The Republic of Ireland’s population increased by almost 99,000 people last year, the biggest increase since 2008.

Most of the growth - 79,300 people - came from net migration with the rest due to 19,400 more births than deaths.

That was the highest net migration since the record level of over 100,000 in 2007.

The number of immigrants was estimated to be 149,200, while the number of emigrants was estimated at 69,900.

The official figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) compare the population in April 2023 to April 2024.

Eva Leahy, Statistician in Population Estimates and Projections at the CSO, said "Ireland's population was estimated to be 5.38m rising by 98,700 people in the year to April 2024".

"This was the largest 12-month population increase in 16 years since 2008 when the population rose by 109,200," she said.

The number of immigrants in the last year was the highest since 2007 and consisted of 30,000 returning Irish citizens, 27,000 other EU citizens, 5,400 UK citizens, and 86,800 other citizens, including Ukrainians.

The number of emigrants was the highest since 2015 and consisted of 34,700 Irish citizens, 10,600 other EU citizens, 3,000 UK citizens, and 21,500 other citizens including Ukrainians.

Immigration has become a major social and political issue in Ireland after the country accepted a large number of Ukrainian refugees alongside an increase in other sources of immigration.

Between March and December 2022 almost 68,000 people arrived in Ireland from Ukraine under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.

That sudden and unprecedented influx placed significant pressure on Irish state resources with the government having to take measures such as temporarily housing people in tents.

Ireland’s government was already struggling with a housing crisis before the increase in immigration.

Right wing protesters have held a series of demonstrations at asylum accommodation centres and some building earmarked for asylum seekers have been burnt down.

Recent polling suggests that housing and immigration are major issues for voters ahead of a looming general election.