One in three cannot afford to have children as new poll gives insight into women's health

Irish Examiner Women's Health Survey 2025: Poll of more than 1,000 women gives unique insight into women's health in Ireland today

Family sizes continue to fall, with just half of mothers with a single child saying they would like to have a second. The average Irish family is now 2.29 children

A third of women cannot afford to have a baby, or another child, with younger women in particular forced to put family plans on hold.

One in three also said they would delay having children because of their career or until they have reached certain financial goals, according to an Irish Examiner Ipsos B+A national opinion poll.

The study also found 20% of women have difficulty getting pregnant, with half of those considering fertility treatment.

Family sizes continue to fall, with just half of mothers with a single child saying they would like to have a second. The average Irish family is now 2.29 children, reflecting falling fertility rates worldwide.

The survey of 1,000 women gives a unique insight into the state of women’s health. The highlights include:

• Women want to drink less alcohol, particularly those aged between 25-34; 
• Two in five (38%) have sought help for mental health issues but there are difficulties accessing qualified professionals; 
• 39% of women often feel lonely or isolated; 
• Three-quarters of women over 35 have experienced menopause, but only half of women in perimenopause or menopause seek medical/HCP advice or support; 
• 10% have had Botox, 6% fillers and 12% either treatment;
• A third would consider freezing their eggs — with half of women aged between 25-34 indicating they would do so.

The survey found 68% of women who gave birth rated support during labour as good or very good. 

However, 45% of women aged 25 to 34 rated their experience of post-natal care as fair or poor, even though the survey showed they were less likely to struggle than older woman had in previous years.

Women were very critical of supports after miscarriage and felt they did not get the right information.

Access to a GP is a growing problem, with 41% saying it is difficult to get a GP appointment in their area.

Fertility struggles featured strongly, with 20% of women saying they experienced this. Despite the State now supporting a funded scheme, only 9% of women felt fertility treatment in Ireland was reasonably priced.

Access to a GP is also a growing problem, with 41% saying it is difficult to get a GP appointment in their area. Of those who saw a GP, 42% rated the value for money of the appointment as poor or very poor.

Just over half have private health insurance, even though 49% of those who answered said insurance gives poor or very poor value for money.

Opinions on care in menopause varied by age, likely reflecting easier access to supports, including HRT now than even five years ago. So while 80% of women aged 35-49 have sought help from a GP or other healthcare worker, just 46% aged over 65 had ever done so.

Many women at 45% of those who answered, believe cosmetic procedures are common in their age group. However, just 12% have had either Botox or lip fillers done themselves.

The survey found women aged 24-34 feel more positive towards enhancements, including surgery, than older women.

A third have used online health services, with 32% following health and wellness influencers online.

Just over a third say they feel positive towards people using the weight loss drug Ozempic, with a quarter considering taking the drug themselves.

The majority of women (59%) rated their overall health as good or very good, with 58% exercising regularly.

Over half take regular vitamins or mineral supplements, maintain a healthy diet, and prioritise getting enough sleep.

A tenth are in therapy or counselling, with 14% meditating regularly.

• The survey was carried out by Ipsos B+A for Feelgood, with a nationally representative sample of 1,078 women aged over 16.