Editing Republic of Ireland (section)

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{See also|Historical population of Ireland}}
[[File:Population of Ireland 1951-2011.png|thumb|Population of Ireland since 1951]]
Genetic research suggests that the earliest settlers migrated from [[Iberia]] following the most recent [[Quaternary glaciation|ice age]].<ref>[http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/mythsofbritishancestry/ "Myths of British ancestry"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030165740/https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/mythsofbritishancestry |date=30 October 2019 }} ''Prospect'' magazine</ref> After the [[Mesolithic]], [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]], migrants introduced a [[Celt]]ic language and culture. Migrants from the two latter eras still represent the genetic heritage of most [[Irish people]].<ref>''Origins of the British'', Stephen Oppenheimer, 2006</ref><ref>{{cite journal | pmc = 1182057 | pmid=15309688 | doi=10.1086/424697 | volume=75 | issue=4 | title=The Longue Durée of genetic ancestry: multiple genetic marker systems and Celtic origins on the Atlantic facade of Europe | date=October 2004 | journal=Am. J. Hum. Genet. | pages=693–702 | last1 = McEvoy | first1 = B | last2 = Richards | first2 = M | last3 = Forster | first3 = P | last4 = Bradley | first4 = DG}}</ref> [[Gaels|Gaelic]] tradition expanded and became the dominant form over time. Irish people are a combination of Gaelic, [[North Germanic peoples|Norse]], [[Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman]], French, and British ancestry.

The population of Ireland stood at 5,149,139 in 2022, an increase of 8% since 2016.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=Census of Population 2022 – Summary Results |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpsr/censusofpopulation2022-summaryresults/ |publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland}}</ref> In 2011, Ireland had the highest birth rate in the European Union (16 births per 1,000 of population).<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20797166 Ireland continues to have highest birth rate in the European Union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213064356/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20797166 |date=13 February 2019 }}. BBC News. (20 December 2012). Retrieved 16 July 2013.</ref> In 2014, 36.3% of births were to unmarried women.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-vsys/vitalstatisticsyearlysummary2014/|title=Vital Statistics Yearly Summary 2014 – CSO – Central Statistics Office|website=cso.ie|date=29 May 2015 |access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711172822/http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-vsys/vitalstatisticsyearlysummary2014/|url-status=live}}</ref> Annual population growth rates exceeded 2% during the 2002–2006 intercensal period, which was attributed to high rates of [[natural increase]] and immigration.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheykfauqlmh/ |title=Ireland's population still fastest-growing in EU |publisher=Thomas Crosbie Media |date=18 December 2007 |access-date=9 July 2009 |archive-date=11 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211090803/http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheykfauqlmh/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> This rate declined somewhat during the subsequent 2006–2011 intercensal period, with an average annual percentage change of 1.6%. The [[total fertility rate]] (TFR) in 2017 was estimated at 1.80 children born per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1, it remains considerably below the high of 4.2 children born per woman in 1850.<ref>{{citation|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?tab=chart&year=1849&country=IRL|title=Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last centuries|first=Max|last=Roser|year=2014|work=[[Our World in Data]], [[Gapminder Foundation]]|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717171707/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?tab=chart&year=1849&country=IRL|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018 the [[median age]] of the Irish population was 37.1 years.<ref>{{citation-attribution|1={{citation|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/|title=World Factbook EUROPE : IRELAND|work=[[The World Factbook]]|date=12 July 2018|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118202615/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/|url-status=live}} }}</ref>

At the time of the 2022 census, the number of non-Irish nationals was recorded at 631,785. This represents an 8% increase from the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]] figure of 535,475.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=Census of Population 2022 – Summary Results |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpsr/censusofpopulation2022-summaryresults/ |access-date=2 July 2023 |publisher=Central Statistics Office}}</ref> The five largest sources of non-Irish nationals were Poland (93,680), the UK (83,347), India (45,449), Romania (43,323), Lithuania (31,177), and Latvia (27,338) respectively. The non-Irish nationalities which saw the largest increase from 2016 were India (+33,984), Romania (+14,137), Brazil (+13,698), Ukraine (+10,006). The non-Irish nationalities which saw the largest decrease from 2016 were Poland (−28,835), UK (−19,766), Lithuania (−5,375), Latvia (−1,633), and Slovakia (−1,117).<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=Population Usually Resident and Present in the State |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/FY017 |access-date=2 July 2023 |publisher=Central Statistics Office}}</ref>

{{See also|List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland}}
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:center; width:97%; margin-right:10px; font-size:90%"
|+Largest [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland]] by population (2022 census)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1013 |title=Population Density and Area Size F1013 |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |date=29 June 2023|access-date=3 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan=30|
[[File:Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938).jpg|150px]]<br /><small>[[Dublin]]</small><br />[[File:View over Cork from St. Anne's Church, Cork - panoramio (5).jpg|150px]]<br /><small>[[Cork (city)|Cork]]</small><br />
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| <small>#</small>
! style="text-align:left; background:#f5f5f5;"| Settlement
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| Population
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| <small>#</small>
! style="text-align:left; background:#f5f5f5;"| Settlement
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| Population
!rowspan=21|
[[File:Limerick - Shannon River.JPG|150px]]<br /><small>[[Limerick]]</small><br />[[File:Galway (6254037166).jpg|150px]]<br /><small>[[Galway]]</small>
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 1 ||align=left | '''[[Dublin]]''' || 1,263,219
|| 11 ||align=left | '''[[Ennis]]''' || 27,923
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 2 ||align=left | '''[[Cork (city)|Cork]]''' || 222,526
|| 12 ||align=left | '''[[Carlow]]''' || 27,351
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 3 ||align=left | '''[[Limerick]]''' || 102,287
|| 13 ||align=left | '''[[Kilkenny]]''' || 27,184
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 4 ||align=left | '''[[Galway]]''' || 85,910
|| 14 ||align=left | '''[[Naas]]''' || 26,180
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 5 ||align=left | '''[[Waterford]]''' || 60,079
|| 15 ||align=left | '''[[Tralee]]''' || 26,079
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 6 ||align=left | '''[[Drogheda]]''' || 44,135
|| 16 ||align=left | '''[[Newbridge, County Kildare|Newbridge]]''' || 24,366
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 8 ||align=left | '''[[Dundalk]]''' || 43,112
|| 17 ||align=left | '''[[Balbriggan]]''' || 24,322
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 7 ||align=left | '''[[Swords, Dublin|Swords]]''' || 40,776
|| 18 ||align=left | '''[[Portlaoise]]''' || 23,494
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 9 ||align=left | '''[[Navan]]''' || 33,886
|| 19 ||align=left | '''[[Athlone]]''' || 22,869
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 10 ||align=left | '''[[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray]]''' || 33,512
|| 20 ||align=left | '''[[Mullingar]]''' || 22,667
|}
{{Clear}}

===Languages===
{{Main|Languages of Ireland|Irish language|Hiberno-English|Mid Ulster English}}
[[File:Percentage stating they speak Irish daily outside the education system in the 2011 census.png|thumb|Percentage of population speaking Irish daily (outside the education system) in the [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]]]]
The Irish Constitution describes Irish as the "national language" and the "first official language", but English (the "second official language") is the dominant language. In the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]], about 1.75 million people (40% of the population) said they were able to speak Irish but, of those, under 74,000 spoke it on a daily basis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Irish Language and the Gaeltacht (within Census of Population 2016 – Profile 10 Education, Skills and the Irish Language) |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp10esil/p10esil/ilg/ |website=Central Statistics Office |publisher=Government of Ireland |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=8 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208225214/https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp10esil/p10esil/ilg/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Irish is spoken as a community language only in a small number of rural areas mostly in the west and south of the country, collectively known as the [[Gaeltacht]]. Except in Gaeltacht regions, road signs are usually bilingual.<ref>{{cite ISB |year=1970|type=si|number=164 |name=Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations 1970 |date=16 July 1970 |access-date=4 February 2020 |archive-date=3 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503221548/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1970/en/si/0164.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Most public notices and print media are in English only. While the state is officially bilingual, citizens can often struggle to access state services in Irish and most government publications are not available in both languages, even though citizens have the right to deal with the state in Irish. Irish language media include the TV channel [[TG4]], the radio station [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta]] and online newspaper [[Tuairisc.ie]]. In the [[Irish Defence Forces]], all foot and arms drill commands are given in the Irish language.

As a result of immigration, [[Polish language|Polish]] is the most widely spoken language in Ireland after English, with Irish as the third most spoken.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0329/315449-divorce-rate-up-150-since-2002-census/|title=Irish is third most used language – Census|date=29 March 2012|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230185533/https://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0329/315449-divorce-rate-up-150-since-2002-census/|url-status=live}}</ref> Several other Central European languages (namely Czech, Hungarian and Slovak), as well as [[Baltic languages]] (Lithuanian and Latvian) are also spoken on a day-to-day basis. Other languages spoken in Ireland include [[Shelta]], spoken by Irish Travellers, and a dialect of [[Ulster Scots dialects|Scots]] is spoken by some [[Ulster Scots people]] in Donegal.<ref>[http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/what-is-ulster-scots/language/ An introduction to the Ulster-Scots Language] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901151749/http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/what-is-ulster-scots/language/ |date=1 September 2011 }}, Ulster-Scots Agency.</ref> Most secondary school students choose to learn one or two foreign languages. Languages available for the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate include French, German, Italian and Spanish; Leaving Certificate students can also study Arabic, Japanese and Russian. Some secondary schools also offer [[Ancient Greek]], [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] and [[Latin]]. The study of Irish is generally compulsory for Leaving Certificate students, but some may qualify for an exemption in some circumstances, such as learning difficulties or entering the country after age 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=17216&language=EN&ecategory=42741&link=link001&doc=38941 |title=Pupils exempt from the study of the Irish language (per ''Circular M10/94 – Revision of Rule 46 of the "Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools" in relation to exemption from Irish'') |publisher=Department of Education and Skills |access-date=27 October 2010 |archive-date=24 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124031052/http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=17216&language=EN&ecategory=42741&link=link001&doc=38941 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{bar box
|title= Religion in the Republic of Ireland<ref name="REL">{{cite web | date = 30 May 2023 | title = Population Usually Resident and Present in the State| url=https://data.cso.ie/table/FY032| publisher = CSO.ie | agency = Central Statistics Office | access-date = 2 June 2023}}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Catholic Church in Ireland|Catholic Church]]|DarkGreen|69.1}}
{{bar percent|[[Irreligion in the Republic of Ireland|Non-religious]]|Blue|14.5}}
{{bar percent|[[Protestantism in the Republic of Ireland|Protestant]]|Violet|4.0}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in the Republic of Ireland|Muslim]]|Black|1.6}}
{{bar percent|Not Stated|Pink|6.7}}
{{bar percent|Other|Orange|4.1}}
}}

Religious freedom is constitutionally provided for in Ireland, and the country's constitution has been [[secular state|secular]] since 1973. [[Christianity in Ireland|Christianity]] is the predominant religion, and while Ireland remains a predominantly Catholic country, the percentage of the population who identified as Catholic on the census has declined significantly in the early 21st century, from 84.2 percent in the [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]] to 69.1 percent in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Statement Census 2016 Results Profile 8 - Irish Travellers, Ethnicity and Religion - CSO - Central Statistics Office |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/pressreleases/2017pressreleases/pressstatementcensus2016resultsprofile8-irishtravellersethnicityandreligion/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.cso.ie |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=Religion - CSO - Central Statistics Office |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpp5/census2022profile5-diversitymigrationethnicityirishtravellersreligion/religion/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.cso.ie |language=en}}</ref> Other results from the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]] were: 4.2% [[Protestantism|Protestant]], 1.3% Orthodox, 1.3% Muslim, and 9.8% having no religion.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://static.rasset.ie/documents/news/census-2016-summary-results-part-1-full.pdf |title= Census 2016 Summary Results – Part 1 |date= 6 April 2017 |access-date= 6 April 2017 |archive-date= 5 August 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190805070538/https://static.rasset.ie/documents/news/census-2016-summary-results-part-1-full.pdf |url-status= live }}</ref> According to a [[Georgetown University]] study, before 2000 the country had one of the highest rates of regular [[Mass in the Catholic Church|mass]] attendance in the [[Western world]].<ref>Weekly Mass Attendance of Catholics in Nations with Large Catholic Populations, 1980–2000 – [[World Values Survey]] (WVS)</ref>
While daily attendance was 13% in 2006, there was a reduction in weekly attendance from 81% in 1990 to 48% in 2006; the decline was reported as stabilising, though.<ref>[http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=44521 Irish Mass attendance below 50%] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503190240/http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=44521 |date=3 May 2011 }} ''Catholic World News'' 1 June 2006</ref> In 2011, it was reported that weekly mass attendance in Dublin was 18% and even lower among younger generations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/fewer-than-one-in-five-attend-sunday-mass-in-dublin-1.585731 |title=Fewer than one in five attend Sunday Mass in Dublin' |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=30 June 2011 |first=Jamie |last=Smyth |archive-date=8 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108154007/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/fewer-than-one-in-five-attend-sunday-mass-in-dublin-1.585731 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin 2023 (2).jpg|thumb|[[St Mary's Pro-Cathedral]] is the seat of the Catholic Church in [[Dublin]].]]
[[File:Dublin St. Patrick's Cathedral Exterior North Side 02.jpg|thumb|[[St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin]], is the national Cathedral of the [[Church of Ireland]].]]

The [[Church of Ireland]], at 2.7% of the population, is the second largest Christian denomination. Membership declined throughout the twentieth century but experienced an increase early in the 21st century alongside other Christian denominations. Other significant Protestant denominations are the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland|Presbyterian Church]] and [[Methodist Church in Ireland|Methodist Church]]. Immigration has contributed to a growth in [[Hinduism in the Republic of Ireland|Hindu]] and Muslim populations. In percentage terms, as of the 2006 census, [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]] and [[Islam]] are the fastest growing religions with increases of 100% and 70% respectively.<ref>{{cite book|title=Final Principal Demographic Results 2006 |url=http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/Final%20Principal%20Demographic%20Results%202006.pdf |access-date=20 June 2010 |year=2007 |publisher=Central Statistics Office |isbn=978-0-7557-7169-1 |pages=31 (Table Q) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325005303/http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/Final%20Principal%20Demographic%20Results%202006.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009}}</ref>

Ireland's patron saints are [[Saint Patrick]], [[Brigid of Kildare|Saint Bridget]], and [[Columba|Saint Columba]]; Saint Patrick is commonly recognised as the primary patron saint.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.galwaytourism.ie/a-history-of-st-patrick-patron-saint-of-ireland/ | website = galwaytourism.ie | title = A history of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland | date = March 2024 | accessdate = 5 July 2024 }}</ref> [[Saint Patrick's Day]] is celebrated on 17 March in Ireland and abroad as the Irish national day with parades and other celebrations.

As with other traditionally Catholic European states, such as Spain and Italy,<ref>{{cite book | title = Religion in Europe at the End of the Second Millenium - A Sociological Profile | editor-first = Andrew M. | editor-last = Greeley | isbn = 9780765808219 | date = 2004 | publisher = Routledge | page = 208 }}</ref> Ireland underwent a period of legal secularisation in the late twentieth century. In 1972, the article of the Constitution naming specific religious groups was deleted by the [[Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Fifth Amendment]] in a referendum. Article 44 remains in the Constitution: "The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion." The article also establishes freedom of religion, prohibits endowment of any religion, prohibits the state from religious discrimination, and requires the state to treat religious and non-religious schools in a non-prejudicial manner.

Although most [[Denominational education in the Republic of Ireland|schools in Ireland are patronised by religious organisations]], government policy has been to "transfer" some schools to non-denominational or multi-denominational patronage,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2023/12/28/parents-to-be-polled-next-year-on-multi-denominational-education-in-effort-to-accelerate-school-choice/ | website = Irish Times | title = Parents to be polled next year on multi-denominational education in effort to 'accelerate' school choice | date = 27 December 2023 | accessdate = 5 July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Irish poll shows parents no longer want to force religion on to children|url=http://www.secularism.org.uk/irishpollshowsparentsnolongerwan.html|publisher=National Secular Society|access-date=29 August 2011|location=United Kingdom|date=13 April 2007|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927164507/http://www.secularism.org.uk/irishpollshowsparentsnolongerwan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and a secularist trend is occurring among younger generations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Daniszewski|first=John|title=Catholicism Losing Ground in Ireland|url=https://latimes.com/news/la-fg-ireland17apr17-story.html#page=1|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=29 August 2011|date=17 April 2005|archive-date=21 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321102705/http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-ireland17apr17-story.html#page=1|url-status=live}} {{cite news|last=Lawler|first=Phil|title=Ireland threatened by secularism, Pope tells new envoy|url=http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=53564|access-date=29 August 2011|newspaper=Catholic World News|date=17 September 2007|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610073112/http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=53564|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Education===
{{Main|Education in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:University-College-Cork-Panorama-2012.JPG|thumb|[[University College Cork]] was founded in 1845 and is a ''constituent university'' of the [[National University of Ireland]].]]
Ireland has three levels of education: primary, secondary and higher education. The education systems are largely under the direction of the Government via the [[Minister for Education (Ireland)|Minister for Education]]. Recognised primary and secondary schools must adhere to the curriculum established by the relevant authorities. Education is compulsory between the ages of six and fifteen years, and all children up to the age of eighteen must complete the first three years of secondary, including one sitting of the [[Junior Certificate]] examination.<ref>Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 [http://193.178.1.79/ZZA22Y2000S17.html (Section 17)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015328/http://193.178.1.79/ZZA22Y2000S17.html |date=30 September 2007}}</ref>

There are approximately 3,300 primary schools in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | title=Minister Hanafin announces intention to pilot new additional model of Primary School Patronage | date=17 February 2007 | access-date=7 September 2010 | url=http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=10861&language=EN&ecategory=41296&link=link001&doc=34229 | publisher=Department of Education and Skills | archive-date=26 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926034331/http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=10861&language=EN&ecategory=41296&link=link001&doc=34229 | url-status=live }}</ref> The vast majority (92%) are under the patronage of the Catholic Church. Schools run by religious organisations, but receiving public money and recognition, cannot discriminate against pupils based upon religion or lack thereof. A sanctioned system of preference does exist, where students of a particular religion may be accepted before those who do not share the ethos of the school, in a case where a school's quota has already been reached.

[[File:Long Room Interior, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland - Diliff.jpg|thumb|The longroom at the [[Trinity College Library]]]]

The [[Irish Leaving Certificate|Leaving Certificate]], which is taken after two years of study, is the final examination in the secondary school system. Those intending to pursue higher education normally take this examination, with access to third-level courses generally depending on results obtained from the best six subjects taken, on a competitive basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.educationireland.ie/irish-education/secondary-education/leaving-certificate.html |title=Education Ireland – Leaving Certificate |publisher=Educationireland.ie |access-date=12 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029070824/http://educationireland.ie/irish-education/secondary-education/leaving-certificate.html |archive-date=29 October 2010}}</ref> Third-level education awards are conferred by at least 38 Higher Education Institutions – this includes the constituent or linked colleges of seven universities, plus other designated institutions of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. According to the 2022 US News rankings, Ireland is among the top twenty best countries for education.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best Countries for Education |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-education |website=US News |access-date=16 November 2022 |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116042125/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-education |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks Ireland as having the fourth highest reading score, ninth highest science score and thirteenth highest mathematics score, among OECD countries, in its 2012 assessment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Irish teens perform significantly above average in maths, reading and science – OECD |work=Education |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |date=3 December 2013 |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1203/490592-oecd |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1203/490592-oecd/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, Irish students aged 15 years had the second highest levels of reading literacy in the EU.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-mip/measuringirelandsprogress2013/education/education-education/#d.en.75179 |title=CSO – Measuring Ireland's Progress 2013 |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2014 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-mip/measuringirelandsprogress2013/education/education-education/#d.en.75179 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ireland also has 0.747 of the World's top 500 Universities per capita, which ranks the country in 8th place in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_uni_top_500_percap-universities-top-500-per-capita |title=World's top 500 Universities per capita |publisher=Nationmaster.com |access-date=30 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623192352/http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_uni_top_500_percap-universities-top-500-per-capita |archive-date=23 June 2011}}</ref> Primary, secondary and higher (university/college) level education are all free in Ireland for all EU citizens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Third-level student fees|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html|work=Free fees|publisher=Citizens Information Board|access-date=25 July 2010|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418150529/https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There are charges to cover student services and examinations.

In addition, 37 percent of Ireland's population has a university or [[college degree]], which is among the highest percentages in the world.<ref>Michael B. Sauter and Alexander E. M. Hess, [http://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/09/21/the-most-educated-countries-in-the-world/ The Most Educated Countries in the World] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104104554/http://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/09/21/the-most-educated-countries-in-the-world/ |date=4 November 2015 }}, 24/7 Wall St., 21 September 2012</ref><ref>Samantha Grossman, [https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/09/27/and-the-worlds-most-educated-country-is/ And the World's Most Educated Country Is...], ''Time'', 27 September 2012</ref>

===Healthcare===
{{Main|Healthcare in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:R.C.S.I Disease Research Centre.jpg|thumb|[[RCSI]] Disease and Research Centre at [[Beaumont Hospital, Dublin|Beaumont Hospital]] in [[Dublin]]]]
Healthcare in Ireland is provided by both public and private healthcare providers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/introduction_to_the_irish_system/health_care_in_ireland.html|title=Health care|publisher=Irish Citizens Information Board|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102004014/http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/introduction_to_the_irish_system/health_care_in_ireland.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Minister for Health (Ireland)|Minister for Health]] has responsibility for setting overall health service policy. Every resident of Ireland is entitled to receive health care through the public health care system, which is managed by the [[Health Service Executive]] and funded by general taxation. A person may be required to pay a subsidised fee for certain health care received; this depends on income, age, illness or disability. All maternity services are provided free of charge and children up to the age of 6 months. Emergency care is provided to patients who present to a hospital emergency department. However, visitors to emergency departments in non-emergency situations who are not referred by their [[general practitioner|GP]] may incur a fee of €100. In some circumstances this fee is not payable or may be waived.<ref>{{citation|title=Charges for hospital services |publisher=Citizens Information board |date=26 July 2011}}</ref>

Anyone holding a [[European Health Insurance Card]] is entitled to free maintenance and treatment in public beds in Health Service Executive and voluntary hospitals. Outpatient services are also provided for free. However, the majority of patients on median incomes or above are required to pay subsidised hospital charges. Private health insurance is available to the population for those who want to avail of it.

The average [[life expectancy]] in Ireland in 2021 was 82.4 years ([[List of countries by life expectancy#OECD (2022)|OECD list]]), with 80.5 years for men and 84.3 years for women.<ref>{{cite web |title=Life expectancy at birth |url=https://data.oecd.org/healthstat/life-expectancy-at-birth.htm |website=OECD |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/Ireland/|title=OECD Better Life Index|website=oecdbetterlifeindex.org|access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721180308/http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/ireland/|url-status=live}}</ref> It has the highest birth rate in the EU (16.8 births per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to an EU average of 10.7)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland-has-eu-s-highest-birth-rate-1.861676 |title=Ireland has EU's highest birth rate |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=7 July 2010 |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland-has-eu-s-highest-birth-rate-1.861676 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a very low infant mortality rate (3.5 per 1,000 [[Live birth (human)|live births]]). The Irish healthcare system ranked 13th out of 34 European countries in 2012 according to the European Health Consumer Index produced by [[Health Consumer Powerhouse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/files/Report-EHCI-2012.pdf|title=Euro Health Consumer Index 2012|publisher=[[Health Consumer Powerhouse]]|date=15 May 2012|access-date=23 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525195728/http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/files/Report-EHCI-2012.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The same report ranked the Irish healthcare system as having the 8th best health outcomes but only the 21st most accessible system in Europe.