Major baby boom as birth rate soars to highest level in 30 years

by Denise Clarke ©Independent.ie
THE country is experiencing a major baby boom with birth rates hitting their highest in almost 30 years.
New CSO statistics show births rates are back to levels of over 65,000 per year, a level not seen since the 1970s.
And marriage is proving more popular than ever, with figures showing a large increase in people tying the knot.
According to the latest CSO births report for 2006 -- 65,425 babies -- 33,665 males and 31,770 females -- were born, compared with 61,372 births in 2005.
Nearly 70,000 births were recorded between 1971 and 1980, before dropping to 61,629 between 1981 and 1990.
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