Ireland

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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

53 00 N, 8 00 W

Map references

Europe

Area

total : 70,273 sq km

land: 68,883 sq km

water: 1,390 sq km

comparison ranking: total 120

Area – comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 490 km

border countries (1): UK 499 km

Coastline

1,448 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

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

Elevation

highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 118 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

agricultural land: 63.1% (2022 est.)

arable land: 6.5% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 56.6% (2022 est.)

forest: 11.5% (2022 est.)

other: 25.4% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

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

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

People and Society

Population

total: 5,233,461 (2024 est.)

male: 2,590,542

female: 2,642,919

comparison rankings: total 124; female 123; male 124

Nationality

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

adjective: Irish

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.)

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.)

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)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 52.6 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 28.5 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 24.1 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 4.1 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 40.2 years (2024 est.)

male: 39.7 years

female: 40.6 years

comparison ranking: total 60

Population growth rate

0.93% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 100

Birth rate

11.1 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 163

Death rate

7.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 104

Net migration rate

5.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 17

Population distribution

Urbanization

urban population: 64.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

1.270 million DUBLIN (capital) (2023)

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

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother’s mean age at first birth

30.9 years (2020 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 174

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 198

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82 years (2024 est.)

male: 80.3 years

female: 83.9 years

comparison ranking: total population 36

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 158

Gross reproduction rate

0.84 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 95.4% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 97% of population (2022 est.)

total: 96% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 4.6% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 3% of population (2022 est.)

total: 4% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

6.1% of GDP (2022)

22.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

3.88 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 94.8% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 98.2% of population (2022 est.)

total: 96.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 5.2% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 1.8% of population (2022 est.)

total: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

25.3% (2016)

comparison ranking: 51

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 10.91 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 4.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 2.88 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.)

comparison ranking: total 15

Tobacco use

total: 16.8% (2025 est.)

male: 19.2% (2025 est.)

female: 14.4% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 94

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

52.1% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

3% of GDP (2021 est.)

12% national budget (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 152

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 19 years (2022 est.)

male: 19 years (2022 est.)

female: 20 years (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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

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

Climate

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

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 64.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

35.486 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.)

from consumed natural gas: 9.822 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 67

Particulate matter emissions

7.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,692,537 tons (2012 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 888,537 tons (2012 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 33% (2012 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 990 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 520 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 40 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

52 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 3

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

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Ireland

local long form: none

local short form: Eire

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

Government type

parliamentary republic

Capital

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

etymology: derived from the Irish words dubh (black or dark) and linn (pool), referring to the color of the Liffey River

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

Legal system

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

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

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 11 November 2011)

head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Michael MARTIN (since 23 January 2025)

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the Dali Eireann (lower house of Parliament)

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

most recent election date: 26 October 2018

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%

expected date of next election: no later than November 2025

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament (Oireachtas)

legislative structure: bicameral

Legislative branch – lower chamber

chamber name: House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann)

number of seats: 174 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 11/29/2024

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)

percentage of women in chamber: 25.3%

expected date of next election: November 2029

Legislative branch – upper chamber

chamber name: Senate (Seanad Éireann – Senate)

number of seats: 60 (49 indirectly elected; 11 appointed)

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 1/29/2025 to 1/30/2025

parties elected and seats per party: Fianna Fail (19); Fine Gael (18); Sinn Fein (6); Independents (12); other (5)

percentage of women in chamber: 45%

expected date of next election: January 2030

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)

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

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Geraldine BYRNE NASON (since 16 September 2022)

chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939

FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993

email address and website:
https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/washington/

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Michael CLAUSEN (since January 2025)

embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

mailing address: 5290 Dublin Place, Washington DC 20521-5290

telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777

FAX: [353] (1) 688-8056

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://ie.usembassy.gov/

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, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Independence

6 December 1921 (from the UK); 6 December 1922 (Irish Free State established); 18 April 1949 (Republic of Ireland Act enabled)

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); Saint Patrick’s feast day was celebrated as early as the ninth century, but it only became an official public holiday in 1903

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; 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

note: similar to the flag of Cote d’Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has red instead of orange

National symbol(s)

harp, shamrock (trefoil)

National color(s)

blue, green

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

National anthem(s)

title: “Amhran na bhFiann” (The Soldier’s Song)

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

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

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

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$620.544 billion (2024 est.)
$613.056 billion (2023 est.)
$648.943 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 42

Real GDP growth rate

1.2% (2024 est.)
-5.5% (2023 est.)
8.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 171

Real GDP per capita

$115,300 (2024 est.)
$115,500 (2023 est.)
$124,500 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 5

GDP (official exchange rate)

$577.389 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2024 est.)
6.3% (2023 est.)
7.8% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 56

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.1% (2024 est.)

industry: 30.8% (2024 est.)

services: 61.8% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 78; industry 50; agriculture 174

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 26.8% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 12.2% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23.2% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 3.1% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 135.1% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -102.2% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

milk, barley, beef, wheat, potatoes, pork, oats, chicken, rapeseed, beans (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

-4.9% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 178

Labor force

2.857 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 115

Unemployment rate

4.4% (2024 est.)
4.3% (2023 est.)
4.6% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 72

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 11.1% (2024 est.)

male: 11.2% (2024 est.)

female: 11% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 111

Population below poverty line

14% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

29.9 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 127

Average household expenditures

on food: 8.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6% (2022 est.)

highest 10%: 24.5% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

0.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
0% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $118.278 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $105.516 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

45.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 118

Taxes and other revenues

16.8% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 78

Current account balance

$44.744 billion (2023 est.)
$48.427 billion (2022 est.)
$65.118 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 16

Exports

$761.876 billion (2023 est.)
$763.233 billion (2022 est.)
$722.655 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 12

Exports – partners

USA 28%, Germany 11%, UK 8%, Belgium 8%, China 7% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

vaccines, packaged medicine, nitrogen compounds, integrated circuits, hormones (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$580.399 billion (2023 est.)
$536.882 billion (2022 est.)
$500.334 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 16

Imports – partners

UK 20%, USA 17%, France 10%, China 7%, Germany 7% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

aircraft, nitrogen compounds, vaccines, packaged medicine, integrated circuits (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$12.698 billion (2024 est.)
$12.905 billion (2023 est.)
$13.039 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 74

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 12.321 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 32.282 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 441.615 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 3.89 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 2.489 billion kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 135; imports 53; exports 78; consumption 67; installed generating capacity 62

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 55.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 37% 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.)

Coal

consumption: 1.341 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 76,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 1.711 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.)

Natural gas

production: 1.165 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 4.919 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 3.707 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 9.911 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

113.837 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 37

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1.176 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 67

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 5.76 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 123

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

Internet users

percent of population: 97% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 1.65 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 67

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

100 (2025)

comparison ranking: 54

Heliports

10 (2025)

comparison ranking: 75

Railways

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

Merchant marine

total: 94 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 12, general cargo 32, oil tanker 1, other 49

comparison ranking: total 93

Ports

total ports: 21 (2024)

large: 1

medium: 3

small: 3

very small: 14

ports with oil terminals: 8

key ports: Cobh, Cork, Dublin, Foynes

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Irish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn): Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve Defense Forces (2025)

note: An Garda Siochana (or Garda) is the national police force and maintains internal security under the auspices of the Department of Justice

Military expenditures

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

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 7,500 active-duty Defense Forces (authorized establishment of 9,500) (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Irish Defense Forces have a small inventory of imported weapons systems from a variety of mostly European countries, particularly the UK (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; 12-year service (5 active, 7 reserves) (2024)

note 1: as of 2024, women made up about 7.5% of the military’s full-time personnel

note 2: the Defense Forces are open to refugees under the Refugee Act of 1996 and nationals of the European Economic Area, which include EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway

Military deployments

130 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 325 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2024)

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)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s)

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

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide