Leitrim Municipal District records more Deaths than births, CSO

Ballinamore municipal district was one of just 15 Local Electoral Areas (LEAs) across Ireland to record a negative natural increase in 2022 — meaning more deaths were registered than births during the year.

Figures released yesterday show that 9% of the country’s 166 LEAs experienced this trend, with Leitrim among areas in Dublin (3 LEAs), Kerry (3), Mayo (2), and one each in Clare, Cork, Donegal, Roscommon, Sligo, and Wexford.

The Balinamore Municipal District recorded 120 deaths to 110 births in 2022. In contrast, the Manorhamilton municipal district had 114 births and 98 deaths and Carrick on Shannon had 156 births and 100 deaths.

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Nationally, 54,483 births were registered in 2022, with Ireland’s birth rate standing at 10.2 per 1,000 population. The highest birth rates were seen in Tallaght South, South Dublin (13.7), Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford (13.3), and Ongar, Fingal (13.2). The lowest were in Glenties, Co. Donegal (7.4), Killiney-Shankill, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (7.6), and Galway City Central (7.6).

Ireland’s rate of natural increase (births minus deaths) stood at 3.5 per 1,000 people, with areas like Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart and Ongar, Fingal (both 9.7) and Tallaght South (9.6) recording the highest increases.

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In total, 35,804 deaths occurred across Ireland during the year. The highest number was seen in Artane-Whitehall, Dublin City, with 553 deaths or 1.5% of the national total. The highest crude death rate was in Belmullet, Co. Mayo (11.5 per 1,000 population), while Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart had the lowest at 2.8.

The fertility rate — the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15–49 — stood at 42.3 nationally. The highest rates were seen in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford (57.0), followed by Newcastle West, Co. Limerick (53.5), and several other areas around 52.9. The lowest fertility rates were recorded in urban centres like Galway City Central (27.8) and inner-city Dublin.