Irish Examiner view: Changing face of society

The CSO's annual snapshot of Irish life brings verifiable figures into play to either support or demolish our impressions and hunches

The CSO’s surveys found that 76% of those in shared rented accommodation believe they will never own their own home in Ireland.

In the modern world data is king — from sports to politics, entertainment to industry, hard facts and figures cannot be contradicted, and the day of vague impressions and personal hunches is out.

The Central Statistics Office’s annual snapshot of Irish life is a case in point, bringing verifiable figures into play to either support or demolish the impressions and hunches mentioned above.