2019 Edition

Background

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century 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.

Area

Land

68,883 sq km

Total

70,273 sq km

Water

1,390 sq km

Area Comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate

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

Coastline

1,448 km

Elevation

Highest Point

Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

Lowest Point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Mean Elevation

118 m

Environment Current Issues

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

Environment International Agreements

Party To

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed But Not Ratified

Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation

Geographic Coordinates

53 00 N, 8 00 W

Geography Note

strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin

Irrigated Land

0 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

Border Countries

UK 490 km

Total

490 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

66.1% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

15.4% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

0% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

50.7% (2011 est.)

Forest

10.9% (2011 est.)

Other

23% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map References

Europe

Maritime Claims

Exclusive Fishing Zone

200 nm

Territorial Sea

12 nm

Natural Hazards

rare extreme weather events

Natural Resources

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

Population Distribution

population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities

Terrain

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

Age Structure

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.)

Birth Rate

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

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

73.3% (2010)

Current Health Expenditure

7.4% (2016)

Death Rate

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

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

20.3 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

4.9 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

53.8 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

33.4 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

97.8% of population

Improved Total

97.9% of population

Improved Urban

97.9% of population

Unimproved Rural

2.2% of population

Unimproved Total

2.1% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

2.1% of population

Education Expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic Groups

Irish 82.2%, Irish travelers 0.7%, other white 9.5%, Asian 2.1%, black 1.4%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate

0.2% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Deaths

<100 (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS

7,200 (2018 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

3.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

4 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Female

83.5 years

Male

78.7 years

Total Population

81 years (2018 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

1.215 million DUBLIN (capital) (2019)

Maternal Mortality Rate

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

37.5 years

Male

36.8 years

Total

37.1 years (2018 est.)

Mother's Mean Age at First Birth

30.7 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Irish

Noun

Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)

Net Migration Rate

4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

25.3% (2016)

Physicians Density

3.09 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

5,068,050 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

1.11% (2018 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 78.3%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Orthodox 1.3%, Muslim 1.3%, other 2.4%, none 9.8%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

92.9% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

90.5% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

89.1% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

7.1% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

9.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

10.9% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

19 years (2016)

Male

19 years

Total

19 years

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.05 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.03 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

1.01 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

1 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.86 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.06 male(s)/female

Total Population

1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.96 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

12.6% (2017 est.)

Male

16%

Total

14.4%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

1.14% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

63.4% of total population (2019)

Administrative Divisions

28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Capital

Daylight Saving Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Geographic Coordinates

53 19 N, 6 14 W

Name

Dublin

Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

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 2019 (2019)

History

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

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

none

Conventional Short Form

Ireland

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

Local Long Form

none

Local Short Form

Eire

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Edward F. CRAWFORD (since 1 July 2019)

Embassy

42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Fax

[353] (1) 688-9946

Mailing Address

use embassy street address

Telephone

[353] (1) 630-6200

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

Chancery

2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Daniel Gerard MULHALL (since 8 September 2017)

Consulate's General

Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco

Fax

[1] (202) 232-5993

Telephone

[1] (202) 462-3939

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 Michael D. HIGGINS (since 11 November 2011)

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%

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

Head Of Government

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo VARADKAR (since 14 June 2017)

Flag Description

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland; orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange); white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange

Government Type

parliamentary republic

Independence

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

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International Organization Participation

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial Branch

Highest 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

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

Legislative Branch

Description

bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of: 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)

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%

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)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY

Name

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

National Holiday

Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March; note - marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, during the latter half of the fifth century A.D. (most commonly cited years are c. 461 and c. 493); although Saint Patrick's feast day was celebrated in Ireland as early as the ninth century, it only became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903

National Symbol S

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

Political Parties And Leaders

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 (vacant) Sinn Fein [Mary Lou MCDONALD] Social Democrats [Catherine MURPHY, Roisin SHORTALL] Socialist Party [collective leadership] The Workers' Party [Michael DONNELLY]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products

Budget

Expenditures

87.19 billion (2017 est.)

Revenues

86.04 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

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

Central Bank Discount Rate

31 August 2014

0.15%

31 December 2015

0.05%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

3.48%

31 December 2017

4.08%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$12.59 billion

2017

$28.14 billion

Debt External

31 March 2015

$2.35 trillion

31 March 2016

$2.47 trillion

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

1987

35.9

2013

31.3

Economy Overview

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

2013

0.7634

2014

0.885

2015

0.9214

2016

0.903

2017

0.885

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$206 billion

2017

$219.7 billion

Exports Commodities

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

Exports Partners

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

Fiscal Year

calendar year

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

119.9% (2017 est.)

Government Consumption

10.1% (2017 est.)

Household Consumption

34% (2017 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-89.7% (2017 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

23.4% (2017 est.)

Investment In Inventories

1.2% (2017 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

1.2% (2017 est.)

Industry

38.6% (2017 est.)

Services

60.2% (2017 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$331.5 billion (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$66,600

2016

$69,100

2017

$73,200

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$314.1 billion

2016

$329.5 billion

2017

$353.3 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

25%

2016

4.9%

2017

7.2%

Gross National Saving

2015

29% of GDP

2016

33.7% of GDP

2017

33.1% of GDP

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

Highest 10

27.2% (2000)

Lowest 10

2.9%

Imports

2016

$92.09 billion

2017

$98.13 billion

Imports Commodities

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

Imports Partners

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

Industrial Production Growth Rate

7.8% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

-0.2%

2017

0.3%

Labor Force

2.226 million (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

5%

Industry

11%

Services

84% (2015 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

31 December 2013

$170.1 billion

31 December 2014

$143.5 billion

31 December 2015

$128 billion

Population Below Poverty Line

8.2% (2013 est.)

Public Debt

2016

73.6% of GDP

2017

68.6% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2015

$2.203 billion

31 December 2017

$4.412 billion

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$156.2 billion

31 December 2017

$191.9 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

31 December 2016

$1.404 trillion

31 December 2017

$1.56 trillion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

31 December 2016

$1.411 trillion

31 December 2017

$1.54 trillion

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$287.1 billion

31 December 2017

$299.1 billion

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$156.2 billion

31 December 2017

$191.9 billion

Taxes And Other Revenues

26% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016

8.4%

2017

6.7%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

36.91 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

5,900 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

66,210 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

100% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

25.68 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

1.583 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

65% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

33% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

871 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

9.945 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

28.53 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

5.238 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

1.642 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

3.511 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

153,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

37,040 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

126,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

64,970 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

28 (2017 est.)

Total

1,401,356

Broadcast Media

publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 4 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 (2019)

Internet Country Code

.ie

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

82.2% (July 2016 est.)

Total

4,069,432

Telephone System

Domestic

increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas; fixed-line 37 per 100 and mobile-cellular 98 per 100 subscriptions (2018)

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 the National Broadband Plan (NBP) initiative to change the broadband landscape (2018)

International

country code - 353; landing point for the AEConnect -1, Celtic-Norse, Havfrue/AEC-2, GTT Express, Cleltic, ESAT-1, IFC-1, Solas, Pan European Crossing, ESAT-2, CeltixConnect -1 & 2, GTT Atlantic, Sirius South, Emerald Bridge Fibres and Geo Eirgrid submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, Norway, Isle of Man and UK; satellite earth stations - 81 (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

37 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

1,842,026

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

98 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

4,898,872

Airports

40 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

4 (2017)

2 438 To 3 047 M

1 (2017)

914 To 1 523 M

5 (2017)

Over 3 047 M

1 (2017)

Total

16 (2017)

Under 914 M

5 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

2 438 To 3 047 M

1 (2013)

914 To 1 523 M

2 (2013)

Total

24 (2013)

Under 914 M

21 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

EI (2016)

Merchant Marine

By Type

bulk carrier 8, general cargo 34, oil tanker 1, other 45 (2018)

Total

88

National Air Transport System

Annual Freight Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

138.58 million mt-km (2015)

Annual Passenger Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

113,144,501 (2015)

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

431 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

6 (2015)

Pipelines

2,427 km gas (2017)

Ports And Terminals

Container Port's Teus

Dublin (529,563) (2016)

Cruise Port S

Cork, Dublin

Major Seaport S

Dublin, Shannon Foynes

River Port S

Cork (Lee), Waterford (Suir)

Railways

Broad Gauge

2,371 km 1.600-m gauge (53 km electrified) (2018)

Narrow Gauge

1,930 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2018)

Total

4,301 km (2018)

Roadways

Paved

99,830 km (includes 2,717 km of expressways) (2018)

Total

99,830 km (2018)

Waterways

956 km (pleasure craft only) (2010)

Military And Security Forces

Irish Defence Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn): Army (includes Army Reserve), Naval Service (includes Naval Service Reserves), Air Corps (2019)

Military Expenditures

2014

0.47% of GDP

2015

0.35% of GDP

2016

0.34% of GDP

2017

0.4% of GDP

2018

0.33% of GDP

Military Service Age And Obligation

18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Defence Forces (18-27 years of age for the Naval Service); 18-26 for cadetship (officer) applicants; 12-year service (5 active, 7 reserves); Irish citizen, European Economic Area citizenship, or refugee status (2019)

Disputes International

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

Illicit Drugs

transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern

Refugees And Internally Displaced Persons

99 (2018)

Terrorist Groups Foreign Based

Continuity Irish Republican Army Cira

aim(s): to bring about a united Ireland area(s) of operation: maintains an operational presence (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) (2018)