2021.
