Ireland's population to reach 5.5 million by 2050
A new European Union survey has shown that Ireland's population is set to reach 5.5 million by the year 2050.
That's despite a predicted overall fall in the population of the Union.
The population of the Republic broke the four million point last year.
But the effects of an ageing population are hitting here too.
There are two people working for every dependent today.
But the relative number of pensioners is set to increase by 50% over the next four decades.
