🇮🇪Ireland Political Stability: 84.4/100

Ireland scores 84.4 out of 100 on the Political Stability Index, rated "Very Stable" based on World Bank 2023 Worldwide Governance Indicators across six governance dimensions.

Very Stable
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Composite score is the unweighted average of six governance dimensions, each measured on a 0-100 percentile scale.

Ireland is located in the north-west of Europe, separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea and the North Channel. The island features a ring of coastal mountains surrounding low plains, with the highest peak being Carrauntoohil at 1,039 meters. The climate is mild and changeable, characterized by frequent rainfall, particularly in the west, which contributes to its lush vegetation, earning it the nickname 'Emerald Isle.'

Ireland has a population of just over 7 million, with approximately 5.1 million in the Republic of Ireland and 1.9 million in Northern Ireland. The largest religious group is Christianity, predominantly Roman Catholicism, which represents over 73% of the population. The two official languages are Irish and English, with a growing number of speakers of Irish in urban areas.

Governance Indicators

Voice & Accountability92/100
Regulatory Quality90/100
Rule of Law89/100
Control of Corruption89/100
Government Effectiveness84/100
Political Stability63/100

Governance Profile: Ireland

World Bank governance: rule of law 89th percentile, corruption control 89th percentile, political stability 63rd percentile.

Ireland's strongest governance dimension is Voice & Accountability at 92/100, placing it in the top quartile globally. This indicates relatively strong citizen participation in selecting government, along with freedom of expression, association, and a free media.

The weakest dimension is Political Stability at 63/100. Political instability concerns may affect the overall security environment and long-term predictability.

A notable 29-point gap between Voice & Accountability and Political Stability reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

For travelers, Ireland's strong governance indicators translate to reliable public services, transparent regulations, and effective rule of law. Visitors can expect well-maintained infrastructure, responsive emergency services, and clear legal protections.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Ireland as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.

EU Governance Comparison

Top governance performers in EU based on the corruption composite ranking (weighted: 60% corruption control, 25% rule of law, 15% government effectiveness).

CountryScore
🇩🇰Denmark96.6
🇫🇮Finland95.2
🇳🇴Norway93.9
🇨🇭Switzerland93.8
🇱🇺Luxembourg92.9
🇮🇪Ireland88

Common Questions About Ireland's Political Stability

What is Ireland's political stability score?+
Ireland has a composite political stability score of 84.4 out of 100, placing it in the "Very Stable" category. This score is the average of six World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators for 2023: Voice & Accountability, Political Stability, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption.
What do the World Bank governance indicators measure?+
The six indicators come from the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) project. Each measures a different dimension of governance on a 0-100 percentile scale. Voice & Accountability captures perceptions of citizen participation and media freedom. Political Stability measures the likelihood of political instability or violence. Government Effectiveness assesses the quality of public services and policy implementation. Regulatory Quality evaluates the government's ability to formulate sound policies. Rule of Law captures confidence in contract enforcement, property rights, and courts. Control of Corruption measures the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain.
How does Ireland's stability affect travel safety?+
Governance indicators provide context beyond traditional travel advisories. Ireland's strongest area is Voice & Accountability (92/100) and its weakest is Political Stability (63/100). Strong governance generally correlates with reliable infrastructure, transparent regulations, and effective emergency services.
How does Ireland compare to other countries in EU?+
Within EU, Ireland ranks among 6 peer countries with available governance data. Its composite score of 84.4/100 places it in the lower half of the regional ranking.
When was this data last updated?+
The governance data on this page is from the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators 2023 dataset. The WGI project publishes annual updates covering over 200 countries. This page is refreshed every six hours to incorporate any new data from our sources.

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