Breaking News: A new ESRI study commissioned by the Department of Justice has found that migrants in Ireland are concentrated mainly in urban areas and more affluent communities, with housing, language and access to services shaping their integration experiences.
The research defines migrants as people not born on the island of Ireland. It found that 78% live in urban settings, while 43% live in cities. The findings provide a detailed picture of where migrant communities are located and highlight how local housing markets, transport links and public services influence integration.
Key findings from the ESRI migrant distribution study
The report, titled Spatial Distribution and Local Integration of Migrants in Ireland, examined population patterns across the State and considered the local factors that affect migrants’ ability to participate in community life.
- 78% of migrants live in urban areas.
- 43% of migrants live in cities.
- Migrants make up 36% of the population in electoral divisions classified as very affluent.
- Migrants represent 9% of the population in extremely disadvantaged areas.
- Migrants are more likely to live in areas with private rental housing.
- Housing and language are identified as the leading barriers to integration.
The figures show that migrant populations are not distributed evenly across Ireland. Instead, their locations reflect differences in employment opportunities, housing supply, rental availability and access to transport.
Why migrants are concentrated in urban areas
Urban centres tend to offer a wider range of employment, education, healthcare and public transport options. They also have larger private rental markets, which the study identified as a significant factor in where migrants live.
In Dublin, migrants are particularly concentrated in the city centre, including the north inner city. The proportion is lower in some areas between 2km and 4km from the centre, including parts of Ballymun and Finglas.
The findings do not suggest that all migrant groups follow the same settlement pattern. People born in Britain and the United States were more likely to live in rural areas. Migrants from some non-EU and western EU countries were more likely to live in cities, while those from Eastern Europe were more likely to live in commuter towns.
Affluence, housing and migrant settlement
The relationship between migration and local affluence was another major finding. In very affluent electoral divisions, migrants accounted for more than one-third of the population. In extremely disadvantaged areas, the share was considerably lower.
Researchers found that migrants were more likely to live in locations with higher levels of private renting rather than areas dominated by owner-occupied or social housing. This may reflect the way people arriving in Ireland initially access accommodation, particularly when they are seeking work or have limited access to established housing networks.
The finding is relevant to Ireland’s housing debate because rental costs, overcrowding, availability and location can all affect access to employment and public services. Housing pressures may also shape whether migrants remain in city centres, move to commuter towns or settle in rural communities.
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IPAS centres are not evenly distributed
The ESRI research also examined International Protection Accommodation Service, or IPAS, centres. It found that these centres are not evenly distributed across Ireland.
However, electoral divisions containing IPAS accommodation were not more or less likely to be classified as deprived. That distinction is important: the geographical distribution of accommodation does not automatically correspond with an area’s level of disadvantage.
The study also explored how local officials and organisations respond to migration. Stakeholders viewed the presence of Local Area Integration Teams in every local authority as a positive approach. Some recommended that these teams should support all migrants or other vulnerable migrant groups, rather than focusing on a narrower population.
Language and housing remain major integration barriers
Interviews with people working in local integration identified several practical challenges facing migrants across Ireland. The most frequently cited barriers were housing and language.
Other issues included:
- Recognition of overseas qualifications
- Access to healthcare
- Limited local transport
- Social isolation
- Insufficient English-language training in rural areas
- Practical difficulties for people living near the border with Northern Ireland
The border issue can be particularly complex for migrants who cannot cross into Northern Ireland without a visa. This can limit access to nearby services, employment, education or social connections, even where communities are geographically close.
Researchers also said managers of IPAS centres would benefit from additional training to support integration and improve engagement with local communities.
Migrant segregation remains low in Ireland
Despite differences in where migrant groups live, the study found that migrant segregation in Ireland is low overall. The level of separation varies by country of birth.
Migrants from non-EU and non-Anglosphere countries experienced higher average levels of segregation than migrants from Britain, the United States and Poland. The variation reflects different migration histories, housing circumstances and patterns of employment.
The report’s authors stressed that geographic distribution affects opportunities for integration. Living near jobs, schools, healthcare, transport and community organisations can make participation easier, while isolation or limited services can create additional obstacles.
What happens next for integration policy?
The ESRI findings are likely to inform discussion about how Ireland plans and delivers integration services at national and local level. The research points to the importance of giving local authorities and community organisations the flexibility to respond to the needs of specific areas.
Co-author Evan Carron-Kee said that Irish-born and migrant populations have different spatial distribution patterns, and that migrant groups also differ from one another. He emphasised the need for local stakeholders to help develop solutions and inform national policy.
For readers, the central message is that migration is experienced differently across Ireland. A city resident may have access to language classes, public transport and specialist services that are less available in a rural or border community. Integration policy therefore needs to account for local conditions rather than relying on a single national model.
Frequently asked questions
What did the ESRI study examine?
It examined where migrants live in Ireland and the local factors affecting their integration, including housing, transport, language services and access to healthcare.
What proportion of migrants live in urban areas?
The research found that 78% of people not born on the island of Ireland live in urban areas, with 43% living in cities.
Are migrants concentrated in disadvantaged areas?
No. The study found a higher proportion of migrants in very affluent areas than in extremely disadvantaged areas. IPAS locations were not more or less likely to be in deprived electoral divisions.
What are the main barriers to integration?
Housing and language were identified as the main barriers. Qualification recognition, healthcare, transport and isolation were also highlighted.
Conclusion
This Breaking News report shows that migrant settlement in Ireland is closely linked to urban living, private rental housing and local economic conditions. The ESRI study also makes clear that migrant communities are diverse, with different groups following different rural, urban and commuter-town patterns.
The strongest takeaway is that effective integration requires local solutions. Improving housing access, language provision, transport and coordination between services will be essential as Ireland responds to changing population patterns.
