Bad news, lads.
According to figures released by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for the past three years show that far more women than men are reaching the age of 100.
In the last three years, 577 women compared to 138 men became centenarians.
While last year the stat was 192 compared to 55.
A Department spokesperson said: “These figures are a point in time snapshot of data that is available to us. These means the numbers of people that are known to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.”
Upon reaching the ripe old age of 100, each person receives a congratulatory letter from President Michael D Higgins as well as a cheque for €2,540.
So why do women live longer?
Women have a number of hormonal and physiological advantages over men when it comes to living longer.
Child birth conditions improved from the 1930s onwards.
And when it comes down to it, stats show women are better at looking after themselves than men, are less likely to smoke and drink heavily and to be involved in fatal driving accidents.
''Ageing affects each and everyone of us.''
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Diarmuid O’Shea, President of the Irish Gerontological Society said: “Ageing affects each and everyone of us. This is not an abstract discussion it’s a very real one and we are all living it. By the year 2050, 56% of the world’s population will be over the age of 65 and 90% of those will be more than 80.
“In 1900 the average life expectancy was 50 by the end of this century it will be over the 100 mark. We all have a personal responsibility to grow up and older trying to be healthier and well by improving behaviours and resilience which will help prevent frailty and a multitude of illnesses later in life.
“As people age they need to be active rather than passive about dealing with older life and its consequences and so to do public health programmes which are already helping to empower independence and living at home for as long as possible.
