of services. As a result of this, the urban areas surrounding the city have a population density of over 75 per km2
. In order to overcome high property
prices and a housing shortage, the commuter zone of the city has spread to other counties such as Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Laois.
Changing Birth Rates
In 2014 Ireland had the highest birth rates in the EU, at 14.4 per 1,000, well above the EU average of 10.1 per 1,000. Generally, Ireland has always had a birth rate that was among the highest in the EU. Te EU’s statistical office (Eurostat) now estimates that Ireland’s population has reached 4.7 million.
1950s and 1960s
By the 1950s nearly 100 years of emigration had reduced Ireland’s population to just 2.8 million. Despite this being the lowest total population on record (as a result of high levels of emigration), Ireland’s birth rates remained at over 20 per 1,000 throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Te influence of the Catholic Church was strong in Ireland and it forbade the use of contraceptives, which contributed to a high total fertility rate (TFR) of four births per woman. In rural areas of Ireland, low levels of mechanisation encouraged families to have more children in order to have extra labour for the farm.
1970s
Te population of Ireland rose rapidly in the 1970s, with an increase of 361,268 between 1971 and 1981. Aſter joining the EU in 1973, Ireland’s economy experienced growth, leading to a larger immigration than emigration for the first time since the Famine. Many of the immigrants were Irish people returning to Ireland, having emigrated in the previous decade. A large percentage of these migrants were at the age where they wished to begin having a family. Tis led to a decade of high birth rates, which peaked around 1980, with 74,000 babies being born in that year.
1980s
Economic recession throughout the 1980s led to a decline in birth rates due to high levels of outward migration among Ireland’s youngest workers (aged 18–30). Over 200,000 young workers emigrated, many of whom were close to parenting age. By 1995, 15 years of economic recession led to a low of 48,000 births that year. Societal changes also contributed to a decreasing birth rate, as the influence of the Catholic Church declined and contraceptives and family planning were accessible. Te changing role of women in society also meant that many couples delayed having children until their thirties, which meant that families were likely to be smaller.
1995–2008
Economic prosperity and inward migration led to an increase of population during the Celtic Tiger era. Tere were high levels of immigration during this time, especially from the newly EU-joined countries such as Poland. During this period, over 25 per cent of babies were born to foreign-born mothers.
POPULATION CHANGE OVER TIME AND SPACE
25
Elective 5: Human CHAPTER 1
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