Ireland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Ireland's fertility indicators in 2024 reveal slight shifts amid longer-term trends. The total fertility gap increased modestly to 28.6%, pointing to fewer children born compared to a replacement level, while the average maternal age dropped by nearly half a year, reversing a recent upward trend. Total fertility rate and childlessness rates remained near last year's figures.
- Total fertility gap rose 1.2 percentage points to 28.6%, indicating continuing below-replacement fertility.
- Average maternal age declined by 0.44 years to 31.66, after several years of gradual increase.
- Total fertility rate holds steady around 0.64, consistent with a slight five-year decline trend.
- Childlessness rate remained stable at about 35.7%, continuing a slow rise observed over recent years.
In 2024, Ireland's fertility rates show minimal change with slightly declining births and rising maternal age.
- Children per mother among highest in Europe (ranked 5/30)
- Average maternal age increased, ranking 5th highest in Europe
- Total Fertility Gap low, placing Ireland 26th in Europe
- Childlessness rising modestly, ranked 18th in Europe
- Future Worker Gap higher than recent norms, ranked 20th in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Ireland
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 28.6% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 36 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Ireland, completed fertility is 64.3% (2024). It shows virtually no movement compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 65.5% across 2020–2024). Looking back to the 2020s (65.5%), TMR stands lower by about 1.2pp. The lowest sustained level of TMR was in the early 2020s (2022–2024), at 64.1%.
Globally, Ireland ranks 17 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Ireland ranks 15 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| 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)
In 2024, mothers in Ireland had an average of 2.30 children. There has been a modest decline since 2023 (down 0.05). Over the past five years, CPM has been falling, averaging 2.40. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 2.40), completed family size today is lower by about 0.10.
Globally, Ireland ranks 10 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Ireland has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 7/30).
| 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)
In 2024, mothers in Ireland had children at an average age of 31.7 years. It has fallen by 0.4 years compared with the previous year. Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 31.3 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 31.3 years), AMA now stands higher by about 0.3 years.
Globally, Ireland has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 7/42). Within Europe, Ireland has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 5/30).
| 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.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Ireland’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 28.6% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.48). It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 1.2pp). Over the past five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 24.0%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 24.0%), the TFG stands higher by about 4.6pp.
Globally, Ireland has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 37/42). Within Europe, Ireland has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 26/30).
| 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Ireland stands at 28.7% in 2024. It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 1.4pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 21.9%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (21.9%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 6.8pp.
Globally, Ireland ranks 26 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Ireland ranks 20 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Ireland is 69.3 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 4.4 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 87.6 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (87.6 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 18.3 years.
Globally, Ireland has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 5/42). Within Europe, Ireland has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 4/30).
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 highest TGI values (ranked 5/42).
Within Europe, Ireland has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 4/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2093 - Births down 75% in 2163 - Births down 90% in 2254
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 54,062 in 2024 to 27,031 in 2093, and by 90% to 5,406 in 2254 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Ireland’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 35.7% in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 34.5%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (34.5%), Ireland’s current TCR is higher by about 1.2pp. A sustained high for childlessness occurred in the early 2020s (2022–2024), averaging 35.9%.
Globally, Ireland ranks 28 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Ireland ranks 18 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| 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
Total births in Ireland were 54,062 in 2024. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 56,065 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (56,065), total births are now lower by 2,003 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Ireland stands at 28.7% in 2024. It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 1.4pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 21.9%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (21.9%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 6.8pp.
Globally, Ireland ranks 26 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Ireland ranks 20 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
