Press release, 29 June 2005
Ireland boasts high levels of life satisfaction and optimism
The European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS): Ireland
Background note (in English), Supporting graphics (in English, Powerpoint presentation, 399KB)
Irish people are more satisfied with life than the average European, according to the new European Quality of Life Survey carried out by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Dublin-based EU-agency. But while quality of life in Ireland is high overall in several dimensions, it is not enjoyed by everyone in society. Irish people in the lowest income quartile report significantly high levels of subjective economic strain, with more Irish having trouble making ends meet or being able to afford a week’s annual holiday, than in other countries in the former EU15.
The survey also highlights that gender differences in the distribution of household roles are marked in Ireland. Measures of family support and quality of family life, however, are reassuringly positive and Irish people also report relatively high levels of participation in church and community life, in comparison to the other 27 countries surveyed.
Commenting on the EQLS report, Willy Buschak, Acting Director of the European Foundation noted: ‘Although the Irish rate their own health as relatively good, assessments of the quality of health services and of public transport are well below the EU15 average. On the other hand, assessments of the quality of the education and pension systems are relatively high.’
‘We hope that our survey, which provides policymakers and social society actors with knowledge on how people perceive their situations and how individual quality of life is assessed, can help to bridge the gap between the old and the new Member States of the European Union,’ he added.
Based on 26,000 face-to-face interviews across 28 European countries, the Foundation’s research on quality of life in Europe sheds light on living conditions, subjective well-being and perceptions of individuals of their society. The report not only provides a unique portrait of quality of life in an enlarged Europe, but also offers policymakers and actors in civil society with knowledge on how individual quality of life is assessed.
More information on the quality of life survey
For further information, contact
- Måns Mårtensson, Press Officer, by email, telephone +353-1-204 3124 or mobile +353-876-593 507
- Teresa Renehan, Information Liaison Officer, by email or telephone +353-1-204 3126