Ireland vs Portugal development indicators, 2024

Demography and Health

In terms of demography, Ireland has a crude birth rate of 10.3 per 1,000 people compared to Portugal's 8.1, positioning Ireland at rank 13 while Portugal ranks 59. The crude death rate is lower in Ireland at 6.6 per 1,000 people, which is more favorable than Portugal’s 11.2, with ranks of 80 and 38, respectively. Life expectancy at birth is slightly higher in Ireland at 82.9 years against Portugal's 82.3 years, indicating a better health outcome. However, Ireland has a higher under-5 mortality rate at 3.8 per 1,000 live births compared to Portugal's 3.2, which reflects differing health challenges in child health. Both countries exhibit a prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5% of the population, indicating food security is not a significant issue in either country.

Economy

Ireland's economy stands out with a GDP per capita of $107,316, significantly surpassing Portugal's $28,844. In terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), Ireland also leads with $131,175 against Portugal's $50,617, showcasing a higher standard of living. Exports of goods and services make up a remarkable 148% of Ireland's GDP, exhibiting a vibrant export-oriented economy, contrasted with Portugal's 46.5%. Nevertheless, Ireland faces higher import levels at 105% of GDP versus Portugal at 44.7%, indicating a more substantial reliance on foreign goods. Ireland experiences a moderate inflation rate of 2.1% compared to Portugal’s 2.4%, suggestive of economic stability.

Trade and Investment

Iceland shows a remarkable capability in high-technology exports at $91.4 billion, which dwarfs Portugal's $4.2 billion. This highlights Ireland's position as a technological hub and a leader in innovation. With a net migration figure of 39,059, compared to Portugal’s 20,648, Ireland may be benefiting from its robust economy, attracting skilled workers. Furthermore, the logistics performance index rates Ireland slightly lower at 3.5 compared to Portugal’s 3.6, reflecting a competitive edge in trade logistics usually critical for exports.

Governance and Institutions

In governance, Ireland demonstrates a stronger performance with a control of corruption index score of 1.6, compared to Portugal's 0.7. This suggests that Ireland has more effective anti-corruption mechanisms in place. Government effectiveness in Ireland is rated at 1.6 versus Portugal's 1.0, indicating more efficient public administration. Political stability is also notable, with Ireland scoring 0.9 against Portugal’s 0.7. Despite a higher military expenditure, which may reflect different strategic priorities, Ireland maintains overall better governance indices, contributing to greater institutional trust.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure in both countries is fairly developed, with Ireland’s logistics performance index scoring 3.5 and Portugal at 3.6, indicating a competitive, albeit slightly less efficient, transport system in Ireland. Internet accessibility is notably higher in Ireland, with 96.5% of the population using the internet compared to 85.8% in Portugal. This accessibility fosters better information dissemination and economic opportunities, crucial for modern economies. Additionally, Ireland's position in patent applications suggests vibrant innovation, although it falls slightly behind Portugal in the sheer number of applications per capita.

Environment and Sustainability

On the environmental front, Portugal excels with a renewable energy consumption rate of 32.3%, far surpassing Ireland’s 12.7%, marking a commitment to sustainable energy practices. Water stress levels are more pronounced in Ireland with a freshwater withdrawal rate of 22.2% as opposed to Portugal’s 12.3%, suggesting potential challenges in water management. When looking at the total greenhouse gas emissions per capita, Ireland’s emissions (10.9 tCO2e) reflect a larger environmental footprint compared to Portugal's 5 tCO2e, raising questions about sustainability efforts in higher-emission contexts.