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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 1,401,356 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2017 est.)

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: 4,069,432 (July 2016 est.) | percent of population: 82.2% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay; previous depressed economic climate has changed to one with Ireland having one of the highest GDP growth rates in Europe which translates to mean spending among telecom consumers; introduction of flat-rate plans; upgraded LTE technologies in rural areas; government intends to spend millions on Nat. Broadband Plan (2017) | domestic: increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas; fixed-line 37 per 100 and mobile-cellular 98 per 100 subscriptions (2017) | international: country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth stations - 81 (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 1,842,026 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2017 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 4,898,872 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2017 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products

Budget [time series]

revenues: 86.04 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 87.19 billion (2017 est.)

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

-0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

4.08% (31 December 2017 est.) | 3.48% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$28.14 billion (2017 est.) | -$12.59 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.47 trillion (31 March 2016 est.) | $2.35 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

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

31.3 (2013 est.) | 35.9 (1987 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. It 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 during 2008-11. 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. 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 magnitude of the increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings in intellectual property, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than real gains in the domestic economy, which was still growing. Growth moderated to around 4.1% in 2017, but the recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 0.6% of GDP. In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment during the 2008-11 economic crisis, 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 some of the key factors in encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to pay less tax or, in the case of U.S. multinationals, defer taxation owed to the United States. In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the Irish government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole. The Irish economy continued to grow in 2017 and is forecast to do so through 2019, supported by a strong export sector, robust job growth, and low inflation, to the point that the Government must now address concerns about overheating and potential loss of competitiveness. The greatest risks to the economy are the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union ("Brexit") in March 2019, possible changes to international taxation policies that could affect Ireland’s revenues, and global trade pressures.

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.885 (2017 est.) | 0.903 (2016 est.) | 0.9214 (2015 est.) | 0.885 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$219.7 billion (2017 est.) | $206 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 27.1%, UK 13.4%, Belgium 11%, Germany 8.1%, Switzerland 5.1%, Netherlands 4.9%, France 4.3% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$331.5 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

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

$353.3 billion (2017 est.) | $329.5 billion (2016 est.) | $314.1 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 34% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 10.1% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 23.4% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 119.9% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -89.7% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 1.2% (2017 est.) | industry: 38.6% (2017 est.) | services: 60.2% (2017 est.)

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

$73,200 (2017 est.) | $69,100 (2016 est.) | $66,600 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

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

7.2% (2017 est.) | 4.9% (2016 est.) | 25% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

33.1% of GDP (2017 est.) | 33.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | 29% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$98.13 billion (2017 est.) | $92.09 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

UK 29%, US 18.9%, France 12.1%, Germany 9.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

7.8% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.3% (2017 est.) | -0.2% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.226 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$128 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $143.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $170.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

8.2% (2013 est.)

Public debt [time series]

68.6% of GDP (2017 est.) | 73.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | note: data cover general government debt and include 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 intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental 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]

$4.412 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $2.203 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$191.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $156.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$1.56 trillion (31 December 2017 est.) | $1.404 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

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

$1.54 trillion (31 December 2017 est.) | $1.411 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$299.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $287.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$191.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $156.2 billion (31 December 2016 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

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

26% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.7% (2017 est.) | 8.4% (2016 est.)

Energy

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

36.91 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

5,900 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

66,210 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

25.68 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

1.583 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

65% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

33% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

871 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

9.945 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

28.53 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

5.238 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.642 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

3.511 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

153,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

37,040 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

126,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

64,970 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 70,273 sq km | 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 [time series]

mean elevation: 118 m | elevation extremes: 0 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean | 1041 highest point: Carrauntoohil

Environment - current issues [time series]

water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff; acid rain kills plants, destroys soil fertility, and contributes to deforestation

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

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]

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

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

rare extreme weather events

Natural resources [time series]

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

Population distribution [time series]

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 [time series]

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

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]

citizenship by birth: no, unless a parent of a child born in Ireland has been legally resident in Ireland for at least three of the four years prior to the birth of the child | citizenship by descent only: yes | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 4 of the previous 8 years

Constitution [time series]

history: previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937 (2018) | 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 2018 (2018)

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

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) 630-6200 (2018) | FAX: [353] (1) 688-9946 (2018)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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 [time series]

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 26 October 2018 (next to be held no later than November 2025); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann), appointed by the president | election results: Michael D. HIGGINS reelected president; percent of vote - Michael D. HIGGINS (independent) 55.8%, Peter CASEY (independent) 23.3%, Sean GALLAGHER (independent) 6.4%, Liadh NI RIADA (Sinn Fein) 6.4%, Joan FREEMAN (independent) 6%, Gavin DUFFY (independent) 2.2%

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]

parliamentary republic

Independence [time series]

6 December 1921 (from the UK by the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which ended British rule); 6 December 1922 (Irish Free State established); 18 April 1949 (Republic of Ireland Act enabled)

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 courts: 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 by Supreme Court

Legislative branch [time series]

description: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of: Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 43 members indirectly elected from 5 vocational panels of nominees by an electoral college consisting of members from the House of Representatives, outgoing Senate members, and city and county council members, 11 appointed by the prime minister, and 6 elected by 2 university constituencies - 3 each from the University of Dublin (Trinity College) and the National University of Ireland) House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (158 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; all Parliament 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; composition - men 42, women 18, percent of women 30% 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; composition - men 123, women 35, percent of women 22.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 24.3%

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; 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) [time series]

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

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

Solidarity-People Before Profit or AAAS-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 [Mary Lou MCDONALD] Social Democrats [Catherine MURPHY, Roisin SHORTALL] Socialist Party [collective leadership] The Workers' Party [Michael DONNELLY]

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 was responsible for a drop in the island's population by more than one quarter through starvation, disease, and emigration. For more than a century afterward, 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. Deep sectarian divides between the Catholic and Protestant populations and systemic discrimination 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 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 and Security

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]

0.34% of GDP (2016) | 0.35% of GDP (2015) | 0.47% of GDP (2014) | 0.5% of GDP (2013) | 0.51% of GDP (2012)

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: 21.37% (male 554,110 /female 529,067) | 15-24 years: 11.92% (male 306,052 /female 297,890) | 25-54 years: 42.86% (male 1,091,495 /female 1,080,594) | 55-64 years: 10.53% (male 267,255 /female 266,438) | 65 years and over: 13.32% (male 312,694 /female 362,455) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Europe :: Ireland Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Ireland. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

13.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

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

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.9% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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 [time series]

0.2% (2017 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

<100 (2017 est.)

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

7,200 (2017 est.)

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

7.8% of GDP (2014)

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | female: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 39.8% of the population as of 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 [time series]

total population: 81 years (2018 est.) | male: 78.7 years (2018 est.) | female: 83.5 years (2018 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

1.201 million DUBLIN (capital) (2018)

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

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 37.1 years | male: 36.8 years | female: 37.5 years (2018 est.)

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

30.7 years (2015 est.)

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

25.3% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.96 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population [time series]

5,068,050 (July 2018 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

1.11% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

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 [time series]

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

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

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | total population: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.96 children born/woman (2018 est.)

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

total: 17.2% (2016 est.) | male: 19.5% (2016 est.) | female: 14.6% (2016 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 63.2% of total population (2018) | rate of urbanization: 1.14% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s) (Terrorist groups - foreign based) [time series]

Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA): aim(s): to bring about a united Ireland area(s) of operation: maintains an operational presence (April 2018) | New Irish Republican Army (NIRA): aim(s): to bring about a united Ireland area(s) of operation: maintains an operational presence note: formerly known as the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) (April 2018)

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 (2017)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

40 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

EI (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 83 (2017) | by type: bulk carrier 9, general cargo 28, oil tanker 1, other 45 (2017)

National air transport system [time series]

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

Pipelines [time series]

2147 km gas (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Dublin, Shannon Foynes | cruise port(s): Cork, Dublin | container port(s) (TEUs): Dublin (529,563) (2016) | river port(s): Cork (Lee), Waterford (Suir)

Railways [time series]

total: 3,237 km (2014) | 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) | broad gauge: 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (49 km electrified) (2014)

Roadways [time series]

total: 96,036 km (2014) | paved: 96,036 km (includes 1,224 km of expressways) (2014)

Waterways [time series]

956 km (pleasure craft only) (2010)