Recent Changes in Family Structures

In recent years there has been enormous change in family structures in Ireland. In particular, the numbers of those co-habiting have increased dramatically. In 1996, co-habiting couples made up 4% of all family units (31,300), but by 2002 this figure had more than doubled, to just over 8% of all family units – a total of 77,600 couples.

Divorce and remarriage rates are also increasing since divorce legislation was introduced in 1996; the number of divorced persons has more than trebled in six years, increasing from 9,800 in the 1996 census to 35,000 in the 2002 census. The numbers of those who are either separated or divorced has risen from 87,800 in 1996 to 133,800 in 2002.

The number of children living with co-habiting parents rather than married parents has also increased significantly; from 23,000 children in 1996 to 51,700 children in 2002. The percentage of births outside marriage now stands at just over 31%, that is, almost one-third of births, compared with just over one-quarter (25.3%) in 1996.

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The KAL Case