People overestimate number of migrants in Ireland, study finds

James Cox

People are "misjudging" and "misconceiving" immigration statistics here, according to a new study.

Data from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) finds most citizens believe more than a quarter of the population were born abroad, which is not true.

This is “strongly associated with negative attitudes to immigration”, the research found.

The study was funded by the Department of Justice and involved an anonymous survey of 1,200 adults.

Participants estimated that 28 per cent of the population was born abroad, though the highest official figure is 22 per cent.

On average, participants also estimated that 14 per cent of the population was born outside the EU, UK and North America. This is also double the actual figure of 8 per cent.

“These misperceptions matter. The study found that the people who hold more inaccurate beliefs are also significantly more likely to feel negatively about immigration and to cite it as a major national issue,” the ESRI said.

“Overestimating the share of migrants seeking asylum and underestimating migration for work and education have the strongest association with negative attitudes.”

Dr Shane Timmons, senior research officer at the ESRI and lead author of the report, said any informed debate around migration required “shared understanding of the facts”.

Mr Timmons said: "While most people do not hold negative attitudes toward immigration, those who do tend to strongly underestimate migrants’ economic contribution. In reality, there are fewer migrants living in Ireland than people think, and far more come for work and education than people believe.”