Apr 22, 2026
For centuries, Irish immigrants have sought refuge on American soil. In fact, a common quip today is that more Irish live in America than in Ireland — a cultural footprint that remains alive today.
At 9.5% (1), Irish Americans also belong to one of the largest ethnic groups in the U.S., along with German Americans and English Americans (2). Several U.S. presidents, including John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden, claim Irish ancestry too.
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But in a stunning migration reversal, more Americans are now relocating to the Emerald Isle than Irish citizens are moving to the U.S., according to latest data (3).
According to Ireland's Central Statistics Office, estimates show 6,100 people left Ireland to live in the U.S., up from 5,000 in 2024 — a 22% increase in the year ending April 2025. By contrast, 9,600 people moved to Ireland from the U.S. in the same time period, up from 4,900 in 2024, up 96% respectively.
The Trump Effect
Following President Donald Trump's second term election, many Americans — including well-known celebrities (4) — voted again with their feet by leaving the country.
While the so-called "Trump Effect" can explain part of this story, Ireland's own shifting political landscape is also responsible for the nearly-doubled increase of American ex-pats on Irish soil.
The U.S. has shifted to the right on the political spectrum under President Trump — especially with his second term policies on immigration, but Ireland too has become more socially progressive. "Everyone became more aware that Ireland was a more liberal, cosmopolitan, open society, and that it would be a good place to live," author Colm Tóibín told the BBC (5).
Ireland has also shifted towards a "high-tech, export-driven knowledge economy," embracing the more liberal ideology and allowing divorce, abortion and gay marriage.
Reflecting the desire to make Ireland their new home, applications for Irish passports by Americans who have Irish ancestry rose by 10% in 2024, according to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (6).
All the while, deportations of Irish citizens from the U.S. rose by more than 50% in 2025, reinforcing the message that outsiders aren't often welcome here (7).
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Similarly, limiting J-1 Visas (8) also made many prospective Irish university students rethink their plans to study in the country (9).
Instead, Australia is now the destination of choice for Irish immigrants. The CSO found nearly twice as many people moved to Australia than the U.S. — 13,500 people. This is the highest since 2013 (10).
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Why the grass isn't always greener
While Americans are seeking better opportunities across the pond in Ireland, the country too has buckled under demands for affordable housing (11) — a problem undoubtedly exacerbated by any sudden rise in its population.
But closer to home and on a wider scale, the dip in immigration has major implications for the U.S. economy.
The Brookings Institute flagged a "significant drop-off in entries" to the U.S., due to enforcement activity leading to removals and voluntary departures (12).
The thinktank estimates that net migration saw roughly 10,000 to 295,000 fewer people in the country — the first time "in at least half a century" that the number was negative. More worrisome still, that trend is likely to continue in 2026 as well.
The Institute states this reduced migration pattern will have a negative impact on the economy, dampening growth in the labor force, consumer spending and gross domestic product (GDP).
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
U.S. Census Bureau (1),(2); Central Statistics Office (3),(10); BBC (4),(5),(7),(9),(11); RTÉ (6); U.S. Department of State (8); Brookings Institution (12)
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Dragana Kovacevic is an associate editor for Moneywise.
