Ireland

Introduction

Background

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century was responsible for a drop in the island's population by more than one quarter through starvation, disease, and emigration. For more than a century afterward, the population of the island continued to fall only to begin growing again in the 1960s. Over the last 50 years, Ireland's high birthrate has made it demographically one of the youngest populations in the EU.The modern Irish state traces its origins to the failed 1916 Easter Monday Uprising that touched off several years of guerrilla warfare resulting in independence from the UK in 1921 for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. Deep sectarian divides between the Catholic and Protestant populations and systemic discrimination in Northern Ireland erupted into years of violence known as the "Troubles" that began in the 1960s. The Government of Ireland was part of a process along with the UK and US Governments that helped broker the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland in 1998. This initiated a new phase of cooperation between the Irish and British Governments. Ireland was neutral in World War II and continues its policy of military neutrality. Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 and the euro-zone currency union in 1999. The economic boom years of the Celtic Tiger (1995-2007) saw rapid economic growth, which came to an abrupt end in 2008 with the meltdown of the Irish banking system. Today the economy is recovering, fueled by large and growing foreign direct investment, especially from US multi-nationals.

Geography

Location

Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain

Geographic coordinates

53 00 N, 8 00 W

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 70,273 sq km
land: 68,883 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km
country comparison to the world: 121

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries

total: 490 km
border countries (1): UK 490 km

Coastline

1,448 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200nm

Climate

temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast

Elevation

mean elevation: 118 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

Natural resources

natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite

Land use

agricultural land: 66.1% (2011 est.)
arable land: 15.4% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 50.7% (2011 est.)
forest: 10.9% (2011 est.)
other: 23% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities

Natural hazards

rare extreme weather events

Environment - current issues

water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff; acid rain kills plants, destroys soil fertility, and contributes to deforestation

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note

strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin

People and Society

Population

5,068,050 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

Nationality

noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)
adjective: Irish

Ethnic groups

Irish 82.2%, Irish travelers 0.7%, other white 9.5%, Asian 2.1%, black 1.4%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.)

Languages

English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 39.8% of the population as of 2016; mainly spoken in areas along Ireland's western coast known as gaeltachtai, which are officially recognized regions where Irish is the predominant language)

Religions

Roman Catholic 78.3%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Orthodox 1.3%, Muslim 1.3%, other 2.4%, none 9.8%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.37%(male 554,110 /female 529,067)
15-24 years: 11.92%(male 306,052 /female 297,890)
25-54 years: 42.86%(male 1,091,495 /female 1,080,594)
55-64 years: 10.53%(male 267,255 /female 266,438)
65 years and over: 13.32%(male 312,694 /female 362,455) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 53.8 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 33.4 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 20.3 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 4.9 (2015 est.)

Median age

total: 37.1 years (2018 est.)
male: 36.8 years
female: 37.5 years
country comparison to the world: 70

Population growth rate

1.11% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98

Birth rate

13.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137

Death rate

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140

Net migration rate

4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Population distribution

population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities

Urbanization

urban population: 63.4% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 1.14% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.215 million DUBLIN (capital) (2019)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.7 years (2015 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 197

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 81 years (2018 est.)
male: 78.7 years
female: 83.5 years
country comparison to the world: 35

Total fertility rate

1.96 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Contraceptive prevalence rate

73.3% (2010)
note: percent of women aged 18-45

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 97.9% of population
rural: 97.8% of population
total: 97.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.1% of population
rural: 2.2% of population
total: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

7.4% (2016)

Physicians density

3.09 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Hospital bed density

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 89.1% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 92.9% of population (2015 est.)
total: 90.5% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 10.9% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 7.1% of population (2015 est.)
total: 9.5% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,200 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<100 (2018 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.3% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 51

Education expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2016)
country comparison to the world: 117

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 19 years
male: 19 years
female: 19 years (2016)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 14.4%
male: 16%
female: 12.6% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Ireland
local long form: none
local short form: Eire
etymology: the modern Irish name "Eire" evolved from the Gaelic "Eriu," the name of the matron goddess of Ireland (goddess of the land); the names "Ireland" in English and "Eire" in Irish are direct translations of each other

Government type

parliamentary republic

Capital

name: Dublin
geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: derived from Irish "dubh" and "lind" meaning respectively "black, dark" and "pool" and which referred to the dark tidal pool where the River Poddle entered the River Liffey; today the area is the site of the castle gardens behind Dublin Castle

Administrative divisions

28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Independence

6 December 1921 (from the UK by the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which ended British rule); 6 December 1922 (Irish Free State established); 18 April 1949 (Republic of Ireland Act enabled)

National holiday

Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March; note - marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, during the latter half of the fifth century A.D. (most commonly cited years are c. 461 and c. 493); although Saint Patrick's feast day was celebrated in Ireland as early as the ninth century, it only became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903

Constitution

history: previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937
amendments: proposed as bills by Parliament; passage requires majority vote by both the Senate and House of Representatives, majority vote in a referendum, and presidential signature; amended many times, last in 2019 (2019)

Legal system

common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts by Supreme Court

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no, unless a parent of a child born in Ireland has been legally resident in Ireland for at least three of the four years prior to the birth of the child
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 of the previous 8 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 11 November 2011)
head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo VARADKAR (since 14 June 2017)
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the Dali Eireann (lower house of Parliament)
elections/appointments: president directly elected by majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 October 2018 (next to be held no later than November 2025); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann), appointed by the president
election results: Michael D. HIGGINS reelected president; percent of vote - Michael D. HIGGINS (independent) 55.8%, Peter CASEY (independent) 23.3%, Sean GALLAGHER (independent) 6.4%, Liadh NI RIADA (Sinn Fein) 6.4%, Joan FREEMAN (independent) 6%, Gavin DUFFY (independent) 2.2%

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of:
Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 43 members indirectly elected from 5 vocational panels of nominees by an electoral college consisting of members from the House of Representatives, outgoing Senate members, and city and county council members, 11 appointed by the prime minister, and 6 elected by 2 university constituencies - 3 each from the University of Dublin (Trinity College) and the National University of Ireland)
House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (158 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; all Parliament members serve 5-year terms)
elections:
Senate - last held in April and May 2016 (next to be held no later than 2021)
House of Representatives - last held on 26 February 2016 (next to be held no later than 2021)
election results:  
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fine Gael 19, Fianna Fail 14, Sinn Fein 7, Labor Party 5, Green Party 1, independent 14; composition - men 42, women 18, percent of women 30%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fine Gael 25.5%, Fianna Fail 24.4%, Sinn Fein 13.8%, Labor Party 6.6%, AAA-PBD 4.0%, Social Democrats 3.0%, Green Party 2.7%, Renua Ireland 2.2% independent 17.8%; seats by party - Fine Gael 50, Fianna Fail 44, Sinn Fein 23, Labor Party 7, AAA-PBP 6, Social Democrats 3, Green Party 2, independent 23; composition - men 123, women 35, percent of women 22.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 24.3%

Judicial branch

highest courts: Supreme Court of Ireland (consists of the chief justice, 9 judges, 2 ex-officio members - the presidents of the High Court and Court of Appeal - and organized in 3-, 5-, or 7-judge panels, depending on the importance or complexity of an issue of law)
judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president; chief justice serves in the position for 7 years; judges can serve until age 70
subordinate courts: High Court, Court of Appeal; circuit and district courts; criminal courts

Political parties and leaders

Solidarity-People Before Profit or AAAS-PBP [collective leadership]
Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN]
Fine Gael [Leo VARADKAR]
Green Party [Eamon RYAN]
Labor (Labour) Party [Brendan HOWLIN]
Renua Ireland (vacant)
Sinn Fein [Mary Lou MCDONALD]
Social Democrats [Catherine MURPHY, Roisin SHORTALL]
Socialist Party [collective leadership]
The Workers' Party [Michael DONNELLY]

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Daniel Gerard MULHALL (since 8 September 2017)
chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939
FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Edward F. CRAWFORD (since 1 July 2019)
telephone: [353] (1) 630-6200
embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
mailing address: use embassy street address
FAX: [353] (1) 688-9946

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland; orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange); white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange
note: similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red

National symbol(s)

harp, shamrock (trefoil); national colors: blue, green

National anthem

name: "Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song)
lyrics/music: Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY
note: adopted 1926; instead of "Amhran na bhFiann," the song "Ireland's Call" is often used at athletic events where citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete as a unified team

Economy

Economy - overview

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. It was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry during 2008-11. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit from efforts to stabilize its fragile banking sector, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. In March 2011, the KENNY government intensified austerity measures to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF bailout program.In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt. In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up. In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program. Continued growth of tax receipts has allowed the government to lower some taxes and increase public spending while keeping to its deficit-reduction targets. In 2015, GDP growth exceeded 26%. The magnitude of the increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings in intellectual property, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than real gains in the domestic economy, which was still growing. Growth moderated to around 4.1% in 2017, but the recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 0.6% of GDP.In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment during the 2008-11 economic crisis, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy. Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% and a talented pool of high-tech laborers have been some of the key factors in encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to pay less tax or, in the case of U.S. multinationals, defer taxation owed to the United States. In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the Irish government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole. The Irish economy continued to grow in 2017 and is forecast to do so through 2019, supported by a strong export sector, robust job growth, and low inflation, to the point that the Government must now address concerns about overheating and potential loss of competitiveness. The greatest risks to the economy are the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union ("Brexit") in March 2019, possible changes to international taxation policies that could affect Ireland’s revenues, and global trade pressures.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$353.3 billion (2017 est.)
$329.5 billion (2016 est.)
$314.1 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 51

GDP (official exchange rate)

$331.5 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7.2% (2017 est.)
4.9% (2016 est.)
25% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$73,200 (2017 est.)
$69,100 (2016 est.)
$66,600 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 10

Gross national saving

33.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
33.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
29% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 34% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 10.1% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 23.4% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 119.9% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -89.7% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.2% (2017 est.)
industry: 38.6% (2017 est.)
services: 60.2% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products

Industries

pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices

Industrial production growth rate

7.8% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25

Labor force

2.226 million (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 5%
industry: 11%
services: 84% (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.7% (2017 est.)
8.4% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Population below poverty line

8.2% (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 27.2% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

31.3 (2013 est.)
35.9 (1987 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Budget

revenues: 86.04 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 87.19 billion (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Public debt

68.6% of GDP (2017 est.)
73.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
country comparison to the world: 53

Fiscal year

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.3% (2017 est.)
-0.2% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Central bank discount rate

0.05% (31 December 2015)
0.15% (31 August 2014)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
country comparison to the world: 145

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.08% (31 December 2017 est.)
3.48% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Stock of narrow money

$191.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$156.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
country comparison to the world: 26

Stock of broad money

$191.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$156.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Stock of domestic credit

$299.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$287.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37

Market value of publicly traded shares

$128 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$143.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$170.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Current account balance

$28.14 billion (2017 est.)
-$12.59 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

Exports

$219.7 billion (2017 est.)
$206 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25

Exports - partners

US 27.1%, UK 13.4%, Belgium 11%, Germany 8.1%, Switzerland 5.1%, Netherlands 4.9%, France 4.3% (2017)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, medical devices, pharmaceuticals; foodstuffs, animal products

Imports

$98.13 billion (2017 est.)
$92.09 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Imports - commodities

data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing

Imports - partners

UK 29%, US 18.9%, France 12.1%, Germany 9.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.412 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.203 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99

Debt - external

$2.47 trillion (31 March 2016 est.)
$2.35 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.54 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.411 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.56 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.404 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.885 (2017 est.)
0.903 (2016 est.)
0.9214 (2015 est.)
0.885 (2014 est.)
0.7634 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

28.53 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity - consumption

25.68 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68

Electricity - exports

1.583 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Electricity - imports

871 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity - installed generating capacity

9.945 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Electricity - from fossil fuels

65% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

Electricity - from other renewable sources

33% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152

Crude oil - exports

5,900 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64

Crude oil - imports

66,210 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Refined petroleum products - production

64,970 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76

Refined petroleum products - consumption

153,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66

Refined petroleum products - exports

37,040 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Refined petroleum products - imports

126,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Natural gas - production

3.511 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas - consumption

5.238 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Natural gas - imports

1.642 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Natural gas - proved reserves

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

36.91 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1,842,026
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 4,898,872
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

Telephone system

general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay; previous depressed economic climate has changed to one with Ireland having one of the highest GDP growth rates in Europe which translates to mean spending among telecom consumers; introduction of flat-rate plans; upgraded LTE technologies in rural areas; government intends to spend millions on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) initiative to change the broadband landscape (2018)
domestic: increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas; fixed-line 37 per 100 and mobile-cellular 98 per 100 subscriptions (2018)
international: country code - 353; landing point for the AEConnect -1, Celtic-Norse, Havfrue/AEC-2, GTT Express, Cleltic, ESAT-1, IFC-1, Solas, Pan European Crossing, ESAT-2, CeltixConnect -1 & 2, GTT Atlantic, Sirius South, Emerald Bridge Fibres and Geo Eirgrid  submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, Norway, Isle of Man and UK; satellite earth stations - 81 (2019)

Broadcast media

publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 4 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2019)

Internet country code

.ie

Internet users

total: 4,069,432
percent of population: 82.2% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 1,401,356
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Military and Security

Military expenditures

0.33% of GDP (2018)
0.4% of GDP (2017)
0.34% of GDP (2016)
0.35% of GDP (2015)
0.47% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 153

Military and security forces

Irish Defence Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn): Army (includes Army Reserve), Naval Service (includes Naval Service Reserves), Air Corps (2019)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Defence Forces (18-27 years of age for the Naval Service); 18-26 for cadetship (officer) applicants; 12-year service (5 active, 7 reserves); Irish citizen, European Economic Area citizenship, or refugee status (2019)

Transportation

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 6 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 431 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 113,144,501 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 138.58 millionmt-km (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

EI (2016)

Airports

40 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 105

Airports - with paved runways

total: 16 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2017)
under 914 m: 5 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 24 (2013)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
under 914 m: 21 (2013)

Pipelines

2,427 km gas (2017)

Railways

total: 4,301 km (2018)
narrow gauge: 1,930 km0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2018)
broad gauge: 2,371 km1.600-m gauge (53 km electrified) (2018)
country comparison to the world: 44

Roadways

total: 99,830 km (2018)
paved: 99,830 km(includes 2,717 km of expressways) (2018)
country comparison to the world: 48

Waterways

956 km(pleasure craft only) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 67

Merchant marine

total: 88
by type: bulk carrier 8, general cargo 34, oil tanker 1, other 45 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 91

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Dublin, Shannon Foynes
cruise port(s): Cork, Dublin
container port(s) (TEUs): Dublin (529,563) (2016)
river port(s): Cork (Lee), Waterford (Suir)

Terrorism

Terrorist groups - foreign based

Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA): aim(s): to bring about a united Ireland
area(s) of operation:  maintains an operational presence (2018)
New Irish Republican Army (NIRA): aim(s): to bring about a united Ireland
area(s) of operation: maintains an operational presence
note: formerly known as the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) (2018)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 99 (2018)

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern

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