Ireland

Broadcast media

publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 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 (2014)

Internet country code

.ie

Internet users

total: 4,069,432 | percent of population: 82.2% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Telephone system

general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay | domestic: system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas | international: country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth stations - 81 (2014)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1,897,134 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 4,950,118 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 100 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Agriculture - products

barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products

Budget

revenues: $80.81 billion | expenditures: $82.5 billion (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

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: 149

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.48% (31 December 2016 est.) | 3.36% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 163

Current account balance

$10.17 billion (2016 est.) | $28.97 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19

Debt - external

$2.47 trillion (31 March 2016 est.) | $2.35 trillion (31 March 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 9

Distribution of family income - Gini index

31.3 (2013 est.) | 35.9 (1987 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Economy - overview

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. Ireland 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. 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 and GDP grew by 5.2%. The recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 2.5% of GDP. 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 highest growth in the EU for two consecutive years. This dramatic increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than gains in the on the ground economy. Growth moderated to around 4.2% in 2016. | In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment, 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 key factors in encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to avoid taxation. In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.9214 (2016 est.) | 0.885 (2015 est.) | 0.885 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.) | 0.7752 (2012 est.)

Exports

$206 billion (2016 est.) | $216.9 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 23

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 26%, UK 12.7%, Belgium 12.6%, Germany 6.7%, Switzerland 5.4%, Netherlands 5.1%, France 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$304.4 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$325.5 billion (2016 est.) | $305.8 billion (2015 est.) | $241 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 53

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 35.1% | government consumption: 10.3% | investment in fixed capital: 31.5% | investment in inventories: 1.1% | exports of goods and services: 121.7% | imports of goods and services: -99.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1% | industry: 39.3% | services: 59.7% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$69,300 (2016 est.) | $66,500 (2015 est.) | $53,400 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 12

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2016 est.) | 25.5% (2015 est.) | 8.3% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34

Gross national saving

35.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | 32.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | 24% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$92.09 billion (2016 est.) | $94.26 billion (2015 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 28.8%, US 15.9%, France 12.6%, Germany 10.1%, Netherlands 4.7% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.2% (2016 est.) | 0% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Labor force

2.193 million (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Labor force - by occupation

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

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

Population below poverty line

8.2% (2013 est.)

Public debt

72.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | 77.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | note: data cover general government debt, and includes 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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: 46

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.591 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.203 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Stock of broad money

$204.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $206 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.404 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) | $1.403 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 8

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.411 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) | $1.381 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 6

Stock of domestic credit

$287.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $305.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Stock of narrow money

$156.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $146.7 billion (31 December 2015 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: 28

Taxes and other revenues

27.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Unemployment rate

7.9% (2016 est.) | 9.5% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

34 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117

Crude oil - imports

65,390 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 129

Electricity - consumption

23.79 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity - exports

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

Electricity - from fossil fuels

68.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

2.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - from other renewable sources

29.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15

Electricity - imports

871 million kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - installed generating capacity

9.557 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63

Electricity - production

25.2 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

5.06 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Natural gas - imports

4.234 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas - production

132 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

Natural gas - proved reserves

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 84

Refined petroleum products - consumption

151,700 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Refined petroleum products - exports

31,540 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61

Refined petroleum products - imports

119,600 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Refined petroleum products - production

64,310 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77

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

Climate

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

Coastline

1,448 km

Elevation

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

Environment - current issues

water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

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

Geographic coordinates

53 00 N, 8 00 W

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

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 443 km | border countries (1): UK 443 km

Land use

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

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

rare extreme weather events

Natural resources

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

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

Terrain

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

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

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes | citizenship by descent: yes | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 4 of the previous 8 years

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 2015 (2016)

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) Charge d'Affaires L. Reece SMYTH (since 20 January 2017) | embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 | mailing address: use embassy street address | telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 | FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: 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

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 29 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann), appointed by the president | election results: Michael D. HIGGINS elected president; percent of vote - Michael D. HIGGINS (Labor Party) 39.6%, Sean GALLAGHER (independent) 28.5%, Martin MCGUINNESS (Sinn Fein) 13.7%, Gay MITCHELL (Fine Gael) 6.4%, David NORRIS (independent) 6.2%, other 5.6%

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

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s): 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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 43 members indirectly elected by panels of various vocational interests, 11 appointed by the prime minister, and 6 elected by graduates of the University of Dublin and the National University of Ireland; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (158 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; 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 | 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

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

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

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit or AAA-PBP [collective leadership] | Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN] | Fine Gael [Leo VARADKAR] | Green Party [Eamon RYAN] | Labor (Labour) Party [Brendan HOWLIN] | Renua Ireland [John LEAHY] | Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS] | Social Democratic Party [Stephen DONNELLY, Catherine MURPHY, Roisin SHORTALL] | Socialist Party [collective leadership] | The Workers' Party [Michael DONNELLY]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Continuity IRA (terrorist group) | Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian MCCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence) | Iona Institute [David QUINN] (a conservative Catholic think tank) | Irish Anti-War Movement [Richard BOYD BARRETT] (campaigns against wars around the world) | Keep Ireland Open (environmental group) | Oglaigh na hEireann (terrorist group) | Midland Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation promoters) | New Irish Republican Army (terrorist group combining elements of the former Real IRA and Republican Action Against Drugs) | Peace and Neutrality Alliance or PANA [Roger COLE] (campaigns to protect Irish neutrality) | Rail Users Ireland (formerly the Platform 11 - transportation promoters) | 32 Country Sovereignty Movement or 32CSM (supports unifying Northern Ireland with the rest of the island under Irish government sovereignty)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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 saw the population of the island drop by one third through starvation and emigration. For more than a century after that 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. Unresolved issues 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 what is known as 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.

Military branches

Irish Defence Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn), Permanent Defence Forces (PDF): Army, Naval Service, Air Corps; Reserve Defence Forces (RDF): Army, Naval Service Reserves (2014)

Military expenditures

0.34% of GDP (2016) | 0.35% of GDP (2015) | 0.47% of GDP (2014) | 0.5% of GDP (2013) | 0.51% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 126

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF; 18-27 years of age for the Naval Service); 18-28 for cadetship (officer) applicants; 18-35 years of age for the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF); maximum obligation 12 years (PDF officers), 5 years (PDF enlisted), 3 years RDF (4 years for Naval Service Reserves); EU citizenship, refugee status, or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2014)

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.46% (male 549,864/female 525,608) | 15-24 years: 11.84% (male 301,114/female 292,055) | 25-54 years: 43.2% (male 1,087,587/female 1,077,383) | 55-64 years: 10.42% (male 261,650/female 260,737) | 65 years and over: 13.07% (male 303,078/female 352,026) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

14.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Death rate

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 142

Dependency ratios

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

Drinking water source

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

Education expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 31

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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

6,200 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Health expenditures

7.8% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 57

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 4 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.9 years | male: 78.6 years | female: 83.4 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Major urban areas - population

DUBLIN (capital) 1.169 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156

Median age

total: 36.8 years | male: 36.4 years | female: 37.1 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.7 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

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

Net migration rate

4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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

Physicians density

2.79 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Population

5,011,102 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121

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

Population growth rate

1.15% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

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.)

Sanitation facility access

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 19 years | male: 19 years | female: 19 years (2014)

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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.97 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 20.9% | male: 23.6% | female: 17.6% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Urbanization

urban population: 63.8% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 1.45% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international

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

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 99 (2016)

Airports

40 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 105

Airports - with paved runways

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

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

EI (2016)

Merchant marine

total: 31 | by type: cargo 28, chemical tanker 2, container 1 | foreign-owned: 5 (France 2, Spain 1, US 2) | registered in other countries: 33 (Bahamas 3, Bermuda 1, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Kazakhstan 1, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 6, Netherlands 8, Panama 1, Russia 1, Slovakia 1, Sweden 1, UK 1) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 85

National air transport system

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

Pipelines

gas 2,147 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Dublin, Shannon Foynes | river port(s): Cork (Lee), Waterford (Suir) | container port(s) (TEUs): Dublin (1,931,001)

Railways

total: 3,237 km | broad gauge: 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (49 km electrified) | narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2014) | country comparison to the world: 55

Roadways

total: 96,036 km | paved: 96,036 km (includes 1,224 km of expressways) (2014) | country comparison to the world: 51

Waterways

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