Distribution of households with children by number of children in Ireland
Ireland: Distribution of households with children by number of children was 44.2% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
44.2%
Change on year
up 0.2%
World rank
38th
of 47 countries
All-time high
46.2%
in 2009
All-time low
40.0%
in 2003
Years of data
23
2003–2025
Distribution of households with children by number of children in Ireland, 2003–2025
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.
Analysis
The most recent figure for distribution of households with children by number of children in Ireland is 44.2%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 4.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, distribution of households with children by number of children in Ireland peaked at 46.2% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 40.0%, in 2003.
Ireland ranks 38th of 47 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Distribution of households with children by number of children in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Percentage | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 40.0% | — |
| 2004 | 40.8% | +2.0% |
| 2005 | 42.7% | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 42.0% | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 43.8% | +4.3% |
| 2008 | 43.1% | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 46.2% | +7.2% |
| 2010 | 42.4% | -8.2% |
| 2011 | 45.0% | +6.1% |
| 2012 | 45.9% | +2.0% |
| 2013 | 45.1% | -1.7% |
| 2014 | 43.0% | -4.7% |
| 2015 | 42.3% | -1.6% |
| 2016 | 42.0% | -0.7% |
| 2017 | 41.4% | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 41.7% | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 41.6% | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 42.7% | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 44.0% | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 42.1% | -4.3% |
| 2023 | 44.2% | +5.0% |
| 2024 | 44.1% | -0.2% |
| 2025 | 44.2% | +0.2% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 44.2% is below the median for high income countries, which is 47.7%, 93% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 44.2% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 47.1%, 94% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 42.7% | 40.0% | 46.2% | 7 |
| 2010s | 43.0% | 41.4% | 45.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 43.6% | 42.1% | 44.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 35 Belgium 44.7% compare
- 36 Albania 44.4% compare
- 36 Norway 44.4% compare
- 38 North Macedonia 44.2% compare
- 40 Netherlands 43.8% compare
- 40 Netherlands 43.8% compare
More population data for Ireland
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.4488 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.68 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.4488 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1157 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,725 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.5372 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1844 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Population density 76.73 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 217,052 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is distribution of households with children by number of children in Ireland?
- Distribution of households with children by number of children in Ireland was 44.2% in 2025, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest distribution of households with children by number of children recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 46.2% in 2009.
- What is the lowest distribution of households with children by number of children recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 40.0% in 2003.
- How does Ireland rank for distribution of households with children by number of children?
- Ireland ranks 38th out of 47 countries with data for 2025.
- Is distribution of households with children by number of children rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Distribution of households with children by number of children. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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