Ireland’s annual publication of national health metrics has highlighted an impressive average life expectancy of 82.6 years, the fifth highest in the European Union. It also outperformed the EU on health workforce expansion.
Ireland’s Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD unveiled the findings in the “Health in Ireland Key Trends 2024” report. It underscores significant advancements in health outcomes over the past decade while also addressing persistent challenges in healthcare accessibility.
This life expectancy figure places Ireland ahead of the EU average, reflecting the country’s strides in healthcare improvements. The population has grown by 14.8% since 2015, with a notable 36.5% increase in the over-65 age group, underscoring the demographic shifts that will influence future healthcare demands.
In 2023, 79.5% of Irish residents reported their health as good or very good, the highest rate in the EU and significantly above the EU average of 67.7%. This high rate of self-perceived good health is viewed by the government as indicative of the overall improvements in the nation’s health services.
Shaping future policies
Minister Carroll MacNeill emphasized the importance of these trends in shaping future healthcare policies. “Our population is growing, and we are living longer, healthier lives. With our average life expectancy now at 82.6 years, we need to continue to focus on the future demands for healthcare,” she stated.
The report also highlights the expansion of the healthcare workforce.
The number of hospital doctors increased by 61.3% to 13,772, and the number of nurses and midwives rose by 34.9% to almost 48,000 between 2015 and 2024. These increases are crucial in addressing the growing healthcare needs of an ageing population.
Comparatively, the “Health at a Glance: Europe 2024” report by the OECD notes that many EU countries are grappling with healthcare workforce shortages.
Ireland expanding health workforce
Twenty EU countries reported a shortage of doctors in 2022 and 2023, while 15 countries reported a shortage of nurses. This contrast highlights Ireland’s proactive measures in expanding its healthcare workforce to meet future demands.
Additionally, the Irish report notes significant reductions in mortality rates from major diseases between 2014 and 2023.
The mortality rate from cancer fell by 14.7%, circulatory system diseases by 19.5%, ischaemic heart disease by 27.7%, and respiratory system diseases by 15.4%. These improvements point to the impact of enhanced healthcare services and preventive measures implemented over the years.
Healthcare funding has also seen positive changes, with the government covering 77.4% of total health expenditure in 2023, reducing the burden of out-of-pocket and private health insurance payments – a notable achievement compared to many EU countries, where private health expenditure remains a significant component of total health spending.
As Ireland continues to navigate the complexities of an ageing population and evolving healthcare needs, the findings from the “Health in Ireland Key Trends 2024” report will be instrumental in guiding future healthcare strategies.
Europe workforce shortages
For Europe at large, the 2024 edition of “Health at a Glance: Europe” presents a comprehensive overview of the state of European health systems as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and face new challenges such as digitalisation, climate change, and demographic shifts.
The report emphasizes two critical themes: addressing health workforce shortages and promoting healthy longevity.
The European health workforce is in crisis, with 20 EU countries reporting doctor shortages and 15 countries facing nurse shortages in 2022 and 2023.
The EU is estimated to have a shortfall of approximately 1.2 million doctors, nurses, and midwives. This shortage is driven by an ageing population increasing demand for health services and an ageing health workforce nearing retirement.
Over one-third of EU doctors and a quarter of nurses are over 55 years old.
To mitigate these shortages, European countries have increasingly relied on foreign-trained health professionals.
In 2023, over 40% of doctors in Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland, and over 50% of nurses in Ireland, were foreign-trained. However, this reliance risks exacerbating workforce shortages in source countries.
The report calls for improved working conditions, increased education and training opportunities, and the optimization of skill mix and digital technologies to enhance health worker productivity and ensure sustainable health systems.
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