The Human Truth Foundation

Ireland

http://www.humantruth.info/ireland.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#ireland

Ireland
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index15th best
CapitalDublin
Land Area 68 890km21
LocationEurope
Population4.8m2
Life Expectancy82.00yrs (2017)3
GNI$76 169 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesIE, IRL, 3725
Internet Domain.ie6
CurrencyEuro (EUR)7
Telephone+3538

1. Overview

#eu #human_rights #ireland #UK

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverA small island with a big reputation, helped along by a timeless, age-caressed landscape and a fascinating, friendly people, whose lyrical nature is expressed in the warmth of their welcome. You don´t have to look far to find the postcard-perfect Ireland: it exists along the peninsulas of the southwest, the brooding loneliness of Connemara and the dramatic wildness of County Donegal. You´ll find it in the lakelands of Counties Leitrim and Roscommon and the undulating hills of the southeast. Ireland has modernised dramatically, but some things never change. Brave the raging Atlantic on a crossing to Skellig Michael or spend a summer´s evening in the yard of a thatched-cottage pub and you´ll experience an Ireland that has changed little in generations, and is likely the Ireland you most came to see.

Ireland´s history and culture present themselves everywhere: from the breathtaking monuments of prehistoric Ireland at Brú na Bóinne to a traditional music session in a west-Ireland pub.Céad míle fáilte - a hundred thousand welcomes. It seems excessive, but in Ireland, excess is encouraged.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

The EU has acted on behalf of its member states on many occasions to support, foster, fund and encourage human rights protections in every region of the world, with agreement of its member states through the European Parliament. The protections of workers' rights and their harmonisations (which stops companies moving staff to countries with the weakest laws) has had great effect in stopping workforce abuse11. According to Human Rights Watch's comprehensive review for the year 2017, in addition to vocal and public pronouncements on poor human rights records of many countries, the EU has also acted through economic sanctions, political pressure and used other means to incentivize the adoption of human rights protections, even if these measures harm EU trading12. It is to Ireland's credit that it supports the EU in these actions.

Despite all the good it does, now that the UK has left the EU, Ireland has become the EU's first port of call for tax evaders, helping the rich, tech corporations, and criminals, hide vast sums of money from authorities-->13.

2. Ireland National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)14
Pos.Higher is better
Value14
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
6Denmark0.948
7Sweden0.947
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)14
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $14
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
4Luxembourg$84 649
5Ireland$76 169
6Switzerland$66 933
7USA$64 765
8Norway$64 660
9Brunei$64 490
10Hong Kong$62 607
11UAE$62 574
12Denmark$60 365
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
15
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank15
1Norway28.6
2Denmark30.0
3Sweden30.7
...
12Austria38.6
13UK39.0
14Belgium40.1
15Ireland40.2
16Japan40.5
17France43.2
18Luxembourg43.3
19Taiwan44.5
Europe Avg57.4
World Avg86.8
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Ireland's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Ireland's population is predicted to rise to 5.356 million by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 2.10. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
120Palestine4.9m
121Oman4.8m
122Liberia4.8m
123Ireland4.8m
124New Zealand4.7m
125Central African Rep.4.7m
126Mauritania4.4m
127Panama4.2m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
14
Pos.2021
Years14
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
18New Zealand82.5
19Israel82.3
20Finland82.0
21Ireland82.0
22Belgium81.9
23Netherlands81.7
24Austria81.6
25Denmark81.4
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
16
Pos.201316
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
12Tunisia1.93
13St Lucia1.93
14USA2.08
15Ireland2.10
16Iceland2.10
17Denmark1.88
18Bahamas1.88
19Finland1.87
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
17
Pos.2016
Per 10017
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
136Luxembourg28.3
137Armenia28.7
138=Thailand29.2
138=Ireland29.2
140Russia29.5
141Georgia29.7
142Montenegro30.0
143Belarus30.3
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants18
Pos.2017
%18
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
25Austria19.0%
26Sweden17.6%
27Equatorial Guinea17.5%
28Ireland16.9%
29Cyprus16.0%
30Belize16.0%
31San Marino15.7%
32Bahamas15.6%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants19
Pos.2010
%19
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
35Liechtenstein17.1%
36Cyprus17.0%
37Marshall Islands16.6%
38Ireland16.1%
39Belize16.1%
40Azerbaijan16.0%
41Bulgaria16.0%
42Lebanon15.6%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Ireland's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#antisemitism #equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2020)20
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank20
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
14Slovenia33.1
15Italy37.1
16Czechia37.7
17Ireland38.3
18Slovakia42.5
19Estonia42.8
20Portugal42.8
21Poland43.0
22Romania44.1
Europe Avg51.4
q=49.
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)20
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank20
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
21Costa Rica36.5
22Italy37.1
23Czechia37.7
24Ireland38.3
25Chile39.9
26Japan41.9
27Slovakia42.5
28Estonia42.8
World Avg87.9
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Norway and Denmark21. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are The Solomon Islands, Somalia and Tuvalu21.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe21, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Micronesia and Australasia21.

For more, see:

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Human Rights Watch Comments
Higher is better22
Pos.2017
Score22
1=UK9
1=France9
1=Germany9
4Canada8
5=Netherlands8
6Sweden7
7=Ireland7
8Finland6
9=Luxembourg6
9=Belgium6
11Greece5
12=Cyprus5
Europe Avg3.5
World Avg-1.9
q=123.
Nominal Commitment to HR
Higher is better23
Pos.2009
Treaties23
1Argentina24
2=Chile23
2=Costa Rica23
...
62Kazakhstan19
63=Luxembourg19
63=Greece19
63=Ireland19
66Lithuania18
67=Moldova18
67=Kyrgyzstan18
67=Philippines18
Europe Avg19.5
World Avg15.1
q=194.
HR Treaties Lag
Lower is better24
Pos.2019
Avg Yrs/Treaty24
1Ecuador2.15
2Uruguay2.25
3Tunisia3.65
...
156Vanuatu13.21
157Guinea-Bissau13.23
158Liechtenstein13.28
159Ireland13.38
160Oman13.46
161Uzbekistan13.53
162Mauritania13.56
163Liberia13.61
Europe Avg9.09
World Avg10.02
q=195.
Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom
Lower is better25
Pos.2014
Rank25
1Hong Kong1
2Switzerland2
3New Zealand3
4Ireland4
5Denmark5
6=UK6
6=Canada6
6=Australia6
9Finland9
10Netherlands10
11=Luxembourg11
11=Austria11
Europe Avg33.9
World Avg79.7
q=159.
Press Freedom
Lower is better26
Pos.201326
1Finland638
2Netherlands648
3Norway652
...
12Austria940
13Jamaica988
14Switzerland994
15Ireland1006
16Czechia1017
17Germany1024
18Costa Rica1208
19Namibia1250
Europe Avg2044
World Avg3249
q=178.
Slavery
Lower is better
27
Pos.2018
% Victims27
1Japan0.03
2=Canada0.05
2=Taiwan0.05
...
16Denmark0.16
17=Paraguay0.16
17=Sweden0.16
19Ireland0.17
20=Lebanon0.17
20=UAE0.17
20=Finland0.17
20=Austria0.17
Europe Avg0.38
World Avg0.65
q=167.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Ireland stated:

Criminalization of aspects of sex work put sex workers at higher risk of violence. The UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) found inadequacies in redress schemes for women and children who had resided or been confined in state-funded institutions, and for women subjected to surgical procedures during childbirth without their informed consent. Concerns continued over access to adequate housing, including for Ukrainians and other refugees. Objections were raised over plans to introduce facial recognition technology in policing public spaces.

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)28

Gender Equality:

Ireland is on the way towards ending gender inequality.

See:

Gender Inequality
Lower is better
29
Pos.201529
1Switzerland0.04
2Denmark0.04
3Netherlands0.04
...
23Greece0.12
24Australia0.12
25Lithuania0.12
26Ireland0.13
27Czechia0.13
28UK0.13
29Estonia0.13
30Poland0.14
Europe Avg0.15
World Avg0.36
q=159.
Year Women Can Vote
Lower is better
Pos.0
Year
1New Zealand1893
2Australia1902
3Finland1906
...
25=Azerbaijan1921
25=Armenia1921
25=Georgia1921
28Ireland1922
29=Tajikistan1924
29=Mongolia1924
29=St Lucia1924
32Turkmenistan1927
Europe Avg1895
World Avg1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

Anti-Semite Opinions
Lower is better
30
Pos.2014
%30
1Laos0
2Philippines3
3Sweden4
...
22=Uganda16
23Jamaica18
24=India20
24=Ireland20
24=Italy20
24=China20
28Portugal21
29=Ivory Coast22
Europe Avg29.9
World Avg36.8
q=101.
LGBT Equality
Higher is better
31
Pos.2017
Score31
1Netherlands103
2Belgium90
3Sweden86
...
21Colombia58
22Finland57
23Austria56
24Ireland53
25=Ecuador50
25=Australia50
25=Peru50
28Hungary49
Europe Avg46.9
World Avg12.6
q=196.
Freedom of Thought
Lower is better
32
Pos.202132
1=Belgium1.0
1=Netherlands1.0
1=Taiwan1.0
...
72Georgia2.8
73=Malta2.8
73=Jamaica2.8
73=Ireland2.8
73=Nepal2.8
73=Gambia2.8
73=Haiti2.8
73=Montenegro2.8
Europe Avg2.6
World Avg3.0
q=196.

5. Ireland's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #Ireland #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)33
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank33
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3=Finland65.3
...
30Albania84.0
31Turkey84.5
32Estonia85.3
33=Ireland87.4
34Lithuania92.4
35Latvia93.1
36San Marino94.5
37Georgia95.6
38Andorra97.8
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)33
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank33
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
74=Grenada86.6
75Kiribati87.0
76Algeria87.3
77=Ireland87.4
77=Burundi87.4
79Nicaragua87.5
80=Guyana87.5
81Pakistan88.5
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives34. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau34.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean34, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa34.

For more, see:

Health:

Ireland does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Ireland does the second-best in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance35. It comes in the best 20 for its fertility rate16. It does better than average in its average life expectancy14 and in its adolescent birth rate29. Ireland does not succeed in everything, however. Ireland does worse than average for its suicide rate36, its smoking rate37 (still low for Europe) and in its immunizations take-up38. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in its alcohol consumption rate39. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Ireland improved by +7.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, on par with the global average improvement of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
14
Pos.2021
Years14
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
18New Zealand82.5
19Israel82.3
20Finland82.0
21Ireland82.0
22Belgium81.9
23Netherlands81.7
24Austria81.6
25Denmark81.4
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
39
Pos.2016
Per Capita39
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
181=Bulgaria12.7
182Latvia12.9
183=Luxembourg13.0
183=Ireland13.0
185Nigeria13.4
186=Germany13.4
187Czechia14.4
188Lithuania15.0
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
16
Pos.201316
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
12Tunisia1.93
13St Lucia1.93
14USA2.08
15Ireland2.10
16Iceland2.10
17Denmark1.88
18Bahamas1.88
19Finland1.87
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
37
Pos.201437
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
114Thailand 895
115Turkmenistan 92540
116Chile 930
117Ireland 954
118Australia 956
119Mongolia 957
120Bahrain 969
121France 993
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate36
Pos.2013
Per 100k36
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
55Canada22.7
56Iceland23.5
57New Zealand23.6
58Ireland23.7
59Norway23.8
60=Denmark23.9
60=Germany23.9
62Cuba24.5
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
4UK4
5Norway5
6Switzerland6
7Germany7
8Canada8
9Netherlands9
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better41
Pos.2016
%41
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
140El Salvador59.9
141Dominica60.3
142Morocco60.4
143Ireland60.6
144Dominican Rep.61.2
145Syria61.4
146=Spain61.6
146=Hungary61.6
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
29
Pos.2015
Per 100029
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
33Kuwait9.8
34Portugal9.9
35Czechia9.9
36Ireland10.4
37Algeria10.6
38Qatar10.7
39Lithuania11.0
40Montenegro12.2
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
38
Pos.2015
Avg %38
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
121Zimbabwe89.7
122Senegal89.5
123Peru89.3
124Ireland89.2
125Sudan89.2
126Honduras88.8
127Kenya88.5
128Costa Rica88.5
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Ireland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)42
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank42
1Greece50.4
2Italy51.8
3Germany55.8
...
25Albania79.8
26Belarus81.5
27Belgium82.2
28Ireland82.4
29Ukraine83.2
30=Malta83.5
31Slovenia85.5
32Turkey92.2
33Estonia95.8
Europe Avg79.9
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)42
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank42
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
85=Cameroon82.0
86Belgium82.2
87Djibouti82.3
88Ireland82.4
89Iran82.6
90Ukraine83.2
91Hong Kong83.3
92=Malta83.5
World Avg85.7
q=188.
Ireland comes 88th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Ireland comes in the best 20 in energy to GDP efficiency43 (amongst the best in Europe), its forested percent change 1990-201544 (one of the best in Europe), its environmental performance45 and in its score on the Green Future Index46. Ireland doesn't do so well in other areas. Ireland does worse than average for the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population47, annual meat consumption per person48 and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity.

Forest Area Change 1990-2015
Higher is better
44
Pos.2015
%44
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
4Kuwait+81.2
5Dominican Rep.+79.5
6Egypt+65.9
7Vietnam+65.6
8Ireland+62.2
9Tunisia+61.9
10Cuba+56.9
11Cape Verde+55.7
12Rwanda+50.9
Europe Avg+15.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
45
Pos.201845
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
4Malta80.9
5Sweden80.5
6UK79.9
7Luxembourg79.1
8Austria79.0
9Ireland78.8
10Finland78.6
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better43
Pos.201443
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
4=Colombia17.54
4=Ireland17.54
4=Switzerland17.54
7Dominican Rep.16.95
8Mauritius15.63
9=Malta15.15
9=Singapore15.15
11Denmark14.93
12Peru14.49
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
144Madagascar1996 Jun 02
145Tanzania1996 Jun 06
146Eritrea1996 Jun 19
147Ireland1996 Jun 20
148Bulgaria1996 Jul 16
149Rwanda1996 Aug 27
150St Vincent & Grenadines1996 Sep 01
151Slovenia1996 Oct 07
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better47
Pos.2011
%47
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
96Macedonia30.1%
97Senegal29.6%
98Comoros28.3%
99Ireland27.9%
100Israel27.6%
101Palestine27.5%
102Saudi Arabia27.2%
103Belgium26.9%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
48
Pos.2021
kg48
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
141Russia78.4
142Bolivia78.4
143Grenada78.6
144Ireland80.2
145Kuwait81.3
146New Zealand81.4
147S. Korea81.5
148Dominica81.6
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Ireland was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.48

Green Future Index
Higher is better46
Pos.2023
Score46
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
...
11=Germany5.9
12Belgium5.8
13Italy5.7
14=Ireland5.7
14=Canada5.7
16Luxembourg5.6
17Greece5.6
18Portugal5.5
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
q=76.

7. Ireland's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)49
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank49
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
...
11Norway21.0
12Slovenia21.3
13UK21.5
14Ireland21.7
15=Faroe Islands24.0
16Hungary24.2
17Luxembourg24.4
18Netherlands24.7
19Latvia28.2
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity & Learning (2020)49
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank49
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
15Slovenia21.3
16UK21.5
17Canada21.6
18Ireland21.7
19Japan21.9
20=S. Korea24.0
20=Faroe Islands24.0
22Hungary24.2
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

In the 1990s, Ireland was one of only ten countries to increase its expected duration of education by over 3 years. 50

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2951
2Israel4.1151
3Japan3.5851
...
20=Norway1.7051
20=UK1.7051
22Canada1.6151
23Ireland1.5251
24Estonia1.4351
25Hungary1.3751
26Italy1.2951
27Portugal1.2851
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
52
Pos.201852
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
45Sweden88.9%
46Mongolia88.8%
47Bahamas88.4%
48Ireland88.3%
49Netherlands88.3%
50Cuba87.4%
51Poland85.3%
52Belgium84.8%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
53
Pos.2021
Years53
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
6Iceland19.2
7Finland19.1
8Ireland18.9
9Denmark18.7
10Netherlands18.7
11Grenada18.7
12Turkey18.3
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
29Canada29
30Romania30
31Cyprus31
32Ireland32
33Croatia33
34Israel34
35Barbados35
36Estonia36
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
54
Pos.2015
Score54
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
8Finland1568
9S. Korea1557
10China154355
11=Ireland1528
11=Slovenia1528
13Germany1524
14=Netherlands1524
15Switzerland1519
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
56
Pos.2018
%56
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
25=Belarus21
27Ireland22
28=Kazakhstan22
28=Spain22
30Slovakia23
31=Ukraine23
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better57
Pos.200657
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
45=Georgia94
46Argentina93
47=Bulgaria93
48Ireland92
49=Malaysia92
49=Greece92
51Brunei91
52=Thailand91
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
58
Pos.201658
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
33=Slovakia83%
34Spain82%
35Austria81%
36Ireland81%
37Barbados80%
38Hungary80%
39Kuwait80%
40Malta80%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IT Security
Lower is better
59
Pos.201359
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
4Hong Kong0.12
5Mexico0.16
6Israel0.20
7Colombia0.22
8=S. Africa0.22
8=Japan0.22
10Philippines0.24
11Czechia0.24
12Argentina0.27
Europe Avg0.80
World Avg0.98
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
60
Pos.2017
Ratio60
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
4USA35.0
5Greece33.5
6Luxembourg32.4
7India26.8
8Portugal26.6
9Ireland26.1
10UK24.7
11Japan22.1
12France18.8
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Ireland has one of the best records on keeping corruption low, and has spent the last ten years making things even better.

World Giving Index
Higher is better
61
Pos.2022
%61
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
8=Canada51.0
9Zambia50.0
10=Ukraine49.0
10=Ireland49.0
12Czechia48.0
13=Nigeria48.0
13=Thailand48.0
15Guinea47.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
62
Pos.2022
Points62
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
7Switzerland82.0
8Netherlands80.0
9Germany79.0
10=Ireland77.0
10=Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
13Australia75.0
14=Estonia74.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness
Higher is better
63
Pos.2018
Score63
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
11Israel7.2
12Austria7.1
13Costa Rica7.1
14Ireland7.0
15Germany7.0
16Belgium6.9
17Luxembourg6.9
18USA6.9
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
4Switzerland4
5Sweden5
6Denmark6
7Austria7
8Ireland8
9Czechia9
10Luxembourg10
11UK11
12Portugal12
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
64
Pos.2023
Score64
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
4New Zealand1.31
5Austria1.32
6Singapore1.33
7Portugal1.33
8Slovenia1.33
9Japan1.34
10Switzerland1.34
11Canada1.35
12Czechia1.38
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
47Philippines47
48UK48
49Timor-Leste (E. Timor)49
50Ireland50
51Norway51
52Finland52
53France53
54Australia54
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
18Slovenia18
19New Zealand19
20Luxembourg20
21Ireland21
22Costa Rica22
23Thailand23
24Poland24
25S. Africa25
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
65
Pos.2019
Score65
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
79Ivory Coast2.60
80Australia2.65
81Congo, (Brazzaville)2.69
82Ireland2.69
83Zimbabwe2.83
84Peru2.84
85Rwanda2.95
86Nicaragua2.95
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better66
Pos.201966
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
13Italy3.10
14Israel3.30
15=Luxembourg3.40
15=Ireland3.40
17Portugal3.50
18=Greece3.50
18=Switzerland3.50
20Belgium3.60
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better67
Pos.2017
%67
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
27S. Korea31.6
28Germany31.7
29=Egypt31.8
29=Ireland31.8
29=Lebanon31.8
32Montenegro31.9
33Japan32.1
34=Mongolia32.3
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)56
Pos.Lower is better
%56
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
25=Belarus21
27Ireland22
28=Kazakhstan22
28=Spain22
30Slovakia23
31=Ukraine23
32Canada27
33=Uzbekistan29
33=Uruguay29
35Poland30
36Serbia34
37=Israel36
37=Portugal36
39Azerbaijan38
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)68
Pos.Higher is better
%68
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
48=Moldova6
48=Italy6
50Laos5
51=Ireland5
51=Mozambique5
53Zimbabwe4
54=Namibia4
54=Iran4
54=Mexico4
54=Portugal4
54=Romania4
54=Argentina4
54=Georgia4
54=Uzbekistan4
62Lebanon3
63=Congo, (Brazzaville)3
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below69:

Christian92%
Muslim1.1%
Hindu0.2%
Buddhist0.2%
Folk Religion0.2%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated6.2%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 93.8% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 22% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census)70.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)71, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Ireland states:

The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion or belief. However, antiblasphemy laws and state sponsorship of religion exist. Section 36 of Ireland's Defamation Act of 2009 criminalizes the publishing or utterance of "blasphemous matter" and imposes a maximum fine of €25,000. That is "matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion..." Protection exists if "a reasonable person would find genuine literary, artistic, political, scientific, or academic value in the matter to which the offence relates." There is still a requirement for holders of public office - including judges and the state president--to take a religious oath.

Cases of Discrimination

In 2000, a new religious education course was introduced that was supposed to be suitable for all religions and those without religion. However, parents who do not wish to have their children attend religious classes in school are routinely asked to supervise them personally during school hours because schools will not do so. Furthermore, some schools are reportedly forcing the children of non-religious parents to take a religious education course introduced a decade ago.

In 2003 the Equality Authority declared that publicly-funded church-linked schools are legally permitted to refuse to admit a student who is not of that religious group if the school can prove that the refusal is essential to the maintenance of the "ethos" of the school.

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)72

Links:

12. Christian Child Abuse in Ireland and the Catholic Church's Cover-ups

#catholicism #ireland

Ireland has seen a long line of child abuse scandals from within the Catholic Church, but, the particular twist taken in this country is the leaking of government documents by Edward Snowden, revealing the political battle that Catholic Church has been involved in with its attempts to stall and prevent investigations from taking place, including a long history of its staff hiding paedophiles, moving them around, and no matter what, not reporting them to the police. The Murphy Commission and the Cloyne Report finally revealed most of these antics to the public in the early 2010s. This has occurred at the local level, and, worse of all, centrally from within the Vatican. Any "moral" ground the church once had has evaporated, and it is clear to all that its sole concern is its own power and influence. Between 1991 and 2011, the number of non-religious, atheist and agnostic folk quadrupled, and the percent of Catholics in the population dropped to its lowest figure ever, although this is still a pretty high number at 84% of the population73.

After further evidence of abuse and cover-ups in Ireland was revealed in 2018 there was a new wave of criticism of the Pope for failing to provide meaningful leadership in his organisation on this issue, so he finally summoned over 100 of the most senior Bishops to the Vatican to discuss it76.

For more, see: