Some observations on births in Dublin in the years 1941 and 1942

Abstract

The population problem is a subject which may be beyond my capacity to deal with in any authoritative manner but on account of its very importance the paper presented to the Society this evening may provoke serious attention from others more qualified than I am to interpret the significance of the figures and to suggest solutions to the problem as it affects this country. Much could be written in support of the importance of this question from published statements in recent years in different countries. In our own Census of Population Reports it is stated that we are a country of late marriages but high fertility, notwithstanding which we are fast becoming a country of elderly people. The statistics of the age structure of the Population in 1936 particularly at the younger ages as compared with 10 years earlier attracted much attention. Similar figures for ages and conjugal condition are being compiled for 1941 from the Register of Population but the results for the whole country will not be available for some time yet.