You are most likely to feel healthy if you live in Dublin, have a Leaving Certificate or higher qualification and are employed in a relatively high-earning job, the ESRI survey found.
Within Europe, the Irish are the most healthy-feeling of the lot. Some 80 per cent of people in the State say their health is "very good" or "good", the ESRI survey states. This compares to 65 per cent of our European neighbours.
A mere 4 per cent of people in the State say their health is "bad" or "very bad". More than twice as many Europeans feel that way, and one in 10 Europeans regards themselves as unwell.
"This reluctance to rate one's health negatively is a feature of the Irish population," comments the ESRI.
As we get older, our health deteriorates. When age is controlled, there is little difference between men and women in the incidence of health problems.
While we tend to think of country life as healthiest, Dubliners report health problems less frequently (13 per cent) than other parts of the State (16 per cent). The ESRI concludes there is a "health gap" between Dublin and non-Dublin residents, which is not due to age differences. Least healthy are those who are unemployed, retired, engaged on home duties and, to a lesser extent, the part-time employed. Ill health is a problem for 30 per cent of the unemployed. The figure is also high for women in home duties (25 per cent).
Most healthy are those with a Leaving Certificate or higher qualification. Some 92 per cent of people with a third-level degree described their health as "good" or "very good", compared to 69 per cent who had primary education only, although this reflects the fact that older people are most likely to have had a primary education only.
Even clearer than the education link is the influence of income. Almost one-third of those in households with income in the bottom quartile have a health problem, compared to fewer than one in 10 of those in households with incomes in the top quartile. A mere 6 per cent of those in the professional and managerial social group have a health problem, compared to one-quarter of those in the unskilled manual group - four times as many.
Employed people were exceptionally robust: 92 per cent in full-time employment and 88 per cent in part-time employment reported no health problems.
The report shows divorced and separated people are just as healthy as married/cohabiting people with 86 per cent compared to 84 per cent. Widowed people - who tend to be older - are the least healthy, with more than one in three (36 per cent) having a health problem.
The statistics confirm health is related to income and educational attainment. Those less well off also tend to be less healthy. These vulnerable people cannot afford private health insurance and consequently experience waiting lists.
The ESRI survey shows the more disempowered you are the more sick you are likely to be, and the longer your wait for treatment.