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Today, the Government released “Understanding Life in Ireland: The Well-being Framework 2024,” detailing Ireland’s performance across thirty-five indicators and eleven dimensions within the Government’s Well-being Framework.

Mirroring last year’s analysis, Ireland’s overall performance remains positive, notably in social connections, community, and job quality. However, the Environment, Climate, and Biodiversity dimension shows a negative trend both over time and internationally.

The report highlights that while average performance is positive, disparities exist. Groups such as individuals with long-term illnesses or disabilities, single-parent households, lower-income households, and those in rented accommodation perform less well across multiple dimensions.

Of the fifteen sustainability indicators (economic, social, and environmental), seven show positive trends, with Ireland performing favourably internationally in four. Although environmental sustainability indicators generally lag, there are promising signs: 2023 saw the lowest greenhouse gas emissions in over three decades, and the number of highly energy-efficient homes increased by over 85% since 2018.

Annual analysis of the Well-being Framework now contributes to the Budget process, supporting broader discussions on the impact of budgetary decisions. The Framework provides policymakers, the Government, and the public with a comprehensive view of Ireland’s progress, focusing on quality of life with an emphasis on equality and sustainability across economic, environmental, and social issues.

The Taoiseach remarked:

“The Well-being Framework was developed to evaluate Ireland’s progress across various areas. It is encouraging that this year’s report shows Ireland making progress, with a generally happy and connected population and a strong labour market. However, the report also highlights that not everyone experiences this progress equally.”

The Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers

, said:

“I welcome today’s report, indicating continued progress across various well-being dimensions, which significantly impact our daily lives. The report also identifies areas needing further improvement. Integrating the Well-being Framework into policy processes will help achieve a more sustainable economy and inclusive society.”

The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe

, added:

“This report is part of broader reforms enhancing the use of evidence in policy and budgetary decisions. It provides insights into how public policy offers opportunities and resources for people in Ireland to improve their lives and those of their families. However, it reminds us that not everyone benefits equally, and we must ensure all public services focus on improving lives, especially for those facing significant challenges.”

Overview of Ireland’s Well-being Framework

Launched in July 2021, Ireland’s Well-being Framework moves beyond solely economic measures, encompassing economic, environmental, and social issues. It focuses on quality of life with particular attention to equality and sustainability and is being integrated across the Government, including the Budgetary cycle.

The Framework comprises eleven dimensions, with the Well-being Information Hub (hosted by the CSO) covering thirty-five data indicators, providing a medium-term, holistic view of quality of life in Ireland. Annual analysis of the Framework is now part of the Budget cycle, featuring in the National Economic Dialogue, the Summer Economic Statement, and Budget Day documentation.

Report Highlights

The CSO’s Well-being Information Hub reviews the latest data on Ireland’s performance across thirty-five well-being indicators, noting positive trends in nineteen of the twenty-eight indicators with available data over approximately five years, while five show negative trends.

Positive Indicators:

• Mean weekly earnings
• Percentage of population not feeling depressed
• Proportion of A or B rated domestic dwellings
• Net Government wealth
• New dwelling completions

Negative Indicators:

• Households struggling to make ends meet
• Households facing pollution and grime issues
• Water quality
• Waste generated
• Discrimination experience rate

Internationally, Ireland performs above the EU or OECD average in fifteen of the twenty-four indicators with available data, while seven indicators show poor performance.

Well-performing Indicators Internationally:

• Reading and maths performance in 15-year-olds
• Mean weekly earnings
• Population reporting depression
• Household pollution and grime issues
• Median real household disposable income
• Healthy life years
• Lifelong learning rate

Poor-performing Indicators Internationally:

• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Waste generated
• Long working hours
• Labour underutilisation rate
• Unmet medical needs
• Housing cost overburden rate
• Water quality

This year’s data reveals that women, immigrants, unemployed individuals, people with long-term illnesses or disabilities, single-parent households, lower-income households, and rented accommodation households perform less well across multiple well-being dimensions.

For further details, visit the Well-being Portal at www.gov.ie/wellbeing-framework.