Student numbers are projected to rise significantly over the next decade increasing by up to 19% from current levels, according to a report by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Projections of Demand for Higher Education 2025-2045 highlights strong expected growth in demand for full‑time higher education places over the coming years.
Demand for places is projected to peak in 2034, before easing towards 2045.
The key driver of this growth is rising numbers of Irish school leavers reaching college age, linked to higher birth rates between 2007 and 2012. Continued growth in postgraduate study is also expected, particularly among non‑EU students.
Welcoming the publication, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said: “This report highlights the continued strength, success and attractiveness of Ireland’s higher education sector.
“With more than 200,000 students now enrolled across our institutions, demand for higher education is expected to continue growing over the next decade.
“My focus, and that of my Department, is to ensure we have the policies and planning in place to meet this demand by keeping higher education accessible and responsive, while continuing to uphold the strong international reputation and quality of Irish higher education.”
His department said in a statement that the projections, based on the latest available data, provided a more stable basis for planning than the last estimates, published in 2022, which were affected by uncertainty arising from Brexit and the Covid‑19 pandemic.
The report will inform future policy development and investment decisions to ensure that the higher education system can meet growing demand while maintaining quality and accessibility.