Ireland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Ireland's fertility metrics in 2024 reveal a slight decline in children per mother, alongside a small drop in average maternal age, continuing longer-term trends of lower birth rates compared to the 1970s. Completed fertility remains just over 64%, marking a modest increase from the previous year but still reflecting a significant reduction from historical levels.
- Children per mother decreased marginally to 2.30, continuing a five-year downward trend from the 1970s baseline of 3.84.
- Average maternal age fell slightly to 31.7 years, though it remains nearly six years higher than in the 1970s.
- Total fertility gap rose slightly to 28.6%, indicating a continued rise in childlessness compared to the 1970s when it was negligible.
- Total completed reproduction rate held steady at 35.7%, above the 1970s baseline by over 27 percentage points but showing minimal change from 2023.
In 2024, Ireland's fertility and maternal age trends show slow declines in children per mother amid rising childlessness and an older average maternal age.
- Children per mother (2.3) among highest in Europe (27/31)
- Average maternal age 31.7 years, ranked 6th oldest in Europe
- Childlessness increasing, generational birthgap ongoing since 1992
- Stable total fertility gap lowest in Europe (27/31) indicating fewer births
- Strong survival life expectancy, ranked 4th longest in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Ireland
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 35.7% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.30 |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 31.7 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 36 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the motherhood prevalence rate in Ireland stands at 64.3%, showing very little change from 64.0% in 2023. Over the past five years, the total motherhood rate (TMR) has been on a decline, averaging 65.5% from 2020 to 2024. This is considerably lower than the average TMR of 91.8% recorded in the 1970s, marking a decrease of approximately 27.5 percentage points. The lowest three-year period for TMR was between 2022 and 2024, with an average of 64.1%. Ireland sits at 16th place globally out of 38 countries and holds the same rank within Europe out of 31 countries in terms of motherhood prevalence.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 94.0% | 2010 | 85.7% |
| 1980 | 85.3% | 2020 | 66.1% |
| 1990 | 68.7% | 2023 | 64.0% |
| 2000 | 75.1% | 2024 | 64.3% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
Ireland's children per mother (CPM) stood at 2.30 in 2024, marking a slight decrease of 0.05 from the previous year. Over the last five years, this figure has been trending downward, with a five-year average of 2.40. Compared to the 1970s average of 3.84, the current CPM is about 1.55 lower. On a global scale, Ireland ranks 33rd out of 38 in CPM values, and within Europe, it holds one of the higher positions, ranked 27th out of 31 countries.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 4.11 | 2010 | 2.39 |
| 1980 | 3.75 | 2020 | 2.46 |
| 1990 | 3.07 | 2023 | 2.35 |
| 2000 | 2.52 | 2024 | 2.30 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth in 2024 stands at 31.66 years, showing a decrease of 0.44 years from 2023. During the last five years, the AMA has exhibited an upward trend, averaging 31.326 years. This figure is 5.9 years above the average seen in the 1970s. Ireland's AMA places it 8th among 38 countries worldwide, and it ranks 6th out of 31 within Europe, reflecting one of the highest maternal ages on the continent.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 26.07 | 2010 | 29.13 |
| 1980 | 25.47 | 2020 | 30.80 |
| 1990 | 26.62 | 2023 | 32.10 |
| 2000 | 27.64 | 2024 | 31.66 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Ireland reached 28.6% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.48. This shows a modest increase of 1.2 percentage points from 2023. Childlessness has been on an upward trend over the past five years, with the 2020–2024 average standing at 24.0%. Since the 1970s, when the norm was 0.0%, the current level represents an increase of approximately 28.6 percentage points. A continuous Generational Birthgap has been observed since 1992. The lowest TFG on record was during the early 1970s (1970–1979), where it averaged 0.0%. Ireland ranks among the bottom globally, placed 33rd out of 38 countries, and similarly holds one of the lowest standings within Europe, ranked 27th out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 21.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 27.4% |
| 2000 | 8.8% | 2024 | 28.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Ireland’s SHL stands at 69.3 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 4.4 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 87.6 years. Compared with the 1970s average (37.0 years), SHL is now longer by about 32.2 years.
Globally, Ireland has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 5/38).Within Europe, it has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 4/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Ireland, there would be 36 great-grandchildren, representing a -64.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Ireland has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 33/38). Within Europe, it has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 27/31).
Birth trajectory
According to the birth data from 2024, the total number of births is projected to decrease significantly over the coming decades if migration is not taken into account. Specifically, births would decline by 50%, dropping from 54,062 in 2024 to 27,031 by 2093. This downward trend is expected to continue, with births falling by 75% by 2163 and further reaching a 90% decline, reducing to just 5,406 births in 2254.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in Ireland stands at 35.7% in 2024, showing little change from the 36.0% recorded in 2023. Over the past five years, from 2020 to 2024, the TCR has been on an upward trend, averaging 34.5%. This marks a significant increase of approximately 27.5 percentage points compared to the 8.2% average of the 1970s. On the global stage, Ireland ranks 25th among 38 countries, while within Europe it holds the 18th position out of 31 nations.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 6.0% | 2010 | 14.3% |
| 1980 | 14.7% | 2020 | 33.9% |
| 1990 | 31.3% | 2023 | 36.0% |
| 2000 | 24.9% | 2024 | 35.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, the total number of births in Ireland stood at 54,062, showing a slight decrease from 54,417 recorded the previous year. The trend over the last five years points to a decline in total births, with an average annual figure of 56,065. This marks a substantial drop compared to the 1970s average of 68,471, reflecting a 21.0% reduction, or 14,409 fewer births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 64.4k | 2010 | 75.2k |
| 1980 | 74.1k | 2020 | 56.8k |
| 1990 | 53.0k | 2023 | 54.4k |
| 2000 | 54.8k | 2024 | 54.1k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Ireland’s Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 28.7% in 2024, marking a slight increase of 1.4 percentage points from 2023. The indicator has shown an upward trend over the last five years, with a 2020–2024 average of 21.9%. This represents a substantial rise of approximately 145 percentage points compared to the 1970s average of -116.3%. On the global stage, Ireland holds the 24th position out of 35 countries, while within Europe it ranks 21st among 30 nations.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -95.3% | 2010 | -34.7% |
| 1980 | -139.9% | 2020 | 15.2% |
| 1990 | -62.5% | 2023 | 27.3% |
| 2000 | -18.2% | 2024 | 28.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
