The number of births in Clare last year fell to levels not seen since the early 90s.
1,304 babies were born in this county in 2021.
These records began back in 1985, and last year’s birth total in Clare was the eighth lowest in the 37 years since then.
It was only slightly higher than 2020 levels, when the country was in and out of lockdowns, and below numbers seen in this county in 1988 and 1998.
Last year’s figure is nearly 2 percent lower pre-pandemic birth levels seen in 2019.
Births within marriage is now at its lowest level since such records began, and is less than half of what it was back in 1985.
The average age of mums here in Clare is now at its highest level since that time, with mothers across the Banner aged over 33 on average last year.
The average age of a first time mother in this county is also higher than ever, with those giving birth the first time now 31.6 years old on average, compared to a low of 24.8 back in 1991.
