Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Disclaimer: we're not sure if these particular Grafton Street ladies are single... Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

All the single ladies: those in urban areas more likely to be unmarried

Altogether, there are 1.5 million single people living in Ireland.

THE PERCENTAGE OF single people in Ireland fell slightly between 2006 and 2011, according to the latest census.

Overall, there are 1.5 million single people in Ireland.

There are  less single women out there than men with just 39.2 per cent of those aged over 15 describing themselves as single. Over 44 per cent of men were single as of April 2011.

There is a greater percentage of single people in urban areas (45.2 per cent) than in rural areas (35.8 per cent).

Of those in the 40 to 49 age category, who the CSO believe are less likely to get married, 23.3 per cent of men and 19.4 per cent of women were single.

Over 74,000 men and over 61,000 women in their 40s are unmarried.

The CSO said it is interesting to examine the data for this category as the majority of marriages in Ireland are between persons aged under 40 (93 per cent of first marriages). The marital status of this particular age group then is a good indicator of those who never marry in the long term.

The data for urban and rural areas differs sharply. In rural areas only 13.4 per cent of women in this age group were single compared with 23.4 per cent in urban areas, while for men the figures were 20.6 per cent and 25.2 per cent respectively.

Of those in their 30s, 44 per cent were single. However, in rural areas, just 36 per cent of those aged 30 to 39 were single.

Moving to the older category, only 8.6 per cent of women in their 50s living in rural areas were single. This increased to 14.7 for urban areas. About 16.1 per cent of men in the corresponding category are single with the divide between rural and urban areas less distinctive.

About 37 per cent of the Irish population is married.

Looking at age and sex, the most gender-balanced groups are those aged 35 to 39 and 55 to 59 where the ratio of men to women is equal.

Overall, there were 42,854 more females than males in the State, resulting in a sex ratio of 98.1 men for every 100 women. This is a reverse of the 2006 situation when there was more males. The pattern can be primarily attributed to changing patterns in migration.

However, back in the younger categories there is a noticeable shift due to higher male births. There is an average of 104.6 boys for every 100 girls in the under 19 age groups.

TheJournal.ie’s coverage of the Census of 2011>

Census shows family sizes are still declining – but at a slower pace>

Census reveals continued increase in number of divorces>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
54 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian Nolan
    Favourite Adrian Nolan
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:08 PM

    Only 37% of the population are married? That means the rest of us are Living in sin. devalera must be turning in his grave.

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Dempsey
    Favourite Alan Dempsey
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:11 PM

    I’m 28 and I only go for women older than me. Women in their 30s are more mature. Some women in their 20s are very immature.

    119
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Williamson
    Favourite Brendan Williamson
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:24 PM

    I’ve heard a lot of women in their 20s say the same thing about men. Generally as an attempt to sound mature themselves

    132
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gordon Bernard
    Favourite Gordon Bernard
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:25 PM

    But have better bodies

    124
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Dempsey
    Favourite Alan Dempsey
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:33 PM

    Brendan

    That is because women are more fussy than men. Just look at the girls on Take Me Out.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Williamson
    Favourite Brendan Williamson
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:35 PM

    They attempt to sound mature because they’re fussy?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nuffsaid Thatsall
    Favourite Nuffsaid Thatsall
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:43 PM

    V. True Alan, if ever there were an advertisement to avoid Irish women, Take Me Out is it!! That said, it’s an unfair representation of our fairer sex! Can’t all be like that…can they!?!

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
    Favourite Sean Mc Avinue
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 11:16 PM

    The most mature woman are in their 70′s. And can teach these young ones a few tricks!

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Murphy
    Favourite Gerard Murphy
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 7:20 AM

    You can’t beat a good GIL#.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billygoatmuff
    Favourite Billygoatmuff
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:34 PM

    I only got married for my stags. Now I live with Hitler.

    118
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BcuTCM0P
    Favourite BcuTCM0P
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:40 PM

    lol…. I live in fear of getting married to my girlfriend in case that would happen!

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billygoatmuff
    Favourite Billygoatmuff
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 9:39 PM

    Look closely for the moustache and boots.

    37
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Andrew Stone
    Favourite Peter Andrew Stone
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 1:22 AM

    AngryBirds.com lol

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Éamonn Tiernan
    Favourite Éamonn Tiernan
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 9:31 PM

    To Riga!

    Also the women on “take me out” are WRECKED!

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Sexton
    Favourite Ronan Sexton
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 9:42 PM

    They are, even the tide wouldn’t take them out.

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mensah Mensah
    Favourite Mensah Mensah
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:12 PM

    Maybe is just because marriage is not that important anymore…..women dont depend on men anymore,they can work as hard as men and men are half afraid to be taken to the cleaners after divorce…

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank2521
    Favourite Frank2521
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:49 PM

    Generally we are an unattractive nation of people compared to most other european countries. The sad fact is a lot of of Irish people think they are good looking. We must have different mirrors here. We certainly have skinny mirrors as people are convinced the are less fat than they actually are. The doctors say 1 in 3 of us are fat or obese so to think we are attractive is s joke. God help us Celia Larkin opened a beauty parlour. Enough said.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BcuTCM0P
    Favourite BcuTCM0P
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:57 PM

    That’s the truth. I stayed in Riga for a week and I don’t think I could count on one hand girls that weren’t good looking.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DubInNaas
    Favourite DubInNaas
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 9:54 PM

    Diego,
    Did you spend the weekend in a knocking shop ????

    41
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
    Favourite Sean Mc Avinue
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 11:08 PM

    Frank2521 I’d say the majority of Irish woman have broken many hearts, but I’d say you have broken many mirrors

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Davids
    Favourite Sean Davids
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 2:46 AM

    Brave man if you go into a knockin shop over there!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shirley Cummings
    Favourite Shirley Cummings
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:13 PM

    So where’s all these single men then?

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Dempsey
    Favourite Alan Dempsey
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:17 PM

    You didnt look in the right places :-)

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian Nolan
    Favourite Adrian Nolan
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:20 PM

    your in there if your over 30 ;-)

    39
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shirley Cummings
    Favourite Shirley Cummings
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:22 PM

    Haha, I am, but I think he’s a manc, my grandad would turn in his grave! :)))

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Feargal Mac Dubhaill
    Favourite Feargal Mac Dubhaill
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 11:37 PM

    Cumming

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chuck Farrelly
    Favourite Chuck Farrelly
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 12:21 AM

    Single women go out in packs and always to the city centre (whatever the city). Single men prefer to go somewhere that you don’t have to get dressed up and can hear the 2 or 3 people they are out with. Ships in the night……..or something

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian Nolan
    Favourite Adrian Nolan
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 1:16 AM

    I was almost smitten myself Shirley, then I noticed you were an Everton fan!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shirley Cummings
    Favourite Shirley Cummings
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 6:57 AM

    Adrian!.. Wash your mouth out!.. I’d rather be a leper :)

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian Nolan
    Favourite Adrian Nolan
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 9:40 AM

    Shirley, If your not an Everton fan that can mean only one thing. You follow the other Merseyside club, Tranmere Rovers. I hope they get promoted this year :-)

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yilmaz Gumustekin
    Favourite Yilmaz Gumustekin
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 12:19 PM

    Most likely on the other side of the bus!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Ryan
    Favourite Eoin Ryan
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:08 PM

    so if u live in urban area’s…
    u are ULGY

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Goldie Locks
    Favourite Goldie Locks
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:32 PM

    And if you post horrible comments with bad spelling, you are a moron!

    290
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Colgan
    Favourite Tom Colgan
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 9:53 PM

    Spell correctly before trying to offend people, EPIC FAIL

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Shine
    Favourite Tom Shine
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:48 PM

    Need to import some nice girls to balance it out :)

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The One & Only
    Favourite The One & Only
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 9:56 PM

    You mean men ?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damien Behan
    Favourite Damien Behan
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 10:27 PM

    Photo above : Disclaimer: we’re not sure if these particular Grafton Street ladies are single…

    …….and also, these women are not typically representitive of what real Irish Women really look like…………….

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TalentCoop Norah B
    Favourite TalentCoop Norah B
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:19 PM

    ‘resulting in a sex ration of 98.1 men for every 100 women’ Ahem, should that be ratio ?. Ration – hmmm – lol!

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Saputo
    Favourite Lisa Saputo
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 11:25 PM

    Oh it’s been rationed for some of us.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Saputo
    Favourite Lisa Saputo
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 11:29 PM

    Oh Irish men and women deserve each other, don’t think it’s fair to inflict our neuroses on foreign folk.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute louise
    Favourite louise
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 12:16 AM

    Im single ! Take me out

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Ryan
    Favourite Eoin Ryan
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:31 PM

    i cant spell ugly

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gearóid Ó Murchadha
    Favourite Gearóid Ó Murchadha
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 10:32 PM

    You can’t spell ‘you’!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Itchy Brain
    Favourite Itchy Brain
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 11:11 PM

    Make your I’s capatils as well please. Dam that bugs me!

    27
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute L
    Favourite L
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 9:02 AM

    So does bad spelling Itchy. :)

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Itchy Brain
    Favourite Itchy Brain
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 9:08 AM

    Tou·ché

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter McMahon
    Favourite Peter McMahon
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 11:57 PM

    A hit man would not take her out

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chuck Farrelly
    Favourite Chuck Farrelly
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 11:18 AM

    Am I the only one who thinks Irish women are particularly hot? If I’m alone then that suits me fine. It gives me 42,854 to choose from :D Should keep me going for an afternoon…..

    Not the ones on Take Me Out though. They’d have to pay for it.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Evelyn Finegan
    Favourite Evelyn Finegan
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 9:14 AM

    Do Irish men think they are beautiful to look at?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damien Behan
    Favourite Damien Behan
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 9:27 AM

    I don’t think Irish men are under any illusions either! We are not fantastic to look at as a nation. But putting a photo up with a bunch of models to represent the single population is just rubbish! Anyway, what Irish people lack in looks, we make up for in character.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Saputo
    Favourite Lisa Saputo
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 9:49 AM

    I think lots of Irish people are very good looking, what I find is some women hide their looks under make up that is too dark for them and lashings of fake tan. It is true that a lot of us could do with losing a few lbs!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Evelyn Finegan
    Favourite Evelyn Finegan
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 9:35 AM

    Agree but it just seems like all the negative comments are directed towards women. I would not judge someone on their looks, as we have no control over how we look what we do have control over is how we act,so if someone is a d*ck I’ve no problem telling them they are?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
    Favourite Sean Mc Avinue
    Report
    Mar 29th 2012, 8:28 PM

    ALL, you mean every one of them?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chuck Farrelly
    Favourite Chuck Farrelly
    Report
    Mar 30th 2012, 11:13 AM

    Is there a country that isn’t true of?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds