The size of Ireland’s older population is set to explode in the coming decades, according to the CSO.

According to the organisation’s latest population projections, the number of people over the age of 65 across the country will increase by anywhere from 79.1% to 82.1% by 2036.

The report sets out expectations for the country’s population growth based on six separate scenarios – each making different assumptions regarding fertility, mortality and migration.

It finds that Ireland’s overall population will hit anywhere between 5.33 and 5.81 million by 2036 – rising from the 4.74 million included in the 2016 Census.

The Mid-East region of the country – which includes Dublin – will see the largest increases under all scenarios, swelling by between 15.15 and 16.6%.

The older population will increase by at least 65% in all regions.

The people over the age of 65 living in the Mid East is set to rise by anywhere from 111.9% to 118%.

The Border region is generally expected to see the smallest increase in older people – with expected rises of between 65.4% and 71.5%.

CSO Statistician James Hegarty said the different scenarios in the report were the same used to predict the national population and labour force projections, published last year.

“This publication is not an attempt to predict the future but rather presents how the population could evolve under six different scenarios.

“By making assumptions about future trends in mortality, fertility, internal and international migration we can project the population forward and examine the possible outcomes for demographic groups such as the school-going population, the working-age population and the elderly.”

The predictions also take into account expected increases in life expectancy.

The CSO said men are expected to live 4.3 years longer than 2015 levels by 2036.

The increase for women is slightly less at 3.2 years; however women will still be living an average of three years longer than men at 86.5 years.