https://www.humantruth.info/ireland.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2013
Ireland | ![]() |
---|---|
Status | Independent State |
Social and Moral Index | 13rd best |
Capital | Dublin |
Land Area | 68 890km21 |
Location | Europe |
Population | 4.8m2 |
Life Expectancy | 82.00yrs (2017)3 |
GNI | $76 169 (2017)4 |
ISO3166-1 Codes | IE, IRL, 3725 |
Internet Domain | .ie6 |
Currency | Euro (EUR)7 |
Telephone | +3538 |
#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
“A 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 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.
#economics #human_development #wealth
UN HDI (2021)14 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better Value14 | |
1 | Switzerland | 0.962 |
2 | Norway | 0.961 |
3 | Iceland | 0.959 |
4 | Hong Kong | 0.952 |
5 | Australia | 0.951 |
6 | Denmark | 0.948 |
7 | Sweden | 0.947 |
8 | Ireland | 0.945 |
9 | Germany | 0.942 |
10 | Netherlands | 0.941 |
11 | Finland | 0.940 |
12 | Singapore | 0.939 |
Europe Avg | 0.87 | |
World Avg | 0.72 | |
q=191. |
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)14 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better PPP $14 | |
1 | Liechtenstein | $146 830 |
2 | Singapore | $90 919 |
3 | Qatar | $87 134 |
4 | Luxembourg | $84 649 |
5 | Ireland | $76 169 |
6 | Switzerland | $66 933 |
7 | USA | $64 765 |
8 | Norway | $64 660 |
9 | Brunei | $64 490 |
10 | Hong Kong | $62 607 |
11 | UAE | $62 574 |
12 | Denmark | $60 365 |
Europe Avg | $40 512 | |
World Avg | $20 136 | |
q=193. |
Social & Moral Development Index15 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank15 | |
1 | Denmark | 27.4 |
2 | Norway | 27.6 |
3 | Sweden | 30.4 |
... | ||
10 | UK | 36.4 |
11 | Austria | 36.5 |
12 | Canada | 37.1 |
13 | Ireland | 37.1 |
14 | Germany | 38.0 |
15 | Belgium | 38.3 |
16 | France | 39.3 |
17 | Luxembourg | 40.3 |
Europe Avg | 57.5 | |
World Avg | 89.7 | |
q=198. |
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.
#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen
Population:
Ireland's population is predicted to rise to 5.356 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.70. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - 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 (two new children for each set of parents who die), 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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.16Population2 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 Population2 | |
1 | China | 1.4b |
2 | India | 1.4b |
3 | USA | 327.1m |
... | ||
120 | Palestine | 4.9m |
121 | Oman | 4.8m |
122 | Liberia | 4.8m |
123 | Ireland | 4.8m |
124 | New Zealand | 4.7m |
125 | Central African Rep. | 4.7m |
126 | Mauritania | 4.4m |
127 | Panama | 4.2m |
World Avg | 39.0m | |
q=195. |
Life Expectancy Higher is better14 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years14 | |
1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
3 | Japan | 84.8 |
... | ||
18 | New Zealand | 82.5 |
19 | Israel | 82.3 |
20 | Finland | 82.0 |
21 | Ireland | 82.0 |
22 | Belgium | 81.9 |
23 | Netherlands | 81.7 |
24 | Austria | 81.6 |
25 | Denmark | 81.4 |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Fertility Rate 2.0 is best17 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 202217 | |
1 | US Virgin Islands | 2.00 |
2 | Ecuador | 2.00 |
3 | Nepal | 2.01 |
... | ||
39 | Nicaragua | 2.28 |
40 | Panama | 2.30 |
41 | Morocco | 2.30 |
42 | Ireland | 1.70 |
43 | Colombia | 1.69 |
44 | French Polynesia | 1.69 |
45 | Iran | 1.68 |
46 | Seychelles | 2.32 |
World Avg | 2.47 | |
q=208. |
Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better18 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 Per 10018 | |
1 | Uganda | 04.3 |
2 | Mali | 04.5 |
3= | Chad | 04.7 |
... | ||
136 | Luxembourg | 28.3 |
137 | Armenia | 28.7 |
138= | Thailand | 29.2 |
138= | Ireland | 29.2 |
140 | Russia | 29.5 |
141 | Georgia | 29.7 |
142 | Montenegro | 30.0 |
143 | Belarus | 30.3 |
World Avg | 18.3 | |
q=185. |
Migration:
Immigrants19 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 %19 | |
1 | UAE | 88.4% |
2 | Kuwait | 75.5% |
3 | Qatar | 65.2% |
... | ||
25 | Austria | 19.0% |
26 | Sweden | 17.6% |
27 | Equatorial Guinea | 17.5% |
28 | Ireland | 16.9% |
29 | Cyprus | 16.0% |
30 | Belize | 16.0% |
31 | San Marino | 15.7% |
32 | Bahamas | 15.6% |
World Avg | 9.4% | |
q=195. |
Emigrants20 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2010 %20 | |
1 | Dominica | 104.8% |
2 | Palestine | 68.4% |
3 | Samoa | 67.3% |
... | ||
35 | Liechtenstein | 17.1% |
36 | Cyprus | 17.0% |
37 | Marshall Islands | 16.6% |
38 | Ireland | 16.1% |
39 | Belize | 16.1% |
40 | Azerbaijan | 16.0% |
41 | Bulgaria | 16.0% |
42 | Lebanon | 15.6% |
World Avg | 11.5% | |
q=192. |
#antisemitism #equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #ireland #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #tolerance #women
Compared to Europe (2025)21 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank21 | |
1 | Sweden | 8.5 |
2 | Denmark | 13.5 |
3 | Norway | 13.5 |
... | ||
14 | Slovenia | 30.7 |
15 | Italy | 34.4 |
16 | Czechia | 34.8 |
17 | Ireland | 35.3 |
18 | Slovakia | 38.7 |
19 | Portugal | 39.4 |
20 | Estonia | 39.6 |
21 | Cyprus | 42.8 |
22 | Poland | 43.7 |
Europe Avg | 51.0 | |
q=49. |
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)21 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank21 | |
1 | Sweden | 8.5 |
2 | Denmark | 13.5 |
3 | Norway | 13.5 |
... | ||
20 | Costa Rica | 33.7 |
21 | Italy | 34.4 |
22 | Czechia | 34.8 |
23 | Ireland | 35.3 |
24 | Chile | 37.0 |
25 | Slovakia | 38.7 |
26 | Japan | 38.8 |
27 | Portugal | 39.4 |
World Avg | 87.8 | |
q=200. |
The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway22. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, The Vatican City and Sudan22.
The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, 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 Europe22, whereas the worst are Melanesia, The Middle East and Micronesia22.
For more, see:
Human Rights & Tolerance:
Press Freedom Lower is better23 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201323 | |
1 | Finland | 638 |
2 | Netherlands | 648 |
3 | Norway | 652 |
... | ||
12 | Austria | 940 |
13 | Jamaica | 988 |
14 | Switzerland | 994 |
15 | Ireland | 1006 |
16 | Czechia | 1017 |
17 | Germany | 1024 |
18 | Costa Rica | 1208 |
19 | Namibia | 1250 |
Europe Avg | 2044 | |
World Avg | 3249 | |
q=178. |
Slavery Lower is better24 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 % Victims24 | |
1 | Japan | 0.03 |
2= | Canada | 0.05 |
2= | Taiwan | 0.05 |
... | ||
16 | Denmark | 0.16 |
17= | Paraguay | 0.16 |
17= | Sweden | 0.16 |
19 | Ireland | 0.17 |
20= | Lebanon | 0.17 |
20= | UAE | 0.17 |
20= | Finland | 0.17 |
20= | Austria | 0.17 |
Europe Avg | 0.38 | |
World Avg | 0.65 | |
q=167. |
Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better25 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2014 Rank25 | |
1 | Hong Kong | 1 |
2 | Switzerland | 2 |
3 | New Zealand | 3 |
4 | Ireland | 4 |
5 | Denmark | 5 |
6= | UK | 6 |
6= | Canada | 6 |
6= | Australia | 6 |
9 | Finland | 9 |
10 | Netherlands | 10 |
11= | Luxembourg | 11 |
11= | Austria | 11 |
Europe Avg | 33.9 | |
World Avg | 79.7 | |
q=159. |
Freedom in the World Lower is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2024 Score | |
1= | Norway | 1.0 |
1= | Canada | 1.0 |
1= | Cape Verde | 1.0 |
... | ||
18= | Micronesia | 1.0 |
18= | Iceland | 1.0 |
18= | Marshall Islands | 1.0 |
18= | Ireland | 1.0 |
18= | Italy | 1.0 |
18= | Japan | 1.0 |
18= | Luxembourg | 1.0 |
18= | Kiribati | 1.0 |
Europe Avg | 2.2 | |
World Avg | 3.7 | |
q=205. |
Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better26 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Score26 | |
1= | UK | 9 |
1= | France | 9 |
1= | Germany | 9 |
4 | Canada | 8 |
5= | Netherlands | 8 |
6 | Sweden | 7 |
7= | Ireland | 7 |
8 | Finland | 6 |
9= | Luxembourg | 6 |
9= | Belgium | 6 |
11 | Greece | 5 |
12= | Cyprus | 5 |
Europe Avg | 3.5 | |
World Avg | -1.9 | |
q=123. |
Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better27 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2009 Treaties27 | |
1 | Argentina | 24 |
2= | Chile | 23 |
2= | Costa Rica | 23 |
... | ||
62 | Kazakhstan | 19 |
63= | Luxembourg | 19 |
63= | Greece | 19 |
63= | Ireland | 19 |
66 | Lithuania | 18 |
67= | Moldova | 18 |
67= | Kyrgyzstan | 18 |
67= | Philippines | 18 |
Europe Avg | 19.5 | |
World Avg | 15.1 | |
q=194. |
HR Treaties Lag Lower is better28 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty28 | |
1 | Ecuador | 2.15 |
2 | Uruguay | 2.25 |
3 | Tunisia | 3.65 |
... | ||
156 | Vanuatu | 13.21 |
157 | Guinea-Bissau | 13.23 |
158 | Liechtenstein | 13.28 |
159 | Ireland | 13.38 |
160 | Oman | 13.46 |
161 | Uzbekistan | 13.53 |
162 | Mauritania | 13.56 |
163 | Liberia | 13.61 |
Europe Avg | 9.09 | |
World Avg | 10.02 | |
q=195. |
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)29
Gender Equality:
Ireland is on the way towards ending gender inequality.
See:
Gender Inequality Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201530 | |
1 | Switzerland | 0.04 |
2 | Denmark | 0.04 |
3 | Netherlands | 0.04 |
... | ||
23 | Greece | 0.12 |
24 | Australia | 0.12 |
25 | Lithuania | 0.12 |
26 | Ireland | 0.13 |
27 | Czechia | 0.13 |
28 | UK | 0.13 |
29 | Estonia | 0.13 |
30 | Poland | 0.14 |
Europe Avg | 0.15 | |
World Avg | 0.36 | |
q=159. |
Year Women Can Vote Lower is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total Year | |
1 | New Zealand | 1893 |
2 | Australia | 1902 |
3 | Finland | 1906 |
... | ||
25= | Azerbaijan | 1921 |
25= | Armenia | 1921 |
25= | Georgia | 1921 |
28 | Ireland | 1922 |
29= | Tajikistan | 1924 |
29= | Mongolia | 1924 |
29= | St Lucia | 1924 |
32 | Turkmenistan | 1927 |
Europe Avg | 1895 | |
World Avg | 1930 | |
q=189. |
Prejudice:
Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better31 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2014 %31 | |
1 | Laos | 0 |
2 | Philippines | 3 |
3 | Sweden | 4 |
... | ||
22= | Uganda | 16 |
23 | Jamaica | 18 |
24= | India | 20 |
24= | Ireland | 20 |
24= | Italy | 20 |
24= | China | 20 |
28 | Portugal | 21 |
29= | Ivory Coast | 22 |
Europe Avg | 29.9 | |
World Avg | 36.8 | |
q=101. |
LGBT Equality Higher is better32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Score32 | |
1 | Netherlands | 103 |
2 | Belgium | 90 |
3 | Sweden | 86 |
... | ||
21 | Colombia | 58 |
22 | Finland | 57 |
23 | Austria | 56 |
24 | Ireland | 53 |
25= | Ecuador | 50 |
25= | Australia | 50 |
25= | Peru | 50 |
28 | Hungary | 49 |
Europe Avg | 46.9 | |
World Avg | 12.6 | |
q=196. |
Freedom of Thought Lower is better33 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 202133 | |
1= | Belgium | 1.0 |
1= | Netherlands | 1.0 |
1= | Taiwan | 1.0 |
... | ||
72 | Georgia | 2.8 |
73= | Malta | 2.8 |
73= | Jamaica | 2.8 |
73= | Ireland | 2.8 |
73= | Nepal | 2.8 |
73= | Gambia | 2.8 |
73= | Haiti | 2.8 |
73= | Montenegro | 2.8 |
Europe Avg | 2.6 | |
World Avg | 3.0 | |
q=196. |
#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #ireland #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines
Compared to Europe (2020)34 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank34 | |
1 | Monaco | 13.0 |
2 | Liechtenstein | 50.0 |
3 | Norway | 66.3 |
... | ||
13 | Italy | 81.9 |
14 | Netherlands | 82.1 |
15 | Luxembourg | 83.0 |
16= | Ireland | 83.6 |
16= | UK | 83.6 |
18 | Portugal | 84.3 |
19 | Spain | 84.4 |
20 | Germany | 84.5 |
21 | Greece | 86.0 |
Europe Avg | 87.7 | |
q=47. |
Health (2020)34 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank34 | |
1 | Monaco | 13.0 |
2 | Maldives | 41.7 |
3 | Sri Lanka | 43.1 |
... | ||
48 | UAE | 82.5 |
49 | Luxembourg | 83.0 |
50 | Brazil | 83.5 |
51= | Ireland | 83.6 |
51= | UK | 83.6 |
53 | Australia | 84.1 |
54= | Guyana | 84.3 |
54= | Portugal | 84.3 |
World Avg | 95.1 | |
q=198. |
The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka35. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria35.
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 Mediterranean35, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia35.
For more, see:
Health:
Ireland does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Ireland does the second-best when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance36. It does better than average for its average life expectancy14, its adolescent birth rate30 and in its fertility rate17. But, things still need to improve in Ireland. Ireland does worse than average in terms of its suicide rate37, its smoking rate38 (still low for Europe) and in its immunizations take-up39. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate40. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Ireland improved by +7.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, on par with the global average improvement of +7.9yrs. Ireland's peak fertility rate was 4.07 in 1964.Life Expectancy Higher is better14 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years14 | |
1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
3 | Japan | 84.8 |
... | ||
18 | New Zealand | 82.5 |
19 | Israel | 82.3 |
20 | Finland | 82.0 |
21 | Ireland | 82.0 |
22 | Belgium | 81.9 |
23 | Netherlands | 81.7 |
24 | Austria | 81.6 |
25 | Denmark | 81.4 |
Europe Avg | 78.36 | |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Alcohol Consumption Lower is better40 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 Per Capita40 | |
1 | Bangladesh | 0.0 |
2 | Kuwait | 0.0 |
3 | Libya | 0.0 |
... | ||
181= | Bulgaria | 12.7 |
182 | Latvia | 12.9 |
183= | Luxembourg | 13.0 |
183= | Ireland | 13.0 |
185 | Nigeria | 13.4 |
186= | Germany | 13.4 |
187 | Czechia | 14.4 |
188 | Lithuania | 15.0 |
Europe Avg | 10.3 | |
World Avg | 6.2 | |
q=189. |
Fertility Rate 2.0 is best17 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 202217 | |
1 | US Virgin Islands | 2.00 |
2 | Ecuador | 2.00 |
3 | Nepal | 2.01 |
... | ||
39 | Nicaragua | 2.28 |
40 | Panama | 2.30 |
41 | Morocco | 2.30 |
42 | Ireland | 1.70 |
43 | Colombia | 1.69 |
44 | French Polynesia | 1.69 |
45 | Iran | 1.68 |
46 | Seychelles | 2.32 |
Europe Avg | 1.53 | |
World Avg | 2.47 | |
q=208. |
Smoking Rates Lower is better38 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201438 | |
1 | Guinea | 15 |
2 | Solomon Islands | 26 |
3 | Kiribati | 28 |
... | ||
114 | Thailand | 895 |
115 | Turkmenistan | 92541 |
116 | Chile | 930 |
117 | Ireland | 954 |
118 | Australia | 956 |
119 | Mongolia | 957 |
120 | Bahrain | 969 |
121 | France | 993 |
Europe Avg | 1 648 | |
World Avg | 819 | |
q=182. |
Suicide Rate37 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2013 Per 100k37 | |
1 | Haiti | 0 |
2 | Grenada | 0 |
3 | Egypt | 0.1 |
... | ||
55 | Canada | 22.7 |
56 | Iceland | 23.5 |
57 | New Zealand | 23.6 |
58 | Ireland | 23.7 |
59 | Norway | 23.8 |
60= | Denmark | 23.9 |
60= | Germany | 23.9 |
62 | Cuba | 24.5 |
Europe Avg | 26.99 | |
World Avg | 20.93 | |
q=91. |
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank36 | |
1 | Sweden | 1 |
2 | Ireland | 2 |
3 | Denmark | 3 |
4 | UK | 4 |
5 | Norway | 5 |
6 | Switzerland | 6 |
7 | Germany | 7 |
8 | Canada | 8 |
9 | Netherlands | 9 |
10 | USA | 10 |
11 | Luxembourg | 11 |
12 | Finland | 12 |
Europe Avg | 47.4 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Overweight Adults Lower is better42 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 %42 | |
1 | Vietnam | 18.3 |
2 | India | 19.7 |
3 | Bangladesh | 20.0 |
... | ||
140 | El Salvador | 59.9 |
141 | Dominica | 60.3 |
142 | Morocco | 60.4 |
143 | Ireland | 60.6 |
144 | Dominican Rep. | 61.2 |
145 | Syria | 61.4 |
146= | Spain | 61.6 |
146= | Hungary | 61.6 |
Europe Avg | 58.5 | |
World Avg | 49.0 | |
q=191. |
Children's Health:
Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Per 100030 | |
1 | N. Korea | 0.5 |
2 | S. Korea | 1.6 |
3 | Switzerland | 2.9 |
... | ||
33 | Kuwait | 9.8 |
34 | Portugal | 9.9 |
35 | Czechia | 9.9 |
36 | Ireland | 10.4 |
37 | Algeria | 10.6 |
38 | Qatar | 10.7 |
39 | Lithuania | 11.0 |
40 | Montenegro | 12.2 |
Europe Avg | 14.6 | |
World Avg | 47.9 | |
q=185. |
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better39 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Avg %39 | |
1= | Hungary | 99.0 |
1= | China | 99.0 |
3 | Uzbekistan | 98.9 |
... | ||
121 | Zimbabwe | 89.7 |
122 | Senegal | 89.5 |
123 | Peru | 89.3 |
124 | Ireland | 89.2 |
125 | Sudan | 89.2 |
126 | Honduras | 88.8 |
127 | Kenya | 88.5 |
128 | Costa Rica | 88.5 |
Europe Avg | 92.7 | |
World Avg | 88.3 | |
q=194. |
#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #ireland #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism
Compared to Europe (2023)43 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank43 | |
1 | Greece | 50.4 |
2 | Italy | 51.8 |
3 | Germany | 55.8 |
... | ||
25 | Albania | 79.8 |
26 | Belarus | 81.5 |
27 | Belgium | 82.2 |
28 | Ireland | 82.4 |
29 | Ukraine | 83.2 |
30= | Malta | 83.5 |
31 | Slovenia | 85.5 |
32 | Turkey | 92.2 |
33 | Estonia | 95.8 |
Europe Avg | 79.9 | |
q=43. |
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)43 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank43 | |
1 | Japan | 33.2 |
2 | Philippines | 45.0 |
3 | Uruguay | 48.0 |
... | ||
85= | Cameroon | 82.0 |
86 | Belgium | 82.2 |
87 | Djibouti | 82.3 |
88 | Ireland | 82.4 |
89 | Iran | 82.6 |
90 | Ukraine | 83.2 |
91 | Hong Kong | 83.3 |
92= | Malta | 83.5 |
World Avg | 85.7 | |
q=188. |
Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better46 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total46 | |
1 | Guernsey | 82.6% |
2 | Bahrain | 75.2% |
3 | Iceland | 64.7% |
... | ||
11 | Algeria | 23.1% |
12 | China | 23.0% |
13 | Vietnam | 23.0% |
14 | Ireland | 22.8% |
15 | Syria | 20.0% |
16 | Guam | 16.7% |
17 | Puerto Rico | 15.5% |
18 | Iran | 15.2% |
Europe Avg | 8.2% | |
World Avg | -0.1% | |
q=234. |
From 2000 to 2010, Ireland restored its forest cover by 14%, from 630 thousand hectares to 720 thousand, and added another 8.6% by 2020, the Green Futures Index described it as making "world-leading progress in reforestation" (2023)50.
Environmental Performance Higher is better45 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201845 | |
1 | Switzerland | 87.4 |
2 | France | 84.0 |
3 | Denmark | 81.6 |
4 | Malta | 80.9 |
5 | Sweden | 80.5 |
6 | UK | 79.9 |
7 | Luxembourg | 79.1 |
8 | Austria | 79.0 |
9 | Ireland | 78.8 |
10 | Finland | 78.6 |
11 | Iceland | 78.6 |
12 | Spain | 78.4 |
Europe Avg | 69.6 | |
World Avg | 56.4 | |
q=180. |
Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better44 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201444 | |
1 | Hong Kong | 26.32 |
2 | Sri Lanka | 20.00 |
3 | Panama | 17.86 |
4= | Colombia | 17.54 |
4= | Ireland | 17.54 |
4= | Switzerland | 17.54 |
7 | Dominican Rep. | 16.95 |
8 | Mauritius | 15.63 |
9= | Malta | 15.15 |
9= | Singapore | 15.15 |
11 | Denmark | 14.93 |
12 | Peru | 14.49 |
Europe Avg | 09.80 | |
World Avg | 09.29 | |
q=119. |
Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total Signed | |
1= | China | 1993 Dec 29 |
1= | Guinea | 1993 Dec 29 |
1= | Cook Islands | 1993 Dec 29 |
... | ||
144 | Madagascar | 1996 Jun 02 |
145 | Tanzania | 1996 Jun 06 |
146 | Eritrea | 1996 Jun 19 |
147 | Ireland | 1996 Jun 20 |
148 | Bulgaria | 1996 Jul 16 |
149 | Rwanda | 1996 Aug 27 |
150 | St Vincent & Grenadines | 1996 Sep 01 |
151 | Slovenia | 1996 Oct 07 |
Europe Avg | 1899 Dec 30 | |
World Avg | 1899 Dec 30 | |
q=197. |
Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better48 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2011 %48 | |
1 | Argentina | 78.3% |
2 | Greece | 77.6% |
3 | Brazil | 77.1% |
... | ||
96 | Macedonia | 30.1% |
97 | Senegal | 29.6% |
98 | Comoros | 28.3% |
99 | Ireland | 27.9% |
100 | Israel | 27.6% |
101 | Palestine | 27.5% |
102 | Saudi Arabia | 27.2% |
103 | Belgium | 26.9% |
Europe Avg | 33.6% | |
World Avg | 39.9% | |
q=145. |
Meat Consumption Lower is better49 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 kg49 | |
1 | Congo, DR | 03.0 |
2 | Burundi | 03.5 |
3 | Bangladesh | 04.3 |
... | ||
141 | Russia | 78.4 |
142 | Bolivia | 78.4 |
143 | Grenada | 78.6 |
144 | Ireland | 80.2 |
145 | Kuwait | 81.3 |
146 | New Zealand | 81.4 |
147 | S. Korea | 81.5 |
148 | Dominica | 81.6 |
Europe Avg | 71.1 | |
World Avg | 52.5 | |
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.49
Green Future Index Higher is better47 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score47 | |
1 | Iceland | 6.7 |
2 | Finland | 6.7 |
3 | Norway | 6.4 |
... | ||
11= | Germany | 5.9 |
12 | Belgium | 5.8 |
13 | Italy | 5.7 |
14= | Ireland | 5.7 |
14= | Canada | 5.7 |
16 | Luxembourg | 5.6 |
17 | Greece | 5.6 |
18 | Portugal | 5.5 |
Europe Avg | 5.6 | |
World Avg | 4.8 | |
q=76. |
#education #english #intelligence #ireland #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet
Compared to Europe (2020)51 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank51 | |
1 | Finland | 7.7 |
2 | Switzerland | 14.7 |
3 | Denmark | 14.8 |
... | ||
10 | Iceland | 19.6 |
11 | UK | 20.4 |
12 | Norway | 21.3 |
13 | Ireland | 21.7 |
14 | Slovenia | 22.4 |
15 | Luxembourg | 22.6 |
16 | Netherlands | 22.6 |
17 | Faroe Islands | 24.0 |
18 | Hungary | 25.3 |
Europe Avg | 40.6 | |
q=49. |
Modernity & Learning (2020)51 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank51 | |
1 | Finland | 7.7 |
2 | Taiwan | 10.0 |
3 | Switzerland | 14.7 |
... | ||
14 | Australia | 20.8 |
15 | Japan | 21.0 |
16 | Norway | 21.3 |
17 | Ireland | 21.7 |
18 | Canada | 21.9 |
19 | Slovenia | 22.4 |
20 | Luxembourg | 22.6 |
21 | Netherlands | 22.6 |
World Avg | 82.7 | |
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. 52
Research & Development Higher is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 % RDP PPP | |
1 | S. Korea | 4.2953 |
2 | Israel | 4.1153 |
3 | Japan | 3.5853 |
... | ||
20= | Norway | 1.7053 |
20= | UK | 1.7053 |
22 | Canada | 1.6153 |
23 | Ireland | 1.5253 |
24 | Estonia | 1.4353 |
25 | Hungary | 1.3753 |
26 | Italy | 1.2953 |
27 | Portugal | 1.2853 |
Europe Avg | 1.32 | |
World Avg | 0.84 | |
q=126. |
Secondary Education Higher is better54 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201854 | |
1= | Luxembourg | 100.0% |
1= | Estonia | 100.0% |
1= | Austria | 100.0% |
... | ||
45 | Sweden | 88.9% |
46 | Mongolia | 88.8% |
47 | Bahamas | 88.4% |
48 | Ireland | 88.3% |
49 | Netherlands | 88.3% |
50 | Cuba | 87.4% |
51 | Poland | 85.3% |
52 | Belgium | 84.8% |
Europe Avg | 88.3% | |
World Avg | 63.0% | |
q=169. |
Length of Schooling Higher is better55 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years55 | |
1 | Australia | 21.1 |
2 | New Zealand | 20.3 |
3 | Greece | 20.0 |
4 | Belgium | 19.6 |
5 | Sweden | 19.4 |
6 | Iceland | 19.2 |
7 | Finland | 19.1 |
8 | Ireland | 18.9 |
9 | Denmark | 18.7 |
10 | Netherlands | 18.7 |
11 | Grenada | 18.7 |
12 | Turkey | 18.3 |
Europe Avg | 16.1 | |
World Avg | 13.5 | |
q=193. |
Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank36 | |
1 | Ukraine | 1 |
2 | Czechia | 2 |
3 | Hungary | 3 |
... | ||
29 | Canada | 29 |
30 | Romania | 30 |
31 | Cyprus | 31 |
32 | Ireland | 32 |
33 | Croatia | 33 |
34 | Israel | 34 |
35 | Barbados | 35 |
36 | Estonia | 36 |
Europe Avg | 31.3 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better56 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Score56 | |
1 | Singapore | 1655 |
2 | Hong Kong | 1598 |
3 | Japan | 1586 |
... | ||
8 | Finland | 1568 |
9 | S. Korea | 1557 |
10 | China | 154357 |
11= | Ireland | 1528 |
11= | Slovenia | 1528 |
13 | Germany | 1524 |
14= | Netherlands | 1524 |
15 | Switzerland | 1519 |
Europe Avg | 1417 | |
World Avg | 1389 | |
q=70. |
Religiosity Lower is better58 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 %58 | |
1 | China | 3 |
2 | Estonia | 6 |
3 | Czechia | 7 |
... | ||
24 | Netherlands | 20 |
25= | Italy | 21 |
25= | Belarus | 21 |
27 | Ireland | 22 |
28= | Kazakhstan | 22 |
28= | Spain | 22 |
30 | Slovakia | 23 |
31= | Ukraine | 23 |
Europe Avg | 25.8 | |
World Avg | 54.3 | |
q=106. |
IQ Higher is better59 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 200659 | |
1= | Hong Kong | 108 |
1= | Singapore | 108 |
3 | S. Korea | 106 |
... | ||
45= | Georgia | 94 |
46 | Argentina | 93 |
47= | Bulgaria | 93 |
48 | Ireland | 92 |
49= | Malaysia | 92 |
49= | Greece | 92 |
51 | Brunei | 91 |
52= | Thailand | 91 |
Europe Avg | 96.6 | |
World Avg | 85.6 | |
q=138. |
Technology and Information:
Internet Users Higher is better60 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201660 | |
1 | Iceland | 100% |
2 | Faroe Islands | 99% |
3 | Norway | 98% |
... | ||
33= | Slovakia | 83% |
34 | Spain | 82% |
35 | Austria | 81% |
36 | Ireland | 81% |
37 | Barbados | 80% |
38 | Hungary | 80% |
39 | Kuwait | 80% |
40 | Malta | 80% |
Europe Avg | 76.7% | |
World Avg | 48.1% | |
q=201. |
IT Security Lower is better61 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201361 | |
1= | Ireland | 0.11 |
1= | Luxembourg | 0.11 |
1= | Belize | 0.11 |
4 | Hong Kong | 0.12 |
5 | Mexico | 0.16 |
6 | Israel | 0.20 |
7 | Colombia | 0.22 |
8= | S. Africa | 0.22 |
8= | Japan | 0.22 |
10 | Philippines | 0.24 |
11 | Czechia | 0.24 |
12 | Argentina | 0.27 |
Europe Avg | 0.80 | |
World Avg | 0.98 | |
IPv6 Uptake Higher is better62 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Ratio62 | |
1 | Belgium | 55.4 |
2 | Germany | 41.8 |
3 | Switzerland | 35.1 |
4 | USA | 35.0 |
5 | Greece | 33.5 |
6 | Luxembourg | 32.4 |
7 | India | 26.8 |
8 | Portugal | 26.6 |
9 | Ireland | 26.1 |
10 | UK | 24.7 |
11 | Japan | 22.1 |
12 | France | 18.8 |
Europe Avg | 8.11 | |
World Avg | 3.82 | |
q=176. |
Digital Quality of Life Higher is better63 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 202463 | |
1 | Germany | 77.9% |
2 | Finland | 76.9% |
3 | France | 73.9% |
... | ||
19 | Belgium | 66.1% |
20= | Poland | 66.0% |
20= | S. Korea | 66.0% |
22 | Ireland | 65.9% |
23 | Israel | 65.4% |
24 | Norway | 64.5% |
25 | Canada | 63.4% |
26 | Italy | 63.3% |
Europe Avg | 61.0% | |
World Avg | 48.4% | |
q=121. |
#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 better64 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 %64 | |
1 | Indonesia | 68.0 |
2 | Kenya | 61.0 |
3 | USA | 59.0 |
... | ||
8= | Canada | 51.0 |
9 | Zambia | 50.0 |
10= | Ukraine | 49.0 |
10= | Ireland | 49.0 |
12 | Czechia | 48.0 |
13= | Nigeria | 48.0 |
13= | Thailand | 48.0 |
15 | Guinea | 47.0 |
Europe Avg | 39.0 | |
World Avg | 39.6 | |
q=125. |
Corruption Higher is better65 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Points65 | |
1 | Denmark | 90.0 |
2= | Finland | 87.0 |
2= | New Zealand | 87.0 |
... | ||
7 | Switzerland | 82.0 |
8 | Netherlands | 80.0 |
9 | Germany | 79.0 |
10= | Ireland | 77.0 |
10= | Luxembourg | 77.0 |
12 | Hong Kong | 76.0 |
13 | Australia | 75.0 |
14= | Estonia | 74.0 |
Europe Avg | 57.61 | |
World Avg | 42.98 | |
q=180. |
Happiness Higher is better66 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 Score66 | |
1 | Finland | 7.6 |
2 | Norway | 7.6 |
3 | Denmark | 7.6 |
... | ||
11 | Israel | 7.2 |
12 | Austria | 7.1 |
13 | Costa Rica | 7.1 |
14 | Ireland | 7.0 |
15 | Germany | 7.0 |
16 | Belgium | 6.9 |
17 | Luxembourg | 6.9 |
18 | USA | 6.9 |
Europe Avg | 6.06 | |
World Avg | 5.38 | |
q=156. |
Creativity & Culture Lower is better36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank36 | |
1 | Belgium | 1 |
2 | Netherlands | 2 |
3 | Estonia | 3 |
4 | Switzerland | 4 |
5 | Sweden | 5 |
6 | Denmark | 6 |
7 | Austria | 7 |
8 | Ireland | 8 |
9 | Czechia | 9 |
10 | Luxembourg | 10 |
11 | UK | 11 |
12 | Portugal | 12 |
Europe Avg | 35.0 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank36 | |
1 | Ireland | 1 |
2 | Denmark | 2 |
3 | Sweden | 3 |
4 | Netherlands | 4 |
5 | Switzerland | 5 |
6 | Serbia | 6 |
7 | Belgium | 7 |
8 | Norway | 8 |
9 | Finland | 9 |
10 | Croatia | 10 |
11 | Georgia | 11 |
12 | Philippines | 12 |
Europe Avg | 42.6 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism
Global Peace Index Lower is better67 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score67 | |
1 | Iceland | 1.12 |
2 | Denmark | 1.31 |
3 | Ireland | 1.31 |
4 | New Zealand | 1.31 |
5 | Austria | 1.32 |
6 | Singapore | 1.33 |
7 | Portugal | 1.33 |
8 | Slovenia | 1.33 |
9 | Japan | 1.34 |
10 | Switzerland | 1.34 |
11 | Canada | 1.35 |
12 | Czechia | 1.38 |
Europe Avg | 1.70 | |
World Avg | 2.07 | |
q=163. |
Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank36 | |
1 | Samoa | 1 |
2 | S. Africa | 2 |
3 | Tunisia | 3 |
... | ||
47 | Philippines | 47 |
48 | UK | 48 |
49 | Timor-Leste (E. Timor) | 49 |
50 | Ireland | 50 |
51 | Norway | 51 |
52 | Finland | 52 |
53 | France | 53 |
54 | Australia | 54 |
Europe Avg | 84.6 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank36 | |
1 | Austria | 1 |
2 | Germany | 2 |
3 | Netherlands | 3 |
... | ||
18 | Slovenia | 18 |
19 | New Zealand | 19 |
20 | Luxembourg | 20 |
21 | Ireland | 21 |
22 | Costa Rica | 22 |
23 | Thailand | 23 |
24 | Poland | 24 |
25 | S. Africa | 25 |
Europe Avg | 37.8 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Impact of Terrorism Lower is better68 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2019 Score68 | |
1 | Togo | 0.00 |
2 | Mongolia | 0.00 |
3 | Swaziland | 0.00 |
... | ||
79 | Ivory Coast | 2.60 |
80 | Australia | 2.65 |
81 | Congo, (Brazzaville) | 2.69 |
82 | Ireland | 2.69 |
83 | Zimbabwe | 2.83 |
84 | Peru | 2.84 |
85 | Rwanda | 2.95 |
86 | Nicaragua | 2.95 |
Europe Avg | 1.62 | |
World Avg | 2.78 | |
q=150. |
#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development
Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better69 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201969 | |
1 | Iceland | 2.40 |
2= | Singapore | 2.50 |
2= | Hong Kong | 2.50 |
... | ||
13 | Italy | 3.10 |
14 | Israel | 3.30 |
15= | Luxembourg | 3.40 |
15= | Ireland | 3.40 |
17 | Portugal | 3.50 |
18= | Greece | 3.50 |
18= | Switzerland | 3.50 |
20 | Belgium | 3.60 |
Europe Avg | 4.86 | |
World Avg | 14.59 | |
q=184. |
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better70 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 %70 | |
1 | Slovakia | 24.1%71 |
2 | Slovenia | 24.3%71 |
3 | Belarus | 24.4%72 |
... | ||
32= | Pakistan | 29.6%73 |
33 | Sweden | 29.8%71 |
34 | Nepal | 30.0%74 |
35 | Ireland | 30.1%71 |
36= | Myanmar (Burma) | 30.7%75 |
36= | Fiji | 30.7%76 |
36= | Austria | 30.7%71 |
39 | Uzbekistan | 31.2%74 |
Europe Avg | 30.7% | |
World Avg | 36.5% | |
q=167. |
#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation
Religiosity (2018)58 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better %58 | |
1 | China | 3 |
2 | Estonia | 6 |
3 | Czechia | 7 |
... | ||
24 | Netherlands | 20 |
25= | Italy | 21 |
25= | Belarus | 21 |
27 | Ireland | 22 |
28= | Kazakhstan | 22 |
28= | Spain | 22 |
30 | Slovakia | 23 |
31= | Ukraine | 23 |
32 | Canada | 27 |
33= | Uzbekistan | 29 |
33= | Uruguay | 29 |
35 | Poland | 30 |
36 | Serbia | 34 |
37= | Israel | 36 |
37= | Portugal | 36 |
39 | Azerbaijan | 38 |
World Avg | 54.3 | |
q=106. |
Disbelief In God (2007)77 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better %77 | |
1 | Vietnam | 81 |
2 | Japan | 65 |
3 | Sweden | 64 |
... | ||
48= | Moldova | 6 |
48= | Italy | 6 |
50 | Laos | 5 |
51= | Ireland | 5 |
51= | Mozambique | 5 |
53 | Zimbabwe | 4 |
54= | Namibia | 4 |
54= | Iran | 4 |
54= | Mexico | 4 |
54= | Portugal | 4 |
54= | Romania | 4 |
54= | Argentina | 4 |
54= | Georgia | 4 |
54= | Uzbekistan | 4 |
62 | Lebanon | 3 |
63= | Congo, (Brazzaville) | 3 |
World Avg | 9.9 | |
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 below78:
Christian | 92% |
Muslim | 1.1% |
Hindu | 0.2% |
Buddhist | 0.2% |
Folk Religion | 0.2% |
Jewish | 0.1% |
Unaffiliated | 6.2% |
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)79.
The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)80, 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)81
Links:
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 population82.
"In Ireland, an inquiry found that, over six decades, child abuse had been endemic at many Catholic institutions for boys. The head of the Irish Catholic church said he was profoundly sorry".
"In January, the Catholic Church in Ireland agreed to a $110m payment to children abused by the clergy over decades. More than 20 priests, brothers and nuns have been convicted of molesting children".
52 schools, run by Catholic religious orders, that took in children that were either very troublesome, or the offspring of parents who were too poor to look after them, have all been closed in Ireland. The Irish government launched an inquiry into abuse at these 'industrial' schools. The Christian Brothers, who ran some of these schools, "have also been implicated in sex scandals in Canada. More than 300 former pupils at Mount Cashel orphanage, Newfoundland, have alleged the lay brothers abused them".
"In Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady, the primate, has admitted that he was present in 1975 when two [boys aged 10 and 14] were persuaded to sign oaths of silence about their abuse by Father Brendan Smyth. The church defrocked Smyth, but nobody, including Cardinal Brady, told the police about his crimes and he remained free to abuse boys for two decades".
The Murphy Commission reported on 320 cases of child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy between 1975 and 2004 in the Dublin archdiocese alone. Once all of this was revealed, the Vatican used its historical political ties with the Irish government to attempt to stop the investigations and delay them. The "Vatican refused to co-operate and only let officials visit Ireland once they'd been given immunity from having to testify". A leaked cable "reveals the behind-the-scenes diplomacy in which politicians in the Irish government attempted to persuade an imperious Vatican to engage with the investigation. [...] Requests for information from the 2009 Murphy commission into sexual and physical abuse by clergy "offended many in the Vatican" who felt that the Irish government had "failed to respect and protect Vatican sovereignty during the investigations", a cable says". In other words: "disrespect" meant "not helping us cover it up" and "trying to force us to give evidence on something on something we're trying to hide". The Vatican said that requests for co-operation were straining relations itself and between Irish government. Yet, they had both moral and political reason to co-operate to help end child abuse. What override both moral and political concerns was the Catholic drive to protect their religion: That was the true problem that was straining relations!
The Cloyne Report (on Catholic child abuse in Ireland, and its cover-up by the Catholic Church) had its final chapter published in 2011.
“Once more a catalogue of cover-ups and lies is revealed at the very highest echelons of the Church. Its publication has prompted Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter to reassert that stricter laws are needed to protect children. [... The publication] yet again details the failure of the Church to comply with its own child abuse guidelines and its failure to ensure that allegations of abuse when first received were brought to the notice of [the police]," said Mr Shatter. "The litany of allegations made and the failure to appropriately report cases of abuse reinforces the need to enact a statutory measure for the protection of children in the future". The newly-published chapter tells how former Bishop John Magee did not adequately deal with complaints in his Co Cork diocese against a cleric with the pseudonym of Fr Ronat. The earlier report had shown that Bishop Magee deliberately misled authorities and was failing to report abuse until as recently as three years ago.”
Newsline (2011)
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 it85.
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