Event Details
Demographic Change: The Megatrend Reshaping Ireland’s Future
Demographics are destiny—or at least a critical factor in shaping it. This high-impact briefing will explore how demographic shifts are influencing every dimension of planning and strategy for Dublin and Ireland. From population growth and migration to ageing and diversity, these changes are redefining how we think about infrastructure, public services, consumer demand, and economic sustainability.
Far more than a workforce issue, demographic change is a structural force that will shape where and how people live, what services they need, how they consume, and how society functions. Now is the time to understand these dynamics—and respond with smart, future-focused policies and business strategies.
Topics we will explore Include:
• Population growth, ageing, and migration: What’s coming, and what it means
• Housing, healthcare, and public service delivery in a shifting demographic landscape
• Changing patterns of consumption and demand across generations and communities
• Implications for long-term economic productivity and planning
• Strategic considerations for business and public policy in a changing Ireland
Time:
08:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Venue:
The Camden Court Hotel, Camden Street Lower, Dublin D02W086
Why This Matters:
As Ireland’s population evolves, so too must our systems, institutions, and markets. This session offers vital insights into how demographic trends are creating both pressures and opportunities for planners, decision-makers, and business leaders. Expect sharp analysis, practical foresight, and discussion on how to plan for inclusive, resilient growth.
The Dublin Agenda Series convenes leaders, experts, and practitioners to explore the forces shaping the capital’s future. With a focus on insight, dialogue, and action, the series supports forward-thinking strategies to build a stronger, more inclusive Dublin.
This session will unpack one of the most powerful—and often underestimated—drivers of change: demographics
John McCarthy, Assistant Sec General and Chief Economist, Department of Finance Economic Division
John McCarthy is the Assistant Secretary General and Chief Economist for the Department of Finance Economic Division. With over twenty years of experience as an economist, he previously served as a senior economist in the Department’s macroeconomic analysis unit and within the Central Bank of Ireland. He is the Chair of the Economic Policy Committee’s output gap working group. He is also a member of the National Statistics Board, an advisor to the National Competitiveness Council, and the Irish member of the OECD’s Economic Policy Committee.
Conor O’Toole, Associate Research Professor, ESRI
Dr Conor O’Toole is an Associate Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute. He previously held the position of Manager – Real-Financial Linkages Team and Senior Economist at the Financial Stability Division of the Central Bank of Ireland. At the Central Bank of Ireland, Conor worked extensively on macroprudential policy issues with specific focus on the mortgage market. He also worked on broader issues regarding the surveillance of household and corporate financing vulnerabilities. Before joining the Central Bank, Conor worked as a postdoctoral research fellow in the ESRI and as an economist for IBM's Global Centre for Economic Analysis, London Economics and Indecon Economic Consultants. He also worked as a PhD researcher at the United Nations University —World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) in Helsinki, Finland. In his current role, Conor will have responsibility for research on housing and household financing, enterprise development and corporate finance and banking. He was a co-author on the European Competitiveness Report 2014 Chapter on Access to Finance and Firm Growth completed for EC DG Enterprise and Industry.