Ireland  

Irish workers have access to a very high level of physical capital, ranking the country 12th in the world on this variable. The domestic savings rate, at 38% of GDP, is high, with household expenditure just above the international average at 25% of GDP. Ireland has a low unemployment rate of 4.6%; however, the annual inflation rate, at nearly 5%, is well above the European average. Contrastingly, the number of non-performing loans in Ireland is extremely low, while the interest margin between borrowers and lenders, at under one percentage point, is the lowest of all countries. A low concentration of raw material exports, coupled with strong terms of trade, indicate a strong barter position and lack of reliance on natural resources for revenues. Ireland’s proportion of foreign direct investment, at 10% of its GDP, ranks the country in the top 15, worldwide.

Ireland has very few barriers to entry for new businesses with only four start up procedures required to set up a business, the seventh lowest rate, worldwide. Internet infrastructure in terms of bandwidth is high, and Ireland has the eighth highest proportion of secure internet servers in the world; however, government investment in R&D, at just 1% of GDP, is low compared to many other European countries. There are approximately 58 personal computers for every 100 people in Ireland, a high number, internationally. Ireland also exports significant quantities of technological goods, with 22% ICT and 35% high-tech exports as a share of goods and manufactured exports, ranking Ireland within the top 10 for both variables. In terms of value added by the service industry, Ireland ranks just above the global median, while strong royalty receipts indicate high commercialisation of innovation.

Irish citizens enjoy unconstrained freedom to participate in political processes, express their beliefs, and associate themselves with political and civic organisations. Additionally, they enjoy high levels of personal autonomy. The Irish government places significant checks and balances on the power of the executive, preventing arbitrary policy decisions. There is a high level of competition for the executive branch, and elections are well regulated, promoting fairness and equal opportunity. There is also free and fair competition for the legislative branch and the judiciary is entirely independent of other offices of government. Ireland is one of the most stable western democracies, having experienced no change in the political system in more than 80 years.

Ireland has a primary enrolment rate of 95% and each class has 17 students for every teacher, ranking the country at 41st and 39th, respectively. However, secondary enrolment rates fare much better, placing Ireland in the top 10 countries worldwide. At 59%, tertiary enrolment rates are slightly lower, but still the 26th highest, internationally. Ireland ranks within the top 20 worldwide for gender equality, with 103 girls enrolled for every 100 boys. Furthermore, Irish workers are highly educated, with an average of 5.5 years of secondary education and 4.5 years of tertiary education per worker, placing the country amongst the top 35 worldwide on both variables. Educational spending per student also compares moderately with other European countries, and ranks the country in the top 20 worldwide.

Ireland has a high number of medical professionals and hospital beds, ranking in the top 30 on both variables. Health-adjusted life expectancy is very high at 70, and only 3% of citizens are undernourished, a very low proportion, internationally. Infant mortality rates are very low, ranking the country inside the top 20, globally. There is universal access to improved sanitation, and a high 86% are satisfied with the quality of water, ranking Ireland 20th overall.* On subjective variables, Ireland performs very well as 90% of the population are satisfied with their quality of health while only 14% report debilitating health problems, the 14th lowest rate, worldwide.* Additionally, three-quarters of Irish people consider themselves well rested, and only 15% reported having experienced prolonged periods of physical pain recently.*

Ireland has some security challenges related to refugees and internally displaced persons, but no problems at all related to group grievances, human flight, or government-sponsored violence. Furthermore, there were no casualties due to civil strife in 2008. Ireland ranks in the top 10 for its homicide rate, with less than one death per 100,000 people, and personal safety is widespread as 70% of Irish citizens feel safe walking in their area at night.* Only 11% reported having had their property stolen in 2008 and only 3% were assaulted or mugged, both low numbers, internationally.*

Irish law applies to all citizens equally. The quality of regulation of economic and commercial activity within the Irish economy is extremely high, ranking the country in the top five, worldwide, on this variable. The Irish civil service is extremely efficient at implementing policies, ranking 15th globally. Over four-fifths of Irish respondents have confidence in their country’s military force, and nearly five out of 10 people consider local businesses and government to be corrupt, placing Ireland in the top 20 on the latter variables.* Two-thirds of the population approve of the judicial system in Ireland.* Furthermore, political participation is free and fair, and over three-quarters expressed confidence in the honesty of the electoral process, ranking the country 15th on this variable.*

Irish citizens have unconstrained freedom to practise their religious beliefs, speak freely without fear of government censorship, and travel freely within and out of their own country. An exceptional 92% of Irish citizens are satisfied with the level of choice in their daily lives, ranking well within the top 10 countries on this variable.* Ireland is an extremely tolerant nation; nearly 90% of Irish people consider their neighbourhood a good place for both ethnic minorities and immigrants, ranking the country in the top 10 globally on both variables.*

In Ireland, many people regard their friends as very important, and 97% feel they can rely on their family and friends in times of need, the highest proportion of all nations on this variable.* More than 40% of Irish people trust their fellow citizens, ranking the country in the top 15, internationally.* Strong community networks exist in Ireland: over two-thirds of people reported donating to charity, the sixth highest rate, worldwide, while 38% had volunteered in the same timeframe, the eighth highest rate, worldwide.* Over half of all citizens reported helping a stranger in the last month, placing Ireland inside the top 20 for this variable.* Data for variables relating to group membership in Ireland were unavailable.

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

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