The number of births recorded in Ireland in 2022 has plunged by 20pc compared with 2012, according to new CSO figures, despite a big rise in the population overall. The fertility rate is now just 1.7, whereas 2.1 children per woman is needed to replace the current population.

There were 57,540 births registered in 2022. In 2012, there were 72,225 births were registered.

The number of births over deaths has almost halved over the same period from over 43,000 to just under 23,000. This is leading to a fast-aging population.