""There's been a "sharp and sustained fall in births," the report stated. "Because of this, Ireland will reach its peak population in approximately three decades," it added. "This will mean an ageing population and each year Ireland is getting older.""
""shift to a virtuous cycle - where birth rates are supported, participation in the labour force is increased and health services are reconfigured to support early intervention and community-based interventions.""
""Ageing, falling fertility and shifting migration patterns are reshaping societies across Europe and Ireland is no exception. While Ireland has undergone remarkable change in recent decades, it would be unrealistic to assume this pace can continue indefinitely. "Demographic trends will shape living standards, labour markets and the sustainability of public finances for many years to come and a rapidly ageing population will place growi"
A falling birth rate reduced annual births from 77,000 in 2010 to 54,000 in 2024. Quarterly data recorded 13,665 births in Q1 2025, a 20.5% drop from 17,183 in Q1 2015. A fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman is required for population replacement. Projections show population peaking in about three decades, followed by rapid ageing. A potential workforce decline within ten years risks insufficient tax revenue to support an older population and inadequate infrastructure investment. Recommended responses include supporting higher birth rates, increasing labour-force participation and reconfiguring health services toward early and community-based interventions.
Read at Irish Independent
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