ABSTRACT
Having described the course of the Irish economy since the 1920s, it is now appropriate to take stock of Ireland's record of economic growth during this period. Comparison with other countries is helpful in providing a context within which to consider Ireland's progress. Since the whole of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom up to 1921, we shall be particularly interested in comparing the growth record in the two parts of Ireland with each other and with the UK. However, British economic growth in that period has been among the slowest in Europe, so that it is important to extend the comparison to other European countries to provide a wider perspective on Ireland's relative progress. The first section of this chapter examines the growth rates of total and per capita real product from the 1920s to the 1980s, and for various sub-periods. Section 6.2 then considers how, as a result of the different growth experiences, Ireland's standing has changed vis-à-visother European countries with regard to relative income levels. The final section specifies the key issues that need to be explored further in Part Three in attempting to evaluate the economic performance of the Republic since independence.
