Ireland's birth rate has dropped sharply since 2010, raising alarms about workforce shortages and aging population.

Ireland has passed "peak baby" in 2010 and "peak child" in 2024, with births dropping from 77,000 to 54,000, raising concerns about a shrinking workforce, aging population, and strain on public services. A National Economic and Social Council report warns that without proactive policies, the country faces long-term economic and social challenges. It calls for investments in affordable housing, childcare, parental leave, and inclusive employment, along with stronger efforts to attract and integrate younger migrants and support returning emigrants. The report stresses that strategic planning is essential to reverse declining fertility, manage emigration, and ensure fiscal sustainability and quality of life.