A HSE study of over 3,000 people has found that 80% of those aged 18-25 use contraception every time they have sex.
The research also found there has been no change in the age at which people first have sex, when compared to data from 2003.
17 remains the average age at which boys first have sex, while it is 18 for girls.
The study also found that young people are more likely to receive sex education now than in the past.
70% of the 18-25 year olds surveyed said this has helped them in their relationships.
The research also shows that around one in three women living in Ireland in 2010 and who were pregnant defined it as a "crisis pregnancy".
Director of the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme Dr Stephanie O'Keeffe said there are a number of reasons for that, among them, financial pressures.
