United States Leads Global Irish Diaspora with Over 38 Million Claiming Ancestry
The United States is home to the world's largest population of Irish descendants, with more than 38 million Americans reporting Irish ancestry. This significant diaspora highlights the extensive global footprint of Irish emigrants who sought new or better lives across various continents. While New York and Massachusetts are often associated with Irish communities, New Hampshire surprisingly holds the top spot for the highest percentage of Irish population, with approximately one in five residents claiming Irish roots. Other countries with substantial Irish communities include Britain, with an estimated 6 million people having at least one Irish parent or grandparent, and Australia, where over 2.4 million people reported Irish ancestry in the 2021 Census. Argentina also stands out with around half a million people of Irish descent, making it the largest Irish-descended community outside the English-speaking world.
