New figures reveal population trends in each of Mayo's electoral areas

There were 1,513 babies born in county Mayo in 2021 according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Castlebar was the Local Electoral Area (LEA) with the highest number of births. 373 babies were born in the Castlebar LEA during 2021.

The birth rate was 11.5 per 1,000 population. The birth rate is the number of births divided by the total population (both male and female).

The natural increase, the number of births minus the number of deaths during the same time period, was 140.

The second highest number of births was in the Claremorris LEA where 345 babies were born in 2021.

The birth rate was 11.6 and the natural increase was 106.

In Ballina, 300 births took place in 2021 and the birth rate was 11.1. The natural increase was 82.

In Westport, 206 births took place in 2021 and the birth rate was 10.7. The natural increase was 78.

In Swinford, 177 births occurred in 2021 and the birth rate was 9.9. The natural increase was 10.

Belmullet was one of only three LEAs nationwide to record more deaths than births in 2021.

112 births occurred in Belmullet and 168 deaths occurred, resulting in a natural increase of -56. The birth rate in Belmullet was 8.8.

Glenties in County Donegal and Bantry in county Cork were the only other areas to record more deaths than births in 2021.

The total natural increase in county Mayo in 2021 was 360.