Higher income groups and married people are more likely to be happy than single people, farmers and those in lower income groups, a survey has found. >{?
The Quality of Life Report, undertaken on behalf of Diageo Ireland, surveyed 1,000 adults in the Republic - including 200 non-nationals - and 400 adults in the North.
Four key influences on the quality of life were measured - happiness, family life, health and finances.
Overall, the quality of life in Ireland has improved since the survey was first carried out in 2001, despite the fact that half the population now report that they suffer from stress.
People's satisfaction with their financial situation has increased significantly. Family life has also improved with those reporting that they were "very satisfied" with their family relations rising from 46 per cent to 52 per cent over the last three years.
There has been a sharp fall in trust levels in institutions such as the Garda, the Catholic Church, the media and the legal system.
There is little difference in people's happiness either side of the Border despite a much higher standard of living in the Republic.
Those in the North work harder than in the Republic with almost twice as many employees in the North claiming to do the best they can at work even if it interfered with the rest of their life.
Non-nationals report that they generally enjoy the same quality of life as the rest of the population although they lag behind financially. The majority consider the quality of life in Ireland to be better than in their own country.