Eurostat Data Highlights High Car Dependency Outside Dublin Despite Low National Ownership Rates
Saturday 5 September 2026
Ireland ranks 23rd in the EU for car ownership with 475 cars per 1,000 people, but regional transport gaps drive high car dependency.
Ireland ranks 23rd out of 27 EU member states for car ownership despite high levels of car dependency outside Dublin, Eurostat figures show.
Data from the statistical agency reveals that Ireland has 475 cars per 1,000 people, placing it well below the overall European Union average of 584 cars per 1,000 people. By comparison, Italy has the highest rate at 709 cars per 1,000 people, while Finland, Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Poland also register significantly higher ownership levels than Ireland.
However, transport patterns within Ireland show a stark regional divide. Outside of Dublin, approximately three in every four journeys are made by car.
This high rate of usage in regional areas is linked to a lack of reliable public transport services, creating a situation described as "forced car ownership." Under these conditions, households outside major urban centres frequently require secondary or tertiary vehicles due to the absence of viable transport alternatives rather than personal preference.