Publication of ‘Understanding Life in Ireland: The Well-Being Framework 2024’

Today the Government published 'Understanding Life in Ireland: The Well-being Framework 2024' . This shows Ireland’s performance on thirty-five indicators, across eleven dimensions, in the Government’s Well-being Framework.

Similar to last year’s analysis, Ireland’s overall performance is positive. Particularly strong performances are seen in areas such as our social connections and community and in work and job quality. Only one of the eleven well-being dimensions, the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, shows a negative performance over time and in comparison internationally.

While performance is positive on average, the report also examines the Well-being Framework using an equality lens and has identified the groups which perform less well than other comparable groups across multiple dimensions. These include people with long-term illness or disability, single-parent households, households with lower incomes, and households in rented accommodation. 

Of the 15 indicators considered particularly important for sustainability (economic, social and environmental), seven perform well over time and Ireland compares favourably with other countries in four. Environmental sustainability indicators continue to perform less well although there are some positive signs – in 2023 greenhouse gas emissions were at their lowest level in over three decades, and the proportion of domestic houses with high energy efficiency had increased by more than 85% compared to 2018.  

Analysing progress under the Well-being Framework is now an annual contribution to the Budget process and supports a broader discussion of the impact of budgetary decisions.

Ireland’s Well-being Framework provides policymakers, Government and the Irish people with a more holistic way of thinking about how Ireland is doing as a country, with its focus on quality of life, with a particular emphasis on equality and sustainability across economic, environmental and social issues.

Speaking today, the Taoiseach said:

“The Well-being Framework was developed to think about how Ireland is doing across a range of different areas in the medium term. It is encouraging that this year’s report once again shows that Ireland is making progress. It shows that our population is generally happy, socially connected and highly skilled with a strong labour market. This report does however also highlight that not everyone experiences this progress equally.

“The Well-being Framework is now firmly established in the Irish policy making system and we are committed to driving its implementation to improve the quality of life for all our people.”

The Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers, said:

“I welcome today's report, which points to the continued progress we are making across a broad range of well-being dimensions. These are areas that make a really meaningful difference in our daily lives.

“Equally, the report highlights areas where we need to make further progress. The ongoing integration of the Well-being Framework into the policy process will help us with this, so we can achieve a more sustainable economy and inclusive society.”

The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, said:

“This report is part of a broader suite of reforms that are focused on enhancing the use of evidence in the policy process and in shaping budgetary priorities. The report that is being published today provides important insights into how public policy is providing people living in Ireland with the opportunities and resources to progress their own lives as well as those of their families. However, the report also reminds us that not everyone has been able to benefit fully from such opportunities.  We must continue to work hard to ensure that all public services are focussed on improving people’s lives, especially for those people who face an array of difficult challenges in their day-to-day lives."

ENDS