What is the population of Dublin?
Dublin has a city population of 1,024,027. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
About Dublin
Dublin is the capital of Ireland, with 550,000 residents and 1.4 million in the metro area. A city of literary giants (Joyce, Yeats, Beckett), Georgian architecture, and legendary pubs, Dublin has transformed into a European tech hub hosting headquarters of Google, Facebook, Apple, and more. The city blends rich cultural heritage with modern prosperity.
Metro population
1,263,000
0.015% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+1.05%
Archive estimateDensity
3,972/km²
318 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 28
Founded
841
Leadership
Paul McAuliffe
Coordinates
53.333, -6.249
Record updated
9 March 2022
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 40 in IrelandClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Dublin | 1.02M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Dublin AirportDUB
11 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Dublin was founded by Vikings around 841 CE. It became capital under English/British rule. The 1916 Easter Rising led to Irish independence (1922). Dublin was culturally and economically quiet for decades. EU membership (1973) and the Celtic Tiger boom (1990s-2008) transformed the city. Recovery from the 2008 crash restored growth.
Economy
Dublin is Ireland's economic engine, generating about 50% of national GDP. Major tech companies (Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft) have European headquarters here, attracted by low corporate tax, English language, and EU access. Pharma, finance, and professional services are major sectors. The tech presence has made Dublin extremely expensive.
Culture
Dublin's culture is literary, musical, and pub-centric. Four Nobel laureates in literature (Yeats, Shaw, Beckett, Heaney). Traditional Irish music (trad) fills pubs. Guinness is synonymous with Dublin. Georgian architecture defines areas like Merrion Square. Temple Bar is the nightlife center. The GAA (Gaelic games) inspires passion. Dubliners are known for wit and warmth.
Transportation
Dublin has DART commuter rail, Luas tram, and extensive buses. Dublin Airport is Ireland's main hub. No metro (long-planned). Traffic congestion is significant. The city center is walkable. Cycling is growing. Trains connect to Belfast and other Irish cities.
Current Challenges
Dublin faces a severe housing crisis—highest rents in Europe, homelessness at record levels, and construction not keeping pace. Tech industry concentration creates inequality. Traffic congestion is chronic without a metro. Cost of living has made the city unaffordable for many. Healthcare system strains.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Trinity College and Book of Kells
- Guinness Storehouse
- Temple Bar district
- St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Dublin Castle
- Phoenix Park (largest urban park in Europe)
- Georgian Dublin
- GPO (1916 Rising site)
- Ha'penny Bridge
What Dublin Is Known For
- Guinness
- Literature
- Pubs
- Tech headquarters
- Georgian architecture
- Music
Universities
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- Dublin City University
Sports Teams
- Dublin GAA
- Bohemian FC
- Shamrock Rovers (football)
Interesting Facts
- Dublin has the most pubs per capita of any European capital
- Guinness has been brewed in Dublin since 1759
- Phoenix Park is twice the size of Central Park
- Bram Stoker (Dracula) and Oscar Wilde were Dubliners
- The Temple Bar area was almost demolished for a bus station
- Dublin is one of the youngest cities in Europe—average age under 30
Population Trend in Ireland
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,912,654 |
| 1960 | 2,827,689 |
| 1970 | 2,961,403 |
| 1980 | 3,415,240 |
| 1990 | 3,514,018 |
| 2000 | 3,802,585 |
| 2010 | 4,559,080 |
| 2020 | 4,982,606 |
| 2030 | 5,525,093 |
| 2040 | 5,817,570 |
| 2050 | 5,970,042 |
| 2060 | 5,933,916 |
| 2070 | 5,791,493 |
| 2080 | 5,633,971 |
| 2090 | 5,493,730 |
| 2100 | 5,286,120 |
Dublin Population FAQ
Where is Dublin?
Dublin is in Leinster, Ireland. Its coordinates are 53.333, -6.249.
How big is Dublin compared with other cities in Ireland?
It is the 1st largest of the 40 cities listed in Ireland, holding 18.7% of the national population.