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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 [time series]

total: 3.9 million | percent of population: 81.6% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998)

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 [time series]

total subscriptions: 2.02 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 4.9 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 101 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

4 (many repeaters) (2008)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $85.97 billion | expenditures: $96.11 billion (2014 est.)

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

-4% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150

Central bank discount rate [time series]

0.75% (31 December 2013) | 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 | country comparison to the world: 136

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

3.41% (31 December 2014 est.) | 3.28% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

Current account balance [time series]

$9.08 billion (2014 est.) | $7.379 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28

Debt - external [time series]

$1.748 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.635 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

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

33.9 (2010) | 35.9 (1987) | country comparison to the world: 98

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 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 3.6%. The recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 4.2% of GDP. In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program. 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% has been central to encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to avoid taxation. Amid growing international pressure the government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a loophole.

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.7489 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.) | 0.78 (2012 est.) | 0.7185 (2011 est.) | 0.755 (2010 est.)

Exports [time series]

$144.8 billion (2014 est.) | $116.1 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 20.6%, UK 16%, Belgium 14.1%, Germany 6.8%, Switzerland 6.3%, France 5.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2014)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$250.8 billion (2014 est.)

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

$236.4 billion (2014 est.) | $224.7 billion (2013 est.) | $221.5 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 61

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

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

agriculture: 1.6% | industry: 25.6% | services: 72.8% (2014 est.)

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

$51,300 (2014 est.) | $48,700 (2013 est.) | $48,100 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 21

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

5.2% (2014 est.) | 1.4% (2013 est.) | 0.2% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 51

Gross national saving [time series]

23.1% of GDP (2014 est.) | 19.5% of GDP (2013 est.) | 17.1% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$84.38 billion (2014 est.) | $66.1 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

UK 38.8%, US 10.3%, Germany 8.5%, Netherlands 6.2%, China 4% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

6.8% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 23

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.3% (2014 est.) | 0.5% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34

Labor force [time series]

2.157 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121

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.) | $108.1 billion (31 December 2011) | $60.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42

Population below poverty line [time series]

5.5% (2009 est.)

Public debt [time series]

107.6% of GDP (2014 est.) | 117.9% of GDP (2013 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: 11

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.748 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.635 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

Stock of broad money [time series]

$255.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $267.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$939.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $913.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10

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

$831.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $788.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 11

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$380.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $477.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$143.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $158.9 billion (31 December 2013 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: 27

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

34.3% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68

Unemployment rate [time series]

11.3% (2014 est.) | 13.1% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Energy

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

35.49 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Crude oil - exports [time series]

4,866 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Crude oil - imports [time series]

66,490 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 52

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127

Electricity - consumption [time series]

24.24 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity - exports [time series]

388 million kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

71% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

2.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

23% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 11

Electricity - imports [time series]

2.508 billion kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

8.759 million kW (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63

Electricity - production [time series]

25.85 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

4.408 billion cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - imports [time series]

4.246 billion cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Natural gas - production [time series]

152 million cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

142,500 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

23,020 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

105,700 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

57,790 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78

Geography

Area [time series]

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

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 (1): UK 443 km

Land use [time series]

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

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 flat 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

Citizenship [time series]

dual citizenship recognized: yes

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 2015 (2015)

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 Kevin F. O'MALLEY (since 8 October 2014) | 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, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 11 November 2011) | head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda KENNY (since 9 March 2011) | cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the 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 (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]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; 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), 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 [time series]

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 [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]

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 Parliament or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) | elections: Senate - last held in 27 April 2011 (next to be held probably in 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, independent 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%, independent and other 14.4%; seats by party - Fine Gael 76, Labor Party 37, Fianna Fail 20, Sinn Fein 14, United Left Alliance 5, independent 14

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

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 [time series]

Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March

National symbol(s) [time series]

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

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

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

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 [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 that 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 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

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]

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: 21.5% (male 537,239/female 514,369) | 15-24 years: 11.84% (male 294,771/female 284,710) | 25-54 years: 43.82% (male 1,076,579/female 1,067,193) | 55-64 years: 10.23% (male 250,926/female 249,453) | 65 years and over: 12.61% (male 284,399/female 332,666) (2015 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.84 births/1,000 population (2015 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]

6.48 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 53.7% | youth dependency ratio: 33.5% | elderly dependency ratio: 20.2% | potential support ratio: 5% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.2% of GDP (2011) | 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]

0.28% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

100 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

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

8,000 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

8.9% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 57

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 4.07 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Languages [time series]

English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 38.7% of the population as a first or second language in 2011; mainly spoken in areas along the western coast)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.68 years | male: 78.39 years | female: 83.11 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Major urban areas - population [time series]

DUBLIN (capital) 1.169 million (2015)

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

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169

Median age [time series]

total: 36.1 years | male: 35.8 years | female: 36.4 years (2015 est.)

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

4.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

27% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 57

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.67 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population [time series]

4,892,305 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123

Population growth rate [time series]

1.25% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

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]

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

total: 19 years | male: 19 years | female: 18 years (2012)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.99 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123

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

total: 24% | male: 36.4% | female: 24% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 63.2% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.58% 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: 99 (2014)

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 | 21 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

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: 84

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 | 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: 54

Roadways [time series]

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

Waterways [time series]

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