Record Births for Women Over 45 Highlight Changing Trends

A significant trend emerged in 2023 as the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed that a record number of 408 babies were born to women aged 45 years and older. This figure represents an increase of 80.5 percent compared to 2013, highlighting a notable shift in maternal age demographics. The findings were detailed in the CSO’s Vital Statistics Annual Report, released on Monday.

In contrast, the number of births to women under the age of 20 saw a sharp decline, dropping from 1,380 to 683 over the same period. This statistic underscores a broader trend of decreasing births among younger mothers. The average age of mothers in Ireland also rose, reaching 33.2 years in 2023, which is an increase of 3.1 percent since 2013.

Decline in Overall Birth Rates

The report further highlighted a more than 20 percent reduction in the total number of births in Ireland over the past decade. The overall infant mortality rate in 2023 was recorded at 3.3 per 1,000 live births, with a total of 135 neonatal deaths and 108 stillbirths. Additionally, there were two reported maternal deaths, raising concerns about maternal health.

In a separate analysis, the CSO disclosed that 312 individuals aged 100 years and older passed away in 2023, comprising 61 males and 251 females. These statistics illustrate the evolving demographic landscape of Ireland’s aging population.

Insights from Twin Studies

On the same day, the CSO released the second part of a study on twins from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) Cohort ’08 survey. This research focused on twins at the age of 13 and revealed that they showed lower engagement with general practitioner (GP) services compared to their singleton peers. Specifically, 70.3 percent of parents of twins had not consulted or contacted a GP regarding their child’s health within the past year, contrasting with 64 percent of parents of singleton children.

The study also examined physical activity patterns, indicating that twin boys and singleton boys had similar levels of daily exercise, while twin girls engaged in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Almost 25 percent of twin children reported exercising to manage their weight, a lower percentage compared to 31 percent of singleton children.

Social interactions were another focal point, as twins reported fewer opportunities to make new friends upon entering secondary school. Only 35.9 percent of twins strongly agreed that they made new friends, compared to 42.3 percent of singleton children. Furthermore, nearly half of twin respondents expressed that they missed their old friends, highlighting the social dynamics unique to twin relationships.

These findings from both the birth statistics and twin studies reflect the changing landscape of family structures and health practices in Ireland, offering critical insights for policymakers and health professionals alike. The CSO’s reports will likely inform future discussions on maternal health, child wellbeing, and demographic trends in the country.