Careers, Jobs and Education Resources for: Ireland

Economic Overview

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging 6% in 1995-2007. agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. although the exports sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, remains a key component of ireland's economy, construction has most recently fueled economic growth along with strong consumer spending and business investment. property prices have risen more rapidly in ireland in the decade up to 2006 than in any other developed world economy. per capita gdp is 40% above that of the four big european economies and the second highest in the eu behind luxembourg, and in 2007 surpassed that of the united states. the irish government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, invest in infrastructure, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. a slowdown in the property market, more intense global competition, and increased costs, however, have compelled government economists to lower ireland's growth forecast slightly for 2008. ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1 january 2002 along with 11 other eu nations.

Environmental Issues

Water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

Government Type

Republic, parliamentary democracy

Population

4,156,119 (july 2008 est.)

Location

Western europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of ireland in the north atlantic ocean, west of great britain

Area

Total: 70,280 sq km land: 68,890 sq km water: 1,390 sq km

Slightly larger than west virginia

Country Aliases

Conventional long form: none conventional short form: ireland local long form: none local short form: eire

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

Military Service

17-25 years of age for male or female voluntary military service (17-27 years of age for the naval service); enlistees 16 years of age can be recruited for apprentice specialist positions; maximum obligation 12 years; 17-35 years of age for the reserve defense forces; eu citizenship or 5-year residence in ireland required (2008)

International Disputes

Ireland, iceland, and the uk dispute denmark's claim that the faroe islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm