Understanding Life in Ireland: 2024 Analysis

Similar to last year’s analysis, this year’s Report shows that 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 shows a negative performance over time and in comparison internationally and this is the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity.

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 policy-makers, 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.