A rainbow at the National Botanic Gardens in Kilmacurragh, Co Wicklow.Ireland's Content Pool
Ireland has the highest level of optimism in the EU, according to the recently published results of the “Quality of Life in the EU in 2024: Living and Working in the EU” e-survey conducted by Eurofound.
As part of the e-survey's well-being assessment, respondents were asked how much they agree with the statement, "I am optimistic about my future."
49% of respondents in Ireland reported high levels of optimism in the e-survey, followed closely by 48% of respondents in Denmark.
At the other end of the scale, 20% of respondents in Greece and Italy reported the lowest levels of optimism.
Optimism of respondents, EU, 2024 (%). (Eurofound)
Overall, respondents to the 2024 e-survey were less optimistic about their future compared to the previous year, and the degree of optimism across all age groups has fallen considerably since 2020.
The sharpest drop in optimism occurred among respondents in the middle-age groups (35–49 and 50–64), who reported the lowest levels of optimism in 2024.
Young respondents had the highest levels of optimism (47%), although this also decreased by four percentage points since 2023. The 50–64 age group is now the least optimistic about their own future (24%).
The study noted that factors that positively influence optimism include having completed tertiary education, being a man, or living with a partner. Additionally, the level of optimism rises by 15 percentage points for those with higher incomes.
Factors negatively impacting optimism include having a disability and being unemployed.
Elsewhere in the e-survey, Ireland landed in third place - tied with Germany, Spain, and Czechia - when it comes to 'life satisfaction.'
The study found that life satisfaction scores varied significantly across EU countries, the results noted.
Similar to levels of optimism, a number of factors positively impacted levels of life satisfaction including being employed, being active, having a medium to high income, and having a tertiary education.
Life satisfaction rating by country, EU, 2024 (scale 1–10) (Eurofound)