According to newly published figures Ireland had the biggest natural rise in population throughout the entire EU in 2016.
The latest figures published by Eurostat has revealed that birth rates in Ireland were the highest in the EU, whilst the rate of deaths here are amongst the lowest.
According to the report there were 63,900 live births in Ireland in 2016, or 13.5 per 1,000 inhabitants which is apparently well above the average of 10 births per 1,000 inhabitants.
Meanwhile there were 30,400 deaths or 6.4 per 1,000 inhabitants, recorded in 2016 making it the joint lowest rate in the EU with Cyprus.
The latest figures combined to has led to the country’s population to increase by 7.1 per 1,000 inhabitants.