The number of people in Ireland over the age of 65 years is projected to almost double to over one million by 2035, according to a new report from the Department of Health.

The report says the greatest increase will be in the 85-plus age group.

The report: Health in Ireland-Key Trends 2012, provides a range of data on significant trends in healthcare over the past decade.

The report says over the past 10 years, Ireland has achieved a rapid and unprecedented improvement in life expectancy.

During a period when the average life expectancy in the EU has continued to rise, life expectancy in Ireland has increased from below the EU average life expectancy, to almost one year above it.

Much of this increase is due to significant reductions in major causes of death such as circulatory system diseases, including heart disease and stroke, the report says.

The report says according to Census 2011, while we still have very high proportions of people reporting good and very good health, those in higher social classes and those without a disability report being in better health.

In comparison to other EU countries, Ireland continues to have the highest levels of self-perceived health of any EU country.

The report says 37% of the population is now covered by a medical card. Numbers covered have increased by almost 45% over the decade and by nearly 5% between 2010 and 2011.

This is in contrast to the numbers covered by private health insurance, which has declined since 2008, the report points out.