The life expectancy of men living in Ireland rose by almost 10% between 1997 and 2018, a new report has shown.

However, according to the findings, life expectancy varies depending on socio-economic circumstances, with those in the most deprived areas living five years less than those living in the most affluent areas.

The report, Men's Health in Numbers, was prepared on behalf of the Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI), which is a network of individuals and organisations working to enhance the health and wellbeing of men and boys.

According to the report, male life expectancy in the Republic rose from 73.4 years in 1997 to 80.5 years in 2018. However this varied according to socio-economic circumstances. In 2016/17, males living in the most deprived areas had a life expectancy of 79.4 years, compared to 84.4 years in the most affluent areas.

The majority of men in the Republic reported their health as good or very good in 2018/19. In 2018, the three main causes of death in Ireland were invasive cancers, diseases of the circulatory system and diseases of the respiratory system.

Overall, death rates were highest among males in the most deprived areas, those with only a primary education, unskilled workers, widowed men, those who were not carers and those with a disability. Death rates also tended to be higher among homeless men, farmers and Travellers.

The report noted that the mental health of males in Ireland "is of increasing concern". Some 327 males died by suicide in the Republic in 2018 compared to 110 females. Since 2010, the highest rates of suicide have been found in middle-aged men, with an exception in 2017, when the highest rate was among 25-34 year-olds.

The report also noted that there was an increase in the rate of males presenting at Emergency Departments (EDs) as a result of self-harm - from 162 in 2007 to 193 in 2018.

The most frequent methods of self-harm among men were drug overdoses (56%), alcohol use (34%), cutting (31%) and attempted hanging (12%).

Meanwhile, when it came to lifestyle, the report found that the rate of overweight and obesity in males increased from 63% of the population in 2014 to 66% in 2019.

However, the proportion of males who smoked fell from 31% in 2007 to 19% in 2019.

Some 21% of males aged 18 or over engaged in binge drinking at least once a week in 2014 - the highest rate in the EU.

According to MHFI chairperson, Michael Lynch, these findings "provide some cause for optimism, along with some grounds for concern". While welcoming positive trends such as the increase in male life expectancy and the fall in the number of male smokers, he highlighted issues such as increasing obesity rates and the impact of COVID-19.

"One of the most worrying concerns is that incidence rates of diseases and chronic conditions are mostly higher within areas of deprivation," he commented.

Men's Health in Numbers was funded by HSE Health & Wellbeing and according to its general manager, Fergal Fox, the findings "highlight how far we have come in recent years, but they also make the case clearly for areas that we need to continue to focus on for men's health and wellbeing".

Men's Health in Numbers can be viewed here. For more information on the MHFI, click here.