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# If you're happy and you know it
Report shows quality of life in Ireland above EU average
The EU report was published to coincide with International Happiness Day.
THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE of life in Ireland is better than in Germany, France, Italy, Portugal or the UK.
That’s according to a publication on Quality of Life indicators by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
Today is International Happiness Day and the EU released the report on the occasion.
The online publication considered various factors including GDP per capita, income, employment and unemployment, life expectancy, education and early school leavers, the homicide rate, the ability to afford unexpected expenses and the natural and living environment.
It found that the overall experience of life in Ireland is the same as Belgium.
Denmark topped the list with Sweden and Finland just behind.
Ireland ranked high in long term unemployment, with Greece, Spain, Croatia and Slovakia the only countries with a higher rate.
However the report found that Ireland was below average in the number of early school leavers.
The publication stated,
Early school leavers face a higher risk of social exclusion and poverty and societies need to strive to reduce the number of young people in this situation.
Ireland ranked just above average in terms of life expectancy.
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