A report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows that 2,054 pubs have closed down within the past 20 years.
The report shows an average of 114 pubs closing annually, with the trend rising to 144 between 2019-2023.
In 2005, there was 8,617 pubs in Ireland with that number now standing at 6,563.
The Covid pandemic hit the industry hard, with 574 pubs closing since 2005.
The county with the most pubs closed since 2005 is Limerick, with a 35.6 per cent decrease in the number of pubs in the county. Limerick has seen 170 pubs close since 2005.
Roscommon saw a 31.9 per cent decrease, followed by Cork with a drop of 31.4 per cent.
Tipperary saw a drop of 31.2 within the last 20 years, with both Laois and Clare experiencing a 30.6 decrease.
Dublin saw the fewest percentage close in the country, with a 2.8 per cent decrease.
The report also showed a survey of 600 pubs and restaurants found almost one in four have seen their costs rise by 20-30 per cent in the last two years, while 15 per cent saw their costs rise by 40 per cent.
If given the support, 23 per cent of pub owners said they would refurbish their business, 18 per cent would hire more staff, and 22 per cent would use it to meet other existing costs.
The DIGI called for a 15 per cent excise tax reduction over the next two years, with a 7.5 per cnet decrease in 2025 followed by a 7.5 per cent reduction in 2026.
Commenting, author of the report, Professor Tony Foley said: “This analysis verifies the consistent trend we have been seeing with pub numbers in every part of the country. There is clearly a variation on closures between counties which broadly sees rural areas adversely impacted.
"The continuing decline is taking place against a backdrop of societal change and cost of business strains. Consumption of alcohol has notably decreased, how we socialise is changing, the types of drinks we consume are changing, particularly the rise of low-alcohol and alcohol-free products.
“We are also seeing that with many pubs, which are often small, family-run businesses, sustaining business is becoming harder and harder. Fostering commercial sustainability is crucial to safeguarding rural Irish pubs.
"Ireland’s drinks and hospitality businesses are operating in an environment where the costs of doing business are ever rising. Energy, insurance, and other cost line items continue to rise, many by double digits.
"The sector is also faced with one of the most regressive excise tax environments for small and medium enterprises in Europe."
