IRL Ireland profile

Ireland operates as a parliamentary democracy with a largely ceremonial president and a government led by a taoiseach. Legislative power resides in a bicameral legislature, where proportional representation shapes coalitions and policy compromise. The state navigates North South relations, Brexit implications, and EU membership, balancing national unity questions with regional governance. Administrative capacity varies by region, and housing and public service delivery challenges reflect resource constraints, planning friction, and long standing regional disparities. The political system faces ongoing scrutiny over transparency, accountability, and the adequacy of reform efforts.

Colonial history Colonized by England and later by the British Empire
Former colonizer United Kingdom
Government type Parliamentary democracy
Legal system Common law system
Political stability Generally stable

The economy centers on services, especially information technology, life sciences, finance, and professional services, complemented by manufacturing and agri food exports. A strong presence of multinational corporations drives growth, foreign investment, and employment, while domestic entrepreneurship and tradable sectors are supported by policy and regulatory environment. Dependence on external demand creates vulnerability to global cycles and policy shifts, and fiscal space is constrained by housing, healthcare, and infrastructure needs. Regional economic gaps persist, with urban cores outperforming rural areas. Energy transition, competition in low value sectors, and real estate dynamics shape investment choices and affordability.

Currency name Euro (EUR)
Economic system Developed economy with a focus on trade and foreign investment
Informal economy presence Limited
Key industries Pharmaceuticals, technology, agriculture, and tourism
Trade orientation Export-oriented

The island’s geography features coastal access, a temperate climate, and varied landscapes, with environmental pressures from development, agriculture, and energy projects. Conservation priorities, peatland management, and biodiversity preservation intersect with land use planning. Water quality, flood risk, and waste management pose policy challenges, while climate change effects drive adaptation and resilience planning. The transition to renewables is advancing, but siting concerns, grid upgrades, and community engagement influence progress.

Bordering countries None (UK shares a border with Northern Ireland)
Climate type Temperate maritime
Continent Europe
Environmental Issues Water pollution, waste management, and biodiversity loss
Landlocked No
Natural Hazards Flooding, storms, and occasional earthquakes
Natural resources Natural gas, limestone, gypsum, lead, zinc, marble, and peat
Terrain type Hilly and mountainous with coastal plains

Demographic trends include population growth and aging, with migration affecting labor markets and social cohesion. Education and health systems face capacity and funding pressures, affecting access and outcomes. Housing affordability, homelessness, and social housing policy remain contentious. Inequality, housing costs, and urbanization patterns interact with regional disparities. Cultural and linguistic dynamics, including regional and minority language rights, shape social policy. Integration of newcomers and social protection design are central to social sustainability.

Cultural heritage Rich in literature, music, folklore, and traditional arts
Driving side Left
Education system type State-funded and private education system
Ethnic composition Predominantly Irish
Family structure Traditionally nuclear, but extended family is also significant
Healthcare model Mixed public-private healthcare system
Major religions Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic)
Official languages Irish, English

Connectivity across urban and rural areas shows strong digital networks in cities but uneven coverage elsewhere. Transport infrastructure relies on road networks and ports, with rail and airport capacity a focus of investment, while freight and commuter movement face congestion and reliability issues. Energy infrastructure is shifting toward renewables, with grid modernization and storage posing technical and financial challenges. The research and innovation ecosystem benefits from universities and industry links, yet skills gaps and capital access influence competitiveness. Public sector digital services are expanding, but privacy, security, and governance remain critical concerns.

Internet censorship level Low
Tech innovation level High
Transport system type Mixed transport system including roads, rail, air, and ports

Development indicators

Indicator Year Value Rank 5Y Rank Change
Military expenditure (current US$) 2023 1,269,192,873 69 -1
Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism 2023 0.902 37 +10
Regulatory Quality 2023 1.75 9 -6
Rule of Law 2023 1.63 13 -9
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) 2023 4.29 53 -5
Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 10.3 153 +15
Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 6.6 119 -11
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 2024 148 5 -1
GDP per capita (current US$) 2024 107,316 3 -6
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) 2024 131,175 3 -2
High-technology exports (current US$) 2023 91,363,721,988 11 -4
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) 2024 105 7 +1
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) 2024 2.11 109 -24
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) 2023 82.9 26 0
Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births) 2023 3.8 142 -10
Net migration 2024 39,059 28 -8
Patent applications, residents 2021 75 69 -1
Population, total 2024 5,380,257 120 -2
Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) 2021 14 47
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) 2022 2.5 91 +1
Renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) 2021 12.7 119 -9
Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) 2022 0.963 35 +7
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) 2023 -25.4 185 +178
Current account balance (% of GDP) 2023 8.11 22 -9
Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources 2021 22.2 65 -47
Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) 2023 10.9 29 +6
Current health expenditure (% of GDP) 2022 6.12 104 +39
Domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP (current international US$) 2022 6,419 6 -5
Physicians (per 1,000 people) 2021 4.06 18 -17
Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) 2021 8.55 71 +4
Individuals using the Internet (% of population) 2023 96.5 13 -14
Control of Corruption 2023 1.58 16 -4
Government Effectiveness 2023 1.59 13 -10
Logistics performance index: Quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure (1=low to 5=high) 2022 3.5 11

Compare Ireland to other countries

Demography and Health

Ireland’s population stood at about 5.38 million in 2024, and net migration added roughly 39,000 people in that year, underscoring the country’s ongoing appeal to international workers, students, and families. Life expectancy at birth is high, at 82.9 years in 2023, while demographic dynamics show a low crude birth rate of 10.3 per 1,000 people and a crude death rate of 6.6 per 1,000 people in 2023. This combination signals an aging population and potential future pressures on pensions, long‑term care, and healthcare services. Child mortality remains relatively low, with under‑5 mortality at 3.8 per 1,000 live births (2023). The country benefits from near‑universal internet access, with 96.5% of the population online in 2023, reflecting a digitally connected society that supports education, work, and public services. In health spending, current health expenditure accounts for 6.12% of GDP (2022), with domestic health expenditure per capita, PPP, at 6,419 international dollars (2022) and a physician density of 4.06 per 1,000 people (2021), indicating a well‑resourced health system. Suicide mortality stands at 8.55 per 100,000 people (2021), highlighting ongoing public health priorities around mental health. Poverty at national poverty lines is 14.0% (2021), suggesting that while living standards are high, inequality and vulnerability persist and require targeted social policies. Overall, demography and health in Ireland reflect a prosperous, well‑served population with strong health outcomes, tempered by aging dynamics and social challenges that require continued policy attention.

Economy, Trade and Investment

Ireland ranks among the world’s wealthiest economies by contemporary measures, with GDP per capita at 107,316 current US$ in 2024 and GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP) of 131,175 current international US$, both reflecting a top‑tier standard of living (rank 3 for both). The economy is highly open and export‑oriented: exports of goods and services reach 148.0% of GDP in 2024, while imports amount to 105.0% of GDP, indicating a robust trade surplus in goods and services driven by multinational activity in services, software, pharmaceuticals, and other high‑value sectors. High‑technology exports are sizable, totaling 91.36 billion US$ in 2023 and placing Ireland at 11th in this category, underscoring a strong presence in advanced manufacturing and digital services. The current account balance stands at 8.11% of GDP in 2023, reinforcing Ireland’s external‑sector resilience, though foreign direct investment net inflows as a share of GDP are negative (-25.4% in 2023), a detail that can reflect accounting treatment, corporate residency patterns, or profits repatriation in a multinational‑heavy economy rather than a straightforward lack of investment appetite. Inflation is moderate at 2.11% in 2024, and the unemployment rate is low at 4.29% in 2023, indicating a tight labor market and supportive consumer demand. Research and development expenditure is 0.963% of GDP in 2022, signaling room for domestic innovation investment despite the strong knowledge‑based economy fueled by foreign direct investment and global networks. Ireland’s logistics and connectivity are strong, evidenced by a Logistics Performance Index of 3.5 (quality of trade and transport infrastructure, 2022) and a high rate of internet usage (96.5% of the population in 2023). Domestic general government health expenditure per capita at PPP is 6,419 international dollars (2022), and physicians per 1,000 people are 4.06 (2021), illustrating substantial public investment in health infrastructure that supports a high‑productivity economy. Taken together, Ireland’s economy showcases a thriving, globally integrated, high‑income model, with exceptional per‑capita wealth, significant export strengths, and a strong but evolving domestic innovation ecosystem; challenges include balancing domestic R&D intensity with the scale and rhythms of multinational activity and interpreting FDI flows within a highly globalized corporate environment.

Governance and Institutions

Ireland’s governance indicators depict a country with strong institutional quality in many dimensions. Regulatory quality is 1.75 (2023), ranking 9th globally, and the rule of law is 1.63 (2023), ranking 13th, indicating a highly predictable and enforceable legal framework that supports business and citizen rights. Control of corruption stands at 1.58 (2023), ranking 16th, while government effectiveness is 1.59 (2023), ranking 13th, reflecting functional public administration and policy implementation. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism score 0.902 (2023), ranking 37th, suggesting a stable political environment relative to many peers, though not immune to regional geopolitical fluctuations. The quality of trade and transport infrastructure is strong, with a Logistics Performance Index score of 3.5 (2022) and a rank of 11, supporting efficient movement of goods and services and reinforcing Ireland’s role as a hub for multinational operations. Intellectual property activity, as shown by 75 resident patent applications in 2021 (rank 69), indicates ongoing innovation activity but room for growth relative to global leaders. While foreign direct investment net inflows as a share of GDP are negative in 2023, the broader governance indicators still point to a favorable institutional environment that helps attract and sustain multinational activity and private investment, albeit with continued attention to improving domestic innovation ecosystems, policy coherence, and long‑term resilience.

Infrastructure and Technology

Ireland benefits from a highly developed digital and physical infrastructure base. Internet penetration is exceptionally high, with 96.5% of the population online in 2023, enabling widespread digital services, remote work, and e‑government benefits. The Logistics Performance Index quality of trade and transport infrastructure is 3.5 in 2022, ranking 11th, signaling efficient ports, roads, and logistics networks that facilitate international trade. High‑technology exports totaling 91.36 billion US$ in 2023 reflect deep integration into advanced manufacturing, software, and life sciences value chains. Health infrastructure is well funded, with domestic general government health expenditure per capita (PPP) at 6,419 international dollars in 2022 and a physician density of 4.06 per 1,000 people in 2021, indicating substantial access to healthcare professionals and services. Domestic investment in research and development sits at 0.963% of GDP in 2022, suggesting that while there is strong external knowledge inflow and a sophisticated services sector, domestic R&D intensity remains comparatively modest and could be expanded to sustain long‑term competitiveness. Overall, infrastructure and technology in Ireland depict a modern, highly connected economy with strong logistics, widespread digital adoption, and a mature health system, alongside opportunities to deepen domestic innovation capacity and accelerate the transition to a knowledge‑intensive economy.

Environment and Sustainability

Ireland’s environmental indicators reveal a high‑income country facing typical climate and energy transition challenges. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita excluding LULUCF are 10.9 t CO2e, indicating substantial emissions intensity on a per‑person basis, consistent with a developed economy with energy‑intensive activities and urban concentration. Water stress, measured as freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources, is 22.2% (2021), suggesting moderate pressure on water resources that requires effective water management and efficiency measures. Renewable energy accounts for 12.7% of total final energy consumption (2021), underscoring progress toward decarbonization but also highlighting the need to scale up renewables to meet climate goals and energy security needs. The prevalence of undernourishment is low at 2.5% (2022), and national poverty stands at 14.0% (2021), reflecting overall high living standards with pockets of vulnerability. Ireland’s environmental trajectory is shaped by urbanization, reliance on imported energy, and the ongoing transition to cleaner energy sources, with policy emphasis likely to focus on accelerating renewables, improving energy efficiency, and reducing per‑capita emissions while maintaining economic growth and social equity.