Ireland’s remarkable journey on digital development provides insights into countries looking to leverage the digital economy to create jobs.
- Ireland’s digital economy contributes 13% of GDP, compared to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in Central and Eastern Europe, where digital economies reached 18% of GDP in 2021.
- Moreover, the country leads the EU in mobile broadband take-up, with a rate of 98% in 2023 compared to the EU average of 87%. The country ranks 38th globally in terms of median fixed broadband speed.
- Additionally, its digital entrepreneurship landscape is driven by dynamic growth, innovative startups, increasing AI adoption, and challenges in securing mid-range funding for scaling businesses.
- Furthermore, increased e-commerce activity and widespread IoT adoption position the nation as a leader in digital transformation within the EU.
- By leveraging its role as a value chain hub, the country maintains strong ICT trade connections with North America and Europe, while recording a smaller share of imports from Asia.
- While DESI 2023 recognizes progress, with 85% of SMEs achieving basic digital intensity, gaps remain in AI and Big Data adoption.
- However, rising cybersecurity challenges, escalating economic impacts, and threats have prompted strategic government initiatives to enhance resilience and counteract risks.
- Finally, the ICT sector supports rapid employment growth, high earnings, and substantial tax contributions, with concentrated profits and a dominant presence of multinational enterprises.
Join us as we explore Ireland’s evolving digital landscape, where opportunities for growth and innovation abound.
