Irish people ‘are second richest in European Union’

THE Irish are the second most prosperous people in the European Union — and even wealthier than the Swiss, according to figures published yesterday.

Nothing can shift Luxembourgers from the top spot the Grand Duchy boasts per capita wealth running at more than twice the EU average. But, for the third year running, a thriving economy boosted by EU membership benefits has pitched Ireland ahead of rich nations such as Germany, Austria and Denmark.

The figures from Eurostat, the EU's statistical office, assess GDP in terms of purchasing power standards (PPS). Taking 100 as the EU average, Luxembourg's per capita GDP is put at 215%, followed by Ireland at 133%.

Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands, Britain and Belgium are next, all at around 120%.

At the other end, Lithuania, Poland and Latvia recorded figures of less than half the EU average.

Countries still aspiring to become EU members Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Turkey, have even lower per capita wealth in Turkey's case just 28% of the EU average.

Three prosperous countries happy to stay outside the EU Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are doing very nicely.