Ireland

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Celtic tribes arrived in Ireland between 600 and 150 B.C., followed by Norsemen in the late 8th century. Anglo-Norman invasions began in the 12th century. The modern Irish state broke from the UK in 1921, and Ireland declared itself a republic in 1949.

Geography

Area
total : 70,273 sq km
land: 68,883 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km

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

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

People and Society

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

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.)

Population growth rate
0.93% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Dublin

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)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Geraldine BYRNE NASON (since 16 September 2022)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward S. WALSH (since 1 July 2025)

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.)

Real GDP per capita
$115,300 (2024 est.)
$115,500 (2023 est.)
$124,500 (2022 est.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.949, ranking it 11th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 21st out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.749. (more information)