The population of the greater Dublin area will rise to 2 million by 2021 and State's population is expected to reach 5 million by this time, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The population projections show that the greater Dublin area which encompasses counties Dublin, Kildare , Meath and Wicklow will become more densely populated in the future.
This area currently makes up 39.2 per cent of the population of the State and will account for 40.7 per cent of the total projected population of 5 million in 2021, according to the CSO report.
The fastest growing areas will be the eastern midlands (+51per cent), followed by the west (+35per cent). The growth rates in these areas will be due to natural increase, immigration and also internal migration as people move to these areas from other parts of the country.
The projections for Dublin city show that the capital is likely to become more cosmopolitan in the future as an outflow of resident to the suburbs and dormitory towns of Leinster will be replaced by overseas migrants.
The projections also show that the effect of ageing populations could be less severe in Ireland than in other European countries. The size of the population over 65 will grow by 75 per cent by 2021 but the effect on the dependency ratio will be moderated by major increases in those aged 25 to 64 which account for the bulk of the workforce.
The CSO bases the projections on internationally accepted assumptions on regional fertility and mortality as well as international migration trends.
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce called on the Government, the Dublin Regional Authority and the county managers in Greater Dublin Area to revise their plans for transport, housing and infrastructure in the light of the figures.
"In particular, the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen must ensure that the GDA receives the full package of road, rail and bus developments outlined in Dublin's transportation strategy," said Aebhric McGibney, DCC Director of Policy and Communications
"This package includes a Metro, Luas extensions, the Interconnector and the Southern Port Access Route linking the Port Tunnel to the South side."