Life expectancy in Ireland has increased by a full four years since 2000 and is now above the EU average, new statistics reveal.

They also show that death rates from all major causes have declined significantly over the same period.

The report Health In Ireland-Key Trends 2013 shows:

* Total hospital discharges continue to rise but an increasing proportion (60% in 2012) of this activity is now carried out on a day case basis (including dialysis).

* Average length of stay in hospital for inpatients has fallen to 5.4 days for the first time.

* Average length of stay in hospital for inpatients has fallen to 5.4 days for the first time.

*  Over the past decade, Ireland has achieved a rapid improvement in life expectancy. Life expectancy in Ireland has increased by a full four years since the year 2000 and has been consistently higher than the EU average over the past decade.

* Much of the increase in life expectancy is due to significant reductions in major causes of death such as circulatory system diseases. Since 2003, there has been a reduction in mortality rates for most of these causes.

* Ireland's overall mortality rate has reduced by 22% since 2003.

* Ireland is now beginning to catch up with other European countries in terms of population ageing. The population of those aged 65 years and over has been increasing at a faster rate than that of our EU neighbours.

* Despite reductions in the numbers of births in recent years, the fertility rate in Ireland remains the highest in the EU.

* Total public health expenditure has risen from €10.2 billion in 2004 to €14.1 billion in 2012. Estimates for 2013 indicate a decline in spending to €13.9 billion.

The report can be viewed on the Department of Health website