The main purpose of this paper is to provide a broad description of fertility
trends in Ireland over the last two decades. The analysis investigates in
particular whether there are regional (i.e., county) differences in relation to
the levels of fertility and how these have changed. In the final part of the paper
we discuss the likely future pattern of fertility trends and consider some
economic and social implications arising therefrom. The last-mentioned aspect
is now a matter of considerable significance since there are indications (from
the annual births total) that the general decline in fertility has escalated to
such an extent in recent years that the effects may be quite substantial and
materialise within a relatively short period of time
