Ireland must boost births and welcome immigrants to sustain economy – NESC

National Economic and Social Council policy analyst Gráinne Collins said Ireland's sharp and sustained fall in births was reflected in two turning points, 'peak baby' in 2010 and 'peak child' in 2024. Picture: iStock

Ireland should welcome migrants to support the economy into the future, thereby avoiding a “vicious circle” where we don’t have enough workers to sustain the State, a new government report has said.

The National Economic and Social Council (NESC), an advisory body to the Taoiseach and Government, said that Ireland is undergoing significant demographic shifts and must adapt soon in what is set to be a “decisive” decade in the country’s future.