Women live over 5 years longer than men

In 2002 the life expectancy at birth is 75.1 years for males and 80.3 years for females.

These figures are contained in the Central Statistics Office’s Irish Life Table No.14 Release.

Between 1996 and 2002 life expectancy improved by 2.1 years for males and 1.8 years for females. See Table 3, page 8 of release.

In 1926 an Irish male infant was expected only to live 57.4 years. Irish female infants were slightly better at 57.9 years. Since then Irish male infant life expectancy has improved by 18 years or 31%, while Irish female infant life expectancy has improved by 22 years or 39%.

The improvement in life expectancy is a direct result of decreasing mortality over the last 75 years, particularly infant mortality. Much of this occurred between 1946 and 1961.

Life expectancy of Irish males aged 65 improved by 2.6 years or 20% over the last 75 years, while Irish females improved by 5 years or 40%, double that of males.

The most dramatic increase in life expectancy for both sexes occurred over the last 6 years at age 65. Male life expectancy increased by 1.5 years (11%). This improvement is more than what was experienced over the previous 70 years. Female life expectancy increased by 1.3 years (7%) over the same 6 years.

Life expectancy below EU 15 average

In 2002 Irish life expectancy at birth and at age 65 is below the EU15 average for both sexes. See Table 4, page 9 of release. The highest European life expectancy at birth in males is reported in Sweden at 77.7 years and for females, Spain at 83.1 years. The highest European life expectancy at age 65 is reported in Sweden for both males and females.

In 2002 Irish male infant life expectancy ranks joint 8th with Belgium out of the countries reported in the EU15 and is below Malta. Similarly the life expectancy of Irish baby girls ranks second last out of those reported in the EU15 and is below both Malta and Slovenia.

Ireland is joint bottom with Denmark of the EU15 league table but higher than the new Members States for 65 year old males. For females Ireland ranks second from the bottom in the EU15 league table at this age and also below Malta and Slovenia.

Since 1980 the improvement in Irish female live expectancy continues to be above EU15 average at birth and at age 65.

The improvement in Irish male life expectancy at age 65 has been above the EU15 average since 1990.

More detailed tables, including life expectancy at all ages, are available on the CSO website.

For more information about this release, contact Mary Heanue or Mary Condon (LoCall 1890 313 414 ext 5423 or 5471).

23 June 2004