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Almost one in five workers here last year were not born in Ireland and over 17% of those worked in the hospitality sector, a new report revealed on Monday.

A total of 410,939 foreign nationals were given Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) between 2002 and 2016.

And the CSO study found that more workers born abroad were looking to work here as almost 14% more PPSNs were distributed in 2016.

Overall, PPSNs given to foreign nationals across all age groups were 107,767 last year, which was an increase of 13,066.

A breakdown of the figures revealed the largest numbers of foreign workers (71,864) were employed in the accommodation and food sector with almost one in six or 17.4% working in that area.

The United Kingdom had the highest number of PPSNs with 15,917 handed out in 2016, and our neighbours have continued to represent the highest number by country since 2009.

Romania recorded the second highest number of PPSNs given out with 11,206 obtained by foreign workers last year.

And the UK, Romania and Poland have had the three highest number of PPSN allocation by country during the last four years since 2013.

Meanwhile, accommodation and food services along with wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, administrative and support service activities, manufacturing and the information and communication sectors made up 64% (263,076) of all foreign nationals employed here.

(Image: Rex)

And employment activity rates during the year that PPSNs were assigned increased by over 4% last year to 51,914 when compared to the 2015 figure of 41,855.

Meanwhile, the data revealed the number of foreign workers assigned PPSNs gradually reduces in the years that follow since they were given the numbers.

Tens of thousands of foreign nationals return to their country of origin every year, while others choose to relocate to other EU countries.

Less than one on four foeign nations given PPSNs in 2011 worked here for any period last year.

The CSO report found that of the 57,946 foreign nationals aged 15 years and over who were assigned PPSNs in 2011, 13,759 or 23.7% had employment activity at any time last year.

The study on foreign nationals during the period 2002 to 2016 was completed after figures were obtained from the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.