Irish women are the most educated in Europe.

Just under 60 percent of young women here have a third level education, compared to 44% of men in the same age bracket - according to figures released today by Eurostat.

Only 8 % of young Irish women are early school leavers, compared to 21% of Spanish women and 3% of Slovenian women.

Just 55% of Irish women are in employment - below the EU average 58.

And with an average 2.01 children per woman in 2012 Irish women are among the most fertile group in the EU, along with the UK and France.