language knowledge /eu publishes the latest language knowledge statistics in ireland using European Commission data published in 2024. Explore which languages are most spoken by the population of ireland, compare native speakers with foreign speakers, and compare age groups to see which languages are gaining or losing popularity.
According to European Commission Eurobarometer survey data (2024), the most spoken languages in Ireland are English (92.8%), followed by Irish Gaelic (13.0%) and French (6.5%). These figures include both native speakers and residents speaking each language as a foreign language with good or very good competence.
English is spoken as a foreign language by 12.3% of the population in Ireland. Irish Gaelic is spoken as a foreign language by 9.0%.
92.8% of people in Ireland speak English (80.5% native speakers and 12.3% as a foreign language). By age group, 93.2% of 15–34 year olds speak English, compared to 93.7% of people aged 55 and over.