Iona Institute Report Highlights Significant Decline in Irish Birth Rates and Baptisms
A new report from the Iona Institute, a Christian advocacy and research body, reveals a substantial decline in annual baptisms in Ireland over the past decade, falling by 30 percent. This decrease is primarily attributed to two factors: a significant drop in birth rates and a rise in secularism. The report indicates that falling birth rates account for approximately 60 percent of the decline in baptisms. Specifically, births in the Republic of Ireland have decreased by 19.9 percent, and in Northern Ireland by 21.3 percent, resulting in an overall decline of 18.8 percent across the island. Dr. Tom Finegan, Chairman of the Iona Institute, noted that Ireland's fertility rate is now 1.5, which is well below the replacement level of 2.1. The archdiocese of Dublin experienced an even steeper fall of 40 percent in baptisms over the last ten years, with its birth rates also declining more than the national average. The report also highlights a growing number of individuals identifying as having 'no religion,' with... 
