Dublin, Ireland, Jan 4, 2022 / 12:00 pm
Ireland is preparing to follow France in offering free contraception to women under 25 years of age.
The French government introduced the measure on Jan. 1, while the Irish authorities have promised to make contraception free for women aged between 17 and 25 years from August.
French officials said that the change would apply to three million young women out of a population of 67.4 million people. Contraception is already free for minors (under 18s).
Along with Sweden, France has the highest total fertility rate of the 27 member states of the European Union, with 1.84 live births per woman, which is below replacement level.