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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.ie

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

1.387 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 40

Internet users [time series]

3.042 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 67

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

2.007 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 57

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4.906 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 114

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $75.32 billion expenditures: $91.3 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-7.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Central bank discount rate [time series]

0.75% (31 December 2013) country comparison to the world: 124 1.5% (31 December 2010) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

3.2% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 3.55% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$7.3 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $9.245 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.164 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $2.213 trillion (31 December 2011)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

33.9 (2010) country comparison to the world: 97 35.9 (1987)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 has dropped sharply since the onset of the world financial crisis. Ireland entered into a recession in 2008 for the first time in more than a decade, with the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry. Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2007 than in any other developed economy. Since their 2007 peak, average house prices have fallen 47%. 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. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. In 2008 the former COWEN government moved to guarantee all bank deposits, recapitalize the banking system, and establish partly-public venture capital funds in response to the country's economic downturn. In 2009, in continued efforts to stabilize the banking sector, the Irish Government established the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to acquire problem commercial property and development loans from Irish banks. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. In addition to across-the-board cuts in spending, the 2009 budget included wage reductions for all public servants. 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 - because of additional government support for the country’s deeply troubled banking sector. 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 fragile banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. Since entering office in March 2011, the new KENNY government has intensified austerity measures to try to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF program. Ireland has grown slowly since 2011, but managed to reduce the budget deficit to 7.2% of GDP in 2013. 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.

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.) 0.755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports [time series]

$113.6 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $119.3 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 17.9%, UK 17.3%, Belgium 15.6%, Germany 8.4%, Switzerland 5.8%, France 5% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$220.9 billion (2013 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$190.4 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $189.3 billion (2012 est.) $189 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 50.2% government consumption: 14.8% investment in fixed capital: 10% investment in inventories: 0% exports of goods and services: 106.8% imports of goods and services: -81.9% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 1.6% industry: 28% services: 70.4% (2013 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$41,300 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $41,300 (2012 est.) $41,300 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 0.2% (2012 est.) 2.2% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

13.4% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 15.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 12.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$61.51 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $63.63 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

UK 39.8%, US 13.2%, Germany 7.6%, Netherlands 5.7% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

0.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 1.7% (2012 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.161 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 5% industry: 19% services: 76% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$109 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $108.1 billion (31 December 2011) $60.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

5.5% (2009)

Public debt [time series]

124.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 117.6% of GDP (2012 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.707 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $1.703 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$238 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $238.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$792.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $766 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$777.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $725.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$425.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $433.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$121.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $122.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 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

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

34.1% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Unemployment rate [time series]

13.5% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 14.7% (2012 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

36.57 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

1,858 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Crude oil - imports [time series]

62,070 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Crude oil - production [time series]

725.6 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Electricity - consumption [time series]

26.1 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Electricity - exports [time series]

370 million kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

76.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

2.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

17.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Electricity - imports [time series]

724 million kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

8.316 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Electricity - production [time series]

26.04 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

5.506 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Natural gas - imports [time series]

4.522 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas - production [time series]

373 million cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

144,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

26,120 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

166,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

59,630 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 70,273 sq km country comparison to the world: 120 land: 68,883 sq km water: 1,390 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

1,448 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.79 cu km/yr (94%/6%/0%) per capita: 226.9 cu m/yr (2007)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

53 00 N, 8 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

11 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 443 km border countries: UK 443 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 15.11% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 84.87% (2011)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

52 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937; amended many times, last in 2013 (2013)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stuart DWYER (since 5 September 2013) 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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Anne Colette ANDERSON (since 28 August 2013) chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco; note - Ireland will open a consulate general in Austin by the end of 2014

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 29 October 2011) head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda KENNY (since 9 March 2011) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the lower house of Parliament (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-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) and appointed by the president election results: Michael D. HIGGINS elected president; percent of vote - Michael D. HIGGINS 39.6%, Sean GALLAGHER 28.5%, Martin MCGUINNESS 13.7%, Gay MITCHELL 6.4%, David NORRIS 6.2%, other 5.6%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

republic, parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Court of Final Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 7 judges) judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president; judges serve till age 70 subordinate courts: High Court, Court of Criminal Appeal; circuit and district courts

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in 27 April 2011 (next to be held 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 25 February 2011 (next to be held probably in 2016) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fine Gael 19, Fianna Fail 14, Labor Party 12, Sinn Fein 3, independents 12; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fine Gael 36.1%, Labor Party 19.5%, Fianna Fail 17.5%, Sinn Fein 9.9%, United Left Alliance 2.6%, independents and others 14.4%; seats by party - Fine Gael 76, Labor Party 37, Fianna Fail 20, Sinn Fein 14, United Left Alliance 5, independents 14

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song)

National holiday [time series]

Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March

National symbol(s) [time series]

harp, shamrock (trefoil)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN] Fine Gael [Enda KENNY] Green Party [Eamon RYAN] Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE] New Vision Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS] Socialist Party [Collective Leadership] The Workers' Party [Michael FINNEGAN] United Left Alliance

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

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); Oglaigh na hEireann (terrorist group); Continuity IRA (terrorist group); New Irish Republican Army (terrorist group combining elements of the former Real IRA and Republican Action Against Drugs); Keep Ireland Open (environmental group); Midland Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation promoters); Peace and Neutrality Alliance [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 [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 which touched off several years of guerrilla warfare resulting in independence from the UK in 1921 for 26 southern counties; six northern 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 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 Eurozone 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

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,179,125 females age 16-49: 1,163,728 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 977,631 females age 16-49: 965,900 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 28,564 female: 27,197 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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 [time series]

0.55% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 125 0.59% of GDP (2011) 0.55% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.4% (male 529,140/female 506,857) 15-24 years: 11.9% (male 292,962/female 283,127) 25-54 years: 44.1% (male 1,070,875/female 1,061,396) 55-64 years: 10.1% (male 245,913/female 244,345) 65 years and over: 12.1% (male 275,114/female 323,036) (2014 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.18 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

64.8% note: percent of women aged 18-49 (2004/05)

Death rate [time series]

6.45 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 51.4 % youth dependency ratio: 32.7 % elderly dependency ratio: 18.7 % potential support ratio: 5.4 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.1% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.4% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 31

Ethnic groups [time series]

Irish 84.5%, other white 9.8%, Asian 1.9%, black 1.4%, mixed and other 0.9%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

6,900 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

9.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 35

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.74 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 202 male: 4.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken mainly in areas along the western coast)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.56 years country comparison to the world: 27 male: 78.28 years female: 82.97 years (2014 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

DUBLIN (capital) 1.121 million (2011)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 169

Median age [time series]

total: 35.7 years male: 35.4 years female: 36.1 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

29.8 note: data are based on events and not on fertility rates (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

25.2% (2008) country comparison to the world: 57

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.19 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

4,832,765 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Population growth rate [time series]

1.2% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 84.7%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 2.7%, Muslim 1.1%, other 1.7%, unspecified 1.5%, none 5.7% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 97.9% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 2.1% of population total: 1% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 19 years male: 19 years female: 19 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 24% country comparison to the world: 42 male: 36.4% female: 24% (2012)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 62.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.63% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Illicit drugs [time series]

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 [time series]

stateless persons: 73 (2012)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

40 (2013) country comparison to the world: 105

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 31 country comparison to the world: 83 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)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 2,147 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 3,237 km country comparison to the world: 54 broad gauge: 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (37 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) (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 96,036 km country comparison to the world: 49 paved: 96,036 km (includes 1,224 km of expressways) (2014)

Waterways [time series]

956 km (pleasure craft only) (2010) country comparison to the world: 68