Mark Henry
@drmarkhenry.bsky.social
Insight into progress and well-being in Ireland and around the world from the author of ‘In Fact: An Optimist’s Guide to Ireland at 100’. Optimism and positivity abound.
The majority of people in Ireland believe that the government needs to spend more on our military. 58% of us agree with this. Given the increased threat from Russia, we should act quickly to support Europe's freedom and security. 🇮🇪🪖
www.ipsos.com/en/halifax-r...
www.ipsos.com/en/halifax-r...
January 28, 2026 at 7:52 AM
The majority of people in Ireland believe that the government needs to spend more on our military. 58% of us agree with this. Given the increased threat from Russia, we should act quickly to support Europe's freedom and security. 🇮🇪🪖
www.ipsos.com/en/halifax-r...
www.ipsos.com/en/halifax-r...
Ireland is the 5th freest nation in the world. The Atlantic Council assesses 164 nations on economic & political freedom and the rule of law. Ireland places only behind Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden & Switzerland. That's worth celebrating 🇮🇪👍
freedom-and-prosperity-indexes.atlanticcouncil.org/rankings
freedom-and-prosperity-indexes.atlanticcouncil.org/rankings
January 26, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Ireland is the 5th freest nation in the world. The Atlantic Council assesses 164 nations on economic & political freedom and the rule of law. Ireland places only behind Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden & Switzerland. That's worth celebrating 🇮🇪👍
freedom-and-prosperity-indexes.atlanticcouncil.org/rankings
freedom-and-prosperity-indexes.atlanticcouncil.org/rankings
The Irish passport is one of the world's most powerful. It provides visa-free access to 185 countries and territories, making it the joint 9th most useful passport in the world. 🇮🇪🎉 Ireland's EU membership makes the greatest contribution to our high ranking.
www.henleyglobal.com/passport-ind...
www.henleyglobal.com/passport-ind...
January 23, 2026 at 7:58 AM
The Irish passport is one of the world's most powerful. It provides visa-free access to 185 countries and territories, making it the joint 9th most useful passport in the world. 🇮🇪🎉 Ireland's EU membership makes the greatest contribution to our high ranking.
www.henleyglobal.com/passport-ind...
www.henleyglobal.com/passport-ind...
Look at this 👇. For the first time, the majority of new cars sold in Ireland last year were hybrid or fully electric. 6-in-10 of all new cars are newly powered, with diesel- or petrol-only cars in continuing decline. Our transition to cleaner driving is well underway. 🇮🇪👏
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
January 22, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Look at this 👇. For the first time, the majority of new cars sold in Ireland last year were hybrid or fully electric. 6-in-10 of all new cars are newly powered, with diesel- or petrol-only cars in continuing decline. Our transition to cleaner driving is well underway. 🇮🇪👏
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
Ireland is the 8th most socially progressive nation in the world, says the new Global Social Progress Index. The country is rated highly as an inclusive and safe society, with strong rights and freedoms, and excellent educational participation. 🇮🇪🎉
www.socialprogress.org/social-progr...
www.socialprogress.org/social-progr...
January 20, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Ireland is the 8th most socially progressive nation in the world, says the new Global Social Progress Index. The country is rated highly as an inclusive and safe society, with strong rights and freedoms, and excellent educational participation. 🇮🇪🎉
www.socialprogress.org/social-progr...
www.socialprogress.org/social-progr...
Irish workers are the world's best equipped with the new skills needed for the rapidly changing work environment, according to the IMF. What sets us apart is investment in tertiary education and lifelong learning programs that help workers adapt as technology evolves. 🇮🇪🥇
www.imf.org/en/blogs/art...
www.imf.org/en/blogs/art...
January 15, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Irish workers are the world's best equipped with the new skills needed for the rapidly changing work environment, according to the IMF. What sets us apart is investment in tertiary education and lifelong learning programs that help workers adapt as technology evolves. 🇮🇪🥇
www.imf.org/en/blogs/art...
www.imf.org/en/blogs/art...
Which countries are adopting AI the fastest? Residents of the UAE, Singapore, Norway & Ireland 🇮🇪 are the top AI adopters globally, says Microsoft. Nearly half of the Irish working-age population use AI chatbots monthly, according to their data.
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
January 14, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Which countries are adopting AI the fastest? Residents of the UAE, Singapore, Norway & Ireland 🇮🇪 are the top AI adopters globally, says Microsoft. Nearly half of the Irish working-age population use AI chatbots monthly, according to their data.
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
Irish teenagers are among the best in the world at math. Our 15-16 year olds rank 11th out of 80 countries in their average math scores. Asian countries top the ranking, with Estonia, Switzerland, the Netherlands & Ireland performing best in Europe. 🇮🇪👏
www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-b...
www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-b...
January 13, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Irish teenagers are among the best in the world at math. Our 15-16 year olds rank 11th out of 80 countries in their average math scores. Asian countries top the ranking, with Estonia, Switzerland, the Netherlands & Ireland performing best in Europe. 🇮🇪👏
www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-b...
www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-b...
Overcrowded housing isn't a big problem in Ireland. Only 5% of Irish people don't have enough rooms for themselves and their families. That's one of the lowest figures in the EU - the Netherlands, Malta & Cyprus are the only nations with less. 🇮🇪🏠
ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/...
ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/...
January 9, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Overcrowded housing isn't a big problem in Ireland. Only 5% of Irish people don't have enough rooms for themselves and their families. That's one of the lowest figures in the EU - the Netherlands, Malta & Cyprus are the only nations with less. 🇮🇪🏠
ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/...
ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/...
There's huge growth in renewable energy uptake in Irish homes. In just 3 years, the number with solar panels an/or a heat pump more than doubled - from 153,000 dwellings to 323,000! A quarter of all BER-assessed homes now have one or the other. 🇮🇪🏠📈👏
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
January 7, 2026 at 7:45 AM
There's huge growth in renewable energy uptake in Irish homes. In just 3 years, the number with solar panels an/or a heat pump more than doubled - from 153,000 dwellings to 323,000! A quarter of all BER-assessed homes now have one or the other. 🇮🇪🏠📈👏
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
Did you know? People in wealthier countries are less lonely than those in poorer countries. And wealthier people are less lonely than poorer people in all countries. Economic development strengthens social connections and brings greater happiness. 🌍📈😀
www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
January 6, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Did you know? People in wealthier countries are less lonely than those in poorer countries. And wealthier people are less lonely than poorer people in all countries. Economic development strengthens social connections and brings greater happiness. 🌍📈😀
www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
Happy 2026! Let's hope it's as good as 2025 was for the world. 🌍 There was lots to celebrate. More people are thriving and fewer suffering than ever before. Global unemployment at its lowest level since 1991. Record wheat, rice and soybeans harvests. Extreme poverty falling almost everywhere.
January 5, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Happy 2026! Let's hope it's as good as 2025 was for the world. 🌍 There was lots to celebrate. More people are thriving and fewer suffering than ever before. Global unemployment at its lowest level since 1991. Record wheat, rice and soybeans harvests. Extreme poverty falling almost everywhere.
Have a wonderful Christmas break. And maybe a break from social media! Research shows only 3% of social media users post toxic content so ignore the slop you see from such a tiny and unrepresentative group, focus on the positives, and celebrate all you achieved this year. 🥳
December 23, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Have a wonderful Christmas break. And maybe a break from social media! Research shows only 3% of social media users post toxic content so ignore the slop you see from such a tiny and unrepresentative group, focus on the positives, and celebrate all you achieved this year. 🥳
Dublin has been crowned the 9th most liveable city in the world! Cities were ranked on factors such as security, political stability, air quality, healthcare, housing availability, infrastructure & recreation. Dublin has its challenges, like every other city, but we should celebrate its positives 🇮🇪🎉
December 22, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Dublin has been crowned the 9th most liveable city in the world! Cities were ranked on factors such as security, political stability, air quality, healthcare, housing availability, infrastructure & recreation. Dublin has its challenges, like every other city, but we should celebrate its positives 🇮🇪🎉
The number of Irish people in mortgage arrears on their family homes has fallen to the lowest level since 2009. 3.4% are in arrears - half the figure of just 2 years ago. The strength of Ireland's economy and jobs market helped improve people's circumstances. 🇮🇪🏠
www.centralbank.ie/statistics/d...
www.centralbank.ie/statistics/d...
December 19, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The number of Irish people in mortgage arrears on their family homes has fallen to the lowest level since 2009. 3.4% are in arrears - half the figure of just 2 years ago. The strength of Ireland's economy and jobs market helped improve people's circumstances. 🇮🇪🏠
www.centralbank.ie/statistics/d...
www.centralbank.ie/statistics/d...
Ireland is the 3rd largest exporter of digital services in the world! Only the USA & UK export more. It's thanks to our position as a European hub for major tech firms that create high-skilled jobs and contribute valuable tax income. 🇮🇪🥉
www.visualcapitalist.com/worlds-top-d...
www.visualcapitalist.com/worlds-top-d...
December 18, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Ireland is the 3rd largest exporter of digital services in the world! Only the USA & UK export more. It's thanks to our position as a European hub for major tech firms that create high-skilled jobs and contribute valuable tax income. 🇮🇪🥉
www.visualcapitalist.com/worlds-top-d...
www.visualcapitalist.com/worlds-top-d...
Ireland is the 4th freest country in the world according to the new Human Freedom Index 2025. 🇮🇪👏 Irish residents enjoy exceptionally strong freedom of movement, of religion, of relationships, and of expression. Only the Swiss, Danes and New Zealanders rank higher.
www.cato.org/human-freedo...
www.cato.org/human-freedo...
December 17, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Ireland is the 4th freest country in the world according to the new Human Freedom Index 2025. 🇮🇪👏 Irish residents enjoy exceptionally strong freedom of movement, of religion, of relationships, and of expression. Only the Swiss, Danes and New Zealanders rank higher.
www.cato.org/human-freedo...
www.cato.org/human-freedo...
The waiting time for medical treatment in Ireland is reducing. While the number on the waiting list remains the same, there has been a dramatic decline in those waiting over 18 months. The vast majority now wait less than 6 months. That's progress 🇮🇪👏
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
December 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The waiting time for medical treatment in Ireland is reducing. While the number on the waiting list remains the same, there has been a dramatic decline in those waiting over 18 months. The vast majority now wait less than 6 months. That's progress 🇮🇪👏
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
Ireland has one of the most highly educated populations in the world - and our immigrants help to make that so. Those born in another EU nation are typically more highly educated than those born in Ireland, but those born outside of the EU are the most highly educated of all. 🇮🇪
December 12, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Ireland has one of the most highly educated populations in the world - and our immigrants help to make that so. Those born in another EU nation are typically more highly educated than those born in Ireland, but those born outside of the EU are the most highly educated of all. 🇮🇪
The number of Irish households experiencing enforced deprivation is in decline. 14.8% cannot afford items such as new clothes, furniture, or keeping their home warm. It's too high a number, but one that's improved hugely in the past 2 years as inflation has decreased.
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
December 11, 2025 at 7:37 AM
The number of Irish households experiencing enforced deprivation is in decline. 14.8% cannot afford items such as new clothes, furniture, or keeping their home warm. It's too high a number, but one that's improved hugely in the past 2 years as inflation has decreased.
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
www.cso.ie/en/releasesa...
Which economy did best in 2025? According to The Economist, Portugal came #1 and Ireland #2. It's based on 5 indicators: inflation, 'inflation breadth', GDP, jobs & stock market performance among 36 mostly rich OECD countries. That's something worth celebrating 🇮🇪
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
December 9, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Which economy did best in 2025? According to The Economist, Portugal came #1 and Ireland #2. It's based on 5 indicators: inflation, 'inflation breadth', GDP, jobs & stock market performance among 36 mostly rich OECD countries. That's something worth celebrating 🇮🇪
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
The Irish are surprisingly pro-NATO. 71% of us expect NATO to have an overall positive influence on the world in the next decade. That's more supportive than 26 countries in this survey on world affairs. Should Ireland work more closely with NATO countries on security?
www.ipsos.com/en/halifax-r...
www.ipsos.com/en/halifax-r...
December 8, 2025 at 7:40 AM
The Irish are surprisingly pro-NATO. 71% of us expect NATO to have an overall positive influence on the world in the next decade. That's more supportive than 26 countries in this survey on world affairs. Should Ireland work more closely with NATO countries on security?
www.ipsos.com/en/halifax-r...
www.ipsos.com/en/halifax-r...
Irish people have never been more satisfied with their lives. 98% of us are fairly (51%) or very (47%) satisfied - the highest of any EU country last year according to Eurobarometer. 🇮🇪 Hear me discuss this and other aspects of Ireland's progress with Matt Cooper open.spotify.com/episode/4Nvy...
December 5, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Irish people have never been more satisfied with their lives. 98% of us are fairly (51%) or very (47%) satisfied - the highest of any EU country last year according to Eurobarometer. 🇮🇪 Hear me discuss this and other aspects of Ireland's progress with Matt Cooper open.spotify.com/episode/4Nvy...
I join Matt Cooper on his Magnified podcast to talk about Ireland's progress and how to achieve national happiness. I contend that Ireland is an exemplar of positive progress - 98% of Irish people say they are satisfied with their lives today! 🇮🇪 Catch it wherever you get your podcasts.
December 4, 2025 at 7:49 AM
I join Matt Cooper on his Magnified podcast to talk about Ireland's progress and how to achieve national happiness. I contend that Ireland is an exemplar of positive progress - 98% of Irish people say they are satisfied with their lives today! 🇮🇪 Catch it wherever you get your podcasts.
Irish household wealth more than doubled over the past decade, and is forecast to double again in the next 10 years. Importantly, as our wealth increased so wealth inequality *decreased* - Ireland is now more equal than most European nations. 🇮🇪
www.davy.ie/market-and-i...
www.davy.ie/market-and-i...
December 3, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Irish household wealth more than doubled over the past decade, and is forecast to double again in the next 10 years. Importantly, as our wealth increased so wealth inequality *decreased* - Ireland is now more equal than most European nations. 🇮🇪
www.davy.ie/market-and-i...
www.davy.ie/market-and-i...