Published July 2026
Global Diaspora Report 2026
Founded in 2009, Ireland Reaching Out is one of Ireland's leading Diaspora organisations. A registered Irish charity with 100,000 members worldwide, this survey was largely conducted in 2025 and completed in early 2026. We intend to conduct this survey on a bi-annual basis going forward.
For further information about the survey, to comment, or to contact Ireland Reaching Out about any matter relating to the survey, please email info@irelandxo.com.
Initial Findings
Strong Global Demand to Deepen Diaspora Engagement with Ireland
The Irish Diaspora has a clear desire to deepen its relationship with Ireland. Findings from this large-scale survey (n = 2,709) reveal strong, consistent demand for enhanced community infrastructure, expanded cultural exchange opportunities, meaningful place-based heritage connections, and practical pathways for sustained engagement. The scale and diversity of the sample lend significant weight to the results, positioning them as both compelling and broadly representative of a highly motivated international Diaspora audience.
The data highlights a strong appetite for digital connection. A notable 81% of respondents expressed a desire to connect online with like-minded people of Irish ancestry, both in Ireland and within their local communities. This underscores the importance of creating accessible, well-designed platforms that facilitate meaningful interaction across borders.
Place-based connection is a key priority. Three-quarters (75%) of respondents stated that it is important to connect with Irish people linked to the specific locality of their ancestors, pointing to a desire for more personalised, geographically rooted engagement with Ireland.
In addition, 68% of respondents indicated an interest in sharing cultural content online with fellow members of the Irish Diaspora. This strong inclination toward cultural exchange reinforces the role of digital spaces as not just networking hubs, but as platforms for storytelling, identity expression, and community building.
Beyond connection, there is significant interest in contributing to Ireland's cultural and economic life. Respondents expressed strong intent to support Irish culture, purchase Irish products and services, and invest in Irish businesses, highlighting The Diaspora's potential as an active partner in Ireland's ongoing development.
Together, these findings point to a vibrant and actionable demand for deeper digital community-building, richer cultural exchange, and structured pathways for sustained, mutually beneficial engagement with Ireland.
Citizenship
Irish Passport or Irish citizenship?
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | 78 |
| Both | 388 |
| Neither | 2,243 |
| Total | 2,709 |
Summary
The graph illustrates the extent to which survey respondents hold an Irish passport or Irish citizenship. The data reveals that the vast majority - 2,243 respondents, or approximately 83% of the total - hold neither an Irish passport nor Irish citizenship. A further 388 respondents (14%) hold both, while just 78 (3%) hold citizenship alone.
Key Learning
Despite their deep and demonstrable commitment to their Irish heritage - 83% have no formal legal connection to Ireland through passport or citizenship. It confirms that The Diaspora engaged are predominantly of multigenerational Irish descent, where direct entitlement to citizenship may have lapsed, yet cultural and ancestral identity remains strong.
Would you like to have an Irish passport?
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| Yes | 1,382 |
| No | 937 |
| No Response | 390 |
| Total | 2,709 |
Summary
Of the 2,709 respondents, 1,382 (51%) indicated that they would like to have an Irish passport, while 937 (35%) said no, and 390 (14%) did not respond. This means that among those who expressed a clear preference, the majority - approximately 60% - expressed a desire to hold an Irish passport.
Key Learning
Read alongside the earlier finding that 83% of respondents currently hold neither an Irish passport nor citizenship, this data reveals a striking gap between current status and stated aspiration. Over half of all respondents would actively like an Irish passport, representing a substantial latent demand that current policy and administrative frameworks may not be adequately equipped to address. For the Irish government, this is a significant finding - passport and citizenship policy is not merely an administrative matter, but a powerful and tangible mechanism for formalising Diaspora connection, and one that a considerable portion of the global Irish Diaspora is actively seeking access to.