The total number of lone parents has increased by almost 40 per cent in the space of just four years, new figures show.
A detailed breakdown of census figures provided by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows there were 112,900 lone parent families last year, up from 81,600 in 2002.
Lone parents now account for about 12 per cent of families in the State. Most families (88 per cent), however, are still headed by either a married or cohabiting couple.
However, the significant rise in the number of lone parents may be partly linked to more precise data provided under a revised question in last year's census, according to CSO officials.
The figures - based mostly on the 2006 census - are contained in a special CSO report commissioned by the social partners on the nine areas of equality as identified by the Equality Authority. These include gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, sex, religion and membership of the Travelling community.
The statistics show a marked difference in gender across a range of areas with women significantly less likely to be in employment compared to men and more likely than men to work as carers.
While women account for half the population, they represent 91 per cent of lone parents and 62 per cent of carers.
The employment rate for women aged 20-44 with dependent children varies from 57 per cent when the youngest child is under four years, rising to 63 per cent when the youngest child was aged six to 17.
The comparable rates for men were more even at about 91 per cent, irrespective of the age of the child.
Employment rates for lone parents were 55 per cent, compared to 74 per cent for other parents.
Statistics relating to age show that the population is growing older, although we still have a significantly younger population than most EU countries.
The proportion of the population aged under 15 fell from 30 per cent in 1981 to 20 per cent in 2006.
The percentage of the population aged 65 and over has remained more stable, increasing from 10.7 per cent in 1981 to 11 per cent last year.
Statistics for disability show stark differences with the wider population in areas such as employment and education.
Last year, 9 per cent of people defined themselves as having a long-lasting condition and/or having difficulty doing certain activities.
About 27 per cent of males with a disability were in employment in 2006 compared to 66 per cent of males in the overall population.
The corresponding figures for females were 17 per cent and 49 per cent.
People with disabilities were less likely to have third-level education than the overall population.
In the 25-44 age group, 28 per cent of disabled people had completed third level education compared to 43 per cent of the wider population.
