The Irish Life Tables No.17 2015-2017 is the period which the latest life expectancy figures are based from. CSO is currently working on the development of the next series of Irish Life Tables.
Death rates in Ireland have shown a significant decline over the period from 1922 with 1,474 deaths per 100,000 population, to 675 per 100,000 in 2023. This reflects changes in overall deaths, which have also shown a decrease over the period, from 44,547 in 1922 to 35,649 in 2023.
Male death rates fell from 1,488 per 100,000 in 1922 to 715 per 100,000 in 2023 while female death rates decreased from 1,460 per 100,000 in 1922 to 636 per 100,000 in 2023.
The proportion of overall deaths in the 0-5 years age range dropped significantly between 1922 and 2023, from 14.7% of all deaths (6,537 out of 44,547) in 1922 to 0.6% of all deaths (206 out of 35,649) in 2023.
The proportion of overall infant deaths, those under the age of 1, fell from 9.1% of all deaths (4,054 out of 44,547) in 1922 to 0.5% of all deaths (180 out of 35,649) in 2023.
Life expectancy at birth greatly increased from approximately 57 years for males and 58 for females in the 1925-1927 Irish Life Tables 1 to approximately 80 years for males and 83 years for females in the 2015-2017 Irish Life Tables 17.
In 1922, cancer was the cause of death for 2,523 people, with the number rising to 10,221 people in 2023. There was an increase in death rates from 84 per 100,000 population in 1922 to 194 per 100,000 in 2023.
Looking at heart disease as a cause of death, rates have fluctuated over the 101 years analysed, rising from 153 deaths per 100,000 (4,609 deaths) in 1922 to a peak of 412 deaths per 100,000 (11,890) in 1966 before falling to 125 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
Tuberculosis (TB) decreased greatly from 4,614 deaths in 1922, when it was more prevalent than heart disease, to 14 deaths in 2023. Rates of death due to TB have also fallen from 153 per 100,000 in 1922 to almost 0 per 100,000 in 2023.
Like most countries, Ireland has significantly lower death rates and increased life expectancy when compared with a hundred years ago. These improved figures have been driven by advancements in medicines and medical procedures; developments in disease prevention and hygiene; and changes to more nutritious diets. These factors have led to reductions in mortality at earlier ages, especially in infancy and childhood. When we consider overall death rates, we see a long-term pattern of decline in death rates (Figure 1).
In the case of overall deaths, there has been a decrease from 44,547 deaths (or 1,474 deaths per 100,000 population) in 1922, to 35,649 deaths (or 675 deaths per 100,000 population) in 2023. Similar declines were seen for male death rates which fell from 1,488 per 100,000 in 1922 to 715 per 100,000 in 2023, and female deaths rates which decreased from 1,460 per 100,000 in 1922 to 636 per 100,000 in 2023.
The proportion of overall deaths in the 0-5 years age range has diminished dramatically between 1922 and 2023, from 14.7% of all deaths (6,537 out of 44,547) in 1922 to 0.6% of all deaths (206 out of 35,649) in 2023. Likewise, the proportion of overall infant deaths, those under the age of one, has decreased from 9.1% (4,054 out of 44,547) in 1922 to 0.5% (180 out of 35,649) in 2023. (Figure 2 and Figure 3).
| Year | Under 1 | 1-4 years | Under 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1922 | 4054 | 2483 | 6537 |
| 1923 | 4098 | 1973 | 6071 |
| 1924 | 4543 | 2346 | 6889 |
| 1925 | 4216 | 2140 | 6356 |
| 1926 | 4552 | 2229 | 6781 |
| 1927 | 4254 | 2142 | 6396 |
| 1928 | 4016 | 1947 | 5963 |
| 1929 | 4102 | 1890 | 5992 |
| 1930 | 3965 | 1774 | 5739 |
| 1931 | 3935 | 1892 | 5827 |
| 1932 | 4060 | 1828 | 5888 |
| 1933 | 3742 | 1642 | 5384 |
| 1934 | 3664 | 1295 | 4959 |
| 1935 | 3988 | 1572 | 5560 |
| 1936 | 4309 | 1527 | 5836 |
| 1937 | 4121 | 1627 | 5748 |
| 1938 | 3794 | 1352 | 5146 |
| 1939 | 3691 | 1139 | 4830 |
| 1940 | 3759 | 1067 | 4826 |
| 1941 | 4175 | 1153 | 5328 |
| 1942 | 4591 | 1235 | 5826 |
| 1943 | 5319 | 1322 | 6641 |
| 1944 | 5198 | 1286 | 6484 |
| 1945 | 4739 | 1103 | 5842 |
| 1946 | 4390 | 860 | 5250 |
| 1947 | 4687 | 1056 | 5743 |
| 1948 | 3313 | 781 | 4094 |
| 1949 | 3415 | 723 | 4138 |
| 1950 | 2922 | 580 | 3502 |
| 1951 | 2876 | 644 | 3520 |
| 1952 | 2674 | 521 | 3195 |
| 1953 | 2463 | 478 | 2941 |
| 1954 | 2364 | 442 | 2806 |
| 1955 | 2264 | 380 | 2644 |
| 1956 | 2162 | 382 | 2544 |
| 1957 | 2027 | 307 | 2334 |
| 1958 | 2109 | 298 | 2407 |
| 1959 | 1927 | 308 | 2235 |
| 1960 | 1777 | 308 | 2085 |
| 1961 | 1827 | 314 | 2141 |
| 1962 | 1800 | 261 | 2061 |
| 1963 | 1682 | 230 | 1912 |
| 1964 | 1712 | 247 | 1959 |
| 1965 | 1604 | 229 | 1833 |
| 1966 | 1552 | 238 | 1790 |
| 1967 | 1498 | 202 | 1700 |
| 1968 | 1280 | 200 | 1480 |
| 1969 | 1293 | 214 | 1507 |
| 1970 | 1255 | 210 | 1465 |
| 1971 | 1214 | 202 | 1416 |
| 1972 | 1236 | 206 | 1442 |
| 1973 | 1234 | 218 | 1452 |
| 1974 | 1227 | 207 | 1434 |
| 1975 | 1176 | 221 | 1397 |
| 1976 | 1052 | 177 | 1229 |
| 1977 | 1069 | 186 | 1255 |
| 1978 | 1046 | 194 | 1240 |
| 1979 | 927 | 190 | 1117 |
| 1980 | 821 | 185 | 1006 |
| 1981 | 746 | 170 | 916 |
| 1982 | 745 | 175 | 920 |
| 1983 | 677 | 161 | 838 |
| 1984 | 617 | 110 | 727 |
| 1985 | 552 | 122 | 674 |
| 1986 | 546 | 102 | 648 |
| 1987 | 464 | 99 | 563 |
| 1988 | 484 | 114 | 598 |
| 1989 | 423 | 109 | 532 |
| 1990 | 434 | 88 | 522 |
| 1991 | 401 | 76 | 477 |
| 1992 | 331 | 70 | 401 |
| 1993 | 302 | 66 | 368 |
| 1994 | 277 | 66 | 343 |
| 1995 | 311 | 62 | 373 |
| 1996 | 303 | 62 | 365 |
| 1997 | 321 | 60 | 381 |
| 1998 | 316 | 58 | 374 |
| 1999 | 317 | 74 | 391 |
| 2000 | 338 | 45 | 383 |
| 2001 | 331 | 78 | 409 |
| 2002 | 305 | 59 | 364 |
| 2003 | 326 | 49 | 375 |
| 2004 | 287 | 46 | 333 |
| 2005 | 236 | 52 | 288 |
| 2006 | 255 | 38 | 293 |
| 2007 | 230 | 54 | 284 |
| 2008 | 284 | 52 | 336 |
| 2009 | 247 | 59 | 306 |
| 2010 | 271 | 45 | 316 |
| 2011 | 262 | 31 | 293 |
| 2012 | 237 | 42 | 279 |
| 2013 | 245 | 46 | 291 |
| 2014 | 224 | 40 | 264 |
| 2015 | 225 | 32 | 257 |
| 2016 | 194 | 31 | 225 |
| 2017 | 188 | 31 | 219 |
| 2018 | 174 | 24 | 198 |
| 2019 | 167 | 27 | 194 |
| 2020 | 178 | 25 | 203 |
| 2021 | 199 | 15 | 214 |
| 2022 | 188 | 32 | 220 |
| 2023 | 180 | 26 | 206 |
| Year | Under 1 | 1-4 years | Under 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1922 | 9.1 | 5.6 | 14.7 |
| 1923 | 9.6 | 4.7 | 14.4 |
| 1924 | 10.1 | 5.2 | 15.2 |
| 1925 | 9.7 | 4.9 | 14.6 |
| 1926 | 10.9 | 5.3 | 16.2 |
| 1927 | 9.7 | 4.9 | 14.6 |
| 1928 | 9.6 | 4.7 | 14.3 |
| 1929 | 9.8 | 4.5 | 14.3 |
| 1930 | 9.5 | 4.3 | 13.8 |
| 1931 | 9.2 | 4.4 | 13.6 |
| 1932 | 9.4 | 4.3 | 13.7 |
| 1933 | 9.2 | 4.1 | 13.3 |
| 1934 | 9.4 | 3.3 | 12.7 |
| 1935 | 9.6 | 3.8 | 13.4 |
| 1936 | 10.1 | 3.6 | 13.7 |
| 1937 | 9.1 | 3.6 | 12.7 |
| 1938 | 9.5 | 3.4 | 12.9 |
| 1939 | 8.8 | 2.7 | 11.6 |
| 1940 | 9 | 2.5 | 11.5 |
| 1941 | 9.5 | 2.6 | 12.2 |
| 1942 | 11 | 3 | 14 |
| 1943 | 12.2 | 3 | 15.3 |
| 1944 | 11.5 | 2.8 | 14.4 |
| 1945 | 11.1 | 2.6 | 13.7 |
| 1946 | 10.6 | 2.1 | 12.7 |
| 1947 | 10.6 | 2.4 | 13 |
| 1948 | 9.1 | 2.1 | 11.3 |
| 1949 | 9 | 1.9 | 10.9 |
| 1950 | 7.7 | 1.5 | 9.3 |
| 1951 | 6.8 | 1.5 | 8.3 |
| 1952 | 7.6 | 1.5 | 9.1 |
| 1953 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 8.5 |
| 1954 | 6.7 | 1.2 | 7.9 |
| 1955 | 6.2 | 1 | 7.2 |
| 1956 | 6.4 | 1.1 | 7.5 |
| 1957 | 5.9 | 0.9 | 6.8 |
| 1958 | 6.2 | 0.9 | 7 |
| 1959 | 5.6 | 0.9 | 6.5 |
| 1960 | 5.4 | 0.9 | 6.4 |
| 1961 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 6.2 |
| 1962 | 5.3 | 0.8 | 6.1 |
| 1963 | 5 | 0.7 | 5.7 |
| 1964 | 5.2 | 0.8 | 6 |
| 1965 | 4.9 | 0.7 | 5.6 |
| 1966 | 4.4 | 0.7 | 5.1 |
| 1967 | 4.8 | 0.6 | 5.4 |
| 1968 | 3.9 | 0.6 | 4.5 |
| 1969 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 4.5 |
| 1970 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 4.3 |
| 1971 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 4.4 |
| 1972 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 4.2 |
| 1973 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 4.2 |
| 1974 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 4.2 |
| 1975 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 4.2 |
| 1976 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 3.6 |
| 1977 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 3.7 |
| 1978 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 3.7 |
| 1979 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 3.3 |
| 1980 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 3 |
| 1981 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 2.8 |
| 1982 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 2.8 |
| 1983 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
| 1984 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 2.3 |
| 1985 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 2 |
| 1986 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 1.9 |
| 1987 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 1.8 |
| 1988 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 1.9 |
| 1989 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.7 |
| 1990 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.7 |
| 1991 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
| 1992 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.3 |
| 1993 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 1.1 |
| 1994 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 1.1 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| 1998 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| 2000 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 1.2 |
| 2001 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.4 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| 2003 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.3 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| 2005 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1 |
| 2006 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| 2009 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 1.1 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0.2 | 1.1 |
| 2011 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.9 |
| 2015 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.9 |
| 2016 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.7 |
| 2017 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.7 |
| 2018 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| 2019 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| 2020 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| 2021 | 0.6 | 0 | 0.6 |
| 2022 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| 2023 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
Similar patterns can be seen in terms of improvements in life expectancy. When the first Irish Life Tables were analysed, covering the period 1925-1927, there were rather low life expectancy rates. At birth, life expectancies were approximately 57 years for males and 58 females. At age 25, the life expectancy for males in the 1925-1927 Irish Life Tables 1 was approximately 67 years in total (an additional 42 years at age 25) for both males and females.
When we consider the most recent Irish Life Tables 17, which cover the period 2015-2017, life expectancy at birth was approximately 80 years for males and 83 years for females. Likewise, the life expectancy at age 25 in the period 2015-2017 also increased from the 1925-1927 numbers to approximately 80 years for males (additional 55 years at age 25) and 84 years for females (an additional 59 years at age 25).
Between 1922 and 2023, both the number and rates of cancer deaths increased greatly. The exact reasons for this increase are widely debated with hypotheses including increased rates of diagnosis and improved testing; changes in classification of diseases; the potential impacts of improved longevity with age being considered a major risk factor for numerous cancers; as well as lifestyle factors such as consumption of alcohol and tobacco, which is to a lesser extent in recent years due to lower levels of tobacco consumption; environmental factors; and negative elements of certain modern dietary choices. Therefore, great care should be taken in interpreting this increase. Figure 5 shows the death rate per 100,000 population for cancer between 1922 and 2023, while Figure 6 shows the numbers of deaths over the period.
The rate of cancer deaths rose from 2,523 (or 84 deaths per 100,000) in 1922 to 10,221 (or 194 deaths per 100,000) in 2023.
Similar levels of growth have been seen for males and females over the 101 years. For males, the rate has increased from 87 deaths per 100,000 (1,330 deaths) in 1922 to 210 deaths per 100,000 (5,465 deaths) in 2023. The rates for females have shown an increase from 80 deaths per 100,000 (1,193) in 1922 to 210 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
Between 1922 and 2023, both the number and rates of heart disease deaths have fluctuated. As with cancer, it is important to note that there may be significant changes in classification definitions; diagnosis and treatments; as well as changes to lifestyles and environmental patterns, which mean that significant caveats are attached to this analysis. Figure 7 shows heart disease rates per 100,000 while Figure 8 shows the heart disease deaths over the period 1922-2023.
Heart disease rates have shown a pattern of rise-and-fall, rising from 153 deaths per 100,000 (4,609 deaths) in 1922 to a peak of 412 deaths per 100,000 (11,890) in 1966 then falling to the level of 125 deaths per 100,000 (6,620 deaths) in 2023.
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease that loomed over Irish life up to the mid-20th Century as a major cause of death. While TB has not been completely eradicated, the number of deaths is now low in comparison to historic years with 14 deaths occurring in 2023.
This decrease was evident throughout the period 1922-2023. Deaths have fallen from 4,614 deaths (153 per 100,000) in 1922 (more than heart disease) to 14 in 2023 (less than 1 per 100,000). Figure 9 shows the TB death rates per 100,000 while Figure 10 shows the TB death numbers over the period 1922-2023.
In early time periods, the rate for male and female TB deaths were similar. However, from the 1950s onwards, the male death rate significantly exceeded the female death rate until the late 1980s when the number of deaths approached near negligible (by historical standards) levels.
This is the first of a proposed series of CSO publications in relation to historical Vital Statistics. The next release will involve a detailed study of causes of death statistics based on collaboration with the CSO’s Health and Social Cohesion Division. We would like to thank John O’Sullivan, Colm Crowley, John Dunne, Ciara Hayes, and Kate O’Neill for their help in this project.
Learn about our data and confidentiality safeguards, and the steps we take to produce statistics that can be trusted by all.
Statistician's Comment
The CSO has today (08 July 2026) published The Changing Nature of Life Expectancy and Causes of Death in Ireland 1922-2023. The data in this release is compiled from the detailed annual reports of the Registrar General for Saorstát Éireann of Marriages, Births, and Deaths for the period 1922-1951 and the subsequent CSO Vital Statistics releases for 1952-2023.
Commenting on the release, Seán O’Connor, Statistician in the Life Events and Demography Division, said: “This is the first time the CSO has examined more than 100 years of data on deaths in Ireland, revealing the changing nature of life expectancy and causes of death. This initial analysis is part of a larger piece of work being conducted in conjunction with the CSO's Historical Statistics Recovery (HSR) initiative which aims to digitise, preserve, and make historical Irish death data available to all.
While we focused on common causes of death, differences may potentially exist in how causes of death were classified due to changing International Cause of Death (ICD) classification methodology used throughout the period 1922-2023, as well as differences due to changes in recording practices over the period. It is also worth noting that death and cause of death patterns may be affected by other changing factors over time including wars, epidemics, migration, medical changes and diagnosis, and changes in socio-economic factors. Therefore, particular care should be taken when interpreting the changes from 1922-2023.
Overall Results
From the data examined, which spanned more than 100 years, from the the foundation of the State in 1922 to 2023, we can see people are living longer, the proportion of infant deaths has fallen dramatically from 9.1% of all deaths in 1922 to 0.5% of all deaths in 2023, and there have been significant changes in the most common causes of death. For example, tuberculosis (TB) related deaths have decreased substantially over that time from a point where it was more prevalent than heart disease to being one of the least common causes of death. The number of deaths dropped from 4,614 in 1922 to 14 deaths in 2023. However, deaths due to cancer have grown greatly over the same period, from 2,523 deaths in 1922 to 10,221 deaths in 2023.
Causes of Death
Overall deaths fell from 44,547 deaths (or 1,474 deaths per 100,000 population) in 1922, to 35,649 deaths (or 675 deaths per 100,000 population) in 2023. Similarly, male death rates dropped from 1,488 deaths per 100,000 in 1922 to 715 per 100,000 in 2023, and female death rates decreased from 1,460 per 100,000 in 1922 to 636 per 100,000 in 2023.
There have been significant reductions in the level of infant and childhood mortality over the 101-year period also. The proportion of overall infant deaths, those under the age of one, decreased from 9.1% of all deaths (4,054 out of 44,547) in 1922 to 0.5% of all deaths (180 out of 35,649) in 2023. Likewise, the proportion of overall deaths in the 0-5 years age range fell from 14.7% of all deaths (6,537 out of 44,547) in 1922 to 0.6% of all deaths (206 out of 35,649) in 2023.
Looking at some of the most common causes of death, there have been significant changes in Ireland over the 101 years examined. The rate of cancer has grown greatly, from 2,523 deaths (or 84 per 100,000) in 1922 to 10,221 deaths (or 194 per 100,000) in 2023. Heart disease deaths rose and then fell over the period, with a rise from 153 deaths per 100,000 in 1922 to a peak of 412 deaths per 100,000 in 1966 before falling to 125 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
On the other hand, the TB related death rate has decreased substantially, with a fall to near zero levels. The number of deaths dropped from 4,614 in 1922 to 14 deaths in 2023. When taking account of the population, the death rate due to TB has fallen from 153 deaths per 100,000 in 1922 to almost 0 per 100,000 in 2023.
Life Expectancy
Looking at the changes in life expectancy in Ireland from 1922 to 2023, the data shows people are expected to live much longer now. Life expectancy at birth greatly improved from approximately 57 years for males and 58 years for females in the Irish Life Tables 1925 - 1927 Table 1 to approximately 80 years for males and 83 years for females in the most recent Irish Life Tables 2015 - 2017 Table 17. Some of this increase reflects the reduction in infant mortality from 1922 to 2023.
Life expectancy for those aged 25 also increased from approximately 67 years in total for male and females in the Irish Life Tables 1925 - 1927 (Table 1) to 80 years for males, with an additional 55 years at age 25, and 84 years for females, with an additional 59 years at age 25, in the Irish Life Tables 2015 - 2017 (Table 17).”