This chapter contains information on the number of farms, average farm size and average standard output. We have also included data on the labour force of farms, broken down by type of worker and age of the farm holder.
| Table 22.1 Number of farms, average farm size and average standard output, by region 2016 | |||
| State | Border Midland & West | Southern & Eastern | |
| Total farms ('000s) | 137.5 | 72.5 | 65.0 |
| Average farm size (ha) | 32.4 | 27.1 | 38.3 |
| Average standard output | €45,945 | €28,874 | €64,992 |
| Source: CSO | |||
Interactive table: Statbank link
In 2016, there were 137,500 farms in Ireland. More than half (52.7%) of all farms were located in the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) region. The average farm was 32.4 hectares. Farms in the Southern and Eastern (SE) region were 41.3% larger than those in the BMW region, with an average farm size of 38.3 hectares compared to 27.1 hectares.
| X-axis label | Border, Midland and Western | Southern and Eastern |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 hectares | 15.8 | 10.4 |
| 10 - < 20 hectares | 20.6 | 12.9 |
| 20 - < 30 hectares | 13.6 | 10.7 |
| 30 - < 50 hectares | 13.9 | 14.9 |
| 50 - < 100 hectares | 7.2 | 12.6 |
| > = 100 hectares | 1.4 | 3.4 |
| Table 22.2 Economic breakdown of farm holdings 2016 | ||||
| Size | Standard output | Holdings | Total output | Total farmed area |
| Very small | Under €8,000 | 32% | 3% | 11% |
| Small | €8,000 - €25,000 | 33% | 11% | 26% |
| Medium | €25,000 - €50,000 | 15% | 11% | 19% |
| Large | €50,000 - €100,000 | 8% | 13% | 15% |
| Very large | At least €100,000 | 12% | 62% | 29% |
| Source: CSO | ||||
Interactive table: Statbank link
In Ireland in 2016, a small number of economically very large farms (12%) produced close to two thirds (62%) of the agricultural output using 29% of the total farmed land area.
| Table 22.3 Farm labour force 2016 | |
| 000's | |
| 2016 | |
| Farm holder | 137.1 |
| Family member | 109.8 |
| Non-family worker | 18.5 |
| Source: CSO | |
Interactive table: Statbank link
There were 265,400 people employed in the agricultural sector in Ireland in 2016. Of these, 52% were the farm holders, 41% were family members and the remaining 7% were non-family workers. The size of the Irish labour force has remained largely stable over the past decade ranging between 265,000 and 272,000 people.
| Farm Labour Force | |
| Farm holder | 52 |
| Family member of
the holder | 41 |
| Non-family worker | 7 |
| Table 22.4 Age of farm holders | |||
| 000's | |||
| Age | 2010 | 2013 | 2016 |
| Less than 35 | 8.7 | 8.2 | 7.4 |
| 35-44 | 24.6 | 22.8 | 21.4 |
| 45-54 | 34.6 | 34.8 | 32.5 |
| 55-64 | 35.1 | 35.6 | 34.7 |
| 65 and over | 36.6 | 37.7 | 41.2 |
| Source: CSO | |||
| X-axis label | 2016 | 2013 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 and over | 30 | 27 | 26 |
| 55-64 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
| 45-54 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
| 35-44 | 16 | 16 | 18 |
| Less than 35 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Interactive table: Statbank link
Agriculture typically has an ageing workforce. In 2016, around a quarter of farm holders in Ireland were aged 65 years and over. Just 5% of people were aged less than 35 years.
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