Country Profile: Ireland

Ireland, located in Western Europe, occupies five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of approximately 5.2 million, making it one of the youngest demographics in the EU due to a high birthrate. Ireland's economy is characterized as high-income and export-oriented, with strong multinational business activity contributing to its growth. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Ireland has a long history marked by struggles for independence and a commitment to neutrality in military conflicts.

Geography

Ireland is situated in the North Atlantic, boasting a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. The country's landscape features flat to rolling plains, rugged hills, and scenic sea cliffs along its coastline. Its strategic location on major air and sea routes enhances its connectivity to both North America and northern Europe.

Total Area: 70,273 sq km
Coastline Length: 1,448 km
Highest Point: Carrauntoohil at 1,041 m
Population Density: Over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin
Agricultural Land Use: 60.8% of total land area (2023 est.)

People and Society

Ireland's population is approximately 5.2 million, with a diverse mix of ethnic groups, the majority being Irish. English and Irish are the official languages, with Irish being spoken by about 37.7% of the population. The society is predominantly Roman Catholic, but there are also Protestant and other religious communities present.

Urban Population: 64.5% as of 2023
Median Age: 40.5 years (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 82 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 10.95 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Obesity Rate: 25.3% among adults (2016)

Economy

Ireland has a high-income, export-driven economy known for its strong multinational business sector. The economy saw substantial growth during the Celtic Tiger years, although it faced challenges during the 2008 financial crisis. The labor market is robust yet struggles with skill shortages and an aging workforce.

GDP (PPP): $620.544 billion (2024 est.)
GDP Per Capita: $115,300 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 4.4% (2024 est.)
Exports: $761.876 billion (2023 est.)
Public Debt: 45.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

Government

Ireland is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature (Oireachtas), consisting of the House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann) and the Senate (Seanad Éireann). The President is the head of state, while the Taoiseach serves as the head of government. The Constitution has been in effect since December 1937.

Capital: Dublin
Independence: Achieved on 6 December 1921
Current President: Catherine Connolly (since 11 November 2025)
Current Taoiseach: Michael Martin (since 23 January 2025)
Voting Age: 18 years

Military and Security

Ireland maintains a policy of military neutrality and has a small standing army. The Irish Defense Forces (IDF), consisting of the Army, Air Corps, and Naval Service, are tasked with the country's defense and international peacekeeping missions.

Military Expenditure: 0.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,500 (2025)
Peacekeeping Deployments: 330 personnel in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
Age for Military Service: 18-38 years

Energy

Ireland's energy landscape includes a mix of renewable and fossil energy sources. The country has achieved full electrical access and is progressing toward sustainable energy use, particularly in wind power.

Electricity Generation Capacity: 12.321 million kW (2023 est.)
Renewable Energy Share: 37% from wind (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Consumption: 4.919 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity Access: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Ireland include water pollution and deforestation, primarily driven by agricultural practices. The country is actively involved in international environmental agreements aimed at combating climate change and protecting biodiversity.

Urban Population Growth Rate: 1.15% annually (2020-2025 est.)
Municipal Solid Waste Generated: 2.911 million tons (2024 est.)
Recycling Rate: 42.4% of municipal waste (2022 est.)
CO2 Emissions: 35.486 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Transportation

Ireland has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including an extensive network of airports, railways, and ports. The country enhances its connectivity through both civil aviation and maritime channels.

Airports: 100 (2025)
Railways: 1,688 km with 53 km electrified (2020)
Merchant Marine: 94 vessels (2023)
Total Ports: 21 (2024)

Communications

Ireland enjoys high levels of connectivity, with a majority of the population having access to telecommunication services and the internet. The country's fixed and mobile telephone subscriptions reflect a well-established infrastructure.

Internet Penetration: 97% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Subscriptions: 5.76 million (2023 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 1.176 million (2023 est.)
Broadband Connectivity: 1.65 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,233,461 (2024 est.)
Area	70,273 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$620.544 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	4.4% (2024)	% of labor force seeking employment
Birth Rate	10.95 births/1,000 (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	82 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditure	0.2% of GDP (2024)
Electricity Access	100%	Total population (2022)
CO2 Emissions	35.486 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urban Population	64.5% (2023)