Irish Health Perceptions and Trends Analysis

WIN World Survey World Health Index Published: 5 Published: 5th thApril 2024 April 2024 REF: 695423

WIN World Health Survey Headlines Ireland Irish health perceptions lag behind global standards, with lower ratings on fitness, weight, and sleep quality. Stress is slightly more common, often due to family and financial worries. 1 1 2 2 3 3 Since 2020, Irish perception of considering themself as very healthy/healthy is deteriorating, with a 4% drop vs 2022 in health outlook and this especially prevalent amongst those aged 55+. Globally, Ireland has a lower ranking as well. In terms of individual health aspects, Ireland falls below global standards in fitness, weight management, and sleep quality, although mental health and stress levels show slightly better levels globally. Irish individuals are rating their fitness and weight levels lower compared to 2022, particularly those aged 35-54, while sleep is consistently poor across all but again weakest among mid- aged adults. 4 4 5 5 One in three individuals in Ireland report feeling stressed very or fairly often, with those under the age of 55 being significantly more affected. This rate is slightly higher than global averages. In Ireland, job and employment- related concerns are less prevalent sources of stress. Instead, Irish individuals are more stressed about family, lack of money, health, and life changes compared to the global average.

2-in-3 of Irish consumers consider themselves healthy 3

Health perception is on decline each year since 2020 % consider their overall health generally to be % consider their overall health generally to be Very Healthy/Healthy Very Healthy/Healthy 79% 77% 77% 77% Global Average 76% 74% 74% 73% 72% 71% 71% 67% All adults aged 18+ 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2024 (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

Perception stronger among Younger Irish adults and white collar Decline in self-reported health comes from all demographics; more evidently among ABC1 and those from Munster in 2024. % consider their overall health generally to be % consider their overall health generally to be Very Healthy/Healthy Very Healthy/Healthy vs Self Self- -Reported Health Reported Health - - Ireland Ireland 2022 -4% Very Healthy (-3%) 67% Unhealthy Total Gender -4% 68% Male 6% 9% -4% 67% Somewhat Unhealthy Female -5% Age 75% 18-34 26% -4% 64% 35-54 -5% 55+ 64% Social Class -6% ABC1 72% 58% C2DE -2% 63% Healthy (-2%) Region Dublin -3% 70% ROL 67 67% % ( (- -4%) NET Very Healthy/Healthy NET Very Healthy/Healthy -3% 65% 4%) Munster -8% 66% Conn/Ulster -2% 68% ( ) vs 2022 Indicates significant difference vs. Total Indicates significant difference vs. 2022 5 (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

Perceptions of ones health are declining over time amongst older age groups While 18-34-year-olds perception of overall health grew through pandemic years, those aged 55+ are steadily declining since that time. % consider their overall health generally to be % consider their overall health generally to be Very Healthy/Healthy Very Healthy/Healthy 76% 76% 76% 76% 72% 72% 71% 71% 69% 69% 18-34 64% 64% 35-55 55+ 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2024 6 (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

On a global level, Ireland is behind average on health outlook Asian nations like Indonesia, Vietnam, India, and Laos show high levels of self-perceived health among residents. Mexico, Paraguay, Malaysia, and France have notably improved health this year. Health self Health self- -perception perception 4% 7% 7%11% 11% 13%13% 14%14% 16% 16%18%20%21%24% 24% 23% 24%24% 25% 27%25%28%27% 27% 29%30%28%32% 31% 32% 32%34% 35%37%41%42%44%50% Net: Unhealthy 25% 96%93% 93%89% 89%87% 86% 86%84% 84% 83%82%80%78%76% 75% 75% 75% 75% 74%73% 72% 72% 71% 71% 70%68% 68% 68% 68% 67% 67%65% 64%63%58%56%54%50% Net: Healthy 74% Indicates significant difference vs. 2022 Base: All across 39 countries worldwide n=33,866

Irish perception on health aspects weaker than the global average, but stress/ mental health is better than average 8

Irish perceive their fitness, weight, & sleep lower than 2022 Strong improvement on Irish adults thinking they have good mental health and stress levels. The outlook is even better than global average. Ireland s Health aspects Ireland s Health aspects those who rate Very Good/Quite good those who rate Very Good/Quite good Stress/ Mental health Stress/ Mental health Sleeping Sleeping Weight Weight Fitness Fitness 68% 58% 55% 48% (+8%) (-7%) (-10%) World Average 66% 66% 68% 68% 66% 62% 66% 59% European Average 9 ( ) vs 2022

68% Of Irish think their Mental Health/ Stress levels as good 10

Significant rise in mental health perception across demographics Despite yearly increases, individuals under 55 perceive their mental health and stress levels to be weaker. Ireland s Health aspects Ireland s Health aspects those who rate Very Good/Quite good those who rate Very Good/Quite good 2022 2022 2024 2024 84% 74% 73% 70% 69% 69% 68% 68% 67% 66% 64% 63% 63% 62% 62% 60% 60% 59% 57% 57% 56% 56% 55% Stress/ Mental Health 48% 68% 68% Global Ave. 66 66% % Indicates significant difference vs. Total Indicates significant difference vs. 2022 11 (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

Mental Health/Stress levels slightly better vs global averages With increasing global attention on mental health, noticeable enhancements in ratings are observed across most countries. Overall health rating Overall health rating Stress/ Mental Health Stress/ Mental Health 3% 7% 11% 11%14% 22%24%25%25%28%28% 29%28%29% 29% 31%30% 31% 32%32% 33%32%34%35%34% 37%35% 35% 35%36% 37%40%38%43% 32% Very/ Quite Poor 46%51% 50% 59% 54% 97% 91%89% 88%86% 78%74% 74%72% 71% 71%70% 69% 69% 69% 68% 68% 68% 67% 66% 66% 65% 65% 64% 64% 63% 63% 63% 63%60% 60% 59% 58%57% 66% Very/ Quite Good 51%50% 49% 40%36% Indicates significant difference vs. 2022 Base: All across 39 countries worldwide n=33,866

58% claim their sleeping levels as good, one of the lowest seen globally 13

Evident economic divide on sleeping levels in Ireland Rating is poorer vs global averages. Ireland s Health aspects Ireland s Health aspects those who rate Very Good/Quite good those who rate Very Good/Quite good 65% 64% 62% Sleeping 58% 58% 58% 58% 58% 56% 55% 53% 51% 58% 58% Global Ave. 68% 68% Indicates significant difference vs. Total 14 (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

Again, Ireland ranks near the bottom globally in sleep perception Similar pattern observed for sleep like other health aspect with some Asian countries leading and Negeria, Peru being weak. Overall health rating Overall health rating - - Sleeping Sleeping 9% 10%14% 15% 15%19% 19%21%21%25%25% 26% 26%28%27% 30% 31%30%27%32%33% 34% 35%33% 34% 34% 36% 37%36%38%38%38%36%40% 42% 41% Very/ Quite Poor 31% 48%52%57% Very/ Quite Good 92% 90%86% 85% 85%81% 81%79%78%75% 74% 74% 74%71% 70% 70% 69% 69% 69% 67%65% 65% 65% 65% 65% 64% 63% 63% 62% 62% 61% 60% 60% 59%58% 58% 68% 48% 48%43% Base: All across 39 countries worldwide n=33,866

55% Just over half consider their weight levels as good, notably weaker vs 2022 16

View on weight is weaker across all in Ireland Females and those from Rest of Leinster have also dropped significantly on rating their weight as good along with fitness. Older cohort and ABC1 also have much weaker perceptions. Ireland s Health aspects Ireland s Health aspects those who rate Very Good/Quite good those who rate Very Good/Quite good 2022 2022 2024 2024 70% 67% 66% 66% 64% 64% 63% 62% 62% 61% 60% 60% 58% 57% 56% 56% 55% 55% 55% 54% 53% 53% 52% 50% Weight 55 55% % Global Ave. 66 66% % Indicates significant difference vs. Total Indicates significant difference vs. 2022 17 (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

Ireland has one of the lowest weight perceptions globally Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan, India lead with majority considering their weight as good. Overall health rating Overall health rating - - Weight Weight 6% 8% 14%16%18%15%17%18%22%25% Very/ Quite Poor 32%31%31%32% 34%34% 32% 29%35%34% 34%33%35%33%35%37%36%37% 39%39% 39%36%42%40%41%45%43%47%50% 65% 94%92%86%84%82% 82% 82%81%78%75% Very/ Quite Good 68% 68%67% 67%66%65%64% 64% 64% 64% 64% 64% 64% 64%62% 62% 62%61%60% 60%59%58%56% 56%55% 55%50% 50% 67% 35% Indicates significant difference vs. 2022 Base: All across 39 countries worldwide n=33,866

48% Under half claim their fitness levels as good, one of the lowest seen globally 19

Evident drop in Irish view on their fitness level across most cohorts Females, individuals in midlife, and those from the rest of Leinster exhibit have even lower ratings of fitness. Ireland s Health aspects Ireland s Health aspects those who rate Very Good/Quite good those who rate Very Good/Quite good 2022 2022 2024 2024 66% 65% 63% 62% 61% 60% 58% 56% 55% 54% 53% 53% 52% 52% 52% 52% 49% 49% 49% 48% Fitness 45% 42% 40% 39% 4 48% 8% Global Ave. 66% 66% Indicates significant difference vs. Total Indicates significant difference vs. 2022 20 (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

Ireland have notably poorer fitness perception vs global standards Ireland is only ahead of Serbia, Peru, and Croatia on fitness level. Overall health rating Overall health rating - - Fitness Fitness 6% 7% 10%11% 14% 15%17% 18% 22% 24% 26%27% 27% Very/ Quite Poor 24%29%29%28%33% 34% 35% 35% 35%36% 36%34% 32% 39%37% 39% 40%45% 47%47% 51%51%52% 54% 25% 41% 62% 94% 93%90%88%86% 85%83%81%77% 76%74%72% 71%69% 69% 68% 66% 66% 65% 65% 64% 64%62% 62% 61% 61% 60% 60%58% 58%55%53% 52%51% 50%48%46% 46% Very/ Quite Good 66% 36% Indicates significant difference vs. 2022 Base: All across 39 countries worldwide n=33,866

1 in 3 Irish individuals report feeling stressed very or fairly often 22

Those aged under 55 years are stressed more often How often do you feel Stressed? How often do you feel Stressed? NET: 18-34 NET: 35-54 NET: 55+ NET: ABC1 NET: C2DE Conn/ Ulster Total Total Male Female Dublin ROL Munster 12%2% 10% 41% 39% 37% 35% 33% 33% 33% 32% 33% 32% Very/fairly often 28% 20% 33% 33% often feel often feel stressed stressed 23% 54% 55% 52% 50% 52% 59% 54% 53% 54% 54% 53% 53% Sometimes 54% 10% 9% 10% Never/ Almost 12% 13% 13% 14% 14% 15% 15% 17% never 21% Very often Fairly often Sometimes Almost never Never Indicates significant difference vs. Total 23 (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

Globally, Ireland is slightly higher on being stressed than average Serbia and Palestine Territories have highest level of stress. Overall health rating Overall health rating - - Ability to do your daily activity by yourself Ability to do your daily activity by yourself 5% 14%13% 10% Very/fairly often 46% 45%44%44%42%40% 37% 36% 36% 35%35%34% 34%34% 33% 33% 32% 32%32%31%29% 29% 28%28%28%25% 25% 24%24%24% 24%24%24% 23% 23% 30% 49% 36% 57%57% 44% 40% 51%51% 49% 45%48% 56% 58% Sometimes 53% 52% 62%61%65% 49% 38% 47%50% 51% 61% 44%46% 48%46% 35% 49%47%48% 55% 54% 50% 39% 48%48% 46%45% 50% 46% 31%33% 32% 32% Never/ Almost never 26% 26% 26%23% 26% 26% 25% 22%20% 19%21% 21% 21%18% 18% 20% 20% 20% 19% 18% 15%18%16% 14%16%12% 14% 13% 13% 13% 8%10% 8%10% Base: All across 39 countries worldwide n=33,866

Concern about family and lack of money are the most common cause for stress in Ireland 25

Irish are more stressed about family, money, health & life changes While they experience less stress from Employment and job-related factors compared to the global average. Ireland s causes of stress Ireland s causes of stress Changes in life Changes in life (moving, (moving, changing job) changing job) 10% 10% The wars The wars around the around the world world 4% 4% Lack of Lack of job/unemploy job/unemploy ment ment 2% 2% Environmental Environmental disasters disasters My family My family Lack of money Lack of money My job My job My health My health 26% 26% 24% 24% 15% 15% 11% 11% 1% 1% World Average 19% 21% 23% 9% 6% 4% 7% 2% European Average 22% 19% 17% 5% 7% 14% 6% 4% 26

1 in 5 Irish say they stress in worry of their family and money Worry about job is higher among males, younger cohort, ABC! And those living in Dublin. Ireland s causes of stress Ireland s causes of stress Changes in life Changes in life (moving, changing (moving, changing job) job) The wars around The wars around the world the world Lack of job / Lack of job / unemployment unemployment Environmental Environmental disasters disasters My family My family Lack of money Lack of money My job My job My health My health 26% 26% 24% 24% 15% 15% 11% 11% 10% 10% 4% 4% 2% 2% 1% 1% 23% 23% 12% 11% 3% 3% 1% 20% Male 30% 24% 10% 10% 5% 2% 1% 10% Female 16% 28% 7% 17% 2% 3% 2% 22% 18-34 31% 26% 8% 9% 2% 2% 0 15% 35-54 30% 18% 18% 6% 8% 1% 1% 8% 55+ 24% 21% 9% 12% 4% 2% 2% 21% ABC1 28% 28% 13% 8% 4% 3% 0 8% C2DE 23% 25% 11% 10% 5% 2% 1% 21% Dublin 27% 23% 14% 11% 3% 1% 1% 11% ROL 29% 24% 9% 12% 4% 2% 1% 10% Munster 26% 24% 9% 7% 3% 3% 1% 16% Conn/Ulster Indicates significant difference vs. Total (Base: All Adults Ireland n=1,002)

My family My family In Ireland, job- related stress is less prevalent than in many other countries, with family, finances, and health being more common sources of stress Job stress is high in Paraguay, Mexico, and Vietnam, while money is a major stressor in the Philippines and Malaysia. 28% 28% 28% 27% 26% 24% 23% 23% 22% 21% 21% 21% 21% 21% 20% 20% 20% 20% 19% 19% 19% 19% 18% 17% 17% 16% 16% 15% 15% 14% 14% 14% 13% 13% 13% 12% 12% 12% 11% 11% 42% 39% Lack of money Lack of money 34% 34% 33% 32% 30% 29% 29% 25% 25% 24% 24% 23% 23% 22% 21% 21% 21% 21% 20% 18% 17% 17% 17% 16% 16% 15% 15% 15% 15% 14% 13% 11% 11% 11% 10% 10% 10% 6% 51% 48% 45% 37% My job My job 35% 31% 31% 30% 30% 27% 27% 27% 26% 26% 25% 25% 24% 24% 24% 23% 23% 23% 22% 22% 21% 21% 20% 20% 19% 19% 18% 18% 18% 17% 17% 15% 14% 13% 10% 5% My health My health 17% 16% 16% 15% 13% 12% 12% 11% 11% 11% 11% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 9% 9% 9% 9% 8% 8% 8% 8% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% Base: All across 39 countries worldwide n=33,866

Changes in life (moving, changing job) Changes in life (moving, changing job) Even stress stemming from unemployment and environmental disasters is below global standards in Ireland 12% 11% 11% 11% 10% 9% 8% 8% 8% 8% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 2% 1% 39% The wars around the world The wars around the world 11% 10% 7% 7% 6% 6% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% Palestine T. experiences the highest level of stress due to concerns about wars, while Ecuador has the highest level of worry regarding unemployment. Lack of job/unemployment Lack of job/unemployment 27% 17% 16% 15% 15% 14% 14% 11% 11% 8% 7% 7% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% 0% Environmental disasters Environmental disasters 11% 9% 8% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% Base: All across 39 countries worldwide n=33,866

Sample and Methodology Methodology: Methodology: The WWS (WIN Worldwide Survey) is a study conducted every year with the purpose to measure people s thoughts, expectations, worries and perceptions related to relevant topics for society and business. Sample Size and Mode of Field Work: Sample Size and Mode of Field Work: A total of 33,866 people were interviewed globally. See below for sample details. The fieldwork was conducted during December 2023 January 2024. The margin of error for the survey is between 2.4 and 4.4 at 95% confidence level. The global average has been computed according to the share of the covered adult population of the surveyed countries. 30

Questionnaire World Health Index 31

About the WIN Survey Media enquiries (worldwide data) Local Media Enquires (Irish data) Elena Crosilla, WIN Coordinator +39 335.62.07.347 Richard Colwell, CEO RED C Research +35318186316 E-mail: coordinator@winmr.com info@redcresearch.ie About the WIN Survey The Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN) is a global network conducting market research and opinion polls in every continent. RED C Research are the Irish members of the WIN network Our assets are: Thought leadership: access to a group of the most prominent experts and business entrepreneurs in Market Research, Polling and Consultancy Flexibility: tailormade global and local solutions to meet clients needs Innovation: access to the latest strategic consultancy, tool development and branded solutions Local experts: access to a network of experts that truly understand the local culture, market and business needs Trust: highest quality of talented members in all countries covered In the years, WIN has demonstrated wide competences and ability to conduct multi-country surveys following the highest standards requested by the market. The accumulated expertise of the Association is formidable: Third World issues, advertising and media research as well as retail, economics, and corporate research. 32

33