Strabane lost426 for good

The majority of migrants were aged between 16 and 39, followed by the 40 to 64 age group.

Children aged 15 or under made up the third largest group of emigrants, whilst pensioners were the least likely to emigrate.

In total 426 emigrated from Strabane, which has consistently posted one of the highest rates of unemployment in Northern Ireland.

Of this total 248 went to Britain; 178 went to other countries.

Mr Wilson said: “There is no information available on the reason for out migration. It is only possible to distinguish between out migration to Great Britain and to all other countries.”