Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

26 Chapter 1: Introduction Figure 1.2  Changes in socio-economic and environmental indicators in Ireland over a 50-year period a Life expectancy at birth (years) 1973 71 1998 75.1 (1990) 2023 82.6 (2022) Balance of trade in goods 1973 -€340m 1998 €17.6bn 2023 €55.7bn People employed in agriculture 1973 24% 1998 9% 2023 4% Overseas tourists 1973 1.47m 1998 5.7m 2023 11.3m (2019) Car ownership 1973 476,721 1998 1,066,131 (1996) 2023 2,890,975 Cattle numbers 1973 7.1m 1998 7.3m 2023 7.3m Enrolment of full-time third level students 1973 26,490 (1972-73) 1998 104,439 (97-98) 2023 198,970 (2022) Population 1973 3.0m 1998 3.63m 2023 5.3m Number of people employed 1973 1.07m 1998 1.59m 2023 2.55m