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.
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Mark Henry
@drmarkhenry.bsky.social
· May 29
What can Ireland teach the world? | Mark Henry | TEDxTUDublin
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
www.youtube.com
What can Ireland teach the world? The Irish have never been healthier, wealthier, better educated, or happier. The country has uncovered the blueprint for national well-being, and others can learn from its success. Watch my new TEDx talk. 🇮🇪 #TEDxTUDublin
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8LO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8LO...
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...
Would you believe it? The Irish are healthy eaters! 70% of us consume vegetables daily. That's one of the highest figures in Europe - only the Belgians beat us (it must be the Brussels sprouts 😂!).
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
December 2, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Would you believe it? The Irish are healthy eaters! 70% of us consume vegetables daily. That's one of the highest figures in Europe - only the Belgians beat us (it must be the Brussels sprouts 😂!).
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
The cost of living is increasing in Ireland but people's wages are growing faster than prices, so most people have more money in their pockets than they had last year. Real wages are growing by about 3% a year, except for the pandemic year of 2022. 🇮🇪
www.fiscalcouncil.ie/fiscal-asses...
www.fiscalcouncil.ie/fiscal-asses...
November 28, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The cost of living is increasing in Ireland but people's wages are growing faster than prices, so most people have more money in their pockets than they had last year. Real wages are growing by about 3% a year, except for the pandemic year of 2022. 🇮🇪
www.fiscalcouncil.ie/fiscal-asses...
www.fiscalcouncil.ie/fiscal-asses...
The more economic freedom people have, the less poverty there is that country. Ireland has one of the highest levels of economic freedom in the world, and one of its lowest poverty levels. (Poverty in the least free nations is 25 times greater!) We have made great progress 🇮🇪
November 26, 2025 at 7:52 AM
The more economic freedom people have, the less poverty there is that country. Ireland has one of the highest levels of economic freedom in the world, and one of its lowest poverty levels. (Poverty in the least free nations is 25 times greater!) We have made great progress 🇮🇪
The Irish economy is doing comparatively well at the moment, and Irish people know it. Along with Singapore, Australia, Poland & the Netherlands, we are the least likely people to say our country is in recession. We have our challenges, as all nations do, but we're progressing better than most 🇮🇪
November 25, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The Irish economy is doing comparatively well at the moment, and Irish people know it. Along with Singapore, Australia, Poland & the Netherlands, we are the least likely people to say our country is in recession. We have our challenges, as all nations do, but we're progressing better than most 🇮🇪
Irish people are among the longest living in the world. The average person in Ireland will live to be 83 years of age. That's less than 18 months behind the world's longest livers: the Swiss and the Japanese. And the difference between males and females here is one of the smallest anywhere. 🇮🇪
November 24, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Irish people are among the longest living in the world. The average person in Ireland will live to be 83 years of age. That's less than 18 months behind the world's longest livers: the Swiss and the Japanese. And the difference between males and females here is one of the smallest anywhere. 🇮🇪
Irish people strongly recognise the benefits of vaccinations. Three-quarters of those aged 65+ are vaccinated against the flu - one of the highest figure in the world. That will save lives and suffering for many elderly people this winter. 🧓🇮🇪
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Irish people strongly recognise the benefits of vaccinations. Three-quarters of those aged 65+ are vaccinated against the flu - one of the highest figure in the world. That will save lives and suffering for many elderly people this winter. 🧓🇮🇪
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
Ireland is no longer a nation of heavy drinkers. Our alcohol consumption is ranked the 20th highest of 58 countries in the latest OECD health report. Ireland hit peak consumption in 2001 but it's dropped by one-third since then. Cheers to that 🇮🇪🥂
www.oecd.org/en/publicati... @oecd-ocde.bsky.social
www.oecd.org/en/publicati... @oecd-ocde.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Ireland is no longer a nation of heavy drinkers. Our alcohol consumption is ranked the 20th highest of 58 countries in the latest OECD health report. Ireland hit peak consumption in 2001 but it's dropped by one-third since then. Cheers to that 🇮🇪🥂
www.oecd.org/en/publicati... @oecd-ocde.bsky.social
www.oecd.org/en/publicati... @oecd-ocde.bsky.social
How do living standards in Ireland compare to 50 years ago? The majority of Irish people agree things are better today, only a quarter think 1975 was better. The majority are correct - here and elsewhere, poverty is much reduced, incomes are higher, and longevity and health are better. 🇮🇪
November 17, 2025 at 8:02 AM
How do living standards in Ireland compare to 50 years ago? The majority of Irish people agree things are better today, only a quarter think 1975 was better. The majority are correct - here and elsewhere, poverty is much reduced, incomes are higher, and longevity and health are better. 🇮🇪
Would you prefer to be born today or 50 years ago (in 1975)? Half of Irish people opt for 1975 and only a quarter for today. But Ireland was a much more miserable place back then - we've never been wealthier, healthier, better educated or happier than we are today. Bin the nostalgia! 😄
November 14, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Would you prefer to be born today or 50 years ago (in 1975)? Half of Irish people opt for 1975 and only a quarter for today. But Ireland was a much more miserable place back then - we've never been wealthier, healthier, better educated or happier than we are today. Bin the nostalgia! 😄
Maternal death in Ireland is an extremely rare occurrence today. In the 1940s, 200 mothers died for every 100,000 child births. That figure steadily reduced thanks to improvements in medicine and science. In 5 of the last 6 years, we had no deaths whatsoever. The positive power of progress 🇮🇪
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Maternal death in Ireland is an extremely rare occurrence today. In the 1940s, 200 mothers died for every 100,000 child births. That figure steadily reduced thanks to improvements in medicine and science. In 5 of the last 6 years, we had no deaths whatsoever. The positive power of progress 🇮🇪