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During the year 2021, there were 199 deaths of infants under one year of age, compared to 178 in 2020. The infant mortality rate was 3.3 per 1,000 live births in 2021, up 0.2 from 2020. See tables 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3.
| Year | Infant | Neonatal | Post neonatal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 17.5 | 12 | 5.6 |
| 1976 | 15.7 | 10.5 | 5.2 |
| 1977 | 15.5 | 9.9 | 5.6 |
| 1978 | 14.9 | 9.8 | 5 |
| 1979 | 12.8 | 8.4 | 4.4 |
| 1980 | 11.1 | 6.7 | 4.4 |
| 1981 | 10.3 | 6.5 | 3.8 |
| 1982 | 10.5 | 6.6 | 3.9 |
| 1983 | 10.1 | 6.1 | 4 |
| 1984 | 9.6 | 6 | 3.7 |
| 1985 | 8.8 | 5.3 | 3.6 |
| 1986 | 8.9 | 5 | 3.9 |
| 1987 | 7.9 | 4.3 | 3.6 |
| 1988 | 8.6 | 5.2 | 3.4 |
| 1989 | 8.1 | 4.8 | 3.3 |
| 1990 | 8.2 | 4.8 | 3.4 |
| 1991 | 7.6 | 5 | 2.6 |
| 1992 | 6.5 | 4.3 | 2.2 |
| 1993 | 6.1 | 4 | 2.1 |
| 1994 | 5.7 | 4 | 1.7 |
| 1995 | 6.4 | 4.8 | 1.6 |
| 1996 | 6 | 4.1 | 1.9 |
| 1997 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 2.6 |
| 1998 | 5.9 | 3.4 | 1.6 |
| 1999 | 5.9 | 4 | 1.8 |
| 2000 | 6.2 | 4.3 | 1.9 |
| 2001 | 5.7 | 4 | 1.7 |
| 2002 | 5 | 3.6 | 1.5 |
| 2003 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 1.5 |
| 2004 | 4.6 | 3.4 | 1.3 |
| 2005 | 3.8 | 2.7 | 1.1 |
| 2006 | 3.9 | 2.7 | 1.2 |
| 2007 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3.8 | 2.7 | 1.1 |
| 2009 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 0.7 |
| 2013 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 0.9 |
| 2014 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3.4 | 2.7 | 0.8 |
| 2016 | 3 | 2.3 | 0.7 |
| 2017 | 3 | 2.3 | 0.7 |
| 2018 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 0.7 |
| 2019 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 0.7 |
| 2020 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 0.8 |
| 2021 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 0.8 |
There were 152 neonatal deaths (deaths of infants under 4 weeks) in 2021, an increase of 18 on the 2020 figure. The neonatal mortality rate per 1,000 live births was 2.5 in 2021, an increase of 0.1 from 2020. See tables 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and figure 3.1.
Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period accounted for 50% of infant deaths in 2021. Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities accounted for a further 33%, while sudden infant death syndrome accounted for 8.0% of such deaths. See table 3.5.
The number of stillbirths registered in 2021 was 122, an increase of 2 on the 2020 figure. The overall stillbirth rate was 2.0 in 2021, a decrease of 0.1 from 2020. See tables 3.1, 3.2 and figure 3.2.
In 2021, stillbirths classified as being due to certain conditions originating in the perinatal period accounted for 88% of all registered stillbirths and 12% were due to congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities. See table 3.4.
While statistics of infant mortality are obtained in the course of the usual procedure for registration of deaths, which has been in operation since 1863, particulars of late foetal mortality have been obtained through a scheme of notification to the Directors of Community Care. The scheme of notifying late foetal deaths was introduced in 1957, but comparisons between different areas of the country showed marked differences in the coverage of the scheme in the early years. Consequently, the number of late foetal deaths in the early years of the scheme is believed to be understated.
In 1995 stillbirths were registered in Ireland for the first time under the Stillbirths Registration Act, 1994. The definition of a stillbirth under the Act is broader than the definition used for late foetal deaths in previous Vital Statistics Reports. Care should be taken in comparing statistics on stillbirths and late foetal deaths in consideration of the changes between the notification and registration systems.
The National Perinatal Reporting System (NPRS) Healthcare Pricing Office HIPE and NPRS Reports, Perinatal Statistics Reports). Perinatal Statistics Reports also produces statistics on stillbirths, which can be compared to the numbers in these reports. The NPRS figures are derived from birth notification forms, whereas the figures contained in this report are derived from stillbirths registered. In recent years, the numbers of stillbirths according to NPRS reports have been higher than the numbers published in these reports. This suggests that there is considerable non-registration of stillbirths and that caution should be taken in interpreting the statistics on stillbirths in these reports.
There were no maternal deaths registered in 2021, giving a rate of 0.0 maternal deaths per 100,000 live and stillbirths.
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