Country Profile: Ireland

Ireland, located in Western Europe, occupies most of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean. The country has a population of approximately 5.2 million, characterized by a youthful demographic trend. Ireland’s economy is highly export-oriented, particularly benefiting from foreign direct investment, which has bolstered its recovery from past financial crises. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Ireland maintains a policy of military neutrality while being an active participant in international agreements and organizations.

Geography

Ireland is situated in Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland, west of Great Britain. It has a total area of 70,273 sq km and features a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. The country is predominantly flat to rolling, with the highest elevation at 1,041 m (Carrauntoohil). Over 60.8% of its land is used for agriculture, while the coastline stretches 1,448 km.

• 12 nm territorial sea
• 200 nm exclusive fishing zone
• 490 km land boundaries with the UK
• 27.3% of land categorized as other uses

People and Society

Ireland has an estimated population of 5,233,461 in 2024, with a diverse ethnic composition, including 76.6% Irish. The country recognizes both English and Irish as official languages, although English is more widely spoken. The median age is 40.2 years, with a significant proportion of the population living in urban areas, primarily around Dublin, which holds a population of 1.270 million.

• 14% of the population lives below the poverty line (2021 est.)
• 82 years is the average life expectancy
• 0.93% annual population growth rate (2024 est.)
• 11.1 births per 1,000 people (2024 est.)

Economy

Ireland boasts a high-income, export-driven economy, heavily influenced by multinational corporations. In 2024, the real GDP is estimated at $620.544 billion, with a growth rate of 1.2%. The country has a diverse industrial base, with sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology, and food production contributing significantly to economic output. Unemployment stands at 4.4% for 2024, reflecting a robust job market.

• $115,300 GDP per capita (2024 est.)
• 61.8% of GDP from services sector
• 135.1% exports of goods and services relative to GDP (2023 est.)
• 45.4% public debt as of 2022

Government

Ireland operates as a parliamentary republic, with Dublin serving as the capital. The government comprises an executive headed by the President and the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), alongside a bicameral legislature. The current President is Catherine Connolly, and the Taoiseach is Michael Martin, both in office since late 2025.

• 28 counties and 3 cities in administrative divisions
• 18 years voting age for universal suffrage
• Constitution adopted on 1 July 1937
• 6 December 1921 marks independence from the UK

Military and Security

The Irish Defense Forces consist of the Army, Air Corps, and Naval Service, with a commitment to military neutrality. As of 2025, there are approximately 7,500 active-duty personnel. Military expenditure is low, at 0.2% of GDP. Ireland participates in various international peacekeeping missions but maintains a stance of non-alignment.

• 130 personnel deployed in Golan Heights
• 325 personnel in Lebanon
• Military service age is 18 years for voluntary service
• 2.489 billion kWh in electricity transmission/distribution losses (2023)

Energy

Ireland has achieved full electrification, with 100% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The country relies significantly on fossil fuels, with 55.7% of installed capacity derived from this source. In 2023, electricity consumption was recorded at 32.282 billion kWh.

• 12.321 million kW of installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
• 1.165 billion cubic meters of natural gas production (2023 est.)
• 4.919 billion cubic meters of natural gas consumption (2023 est.)
• 113.837 million Btu/person total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)

Environment

Ireland faces environmental challenges including water pollution and deforestation resulting from agricultural practices. Nevertheless, the country has made commitments to various international environmental agreements. The agricultural sector accounts for 60.8% of land use, which raises concerns regarding sustainable practices.

• 2.911 million tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
• 42.4% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)
• 52 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
• 7.5 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Transportation

Ireland’s transportation infrastructure comprises 100 airports and a railway system of 1,688 km. It has a merchant marine fleet of 94 vessels and 21 ports, contributing to its connectivity and trade capabilities.

• 10 heliports (2025)
• 1 major port (Dublin) with oil terminals
• 53 km of electrified railways (2020)
• 12 bulk carriers in its merchant fleet (2023)

Communications

The communication sector in Ireland is well-developed, with 97% of the population having internet access as of 2023. The country has 5.76 million mobile subscriptions, making for a high coverage rate.

• 1.176 million fixed-line subscriptions (2023)
• 1.65 million broadband subscriptions (2023)
• 23 fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023)
• Public broadcasting is through RTE, covering multiple platforms

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,233,461	Estimated for 2024
Area	70,273 sq km	Total area
GDP	$620.544 billion	Estimation for 2024
Energy Consumption	113.837 million Btu/person	Estimation for 2023
Birth Rate	11.1 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	4.4%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	82 years	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditure	0.2%	Estimated for 2024
Total Fertility Rate	1.72 children/woman	Estimated for 2024
Urban Population	64.5%	Estimated for 2023