Ireland

Parliamentary RepublicPop5.4MGDP (PPP)$620.5BCI85Beta CP0.0→Beta

Some figures reconciled across multiple sources via Civica's methodology (v0.2 BETA). Methodology →

Ireland

⌘K

Overview

Background: Celtic tribes arrived in Ireland between 600 and 150 B.C. Norse invasions that began in the late 8th century 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 caused an almost 25-percent decline in the island's population through starvation, disease, and emigration. The population of the island continued to fall until the 1960s, but 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 galvanized nationalist sentiment. The ensuing guerrilla war led to independence from the UK in 1921 with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the creation of the Irish Free State. The treaty was deeply controversial in Ireland, in part because it helped solidify the country's partition, with six of the 32 counties remaining in the UK as Northern Ireland. The split between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty partisans led to the Irish Civil War (1922-23). The traditionally dominant political parties in Ireland, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, are de facto descendants of the opposing sides of the treaty debate. Ireland declared itself a republic in 1949 and formally left the British Dominion.

Beginning in the 1960s, deep sectarian divides between the Catholic and Protestant populations and systemic discrimination in Northern Ireland erupted into years of violence known as the Troubles. In 1998, the governments of Ireland and the UK, along with most political parties in Northern Ireland, reached the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement with the support of the US. This agreement helped end the Troubles and 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 that came to an abrupt end in 2008 with the meltdown of the Irish banking system. As a small, open economy, Ireland has excelled at courting foreign direct investment, especially from US multi-nationals, which has helped the economy recover from the financial crisis and insulated it somewhat from the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Geography

Area

Land: 68,883 sq km
Water: 1,390 sq km
Total: 70,273 sq km

Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast

Land Use

Other: 27.3% (2023 est.)
Forest: 11.9% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: 60.8% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 6.4% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 54.4% (2023 est.)

Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Coastline: 1,448 km

Elevation

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m
Mean elevation: 118 m

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2022)
Map references: Europe

Land Boundaries

Total: 490 km
Border countries: UK 499 km

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards: rare extreme weather events
Geography note: strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin
Natural resources: natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite
Area comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W
Population distribution: population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, and lack of transport routes

People & Society

Languages: English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 37.7% of the population)
Religions: Roman Catholic 69.2% (includes lapsed), Protestant 3.7% (Church of Ireland/England/Anglican/Episcopalian 2.5%, other Protestant 1.2%), Orthodox 2%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 1.6%, other 1.4%, agnostic/atheist 0.1%, none 14.5%, unspecified 6.7% (2022 est.)

Sex Ratio

At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0 14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15 64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

Birth rate: 10.95 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median Age

Male: 39.7 years
Total: 40.5 years (2025 est.)
Female: 40.6 years

Population

Male: 2,590,542
Total: 5,233,461 (2024 est.)
Female: 2,642,919

Nationality

Noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)
Adjective: Irish

Tobacco Use

Male: 19.2% (2025 est.)
Total: 16.8% (2025 est.)
Female: 14.4% (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 64.5% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Age Structure

0 14 years: 18.6% (male 498,124/female 477,848)
15 64 years: 65.5% (male 1,701,680/female 1,728,041)
65 years and over: 15.8% (2024 est.) (male 390,738/female 437,030)

Ethnic groups: Irish 76.6%, Irish travelers 0.6%, other White 9.9%, Asian 3.3%, Black 1.5%, other (includes Arab, Roma, and persons of mixed backgrounds) 2%, unspecified 2.6% (2022 est.)

Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 52.6 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 28.5 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 4.1 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 24.1 (2024 est.)

Physician density: 3.88 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Health Expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 6.1% of GDP (2022)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 22.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Net migration rate: 4.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved: rural: rural: 97% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total: total: 96% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban: urban: 95.4% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural: rural: 3% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 4% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban: urban: 4.6% of population (2022 est.)

Education Expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 2.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 12.3% national budget (2021 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Total: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate: 0.8% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 0.83 (2025 est.)
Population distribution: population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, and lack of transport routes

Life Expectancy at Birth

Male: 80.3 years
Female: 83.9 years
Total population: 82 years (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved: rural: rural: 98.2% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total: total: 96.1% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban: urban: 94.8% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural: rural: 1.8% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban: urban: 5.2% of population (2022 est.)

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

Beer: 4.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 2.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total: 10.91 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits: 2.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols: 0.82 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Major urban areas population: 1.270 million DUBLIN (capital) (2023)
Obesity adult prevalence rate: 25.3% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 30.9 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15 49): 47.1% (2022 est.)

School Life Expectancy (Primary to Tertiary Education)

Male: 19 years (2022 est.)
Total: 19 years (2022 est.)
Female: 20 years (2022 est.)

Government

Civica · structure

How power is organised

ExecutiveLegislative

Flag: description: three equal vertical bands of green (left side), white, and orange

meaning: the flag colors have no official meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green stands for the Irish nationalist tradition, orange for the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange), and white for peace or a lasting truce between the green and the orange

Capital

Name: Dublin
Etymology: derived from the Irish words dubh (black or dark) and linn (pool), referring to the color of the Liffey River
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
Geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

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

History: previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937
Amendment process: 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

Country Name

Etymology: the Irish name Eire evolved from the Gaelic name Eriu, which is possibly derived from the Old Celtic iveriu, meaning "good land;" the English name, Ireland, is a direct translation
Local long form: none
Local short form: Eire
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Ireland

Independence: 6 December 1921 (from the UK); 6 December 1922 (Irish Free State established); 18 April 1949 (Republic of Ireland Act enabled)
Legal system: common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
Government type: parliamentary republic

Judicial Branch

Highest court(s): Supreme Court of Ireland (consists of the chief justice, 9 judges, 2 ex-officio members -- the presidents of the High Court and Court of Appeal -- and organized in 3-, 5-, or 7-judge panels, depending on the importance or complexity of an issue of law)
Subordinate courts: High Court, Court of Appeal; circuit and district courts; criminal courts
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

Executive Branch

Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the Dali Eireann (lower house of Parliament)
Chief of state: President Catherine CONNOLLY (since 11 November 2025)
Election results: 2025: Michael MARTIN is elected taoiseach by parliament, 95 votes to 76, and is appointed taoiseach by the president

2024: Simon HARRIS is elected taoiseach by parliament, 88 votes to 69, and is appointed taoiseach by the president

2018: Michael D. HIGGINS reelected president in first round; percent of vote in first round - 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%
Head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Michael MARTIN (since 23 January 2025)
Most recent election date: 26 October 2018
Election/appointment process: president directly elected by majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann), appointed by the president
Expected date of next election: no later than November 2025

National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
National color(s): blue, green

National Heritage

Total world heritage sites: 2 (both cultural)
Selected world heritage site locales: Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne; Sceilg Mhichíl

Political parties: Aontu
Solidarity-People Before Profit or PBP-S
Fianna Fail
Fine Gael
Green Party
Human Dignity Alliance
Independent Ireland
Labor (Labour) Party
100% Redress
Right to Change or RTC
Sinn Fein
Social Democrats
Socialist Party
The Workers' Party

Legislative Branch

Legislature name: Parliament (Oireachtas)
Legislative structure: bicameral

National Anthem(s)

Title: "Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song)
History: adopted 1926; the song "Ireland's Call" is often used as the anthem at athletic events if citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland are competing as a unified team
Lyrics/music: Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY

National symbol(s): harp, shamrock (trefoil)
National coat of arms: the coat of arms features a gold harp on a blue shield and dates back to the 13th century, although it only became official in 1945; the harp, a national symbol that Ireland adopted after gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1921, represents the country’s history, culture, and national identity
Administrative divisions: 28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Legislative Branch Lower Chamber

Chamber name: House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann)
Term in office: 5 years
Number of seats: 174 (all directly elected)
Electoral system: proportional representation
Scope of elections: full renewal
Most recent election date: 1/29/2025 to 1/30/2025
Expected date of next election: November 2029
Percentage of women in chamber: 25.3%
Parties elected and seats per party: Fianna Fáil (48); Sinn Féin (39); Fine Gael (38); Social Democratic Party (11); Labour Party (11); Independents (16); Other (11)

Legislative Branch Upper Chamber

Chamber name: Senate (Seanad Éireann - Senate)
Term in office: 5 years
Number of seats: 60 (49 indirectly elected; 11 appointed)
Scope of elections: full renewal
Most recent election date: 11/29/2024
Expected date of next election: January 2030
Percentage of women in chamber: 45%
Parties elected and seats per party: Fianna Fail (19); Fine Gael (18); Sinn Fein (6); Independents (12); other (5)

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Fax: [1] (202) 232-5993
Chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939
Chief of mission: Ambassador Geraldine BYRNE NASON (since 16 September 2022)
Consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Email address and website: https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/washington/

Diplomatic Representation from the US

Fax: [353] (1) 688-8056
Embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777
Mailing address: 5290 Dublin Place, Washington DC  20521-5290
Chief of mission: Ambassador Edward S. WALSH (since 1 July 2025)
Email address and website: ACSDublin@state.gov

https://ie.usembassy.gov/

International organisations: 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, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Legislature

IRELAND · LOWER HOUSE

House of Representatives

174 seats · hover a seat for the party

Total seats

174

Majority line

Largest party

Fianna Fáil

Parties

All political parties11 parties · 174 seats · click to dim in hemicycle

Upper house

IRELAND · UPPER HOUSE

Senate

60 seats · hover a seat for the party

Total seats

Majority line

Largest party

Fianna Fáil

Parties

All political parties9 parties · 60 seats · click to dim in hemicycle

Leaders

Current

CC
Catherine Connolly
- Head of StateSince 2025
MM
Micheál Martin
- Head of GovernmentSince 2025

Economy

Budget

Note: note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Revenues: $118.231 billion (2022 est.)
Expenditures: $108.693 billion (2022 est.)

Exports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $877.1B

Note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports 2021: $722.655 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022: $763.233 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $761.876 billion (2023 est.)

Imports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $622.5B

Note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports 2021: $500.334 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022: $536.882 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $580.399 billion (2023 est.)

Industries: pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices
Labor force: 2.857 million (2024 est.)

Public Debt

Civica canonical (reconciled): 32.9%

Note: note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Public debt 2022: 45.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances

Note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2021: 0% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

Exchange Rates

Currency: euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020: 0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024: 0.924 (2024 est.)

Economic overview: high-income, export-oriented EU economy; large multinational business sector contributes to growth and tax revenues but poses volatility risks; high living standards; strong labor market challenged by skill shortages and aging workforce

Unemployment Rate

Civica canonical (reconciled): 4.6%

Note: note: % of labor force seeking employment
Unemployment rate 2022: 4.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 4.3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024: 4.4% (2024 est.)

Exports partners: USA 28%, Germany 11%, UK 8%, Belgium 8%, China 7% (2023)
Imports partners: UK 20%, USA 17%, France 10%, China 7%, Germany 7% (2023)

Real GDP Per Capita

Civica canonical (reconciled): $133,437

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita 2022: $124,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $115,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024: $115,300 (2024 est.)

Real GDP Growth Rate

Civica canonical (reconciled): 12.3%

Note: note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 8.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: -5.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 1.2% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products: milk, barley, beef, wheat, potatoes, pork, oats, chicken, rapeseed, beans (2023)
Exports commodities: vaccines, packaged medicine, nitrogen compounds, integrated circuits, hormones (2023)
Imports commodities: aircraft, nitrogen compounds, vaccines, packaged medicine, integrated circuits (2023)

Current Account Balance

Civica canonical (reconciled): $106.0B

Note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Current account balance 2021: $65.118 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $48.427 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: $44.744 billion (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues: 16.8% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $577.389 billion (2024 est.)

GDP Composition, BY End Use

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Household consumption: 26.8% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 12.2% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories: 3.1% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 23.2% (2023 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 135.1% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -102.2% (2023 est.)

Population below poverty line: 14% (2021 est.)

Average Household Expenditures

On food: 8.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
On alcohol and tobacco: 4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Civica canonical (reconciled): 2.1%

Note: note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 7.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 6.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 2.1% (2024 est.)

Industrial production growth rate: -4.9% (2024 est.)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

Civica canonical (reconciled): $620.544 billion (2024 est.)

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $648.943 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $613.056 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $620.544 billion (2024 est.)

Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15 24)

Male: 11.2% (2024 est.)
Note: note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Total: 11.1% (2024 est.)
Female: 11% (2024 est.)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Note: note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $13.039 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $12.905 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $12.698 billion (2024 est.)

GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Industry: 30.8% (2024 est.)
Services: 61.8% (2024 est.)
Agriculture: 1.1% (2024 est.)

Note: note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Lowest 10%: 3.6% (2022 est.)
Highest 10%: 24.5% (2022 est.)

Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income

Note: note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Gini index coefficient distribution of family income 2022: 29.9 (2022 est.)

Energy

Coal

Exports: 76,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 1.711 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Consumption: 1.341 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 40 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Total petroleum production: 600 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 159,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Electricity

Exports: 441.615 million kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 3.89 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Consumption: 32.282 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 12.321 million kW (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 2.489 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Natural Gas

Imports: 3.707 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Production: 1.165 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Consumption: 4.919 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 9.911 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Energy Consumption Per Capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 113.837 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Electricity Generation Sources

Wind: 37% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Fossil fuels: 55.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Hydroelectricity: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Biomass and waste: 3.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Communications

Internet Users

Percent of population: 97% (2023 est.)

Broadcast media: publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 4 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households use 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; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2019)
Internet country code: .ie

Telephones Fixed Lines

Total subscriptions: 1.176 million (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Total subscriptions: 5.76 million (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (2022 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Total: 1.65 million (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2023 est.)

Transport

Ports

Large: 1
Small: 3
Medium: 3
Key ports: Cobh, Cork, Dublin, Foynes
Very small: 14
Total ports: 21 (2024)
Ports with oil terminals: 8

Airports: 100 (2025)

Railways

Total: 1,688 km (2020) 53 km electrified

Heliports: 10 (2025)

Merchant Marine

Total: 94 (2023)
BY type: bulk carrier 12, general cargo 32, oil tanker 1, other 49

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: EI

Environment

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

Geoparks

Global geoparks and regional networks: Burren & Cliffs of Moher; Copper Coast; Marble Arch Caves (includes United Kingdom) (2023)
Total global geoparks and regional networks: 3

Land Use

Other: 27.3% (2023 est.)
Forest: 11.9% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: 60.8% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 6.4% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 54.4% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 64.5% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and Recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.911 million tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 42.4% (2022 est.)

Environmental issues: water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff; deforestation, including problems with acid rain

Total Water Withdrawal

Municipal: 1.106 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Industrial: 531.82 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Agricultural: 39.63 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Total emissions: 35.486 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 9.822 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.029 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 22.635 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions: 7.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 52 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

International Environmental Agreements

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
Signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Marine Life Conservation

Military & Security

Military note: the Irish Defense Forces (IDF) are responsible for external defense, assisting civil authorities upon request, participating in multinational peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, and providing for maritime security; the IDF traces its origins back to the Irish Volunteers, a unit established in 1913 which took part in the 1916 Easter Rising and the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921)

Ireland has a long-standing policy of military neutrality; however, Ireland is a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy and has committed a battalion of troops to the EU’s Rapid Reaction Force; Ireland is not a member of NATO but has a relationship with it going back to 1997, when it deployed personnel in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ireland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1999; it has been active in UN peacekeeping operations since the 1950s (2025)
Military deployments: 330 Lebanon (UNIFIL); also contributes small numbers of troops to EU, NATO, and other UN missions (2025)

Military Expenditures

Civica canonical (reconciled): 0.2%

Military expenditures 2020: 0.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military expenditures 2021: 0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures 2022: 0.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures 2023: 0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures 2024: 0.2% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military and security forces: Irish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn): Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve Defense Forces (2025)
Military service age and obligation: 18-38 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service (2026)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Irish Defense Forces have an inventory of imported weapons systems from a variety of mostly European countries (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 7,500 active-duty Defense Forces (authorized establishment of 9,500) (2025)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s): Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA); Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

Refugees: 156,441 (2024 est.)
Stateless persons: 48 (2024 est.)

Scores & Rankings

ScoreValueGlobal rankTrendAs of

Civica Index85.0 / 100as of 2024-Q48 / 190−1.02024-Q4

V-Dem Liberal Democracy0.83as of 2024-Q46 / 170+0.012024-Q4

Freedom House StatusFree (100/100)as of 2024-Q4—−1.02024-Q4

Press Freedom (RSF)Free press (85/100)as of 2024—2024

Human Development Index0.950as of 2022—2022

Corruption Perceptions Index77 / 100as of 202311 / 1802023

Cite this page

Cite this pageAPA · BibTeX · Chicago · JSON

Civica. (2026). Civica Atlas — Ireland — vintage 2026-Q1: Ireland factbook. Civica Atlas. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://civicaatlas.org/factbook/ireland

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Sources: Eurostat, FAO FAOSTAT, ILO ILOSTAT, IMF (WEO), OECD.Stat, UN Statistics Division, UNDP HDR, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, V-Dem, WHO Global Health Observatory, World Bank, WTO Stats, CIA World Factbook, Wikidata

Ireland

Area

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Elevation

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Maritime Claims

Sex Ratio

Median Age

Population

Nationality

Tobacco Use

Urbanization

Age Structure

Dependency Ratios

Health Expenditure

Drinking Water Source

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Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

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How power is organised

Capital

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Constitution

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National Heritage

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National Anthem(s)

Legislative Branch Lower Chamber

Legislative Branch Upper Chamber

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House of Representatives

Senate

Current

Catherine Connolly

Micheál Martin

Budget

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Average Household Expenditures

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Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15 24)

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GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Household Income or Consumption BY Percentage Share

Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income

Coal

Petroleum

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Internet Users

Telephones Fixed Lines

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Ports

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Merchant Marine

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Total Water Withdrawal

Carbon Dioxide Emissions