Odainn
Insights · real data

What kills people in Ireland at each age

Six facts computed from official Eurostat death and population statistics for Ireland (2023), next to 36 other countries (Belarus, whose causes of death by age are estimated, only where life expectancy is compared). Every number links to the page it comes from. Free to cite with a link.

Fact 1

For men in Ireland aged 15–39, the most likely cause of death is suicide

The most likely cause of death over the next 10 years, by age:

Suicide, overdoses and alcohol are among the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, call Samaritans on 116 123 — free and confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.

Fact 2

At 45, a man in Ireland is 28% less likely to die in the next year than the median European man

Chance that a 45-year-old man dies within 12 months. Against the median of 34 European countries, a man in Ireland at 25 is ×0.88, at 65 ×0.77; a woman at 45 ×0.94.

  1. Romania1 in 181
  2. Poland1 in 223
  3. United Kingdom1 in 355
  4. France1 in 387
  5. Germany1 in 413
  6. Belgium1 in 446
  7. Austria1 in 456
  8. Italy1 in 568
  9. Netherlands1 in 573
  10. Ireland1 in 577
  11. Spain1 in 593
  12. Switzerland1 in 666
  13. Sweden1 in 688
Fact 3

Life expectancy: Ireland ranks 7th of 37 for men and 10th for women

Life expectancy at birth, men (years):

  1. Switzerland82.1
  2. Sweden81.5
  3. Norway81.3
  4. Italy81.1
  5. Iceland81.0
  6. Spain81.0
  7. Ireland80.9
  8. Cyprus80.9
  9. Malta80.7
  10. Luxembourg80.4
  11. Netherlands80.2
  12. Belgium80.1
  13. France79.9
  14. Canada79.7
  15. Denmark79.6
  16. Austria79.4
  17. Portugal79.3
  18. United Kingdom79.2
  19. Greece79.0
  20. Finland78.9
  21. Slovenia78.5
  22. Germany78.4
  23. Czechia76.8
  24. United States76.0
  25. Croatia75.3
  26. Slovakia74.8
  27. Türkiye74.7
  28. Poland74.6
  29. Estonia74.2
  30. Serbia73.6
  31. Hungary73.3
  32. Lithuania72.8
  33. Romania72.5
  34. Bulgaria71.9
  35. Latvia70.4
  36. Belarus69.2
  37. Moldova67.4
Fact 4

Women in Ireland outlive men by 3.5 years — the 5th-narrowest gap of 37 countries

How much longer women live than men, at birth (years):

  1. Belarus10.2
  2. Latvia9.5
  3. Lithuania8.8
  4. Moldova8.8
  5. Estonia8.4
  6. Romania7.6
  7. Bulgaria7.6
  8. Poland7.4
  9. Slovakia6.5
  10. Hungary6.4
  11. Ireland3.5
Fact 5

A 20-year-old man in Ireland has an 85% chance of reaching 70

Chance that a 20-year-old man lives to 70, at today's death rates (women in Ireland: 90%):

  1. Switzerland87%
  2. Sweden86%
  3. Italy85%
  4. Ireland85%
  5. Netherlands84%
  6. Spain84%
  7. Belgium82%
  8. Austria82%
  9. United Kingdom81%
  10. France80%
  11. Germany79%
  12. Poland68%
  13. Romania63%
Fact 6

The diseases of ageing take over from suicide and overdoses as the top threat for men in Ireland at 41 — for women at 37

The age at which heart disease, cancer, lung, brain or metabolic disease becomes the most likely cause of death (for young women, usually breast cancer). Men, by country:

  1. Belgium48
  2. Switzerland47
  3. France46
  4. Poland46
  5. Netherlands46
  6. Sweden45
  7. Austria43
  8. United Kingdom42
  9. Ireland41
  10. Germany41
  11. Italy41
  12. Spain41
  13. Romania30
What about you — and the people you love?

See what's most likely to kill someone of your age and sex in Ireland. Free.

Check your risks

Computed by Odainn from official mortality statistics (Eurostat, 2023) — how we calculate. © European Union, Eurostat — reuse authorised with acknowledgement of the source. More: Ireland by age · Europe. Population statistics, not predictions for any individual. Educational, not medical advice.