Life expectancy sees major increase

LIFE expectancy at birth in Ireland increased from under 58 years in 1925-1927 to 75.1 years for males and 80.3 years for females in 2001-2003.

Over the same period, there was an increase of just over two-and-a-half years in the life expectancy of men aged 65, compared to an increase of over five years in the life expectancy of women at age 65.

In 2003, the life expectancy at birth for males in Ireland was slightly higher than the EU average of 75.1 years, while that of females was slightly lower than the EU average of 81.2 years.