People and Culture

What matters

The South West enters the period to 2040 with a scale and momentum that few Irish regions outside Dublin can match. With a combined population of over 736,000, a globally connected economy anchored in Cork Harbour and strong linkages across Cork and Kerry, the region already functions as Ireland’s second economic engine. Importantly, this momentum must now give rise to better housing access, stronger connectivity and higher quality places.

Projected growth strengthens that position. Cork City and suburbs are expected to grow by approximately 40% by 2040, adding close to 100,000 residents. Kerry’s towns and rural communities are pursuing a more diversified model, centred on knowledge hubs, tourism and renewable energy. The opportunity is significant, but it depends on sequencing land use decisions with infrastructure capacity and capital investment.

Skills and quality of life

The South West also benefits from a strong skills base. Over half of the population holds a third-level qualification, supported by UCC, MTU, the ETBs and apprenticeship networks.

This supports major clusters in biopharma, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and agri-food, and positions the region well to capture value from digitalisation and the energy transition, if skills pipeline remain responsive and reskilling is a recognised feature.

Culture and place are central to this opportunity. The coastline, natural environment and heritage towns are core to talent attraction and long-term resilience. Regions that align economic growth with quality of life and a strong sense of place are better placed to sustain it.

Upskilling and understanding

The opportunity is real but several structural challenges need to be confronted directly. Demand for AI, data and cybersecurity skills continues to outpace supply, with a similarly acute shortage at leadership level.

Upskilling pathways are fragmented, and the South West faces strong competition from Dublin and other European cities for critical talent. Focus is also required on ensuring there is integrated understanding and learning that reflects how AI, data, cybersecurity, software and decision making interact in practise.

Housing a changing population

The challenge to 2040 is how growth is absorbed and experienced across the region. By 2040 the population aged 65 and over is expected to increase by almost 80,000, intensifying pressure on healthcare, social care and labour supply.

At the same time strong growth is projected in the 25-34 age cohort. If well supported this younger working population can underpin expansion; if not, it will follow housing and transport accessibility.

Housing and infrastructure are therefore people issues, not just planning ones. The Cork metropolitan area faces acute pressures and many towns and rural communities experience accessibility gaps and weaker services. Left unresolved these frictions risk eroding the advantages that attract people to the region.

Roles and readiness

Workforce readiness is the second challenge. Technological change and rising retirements are creating persistent shortages, from technicians and healthcare professionals to engineers and data-literate operators.

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping roles, requiring continuous reskilling rather than one-off qualifications.

Aligning to support people

Finally there is the question of alignment. Success will depend on whether decisions about housing, transport, skills and placemaking are made in a joined-up way across local authorities, agencies, employers and educators; and backed by coherent capital programmes.

South West 2040 is ultimately a people-led story. The talent base, institutions and sectoral momentum are in place for the South West to become one of Europe’s leading regions by 2040.

This outcome is not guaranteed and the next five years are pivotal. Realising the region’s potential will require deliberate choices and sustained commitment, with People and Capability at the heart of planning and investment decisions.

Lee McSweeney

Director

KPMG in Ireland

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Stephen Purcell

Director, Co-Head, KPMG Planning

KPMG in Ireland

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Voices

"MTU spans the counties of Cork and Kerry, with both coastal and inland dimensions, so a whole range of preferences can be accommodated within our university offerings. All of our courses are co-produced with industry, and student work placements are a key part of our programmes.

This close engagement with employers is fundamental to our agility. We are focused on subject-specific skills and also on ensuring our students develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.

With sustained multi-annual funding, I believe the South West can be home to universities that drive the regional economy and transform society. That is what we should all be aiming for."

Professor Maggie Cusack, President, MTU

Making it happen

Project Ireland 2040 anticipates 60,000 new jobs across the city region yet eight in ten employers already report difficulty securing qualified talent.

Sectoral growth demands more people and technology acceleration requires different skills. At the same time demographic change is intensifying pressure on retention.

A South West-specific response is needed, not simply a regional implementation of national policy.

We support and advocate these initiatives:

Establish a formal employer-led Cork Talent and Skills Council

Co-chaired by business, UCC and MTU, with ETBs and key agencies embedded. Calibrate skills supply with emerging demand; embed digital capability across the existing workforce and and apprenticeships and flexible micro-credentials.
Launch a coordinated diaspora engagement strategy

Supported by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, a targeted programme could strengthen senior and specialist talent supply. Position the South West as Ireland’s capital of lifelong learning while protecting its affordability and quality of life proposition.
Enable later-life participation and career transitions

Particularly in sectors facing acute shortages. This is both a social and an economic imperative as workforce demographics shift.
Place culture and identity at the heart of growth

Investment in public realm, heritage, arts and community infrastructure strengthens belonging and cohesion. Culture should be viewed as a foundation for inclusive growth and not an optional add-on.

Let's talk

At KPMG we’re all about helping make cities and regions better places. Our experience and expertise in Irish cities and regions as well as in urban areas worldwide, makes us uniquely placed to help decision - makers, policy stakeholders, infrastructure leaders and private companies who want to move quickly to make our cities and regions better places.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help you achieve your ambitions for the South West or further afield - please contact our team. We'd be delighted to hear from you.