Ireland: health and care

How many people are on hospital waiting lists in Ireland?

114,722 patients were waiting for inpatient or day case treatment in Irish public hospitals at the end of September 2026, according to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). A further 43,285 were waiting for a GI endoscopy, and 35,273 had already been given a date for their procedure.

These are active waiting lists for patients who have not yet been given a treatment date. The NTPF also publishes a planned procedure list of 114,422 patients who have had treatment and need further treatment at a future date, which is counted separately. Figures are published monthly and broken down by hospital and specialty.

Official sources: NTPF: September 2026 national public hospital waiting list data

How many people are waiting for a hospital outpatient appointment in Ireland?

692,524 patients were waiting for a first hospital outpatient consultation in Ireland at the end of September 2026, according to the National Treatment Purchase Fund. A first outpatient appointment is usually the first time a patient sees a hospital consultant after a GP referral.

The outpatient list is the largest of the NTPF waiting lists. The NTPF publishes waiting times by band, hospital and specialty each month.

Official sources: NTPF: September 2026 national public hospital waiting list data

Are medical costs a burden for Irish households?

35.5% of households in Ireland that used healthcare services said medical expenses were a heavy or somewhat of a financial burden in 2025, according to the CSO's Health and Lifestyle results from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions, released on 13 October 2026. Among households experiencing enforced deprivation, 35.2% described dental expenses as a heavy burden, compared with 6.1% of other households.

Enforced deprivation means being unable to afford two or more of 11 basic items. The survey covers households that used healthcare in the previous 12 months.

Official sources: CSO: Health and Lifestyle – SILC 2025

How often do people in Ireland visit a GP?

40.6% of people in Ireland's lowest income fifth had three or more GP visits in 2025, compared with 31.3% in the highest income fifth, according to the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions health results.

The survey covers people aged 16 and over. It also found that people in consistent poverty were less likely to eat vegetables or salad daily (50.0%) than others (72.8%).

Official sources: CSO: Health and Lifestyle – SILC 2025

How many people die in Ireland each year?

There were an estimated 35,400 deaths in Ireland in the 12 months to April 2026, according to the CSO Population and Migration Estimates, released on 24 August 2026. There were 54,300 births, giving a natural increase of about 18,800.

Deaths were 35,800 in the previous 12-month period. The number of people aged 65 and over rose to 891,100, or 16.1% of the population. The CSO publishes registered deaths and causes of death in its vital statistics releases.

Official sources: CSO: Population and Migration Estimates, April 2026

How long do people live in Ireland?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Ireland was 83.0 years, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 11th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 79.5 years. Worldwide: 18th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Ireland?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Ireland was 3.4 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. The peak was 4.4 per 1,000 in 2005 and the low 3.0 per 1,000 in 2017. Europe & Central Asia median: 3.4 per 1,000; Ireland is 24th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 160th highest.

What is maternal mortality in Ireland?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Ireland was 4.0 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 6.0 per 100,000; Ireland is 36th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 171st highest.

What share of GDP does Ireland spend on health care?

In 2024, current health spending in Ireland was 6.9% of GDP, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 10.5% of GDP; its low point was 2022, at 6.0% of GDP. It is 16th highest of 17 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 9.4% of GDP.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Ireland?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Ireland at 10.6% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.1%; Ireland is 15th highest of 17.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Ireland?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Ireland at 3.9 per 1,000 in 2023. The peak was 4.1 per 1,000 in 2010 and the low 3.0 per 1,000 in 2014. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.0 per 1,000; Ireland is 10th highest of 17. Worldwide: 11th of 58.

How many hospital beds does Ireland have?

According to the WHO, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Ireland was 3.0 per 1,000 in 2023. The peak was 5.5 per 1,000 in 2005 and the low 2.5 per 1,000 in 2012. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 4.2 per 1,000, and Ireland placed 21st highest of 23. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 35th highest.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Ireland?

90.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Ireland for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. The peak was 93.0% in 2013 and the low 84.0% in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 94.0%, and Ireland placed 33rd highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 92nd of 191.