Mark Henry

Ireland has one of the youngest populations in Europe. There are 4+ working age people for every person aged 65 years and over. That gives us the lowest old age dependency ratio in Europe (after Luxembourg) and a good basis to support our aging population 🇮🇪🧑🧓

ec.europa.eu/eurostat/sta...

Nice suggestion Mark, yes, certainly the Italians have notably fewer children.

Interestingly, Irish people own far fewer cars than most Europeans. Italians own 7 cars for every 10 people, but in Ireland we own fewer than 5. Is it due to our small size, so we've less far to travel? Does our public transport do the job well for most people? 🚗🇮🇪

ec.europa.eu/eurostat/sta...

Ireland has one of the lowest poverty rates in Europe. 17% of Irish people are considered at risk of poverty or social exclusion due to low incomes and material deprivation. That's one of the lowest in Europe, with only five other countries doing better.

www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-europ...

Irish people overwhelmingly listen to American music. 57% of our top artists on Spotify are American, 24% are British, and just 8.5% are local. Only Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders listen to a greater share of American music than the Irish. 🎶

www.skoove.com/blog/spotify...

The world is becoming safer for most people. 73% of adults worldwide say they feel safe walking alone at night in their city or area - the highest level since Gallup began asking this in 2006. The next challenge is to close the gender gap whereby women feel less safe.
news.gallup.com/poll/695240/...

The Global Innovation Index (GII) ranks world economies according to their innovation capabilities.

See the full analysis at www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/...

Ireland is the 18th most innovative country in the world according to the Global Innovation Index. The World Intellectual Property Organisation ranks 130 nations on policy, education, infrastructure & knowledge creation. Ireland is Europe's 10th most innovative - its highest ranking since 2020. 🇮🇪👏

It was a thrilling experience for me to be part of the Culture Night programme. Thanks to the Institute of International & European Affairs for inviting me to speak on 'Ideas for a Better World' with Eileen Dunne & Heather Burke. Lots of great ideas floated and very thoughtful audience engagement. 👏

Youth alcohol consumption in Ireland is declining. Teenagers today consume 25% less than kids in the 1990s. In fact, our children consume less alcohol than the average European. Good progress. 🇮🇪👍

alcoholireland.ie/youth-drinki...

The Irish education system is high quality, and 71% of Irish people agree with that. Our children leave with a high level of skills in English, math, and science. Only those in Singapore are more positive about the state of their education system. 🇮🇪🧑‍🏫

www.ipsos.com/sites/defaul...

Ireland is becoming a more equal country. No matter how you measure income inequality, it's in decline and is at the lowest levels yet recorded. This is true even when you account for rising housing costs. Let's keep that going. 🇮🇪👍

www.esri.ie/publications...

More details and registration here www.iiea.com/events/cultu...

Have you plans for Culture Night on Friday? Why not join me and RTE's Eileen Dunne to share ideas for a better world. We're speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs in North Great George's Street in Dublin at 6 pm. And there's a glass of wine for you to enjoy too. 🍷

Childhood poverty in Ireland has declined markedly. In the late 1960s, 22% of people described their childhood economic circumstances as bad/very bad. By the 2000s, that figure had fallen to 9%. Unfortunately, progress slowed in recent years so there's more to be done 🇮🇪🧒

www.esri.ie/publications...

Average incomes in Ireland have doubled over the past 30 years - and that's allowing for inflation and taxes. 🇮🇪🎉 This huge rise in disposable income means that we have twice as much money in our pockets at the end of the month to cover our living costs.

www.esri.ie/publications...

Ireland's national debt (as a share of income) has shrunk rapidly due to strong economic growth. Before the pandemic, our debt was 110% the size of our domestic economy (i.e. excluding foreign multinationals). Now it stands at just 68% and falling. 🇮🇪

www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

The suicide rate in Ireland has halved over the past 25 years. It's an incredibly positive achievement. Investment in mental health services, reduced alcohol consumption, and improved financial well-being have all contributed. 🇮🇪👏

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...

The majority of Irish people think the country is going in the right direction. 62% say so, and only 29% disagree. In fact, we are one of the most positive people in the EU about the state of our nation - only Luxembourg and Poland are more positive. 🇮🇪👍

europa.eu/eurobaromete...

Ireland has passed a magnificent milestone. For the first time ever, the majority of new cars sold over the past 12 months were electric or hybrid. Pure petrol and diesel cars are increasingly unpopular. We're driving a major sustainability shift for the good of all. 🚗🇮🇪

www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...

Did you do a transition year in secondary school? 20 years ago, most children didn't. Today, 8-in-10 pupils do, including 7-in-10 of those in disadvantaged areas. Participation helps children mature, grow in confidence and independence, and develop their skills.

www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Back to school? Primary school class sizes in Ireland are shrinking, and pupil-teacher ratios have never been better. 🇮🇪🧑‍🏫 The average class now has 22 children in it, but often has a second teacher in the room to assist those children who need extra support.

www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Wealth inequality in Ireland decreased hugely over the past decade. Poorer households reduced debt, and homeowners in the middle & low wealth brackets benefited from rising house prices. Ireland is a far more equal country than most European nations. 🇮🇪

www.centralbank.ie/statistics/d...

The CSO say they use the Irish Labour Force Survey to calculate this. That's the survey used to count the number of people at work www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...

Are the Irish emigrating in greater numbers? There is very little net emigration by Irish people. 35,000 left last year, but 31,500 returned, so the net figure was 3,500 (a decrease on last year). Net emigration was eight times higher back in 2012. 🇮🇪🧳

www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...

What age is too old to start a degree course at university? You're never too old! That's what 72% of Irish people say - and we are the most supportive of lifelong education among 32 countries surveyed. 🇮🇪🎓

resources.ipsos.com/rs/297-CXJ-7...

Ireland is judged to be the 2nd most peaceful country in the world in the Global Peace Index 2025. 🇮🇪😎 Iceland is considered the most peaceful and New Zealand is third. Read the BBC's report on us here www.bbc.com/travel/artic...

Employment in Ireland continues to grow strongly. There are now more than 2.8 million people in jobs - and that's 64,000 more than this time last year. 🇮🇪👏

www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...

Want a surefire way to feel happier this weekend? Get out and about in nature. Nearly 90% of us report feeling happier after spending time in nature, with 82% reporting less stress and/or anxiety. Make the most of that extra leisure time 🏞️😎

www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...

How old do you think you will live to be? Irish people say 81 years, on average, and that's nearly spot on - life expectancy in Ireland today is 82 years. In the mid-1970s, it was only 72 years. We're living longer, healthier, and happier than ever. 🇮🇪🧓

resources.ipsos.com/rs/297-CXJ-7...