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Indians in Ireland
From Dublin’s tech corridors to Ireland’s hospitals and universities, the Indian community has become one of the fastest-growing migrant groups in the country.
What began as a small professional diaspora has evolved into a vibrant, educated, and highly skilled community shaping Ireland’s economy and multicultural identity.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has one of the largest diasporas in the world, with millions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) living across the globe.
Indian Population in Ireland (MEA & Embassy Data)
As per the 2018 MEA report, around 40,000 Indians were residing in Ireland:
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs): 25,000
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs): 15,000
According to the Indian Embassy in Ireland, approximately 61,386 people of Indian origin live in the country, including:
PIOs: 31,386
NRIs: 30,000
In recent years, the community has grown rapidly. By 2026, the Indian population in Ireland is estimated at ~65,000.
Source: MEA report about the overseas Indian population.
The Indian community in Ireland is largely driven by skilled migration and education-based migration.
Most Indians in Ireland work in:
Healthcare & nursing
Information technology
Engineering & research
Finance, consulting & senior management
The community is well-integrated and highly respected in Irish society. A notable example is Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s former Prime Minister and current Deputy Prime Minister, who has Indian ancestry.
Regions with Significant Indian and South Asian Populations
Ireland does not collect detailed ethnicity-specific census data, so figures are based on estimates and regional records.
South Asians — including Indians — are believed to make up around 1–3% of Ireland’s population.
Major Irish regions with notable Indian populations
Dublin (and suburbs): 33,225
Cork City & suburbs: 3,240
Limerick City: 1,734
Galway City: 1,590
Waterford City: 846
Letterkenny: 600
Sligo (and suburbs): 590
Athlone: 525
Kilkenny City: 506
Ballyhaunis: 478
These cities have growing student communities, IT corridors, healthcare hubs, and multicultural neighbourhoods.
Indian Students in Ireland
Ireland has emerged as a top education destination for Indian students, especially in:
- Engineering & IT
- Data science & AI
- Medicine & healthcare
- Business & management
Around 5,000 Indian students are currently enrolled in Irish universities and colleges. Top institutions hosting large Indian student groups include:
-
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
-
Dublin City University (DCU)
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National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
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Dublin Institute of Technology (TU Dublin)
The Irish government is actively expanding international education, and India is considered a key partner country in this initiative.
Religion Among the Indian Population in Ireland
Hinduism is the predominant religion among Indians in Ireland. Other religions include Sikhism, Christianity, Jainism, and Islam.
- Indian-origin Hindus form the majority, reflecting the religious demographics of their homeland.
- A smaller percentage consists of Sikhs, Jains, Christians, and Muslims, showcasing the community’s diversity.
also read about religion in Ireland