Ireland
Last updated February 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Progressing readiness
Ireland shows progressing readiness (85th percentile worldwide). Reforms are translating into broader capability, though uneven performance continues to slow system-wide alignment. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 85th
- Global rank
- #27
- Regional rank
- #18
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Ireland shows strong future-readiness momentum, with clear strengths in Governance (87, 95th percentile) and Infrastructure (75, 92nd percentile).
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation. Strong tertiary enrollment expands future talent pipelines and strengthens national innovation potential.
Strong R&D funding and a sizable research workforce keep the innovation pipeline active, moving new solutions into education. Policy and regulatory teams coordinate effectively, keeping reforms aligned and providing the stability needed for long-term educational planning. Girls outperform boys in secondary pathways, adding pressure to address male dropout risks.
Regionally, Ireland leads most clearly in Governance, sitting well above the peer average.
Areas with room to grow: School Access and Gender Parity (70, 58th percentile). These dimensions sit close to global norms and could accelerate quickly with targeted investment.
Note: Most indicators rely on observed data, offering a dependable evidence base for decisions.
Key insights
- Sits above the global median at the 85th percentile.
- Places 27th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 18th within Europe & Central Asia.
- Scores range from Governance (86.6) to Human Capital (61.5), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.
Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Denmark | 82.00 |
| 4 | 2 | Switzerland | 78.09 |
| 6 | 3 | Netherlands | 77.83 |
| 7 | 4 | Sweden | 77.29 |
| 8 | 5 | United Kingdom | 77.03 |
| 9 | 6 | Austria | 76.84 |
| 10 | 7 | Finland | 76.84 |
| 12 | 8 | Germany | 76.42 |
| 13 | 9 | Norway | 76.31 |
| 15 | 10 | France | 75.63 |
| 18 | 11 | Portugal | 73.38 |
| 19 | 12 | Estonia | 73.29 |
| 22 | 13 | Czechia | 72.28 |
| 23 | 14 | Iceland | 72.00 |
| 24 | 15 | Slovenia | 71.90 |
| 25 | 16 | Lithuania | 71.83 |
| 26 | 17 | Belgium | 71.76 |
| 27 | 18 | Ireland | 71.34 |
| 28 | 19 | Poland | 71.15 |
| 29 | 20 | Spain | 70.41 |
| 30 | 21 | Luxembourg | 70.23 |
| 31 | 22 | Italy | 70.15 |
| 33 | 23 | Greece | 69.96 |
| 35 | 24 | Cyprus | 69.32 |
| 36 | 25 | Latvia | 68.81 |
| — | — | LiechtensteinMicrostate | 68.27 |
| 37 | 26 | Hungary | 66.71 |
| 38 | 27 | Croatia | 66.50 |
| — | — | San MarinoMicrostate | 64.62 |
| — | — | GibraltarMicrostate | 64.49 |
| — | — | AndorraMicrostate | 64.13 |
| 40 | 28 | Bulgaria | 63.95 |
| 43 | 29 | Moldova | 63.48 |
| 44 | 30 | Serbia | 63.27 |
| 46 | 31 | Turkiye | 62.68 |
| — | — | MonacoMicrostate | 62.44 |
| 48 | 32 | Slovak Republic | 61.61 |
| 51 | 33 | Montenegro | 60.77 |
| 52 | 34 | Armenia | 60.50 |
| — | — | Channel IslandsMicrostate | 60.45 |
| 54 | 35 | Albania | 60.15 |
| — | — | Isle of ManMicrostate | 60.00 |
| 55 | 36 | Russian Federation | 59.93 |
| — | — | Faroe IslandsMicrostate | 59.77 |
| 57 | 37 | Kazakhstan | 59.29 |
| 58 | 38 | Georgia | 58.71 |
| 60 | 39 | North Macedonia | 58.45 |
| 61 | 40 | Belarus | 57.83 |
| 69 | 41 | Uzbekistan | 56.65 |
| 70 | 42 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 56.62 |
| — | — | GreenlandMicrostate | 56.39 |
| 78 | 43 | Romania | 54.34 |
| 80 | 44 | Kyrgyz Republic | 54.07 |
| 88 | 45 | Kosovo | 51.19 |
| 92 | 46 | UkraineFCS | 50.59 |
| 100 | 47 | Azerbaijan | 48.44 |
| 104 | 48 | Turkmenistan | 46.09 |
| 107 | 49 | Tajikistan | 43.87 |