Fewer births and more deaths in Ireland last year

Last year there were fewer births, more deaths, and fewer marriages than in 2010, according to the latest Vital Statistics information released by the CSO.

According to the CSO, the number of births fell by 326, but the yearly total of 74,650 is still more than a fifth higher than a decade ago.

There were 6,714 deaths registered in quarter 4 2011, 3,397 males and 3,317 females, an overall increase of 9.8% compared to 2010.

Marriages fell by 756 in the year, giving a total of 19,879, but divorces were down also, by 274.

There were 5,866 births registered as outside marriage in Q4 of 2011.

This accounted for 34.3% of all births, an increase of 0.1% on the same period of 2010, and an increase of 1.3% on Q4 of 2006.

The highest percentage of births outside marriage was in Cork City at 52%, while the lowest percentage of births outside marriage was in Cork County at 25%.