Children and Young People’s Indicator Set

The Children and Young People’s (CYP) indicator set is a comprehensive collection of indicators relating to the lives of children and young people aged 0–24 years in Ireland. Developed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, it aims to track progress across each of the national outcomes outlined in Young Ireland, the national policy framework for children and young people 2023–2028.

In 2023, the CYP Indicator Set replaced the previous indicator set used for the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures (BOBF) national policy framework 2014–2020. The BOBF indicator set was initially published in 2017 and later updated in 2022. The CYP indicator set contains the same indicators as the BOBF indicator set, although in some cases they have been rearranged to align with the Young Ireland policy framework. Data for the indicators in CYP were first updated in 2023. The changes made to the 2023 update still apply. For example, the addition of a new indicator on e-cigarette usage and more information on indicators and their sources. Census 2022 data for Roma has been added to the 2025 update under demographics. This information includes the availability of disaggregated data, in particular for marginalised or disadvantaged groups, and the provision of open data.

Outputs

CYP indicator sets from 2023, downloadable as an excel file, are available below. A key findings document for 2025 is also available. A link to the BOBF indicator set (2017, 2022) is also provided.

To access some key findings from the most recent indicator set, see:

To access the previous indicator sets (2023, 2024), see:

To access the electronic version of the 2022 update of the BOBF indicator set (2022) – the predecessor to the CYP indicator set, see: Better Outcomes Brighter Future Indicator Set Report 2022

To access the electronic version of the first publication of the BOBF indicator set (2017), see: Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Indicator Set

For a list of FAQs see here

Technical Note

The CYP indicator set updates and replaces the BOBF indicator set. The process for developing the BOBF indicator set encompassed a number of phases, including a literature review and compilation of a data inventory, the establishment of and consultation with an expert panel, a Delphi process, a review of consultations with children and young people, and bilateral consultations with experts and policy makers in Government departments and agencies.

A summary of the methodology used to the develop the BOBF indicator set can be found here.

More general information on Young Ireland can be found on the Young Ireland section of the website here.

Feedback

We are considering the future use of these and other indicators, and would value your feedback. If you have any feedback, please e-mail us at dataandanalytics@equality.gov.ie