Press release 29 November 2001

PRESS RELEASE

Health "an absolute priority" in Ireland and the European Union

Health remains the social policy issue at the heart of citizens' concerns not just in Ireland but in the European Union as a whole. When asked about the main factors affecting their quality of life, the majority of European citizens rank health as their number one priority ahead of income and family life.

This was just one of the findings of the European Commission's second annual report on The Social Situation in the European Union which was launched at the Commission offices in Dublin this morning. Details of the European Foundation's new initiative on Monitoring Living Conditions and the Quality of Life in the EU were also announced.

Constantinos Fotakis (European Commission, DG-Employment / Social Affairs) gave a presentation of the results of the Commission's broad-ranging overview of social trends in the Union.

Key messages, Ireland

Low level of satisfaction with health service

% of persons satisfied with country's health care system is below the EU average.

Only the Greeks, Portuguese, Italians and Spanish are less satisfied.

Net migration rate nearly three times the EU average

In 1995-1999, Irish rate was 4.8 per 1000 population per annum compared to EU-15 average, 1.7.

Large income disparities persist

The richest 20% of the population have an income 5.6 times higher than that of the poorest 20%.

High level of satisfaction with life in general

88% declare themselves to be fairly or very satisfied with life in general.

Comparatively young population but ageing

There was a rapid decline in fertility rates in 1980s and early 1990s. While Ireland still has the youngest population and the highest fertility rates in Europe, the number of very old individuals (80+) will increase by a quarter in the next 15 years.

Key messages, European Union

Disability-free life expectancy continues to rise. Women can now expect to live for 74 years and men 69 years without any severe disability.

Fertility rates...

... are no longer falling to the extent they were a few years ago but rates remain very low and the main group of Europe's working age population (25-54) is predicted to decrease by 3% over next 15 years.

Net migration rather than natural population growth... ...is the main component of population growth in the EU and accounted for 70% of population growth in the last 5 years.

Income disparities

80% of Europeans agree that income differences are too high and that "large differences in income are not good for society".

Educational attainment

74% of 25-29 year olds now have a post-compulsory education.

The report on the Social Situation in the European Union for 2001 provides quantitative and qualitative analysis about the every day issues affecting the citizens of the EU and is complemented by a set of harmonised social indicators covering virtually all of the main social policy domains: economy, demography, education, employment, social protection, income and poverty, gender equality, health and safety. A statistical index provides additional data by member state.