Ireland faces longevity gap as one-third of newborns may reach 100

Ireland is not ready for a future in which a third of newborns reach age 100, according to a 98-page longevity report covered by The Irish Times on Oct. 19.

The report said Ireland’s current average life expectancy is 82.9 years, compared with the 100-year lifespan it projects for many children born today, and warned that healthcare and State-pension demand would rise significantly.

The 100-Year Lives Project: Longer, Better Lives for All recommends creating a dedicated institute, or using an existing public body, to co-ordinate national planning for longer lives.

The report said Ireland is “not fully prepared for the social, economic and policy implications of this profound demographic reality”. It said longevity should be treated not only as a fiscal challenge, but as a chance to “reshape how people learn, work, live and take part in their communities throughout life”.

Average life expectancy is now 84.6 years for women and 81.3 years for men, according to the report. It said rising longevity and an ageing population would put pressure on government budgets through higher healthcare use and pension costs.

The report was commissioned by Community Foundation Ireland, which distributes philanthropic donations to community groups and charities. It was written by social psychologist Karen Hand and marketing and strategy specialist Carolyn Ogdens.

Its evidence base included interviews with 16 experts across fields including longitudinal medicine, macroeconomics, leadership, lifelong learning, education and social inclusion. It also used citizen workshops in Dublin, Cork and Mullingar with participants aged 18 to 80, along with what it described as nationally representative polling.

The polling found the leading concerns about reaching 100 were physical health, cited by 84% of respondents; cognitive impairment, cited by 83%; and loss of independence, cited by 82%. Around two-thirds of respondents also cited isolation, age discrimination and end-of-life care as concerns.

Respondents also identified gains from longer lives. The report said 86% cited seeing younger family members grow up, 80% pointed to advances in healthcare, and 77% mentioned giving emotional support to relatives. Six in 10 said social connection and learning new skills were positives.

The report said 65% of those interviewed wanted collaboration among government, business, charities and citizens. It also said respondents were less confident about the State’s ability to meet long-term needs through a cohesive strategy.

The authors contrasted Ireland’s approach with the UK’s work on multi-stage lives, where education, work and retirement are not treated as a fixed sequence. They said Ireland “remains institutionally organised around a shorter-life paradigm, with policy still fragmented across ageing, health, and pensions”.

The Irish Times account did not provide the polling sample size or field dates. The report’s recommendations centre on three priorities: connected wellbeing, lifelong opportunities and active citizenship.

Source: news report, The Irish Times, Oct. 19, 2026