Ireland’s latest education statistics bring together a detailed snapshot of schools, enrolments, teachers and long-term demand across the system. Published by the Department of Education and Youth on gov.ie, the updated resource is a key reference point for policymakers, parents, researchers and education stakeholders tracking how the sector is changing nationwide.
The refreshed education statistics page, last updated on 10 August 2026, gathers the department’s most important statistical bulletins, indicators, databases and projection reports in one place. It also makes it easier to compare historical trends, including annual overviews stretching back more than two decades.
Education statistics on gov.ie: what the latest update includes
The education statistics hub on gov.ie now highlights a broad set of official publications covering primary, post-primary and third-level education. Among the most notable entries are:
- Statistical Bulletin 2025/26: Overview of Education 2005/06–2025/26
- Statistical Bulletin Enrolments September 2025 – Preliminary Results
- Statistical Bulletin 2024/25: Overview of Education 2004/05–2024/25
- Education Indicators for Ireland 2024
- Earlier annual bulletins and indicator reports for 2023, 2022 and previous years
These education statistics offer a structured view of student numbers, school patterns and system-wide trends. For analysts working across Public Expenditure, Social Protection, Health, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Further and Higher Education, the figures can also support cross-government planning.
Why the data matters
Official education statistics are more than annual reports. They help shape decisions on staffing, school capacity, regional growth and future student demand. Bodies across the public sector, including the CSO, Department of the Taoiseach and National Shared Services Office, often rely on robust administrative data to inform wider state planning.
Key datasets, projections and school-level education statistics
Beyond annual bulletins, the gov.ie resource gives access to the Education Statistics Database, where users can search, reshape and download data. That makes the education statistics section especially useful for researchers, school leaders and journalists looking for tailored information.
The page also signposts reports on individual schools, including enrolment figures, class sizes in primary schools, and post-primary data on fee-paying and boarding schools.
Projections and retention reports
Several longer-range studies are included in the current education statistics collection, such as:
- Projections of demand for full-time Third Level Education 2021–2040
- Regional projections of full-time enrolments in primary and second level, 2021–2036
- Projections of full-time enrolment in primary and second level, 2021–2040
- Retention rates of pupils in second-level schools
- Teacher demand and supply modelling for Ireland 2021–2038
These reports are particularly relevant for strategic planning involving Education, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Transport and Rural and Community Development, especially in areas seeing population change.
Explore more: Irish education news, government data and public information | Ireland policy trends, economic and social development
International comparisons and wider public insight
The education statistics portal also connects readers with international reports that show how Ireland compares globally. These include OECD indicators, PISA, PIRLS, PIAAC and TIMSS-related materials. That broader context is valuable for understanding not just where Irish education stands now, but how it performs relative to other systems.
In practical terms, the education statistics page serves multiple audiences:
- Parents checking school-level information
- Researchers seeking downloadable datasets
- Schools monitoring enrolment patterns
- Officials across Finance and public bodies reviewing long-term demand
- Media outlets reporting on education trends in Ireland
What to watch next
As new bulletins and indicators are added, education statistics on gov.ie will remain central to understanding enrolment growth, teacher supply and future capacity needs. For anyone following Ireland’s school system, the clearest takeaway is that these official education statistics provide both the current picture and the evidence base for future planning.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
