Ireland

With a per capita income of $41,100, Ireland is the eighth richest nation in the world. Among European countries, only Luxembourg ($65,900) and Norway ($42,800) report higher per capita incomes. The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Human Development Report ranks Ireland's standard of living as the fourth highest in the world, and healthcare is widely available. Historically, an agricultural economy, Ireland has transformed itself into a major export giant. Between 1995 and 2004, Ireland averaged a seven percent growth rate. Inflation (2.4 percent) and unemployment (4.3 percent) are under control; however, a tenth of the population lives in poverty. Income disparity also exists, and Ireland is rated 35.9 on the gini index of inequality. The poorest ten percent of the population is able to claim only two percent of the country's wealth as opposed to 35.9 percent for the wealthiest 10 percent.

The Irish health system operates through a combination of private insurance and public subsidies. Government spending on health is high, and the government directs an average of 16 percent of the total budget to health programs. Health expenditures comprise 7.3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the government allots $2,496 per capita for health. Nearly 80 percent of all health spending originates with the government, but only 0.8 percent of that funding is used for social security. Ireland's social insurance and social assistance system covers full-time employees and self-employed and part-time workers whose earnings exceed a base income. Recipients are the elderly, the disabled, and survivors. Cash benefits are paid to the seriously ill, parents on leave for the birth or adoption of a child, the unemployed, and injured workers. Irish residents whose family income is below a certain level are issued a medical card that allows them to receive medical care, medications, hospital services, out-pa-tient care, dental care, medical devices, and maternity and infant care free of charge. Parents are awarded a cash grant upon the birth of each child. Private sources provide just over a fifth of total health expenditures, and 61.90 of that amount is derived from out-of-pock-et expenses. There are 2.79 physicians, 15.20 nurses, 4.27 midwives, 0.56 dentists, and 0.07 pharmacists per 1,000 population in Ireland.

The 4,062,235 people of Ireland have a life expectancy of 77.73 years, with females outliving males by an average of six years. Literacy is universal (99 percent), and all Irish in the relevant age groups are enrolled in primary and secondary school. Safe drinking water and improved sanitation are available throughout Ireland. Despite the fact that 88.4 percent of the population identify themselves as Roman Catholic, [Page 949]birth control is widely practiced; and the government sponsors a number of family planning programs. On the average, Irish women give birth to 1.86 children each. All births occur in the presence of trained attendants. Natural births are widespread, and Ireland has one of the highest rates in the developed world. The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme has been initiated to provide care to pregnant women and new mothers free of charge. The adjusted maternal mortality rate is low at five deaths per 100,000 live births.

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