|
|
| Demography |
- 1996 Census
- Population changes 1971 to 1996
- Household composition, 1996
Census
- Women in the Workforce
|
| 1. 1996 Census There
were 391,046 people living in the South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) region in April 1996.
The population profile is shown in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.1 Population Pyramid for South Eastern Health Board region 1996
census
There was an increase in population of 2% from the 1991 census to the 1996 census. Data
for the 1996 census is shown for the SEHB region, for the counties and for the community
care areas in Appendices 1-3.
The trend to increased urbanisation continued from the 1991 to the 1996 census. Table
1.1 shows the proportion of the population living in towns of 1,500 population or over for
1991 and 1996.
Table 1.1 Proportion of the population of Ireland, SEHB region and counties
living in towns of 1,500 population or over for 1991 and for 1996
| Region |
1991 |
1996 |
| Ireland |
57% |
58% |
| SEHB |
40% |
41% |
| Carlow |
45% |
46% |
| Kilkenny* |
26% |
29% |
| Wexford |
32% |
32% |
| Tipperary SR |
40% |
40% |
| Waterford |
59% |
60% |
*Kilkenny includes one town with > 1,500 population in 1991 but two towns with >
1,500 population in 1996
Table 1.2 shows the change in the population in towns of
1,500 population or over in the region from the 1991 to the 1996 census.
Table 1.2 Population of towns of 1,500 people or over in the SEHB region and
the percentage change from 1991 to 1996
Towns |
Population
1991 |
Population
1996 |
%
change from
1991 to 1996 |
| Co.Carlow |
 |
| Carlow |
13,233 |
14,979 |
+13% |
| Muinebeag |
2,700 |
2,695 |
0% |
| Tullow |
2,424 |
2,364 |
- 2% |
|
|
| Co.Kilkenny |
|
| Kilkenny |
17,669 |
18,696 |
+ 6% |
| Thomastown |
1,487 |
1,581 |
+ 6% |
|
|
| Co.Wexford |
|
| Wexford |
15,353 |
15,862 |
+ 3% |
| Enniscorthy |
7,655 |
7,640 |
0% |
| New Ross |
6,079 |
6,147 |
+ 1% |
| Gorey |
3,840 |
3,939 |
+ 3% |
|
|
| Co.Tipperary SR |
|
| Clonmel |
15,562 |
16,182 |
+ 4% |
| Carrick-on-Suir |
5,143 |
5,217 |
+ 1% |
| Tipperary |
4,963 |
4,854 |
- 2% |
| Cashel |
2,814 |
2,687 |
- 5% |
| Cahir |
2,055 |
2,236 |
+ 9% |
|
|
| Co.Waterford |
|
| Waterford |
41,853 |
44,155 |
+ 6% |
| Dungarvan |
6,920 |
7,175 |
+ 4% |
| Tramore |
6,064 |
6,536 |
+ 8% |
Source: CSO |
|
| 2. Population changes 1971
to 1996 There has been a 19% increase in population in the South Eastern
Health Board region from 1971 to 1996. However the trends in the different age groups and
in each county vary, as can be seen in Figures 1.2-1.5.
Figure 1.2 Population aged 0-14 years in each county of SEHB region,
1971-1996
Source: CSO
Despite an increase in the 1980's, the population of 0 to 14 year olds in the south
east has fallen in the 25 years from 1971 to 1996 by 9%. This fall is greatest in South
Tipperary (16%) and least in Kilkenny and Wexford (3% and 7% respectively).
Figure 1.3 Population aged 14-44 years in each county of SEHB region,
1971-1996
Source: CSO
The young adult population (14-44 years) in the south east has increased by 46% over
the past 25 years. The percentage increase is greatest in Carlow (54%) and least in South
Tipperary (35%).
Figure 1.4 Population aged 45-64 years in each county of SEHB region,
1971-1996
Source: CSO
The population of middle aged people in the south east remained static from 1971 to
1986 but has increased in the past 15 years so that there is an overall increase in this
age group from 1971 to 1996 of 15%. South Tipperary has remained static in this age group
over the 25 years while Waterford and Wexford have had the greatest increases (23% and 20%
respectively).
Figure 1.5 Population aged 65 years or older in each county of SEHB
region, 1971-1996
Source: CSO
The older adult population in the south east has been increasing steadily over the past
25 years with an overall increase of 23%. The relative increases vary in the counties from
18% and 19% in Wexford and South Tipperary to 27% and 28%, and 22% in Waterford, Kilkenny
and Carlow respectively. |
|
| 3. Household composition,
1996 census While the proportion of lone parents not living with another
adult is similar in the south east to Ireland as a whole, the proportion of people aged 65
years or older and living alone in the community varies between the counties of the south
east. See Table 1.3.
Table 1.3 Lone parents not living with another adult as a proportion of all
households and people aged 65 years or older living alone as a proportion of private
households with people aged 65 years or older.
|
% Lone Parents |
% People >/= 65 years living alone |
| Ireland |
9% |
28% |
| SEHB |
9% |
28% |
| Carlow |
9% |
26% |
| Kilkenny |
8% |
26% |
| Wexford |
9% |
27% |
| Tipperary SR |
9% |
30% |
| Waterford |
9% |
30% |
Both of these groups are at risk of social deprivation and require support services
targeted to meet their needs.
|
|
| 4. Women in the Workforce Women
have traditionally taken on the role in society as unwaged carers of children and of
dependant disabled people. However as more women become involved, either full or
part-time, in the formal workforce, their ability to continue to provide informal support
will decrease.
In the 25 years from 1971 to 1996 the number of women at formal work in Ireland grew by
212,000, which compares with a growth of 23,000 in male employment over the same 25 years. 1 These changes have
particularly involved married women. See Figure 1.6.
Figure 1.6 Numbers of women at work, 1971 to 1996
Other = Separated, divorced and widowed
Source: Women in the Workforce, CSO. Sept. 1997
In 1991, a quarter of all mothers (i.e. with one or more
dependant children) were in the labour force. This rose to 37% in 1996.
In 1996, using the International Labour Office classification, 41% of Irish women aged
15 or over were in the labour force. This compares with an EU average of 45%. The highest
female participation rates are in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark 59%, Sweden 57%,
Finland 55%) and the lowest rates in Mediterranean countries (Italy 35%, Spain 36%, Greece
37%). See Figure 1.7.
Figure 1.7 Women's Labour Force Participation - EU Comparisons
Source: Women in the Workforce, CSO. Sept. 1997
The relevance of these facts can be seen in a recent study of elderly people in 6
European countries.2 The proportion of care given to those living in the community who
required help with activities of daily living by informal caregivers (i.e. family and
friends) was highest (over 90%) in the Mediterranean districts and lowest in the
Scandinavian districts (from 45% to 56%). The districts from the British Isles, which
included the SEHB, had intermediate rates (77% to 85%).
Within the south east, one can expect that this trend towards greater female
participation in the workplace to continue. This should be taken cognisance of when
planning support services for dependant sectors of the population.
References
1 Central Statistics Office. Women in the
Workforce. Statistical Release. Ireland
September.1997.
2 Heslin J, Soveri P, Winoy J, et al. Health Status and Service Utilisation in
Older People in 8
European Districts. Proceeding from Tipping The Balance Network Conference, Croatia
1998. |
|
|
