Ireland

Europe Dublin

Population

5.23M

Area

70,273 km²

GDP

$577.39B

GDP Per Capita

$115,300

Pop. Density

74/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

€euro(EUR)

Calling Code

+353

Timezone

UTC

Languages

English, Irish

Driving Side

left

Demonym

Irish

Background

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.

Historical Trends

GDP (USD)

↑162.4% since 2006

$232B (2006)$609B (2024)

Population

↑26.3% since 2006

4.3M (2006)5.4M (2024)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Latest: 82.9 years

2006: 79.2 years2023: 82.9 years

Data source: World Bank Open Data

Geography17

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

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries

total: 490 km
border countries: 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

60.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 6.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 54.4% (2023 est.)

forest

11.9% (2023 est.)

other

27.3% (2023 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 & Society33

Population

total: 5,233,461 (2024 est.)
male: 2,590,542
female: 2,642,919

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)

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: 40.5 years (2025 est.)
male: 39.7 years
female: 40.6 years

Population growth rate

0.8% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

10.95 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

7.43 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

4.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82 years (2024 est.)
male: 80.3 years
female: 83.9 years

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.83 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

urban: 95.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 97% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 96% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 4.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 4% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 6.1% of GDP (2022)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 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

urban: 94.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 98.2% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 96.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 5.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 1.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.3% (2016)

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.)

Tobacco use

total: 16.8% (2025 est.)
male: 19.2% (2025 est.)
female: 14.4% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

47.1% (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 2.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 12.3% national budget (2021 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 19 years (2022 est.)
male: 19 years (2022 est.)
female: 20 years (2022 est.)

Government26

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 Catherine CONNOLLY (since 11 November 2025)

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

1/29/2025 to 1/30/2025

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

11/29/2024

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 Edward S. WALSH (since 1 July 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

Flag

description: three equal vertical bands of green (left side), white, and orange

meaning: 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

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

Economy31

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)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $620.544 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $613.056 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $648.943 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024: 1.2% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: -5.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 8.6% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

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

GDP (official exchange rate)

$577.389 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 2.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 6.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 7.8% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.1% (2024 est.)
industry: 30.8% (2024 est.)
services: 61.8% (2024 est.)

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.)

Agricultural products

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

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

-4.9% (2024 est.)

Labor force

2.857 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024: 4.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 4.3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 4.6% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 11.1% (2024 est.)
male: 11.2% (2024 est.)
female: 11% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

14% (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022: 29.9 (2022 est.)

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.)

Remittances

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

Budget

revenues: $118.231 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $108.693 billion (2022 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2022: 45.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.8% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2023: $44.744 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $48.427 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $65.118 billion (2021 est.)

Exports

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

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $12.698 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $12.905 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $13.039 billion (2022 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

0.924 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.95 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

0.876 (2020 est.)

Energy7

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.)

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

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 113.837 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications6

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1.176 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 5.76 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (2022 est.)

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.)

Transportation6

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

100 (2025)

Heliports

10 (2025)

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

Ports

total ports

21 (2024)

large

medium

small

very small

ports with oil terminals

key ports

Cobh, Cork, Dublin, Foynes

Military & Security7

Military and security forces

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

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024: 0.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 0.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 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 an inventory of imported weapons systems from a variety of mostly European countries (2025)

Military service age and obligation

18-38 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service (2026)

Military deployments

330 Lebanon (UNIFIL); also contributes small numbers of troops to EU, NATO, and other UN missions (2025)

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)

Transnational Issues1

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 156,441 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 48 (2024 est.)

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