Downturn hope: UN finds Ireland top wealth creator in EU

HOPES that Ireland will surf through an economic downturn were raised last night as business chiefs heralded rising job numbers and a big United Nations report named Ireland as the EU’s top creator of wealth.

The UN’s 2007 State of the World Population report not only named Ireland as having the highest average income among EU states but ranked Irish cities as among the fastest growing.

Besides Norway and Switzerland, which are outside the EU zone, Ireland had the highest Gross National Income (GNI) per head at $34,720 (€29,164) in 2005, the latest year analysed.