Healthy Ireland Survey 2024

The Healthy Ireland Survey is an annual survey, conducted with a representative sample of the population aged 15 and older living in Ireland. Fieldwork to date has been conducted by Ipsos B&A.

The data from Healthy Ireland Surveys is used to underpin policy development and implementation, to monitor, measure and evaluate progress in implementing various elements of the Healthy Ireland Framework, as well as to meet many international reporting obligations, including to the OECD, the EU and the WHO.

For the 2024 Survey, a representative sample of 7,398 people, aged 15 and older and living in Ireland were interviewed between October 2023 and April 2024.

The main findings of the 2024 Healthy Ireland Survey are summarised below.

• In 2024, 81% of the population report being in overall good or very good health, remaining broadly unchanged since 2023 (80%).
• Two in every five people (41%) have a long-term health condition confirmed by a medical professional, broadly unchanged since 2023 (40%).
• High blood pressure (8%), arthritis (6%), and asthma and diabetes (both 5%) are the most prevalent long-term health conditions confirmed by a medical diagnosis.

• The average positive mental health (EVI) score among the population is 66.3, a small increase since 2023 (65.3). The average positive mental health score remains lower than when first measured in 2016 (67.8) but continues to improve in comparison to the lowest score of 62.4, reported in 2021 while necessary COVID-19 restrictions were in place during the pandemic.
• The percentage of the population with a probable mental health problem (12%) remains higher than in 2016 (10%) but has improved by 3 percentage points since this was measured in 2021 (15%), during the pandemic while necessary public health restrictions were in place.
• The percentage of the population rating their quality of life as very good or good (86%) remains unchanged since 2023 but has risen significantly since first measured during the pandemic period in 2021 (74%).

• Two-thirds (66%) of the population are aware that they have been infected with COVID-19 since its emergence in early 2020. Evidence from the National Sero-surveillance Programme (NSP), via measurement of antibodies, indicates that 100% of the population have been exposed to COVID-19, through vaccination and/or infection .
• More than nine in ten people (92%) who report having had COVID-19 say they returned to their usual health after infection.
• Seven percent self-report that they have had symptoms of long COVID at some point. Three percent report receiving a diagnosis of long COVID from their doctor.

• 79% of people report having visited a GP in the previous 12 months, with an average of 4.4 visits per person among all aged 15 and older. This average includes those who have not visited a GP. Visits are now at the highest level since first reported in 2015.
• 89% of those with a full medical card and 87% of those with a GP Visit card attended a GP in the previous 12 months, with an average of 6.7 and 4.3 visits respectively. This compares to 73% among private patients with an average of 3.2 visits.
• 92% of those attending a GP report that their most recent visit took place in a GP surgery or health clinic, with 6% reporting a phone consultation and 1% reporting an online video consultation.

• 17% of the population are current smokers, with 14% daily smokers and 4% occasional smokers
• Smoking rates remain highest among the 25 to 34 age group at 20%, however, these have declined from 32% reported in the first Healthy Ireland Survey in 2015. Men (20%) remain more likely to smoke than women (15%).
• 8% of the population currently use e-cigarettes either daily (5%) or occasionally (3%), with a further 13% reporting they have tried them in the past but no longer use them. These figures have not changed since 2023.

Note: when daily (14%) and occasional (4%) smoking figures are rounded to two decimal points, the figures sum to 17%

• 73% of individuals aged 15 or over report consuming alcohol during the past 12 months. This is an increase on the 2023 measurement (70%) but remains lower than the 75% prevalence rate reported in 2018.
• 38% of people aged 15 or over drink at least once a week. This remains lower than reported in 2018 (41%). 22% drink multiple times per week – similar to the measurements in 2023 and 2018 (21% and 23% respectively).
• Overall, 28% binge drink on a typical drinking occasion. This is an increase from 24% measured in 2023 and shows a return to the level measured in 2018.

• Two in five people (41%) report meeting the National Physical Activity Guidelines by being moderately active for at least 150 minutes a week . Physical activity was last measured by the Healthy Ireland Survey in 2019, when 46% of the population met the guidelines.
• Less than one in ten people (8%) report participating in no physical activity in the previous seven days, the same as reported in 2019.
• Just over two-thirds (67%) of those who do not meet the physical activity guidelines say they would like to be more active than they currently are.

• Just over three in five men (63%) reported overweight or obese weight measurements, while half (50%) of all women reported the same. These figures are the same as reported in 2022.
• Just over one-quarter (27%) of people said they eat one snack food each day, an increase of 3 points since 2019 (24%). A further 35% reported they eat two or more snacks each day (2019: 36%).
• Just under a third (32%) of the population reported consuming sugar-sweetened drinks at least once per week, this includes 9% who reported consuming these every day (29% and 8% respectively in 2019).
• Fruit was eaten daily by 62% of the population and 73% reported eating vegetables every day. Reports of daily fruit and vegetable consumption declined since 2019 (65% and 75% respectively). Five or more portions of fruit and vegetables are eaten each day by 28% of the population, 6 points lower than reported in 2019 (34%).

• On average, people report sleeping for 6.9 hours on a regular weeknight or worknight. This is a slight decrease from the average of 7.1 hours reported in 2019. A third (33%) of the population report sleeping for six-hours or less, an increase of 8 points since 2019.
• Those who report they are in good health sleep for longer (7.0 hours) on average, than those who rate their health as fair (6.6 hours) and those who say they are in bad health (6.3 hours). Those who are living with overweight or obesity report slightly lower hours of sleep on average (6.8 hours) than those who report a normal weight (7.0 hours).
• Within the last month, 72% of the population rate their quality of sleep as very good or fairly good.

• The proportion identifying as carers has increased steadily from 9% in 2019 to 10% in 2022, 12% in 2023. In 2024, 14% report that they are carers; i.e., providing regular unpaid personal help to a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problem or disability.
• Those aged between 45 and 54 (23%) and 55 and 64 (19%) are most likely to report being a carer. Women (16%) are more likely than men (11%) to say they are carers, with 29% of women aged 45 - 54 identifying as carers, in comparison to 17% of men of the same age.
• Almost a quarter (24%) of carers provide around the clock care for someone they live with.

• A significant portion (17%) of parents are also caregivers. This is higher than in the general population with 14% overall reporting that they are a carer.
• Most (78%) care for one person, but some care for two (19%) or three or more (2%). 58% provide care to their own parent/parent-in-law, 17% provide care to another adult, while 24% care for their own child with additional needs.
• While self-reported health is similar to parents overall, caregivers are more likely to have a long-standing illness (41% vs. 30%), with asthma being more prevalent (8% vs. 4%).
• Caregivers experience a higher prevalence of probable mental health problems (15% vs. 12% for parents generally). They are also more likely to report experiencing limitations in daily activities (25% vs. 18%). Smoking rates are higher among caregivers (23% vs.17%)
• Caregivers experience significant sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling asleep and waking up, and lower self-reported sleep quality compared to parents overall.

Parents are defined as those with a child or children under the age of 18 still living with them

To note, this module was voluntary with a minority of respondents completing this online. Respondents to whom suicide awareness is an important topic may have been more likely to take part. Caution is therefore necessary when analysing these results as they may not be representative of the general population.

• Overall, 69% of respondents report knowing someone who has died by suicide and 15% know someone close to them who has died by suicide.
• For those who know someone who has died by suicide, 8% say the death had a significant or devastating effect on them that they still feel.
• Overall,7% of respondents report they have attempted to take their own life. Just over a fifth (22%) of those reporting their health as bad report an attempt to take their own life, compared to 5% among those reporting good health.

Suicide is a highly complex issue, and there are a range of factors that may influence the presentation of suicide related ideation or a suicide attempt.

If you are concerned about your mental health or that of someone you know, the general information below on mental health supports and services might be helpful for you. Reach out to these trusted sources.

Visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie for information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or to find a support service in your area. You can also call the Your Mental Health Information Line on 1800 111 888, anytime day or night, for information on mental health services in your area.

Samaritans services are available 24 hours a day, for confidential, non-judgmental support.

• Freephone 116 123
• Email jo@samaritans.ie
• Visit www.samaritans.ie for more information