Single adults made up the largest group on the list.
The number of households on social housing waiting lists dropped by 4% cent last year.
New Department of Housing figures show 59,000 were on lists at the end of 2021.
The latest Summary of Social Housing Assessments shows 59,247 households were on waiting lists last year.
That's down 4% on 2020, when almost 62,000 were on lists.
Some 25 of the country's 31 local authorities recorded a drop last year.
The greatest need remains in Dublin, with the county's four local authorities making up 43% of national demand.
Single adults made up the largest grouping, at 55%, up three percent on the previous 12 months.
A third of households are on waiting lists for less than two years.
The Department says just over 9,100 social homes were delivered last year - up 17% on 2020.
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