7 Key Findings From The GAA Demographics Report And What They Mean For Laois.

The Gaelic Athletic Association recently published its national demographics report, No One Shouted Stop Until Now: The GAA’s Response to Ireland’s Demographic Shift, examining the impact demographic changes are having on Gaelic Games across Ireland.

Produced by the GAA National Demographics Committee, the report outlines the changing population trends affecting participation, club sustainability, facilities, volunteer structures and future planning across the Association.

Using census data and GAA participation figures, the demographics report highlights the significant demographic changes taking place nationally, including:

continued urban population growth
rural population decline
falling birth rates
increasing pressure on facilities in growing urban areas
challenges facing smaller rural clubs

The report stresses the importance of long-term planning to ensure Gaelic Games continue to remain central to communities throughout Ireland.

1. Ireland’s Population Has Reached Its Highest Level Since 1851

According to the demographics report, Ireland’s population now exceeds 7 million people for the first time since 1851.

Across the island there are currently:

2,371 clubs
more than 760,000 members across all Gaelic Games codes

While overall population growth presents opportunities for Gaelic Games nationally, the report highlights that the location of population growth is changing significantly and this presents both opportunities and challenges for clubs throughout Ireland.

2. Population Growth Is Increasingly Concentrated In Urban And Commuter Areas

One of the demographics report’s key findings is the continued concentration of population growth in urban areas and commuter belts.

The report states:

32.7% of Ireland’s population now lives within the Dublin commuter belt
yet only 18% of GAA clubs are located within that region

It also highlights that:

62.7% of Ireland’s population now lives in major towns and cities with populations greater than 10,000
while only 26.3% of GAA clubs are located in those areas

The report identifies this imbalance as one of the major strategic challenges facing Gaelic Games over the coming decades.

3. Birth Rates Continue To Decline Nationally

The report highlights that births across Ireland have declined by 26.7% since 2010 and are projected to continue declining in the years ahead.

This has major significance for Gaelic Games, particularly at underage level, as future participation levels are closely linked to younger population trends.

The report projects changes in the 6 to 11-year-old age cohort between 2022 and 2040 across every county in Ireland.

Nationally, the report projects that the 6 to 11 age group will reduce to 82% of its 2022 baseline by 2040.

4. Several Counties Are Facing Significant Underage Population Declines

The report outlines significant projected reductions in the 6 to 11-year-old age group across a number of counties by 2040.

Among the projected figures are:

Monaghan at 64%
Laois at 68%
Roscommon at 69%
Tipperary at 71%
Kilkenny at 71%
Kerry at 74%
Wexford at 75%

These projections highlight the importance of continued planning around:

underage participation
facilities
coaching structures
volunteer development
club sustainability

5. Younger Populations Are Becoming Increasingly Concentrated

One of the most striking findings within the report relates to the concentration of younger populations nationally.

The report notes that:

just 50 clubs account for 25.5% of all 0 to 5-year-olds nationally
while the lowest 1,000 clubs account for only 22% of that age group

This reflects the changing demographics landscape nationally and reinforces the importance of long-term strategic planning around facilities, participation structures and future club development.

6. The Report Highlights Both Rural And Urban Challenges

A key theme throughout the report is that demographic change impacts clubs differently depending on their location and population trends.

The report highlights that many rural clubs continue to face challenges linked to:

declining populations
smaller school enrolments
lower birth rates
volunteer pressures
maintaining underage participation structures

At the same time, clubs located within growing urban and commuter areas are increasingly experiencing pressures linked to:

growing playing numbers
pitch availability
coaching resources
volunteer recruitment
access to facilities and training opportunities

The report stresses the importance of planning and investment to ensure clubs can continue to support participation and community engagement into the future.

7. The Findings Are Particularly Relevant Within A Laois Context

The demographics report’s findings are highly relevant within a Laois context, particularly given the county’s unique demographic position.

According to the report, Laois’ projected 6 to 11-year-old population cohort is expected to reduce from 100% of its 2022 baseline to 68% by 2040.

This places Laois significantly below the projected national average of 82% by 2040.

In practical terms, this means Laois is projected to experience a considerably sharper reduction in future underage population numbers than Ireland overall during the next 15 years.

The figures position Laois among the counties facing some of the most significant projected demographic pressures nationally within key underage participation age groups.

The report’s findings are particularly important for Laois because the county sits between two distinct demographic realities.

Across many rural parts of the county, clubs continue to face the same pressures identified throughout the report:

declining birth rates
smaller school populations
outward migration from rural communities
volunteer pressures
maintaining underage participation structures

At the same time, other parts of Laois, particularly around growing urban centres and commuter areas, are continuing to experience population growth linked to housing development and commuter expansion.

This creates both opportunities and challenges for clubs across the county.

The demographics report highlights that while rural clubs may face pressures linked to population decline, urban and commuter-belt clubs are increasingly dealing with growing demands around:

facilities
pitch capacity
coaching structures
volunteer recruitment
access to games and training opportunities

Laois therefore reflects many of the wider demographic trends identified throughout the report, balancing both rural sustainability challenges and the demands associated with population growth in expanding urban areas.

For Laois GAA and clubs across the county, the report provides valuable demographic insight which can assist future strategic planning and support the continued development of Gaelic Games throughout both rural and urban communities.