Apparatus and method for monitoring events in a data processing system

An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring events in a data processing system. The apparatus has first event monitoring circuitry for monitoring occurrences of a first event within a data processing system, and for asserting a first signal to indicate every m-th occurrence of the first event, where m is an integer of 1 or more. In addition second event monitoring circuitry is used to monitor occurrences of a second event within the data processing system, and to assert a second signal to indicate every n-th occurrence of the second event, where n is an integer of 1 or more. History maintenance circuitry then maintains event history information which is updated in dependence on the asserted first and second signals. Further, history analysis circuitry is responsive to an analysis trigger to analyse the event history information in order to detect a reporting condition when the event history information indicates that a ratio between occurrences of the first event and the occurrences of the second event is outside an acceptable range. The history analysis circuitry is then responsive to detection of the reporting condition to assert a report signal. This provides a particularly efficient and effective mechanism for monitoring ratios of events within a data processing system.