Ireland's birth rate over the decade ending 2001 was the highest in the EU, according to new figures published today.
A report today by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows the birth rate for 2001 at an estimated at 15.1 per 1,000 population - an increase of 4.7 per cent since 1992.
"While Ireland's birth rate moved closer to that of other European countries around 1995 we continue to have the highest birth rate of any of the 25 EU countries," the report says.
The report on Perinatal Statistics for 2001 covering 1992-2001 also shows almost a third of women having babies are single.
In 2001, single mothers accounted for just over 30 per cent of all women giving birth - an increase of 83 per cent over the decade beginning 1992. The figures do not account for women in stable relationships as they only measure marital status.
The average age of the women was 25 years compared to 22 years ten years previously. The average age of all mothers remained constant for 2001 at 30 years indicating married women are having children later in life.
The report on shows that the average rate of children per woman is falling down to 1.1 from 1.4.
The report also shows a rise of just under 81 per cent in women giving birth by Caesarean section, accounting for 22 per cent of all births by 2001. The trend in the breastfeeding rate continues upward at 39.1 per cent in 2001 compared to 33.9 per cent in 1992.
Among other statistics, the report shows the mortality rate for infants both before and after birth has fallen and that home births have increased.