THERE HAS BEEN plenty of anecdotal evidence that Ireland has been experiencing a mini baby-boom since the economic collapse but the CSO has just released data showing that there was indeed more offspring born last year when compared with ten years ago.

In the second quarter of 2011, there were 18,381 births registered – a massive 20.6 per cent increase on 2002 figures when just 15,247 babies were born.

The new figures also show that at an average age of almost 32, the Irish Mammy is getting older. That is a 0.3 years older than the previous year and 1.3 years more than in 2002.

The average age of mothers having their first child was 29.9.

Between April and June last year, 7,277 deaths were registered – an increase of 5 per cent on the number recorded for the same period in 2010. Almost one third of all deaths were attributed to circulatory disease.

Among young adults aged 15 to 34, the most common causes of death included accidents and suicide. For those aged 35 to 74, cancers were the leading cause.

The vital statistics also look at the number of marriages entered into in Ireland and it seems more people aren’t just having babies, they are also heading down the aisle. In the three month period, 5,025 weddings took place – an increase of 215 on 2002 figures.

TheJournal.ie has taken a more in-depth look at the numbers and here are some of Ireland’s most vital statistics for April to June 2011:

• 6,013 births were registered outside of marriage. The highest percentage was seen in Limerick City, where almost half of births registered were outside marriage.
• 9,428 boys were born and 8,953 girls
• 61 infant deaths were recorded giving an infant mortality rate of 3.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, representing a drop. 41 of those deaths were neonatal (when the baby is less than 4 weeks old)
• 11,104 - the natural increase in the population (births minus deaths)
• 3,717 men and 3,560 women died
• 5,618 deaths were of people over the age of 65
• 134 deaths were caused by suicide  - 71.2 per cent were male
• 4,484,300 – the estimated population of Ireland as of April 2011

Download the CSO’s full Vital Statistics here>

Previously: When is Ireland’s favourite time to get married, born and… em, die?