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.
Location
Countries
We asked respondents to select the country they currently reside in.
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| U.S | 1,415 |
| Australia | 444 |
| U.K | 332 |
| Canada | 253 |
| N.Z | 125 |
| Ireland | 69 |
| South Africa | 10 |
| France | 8 |
| Germany | 6 |
| Others | 47 |
| Total | 2,709 |
Summary
Respondents were drawn from across the globe, with the United States dominating the sample at 1,415 respondents (52%), followed by Australia (444, 16%), the UK (332, 12%), and Canada (253, 9%). New Zealand contributed 125 respondents (5%), with Ireland itself accounting for just 69. The remaining countries, including South Africa, France, and Germany, made up a small minority of the total. Argentina (not in graph) had 4 respondents.
Key Learning
The survey is overwhelmingly an English-speaking Diaspora phenomenon, concentrated in the four traditional destinations of Irish emigration - the US, Australia, the UK, and Canada - which together account for over 90% of all respondents.
U.S.
We asked residents of the U.S. to identify which state they reside in. Most are living in California, Masachusetts, and New York.
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| California | 120 |
| Massachusetts | 107 |
| New York | 106 |
| Illinois | 67 |
| Florida | 66 |
| Pennsylvania | 65 |
| New Jersey | 61 |
| Virginia | 56 |
| Texas | 47 |
| Minnesota | 44 |
| Michigan | 42 |
| Colorado | 41 |
| Maryland | 41 |
| Washington | 41 |
| Ohio | 39 |
| Arizona | 34 |
| Connecticut | 30 |
| Missouri | 30 |
| Wisconsin | 29 |
| North Carolina | 27 |
| Oregon | 26 |
| Indiana | 25 |
| Georgia | 24 |
| New Hampshire | 20 |
| OTHERS | 227 |
| Total | 1,415 |
Summary
Within the US, respondents were spread across the country, with the highest concentrations in California (120), Massachusetts (107), and New York (106), followed by Illinois, Florida, and Pennsylvania. A further 227 respondents were distributed across smaller states.
Key Learning
The strong representation from the northeast - particularly Massachusetts and New York, historically the heartland of Irish-American settlement - is expected, but the significant numbers from California, Texas, and other southern and western states confirms that Irish-American identity is a truly national phenomenon, not confined to traditional immigrant gateway cities. Any US engagement strategy should reflect this geographic breadth.
Australia
We asked residents of Australia which state or territory they reside in.
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| N.S.W | 140 |
| Victoria | 116 |
| Queensland | 90 |
| W.A. | 41 |
| South Australia | 16 |
| Tasmania | 16 |
| A.C.T. | 15 |
| OTHERS | 10 |
| Total | 444 |
Summary
Australian respondents were predominantly based in New South Wales (140) and Victoria (116), followed by Queensland (90) and Western Australia (41). The remaining states and territories contributed smaller numbers, with South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT each recording between 15 and 16 respondents. Similar stats to population distribution across Australia.
Key Learning
The concentration of respondents in NSW and Victoria - home to Sydney and Melbourne respectively, Australia's two largest cities - reflects both population distribution and the historic patterns of Irish settlement in Australia. With 444 respondents in total, Australia represents a substantial and engaged Diaspora market that merits dedicated attention in any outreach strategy.
U.K.
We asked residents of the U.K. which country they reside in.
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| England | 181 |
| Scotland | 32 |
| Northern Ireland | 6 |
| Wales | 4 |
| OTHERS | 109 |
| Total | 332 |
Summary
Among UK respondents, England accounted for the large majority at 181, with Scotland contributing 32. Northern Ireland recorded just 6 respondents and Wales 4, with a further 109 falling into the "Others" category, likely reflecting respondents who did not specify a constituent country.
Key Learning
England's dominance reflects the long history of Irish migration to British cities, particularly London and the northwest of England, representing a large and potentially under-engaged Diaspora community on Ireland's doorstep.
Canada
We asked residents of Canada which province they reside in.
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 137 |
| British Columbia | 54 |
| Alberta | 20 |
| Quebec | 14 |
| New Brunswick | 7 |
| Nova Scotia | 6 |
| Manitoba | 5 |
| Saskatchewan | 5 |
| Prince Edward Island | 3 |
| Newfoundland | 2 |
| OTHERS | 0 |
| Total | 253 |
Summary
Canadian respondents were heavily concentrated in Ontario (137), which alone accounted for over half of all Canadian responses, followed by British Columbia (54) and Alberta (20). Quebec and the Atlantic provinces contributed relatively small numbers, with Newfoundland recording just 2 respondents despite its historically strong Irish heritage connections. This may be a result of work Ireland Reaching Out volunteers did in relation to researching the Peter Robinson emigrations from County Cork, Ireland to Ontario in the past.
Key Learning
The dominance of Ontario - and by extension Toronto - reflects its status as Canada's primary Irish-Canadian population centre. However, the notably low representation from Newfoundland, which has one of the strongest and most distinctly Irish cultural heritages in North America, suggests a significant and largely untapped engagement opportunity that a targeted outreach strategy could meaningfully address.