Ireland recorded the lowest life expectancy and the highest population increase in the EU, official figures revealed today.
According to Eurostat - the statistical office of the European Union, Ireland's natural population growth of 7.9 per thousand was reflected in fertility rates which show women in Ireland had an average of 2.01 babies last year - again, the highest of the 15 EU states.
When immigration is taken into account, however, the population increased 1.52 per cent last year - higher than any other country. And Ireland was among four countries which experienced a higher rate of natural population growth compared to net migration.
Overall, Europe's population rose 0.3 per cent last year with immigration accounting for 75 per cent of the 1.29 million increase. Net migration has outpaced natural increases in the EU since 1989.
The increase in population should be viewed positively, Labour's health spokesperson Ms Liz McManus said today. However she said Government cutbacks, particularly in health and education, meant public services were struggling to cope.
"The bulge in population, particularly in the greater Dublin area, places an massive strain on public services at a time when they are being reduced. This is serious. People suffer, as the mortality figures show," Ms McManus said.
Ms McManus and Sinn Féin's Dáil leader Mr Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin said the mortality rate was exacerbated by a health system which militates against those on low incomes.
"Government policies have widened the gap between rich and poor and it is those on lower income who suffer more from ill-health and reduced life expectancy.
"This brings down the national average life expectancy. It is a direct result of our grossly unequal economy and our crisis-ridden health service," Mr Ó Caoláin said.
Ireland's life expectancy rate for females is 78.5 years and 73.0 years for males, comparing unfavourably with the EU average of 81.6 years for women and 75.5 for men.
Ireland, along with Italy, recorded the lowest number of divorces at less than one thousand marriages in 2001.