Census shows radical change in way modern Ireland operates

Major changes to society are highlighted in the latest Census 2006 findings which show a significant increase in immigrant workers, more women in the work force, better education levels and 1.96 million cars on the road.

Immigrants now account for one in eight workers in the State, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures.

There was a 17.1 per cent increase in the number of people in the labour force between 2002 and 2006.

The number of people at work increased by 280,600 during that time, with non-Irish nationals accounting for almost half of the increase in employment.

The highest proportion of immigrant workers was found in the hotel and restaurant sector where nearly one in three workers was a non-Irish national last year.

The census also found that the percentage of women working in the home has fallen dramatically in recent years. In 1981, almost 55 per cent of women described their status as "looking after home/family". By last year, that had fallen to 21.8 per cent.

There was a corresponding rise in the number of women in the labour force with their participation rate increasing from 29.7 per cent to 52.8 per cent over the same period.

The survey identified plastering as the most male-dominated occupation with women making up just 0.4 per cent of workers last year. Secretarial work was the most female-dominated occupation, with men making up just over 2 per cent of workers.

The CSO said the survey clearly highlighted the diminishing importance of agriculture in recent decades.

The sector accounted for more than 50 per cent of employment in 1926. Last year the corresponding figure was less than 5 per cent.

In contrast, the number of people employed in the services sector has continued to increase significantly.

The wholesale and retail trade employs the largest number of people in the State, followed by the manufacturing and construction industries.

Census 2006 found that the unemployment rate was 8.5 per cent last year, an increase of 20,000 people on the 2002 census.

Limerick city had the highest unemployment rate at 14.6 per cent, while Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown had the lowest at 5.4 per cent.

The survey identified 62 unemployment black spots around the State, 13 of which were in Dublin city and 11 in Limerick.

The figures also show a continuation in the trend of more females than males in full-time education.

The proportion of females in full-time education was greater than that of males for every year in the 15 to 23-year-old age group last year.

The improvement in education attainment in recent years is highlighted by the census findings. Last year, about six out of every 10 people aged 70 or older said they had been educated to primary level only. The corresponding figure for the 20 to 29-year-old age group was just 7 per cent. By 2006, more than 40 per cent of the 30 to 39-year-old age group had completed third level education. Third level educational qualifications were found to be slightly higher among immigrants than their Irish counterparts.

The Iona Institute, a new pro-marriage religious organisation, said the census findings showed how family life was being harmed by economic pressures.

John P Byrne of the institute said stay-at-home spouses were in danger of becoming extinct.

"If it is economic pressure rather than choice that is bringing this about, then that is obviously a very bad thing," he said.