Almost one-third of new babies born to single mothers
Births to single mothers in Ireland almost doubled in the nine-year period up to 2000, according to a report published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
The ESRI said almost one-third of births in 2000 were to single mothers, compared to just over 15% in 1991.
Its report also said caesarean sections were carried out in 21% of births in 2000, a rise of 81.5% on the figures for 1991.
Elsewhere, the ESRI said the birth rate in 2000 was 14.5 per 1,000, a decrease of 3.3% since 1991, while the average age of women giving birth in 2000 was 30.
