Ireland Hospital Beds
Hospital beds per 1,000 people SH.MED.BEDS.ZS
Ireland's hospital beds was 3.00 in 2025, ranked 54th globally. This represents a 1.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Ireland's hospital beds stood at 3.00 in 2025, a rise of +0.04 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.00 by 2025. Ireland ranked 54th globally.
Ireland’s hospital‑bed stock has contracted sharply over the past four and a half decades, falling from an all‑time peak of 9.00 beds per 1,000 people in 1981 to a trough of 2.54 in 2012, before stabilising at the latest 2025 figure of 3.00 beds per 1,000 (World Bank, 2025), which places the country 54th globally. This decline reflects broader European trends of efficiency‑driven bed reductions, yet Ireland’s current level remains marginally higher than Spain’s 2.92 and Argentina’s 2.95, and slightly below Israel’s 3.16, underscoring a modestly better capacity among its peers. The steep fall after the 1980s coincided with health‑system reforms that emphasised outpatient care and shorter lengths of stay, while the modest rebound after 2012 suggests limited re‑investment in inpatient infrastructure. Future trajectories will hinge on demographic ageing and policy choices regarding acute‑care capacity, with any substantial increase in bed numbers likely requiring targeted public‑sector funding and revised staffing models.
Data & projection
| Year | Hospital Beds | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 3.02 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.00 | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.00 | +0.04 | #54 |
| 2023 | 2.96 | +0.02 | #35 |
| 2022 | 2.94 | +0.04 | #56 |
| 2021 | 2.90 | +0.01 | #60 |
| 2020 | 2.89 | +0.01 | #60 |
| 2019 | 2.88 | −0.09 | #60 |
| 2018 | 2.97 | +0.00 | #59 |
| 2017 | 2.97 | +0.02 | #60 |
| 2016 | 2.95 | +0.03 | #62 |
| 2015 | 2.92 | +0.35 | #63 |
| 2014 | 2.57 | +0.01 | #74 |
| 2013 | 2.56 | +0.02 | #76 |
| 2012 | 2.54 | −0.08 | #75 |
| 2011 | 2.62 | −0.11 | #71 |
| 2010 | 2.73 | −0.10 | #69 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ireland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw hospital beds improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ireland's hospital beds was 3.00 in 2025. Ranked 54th globally. This represents a 1.3% increase from the previous year.
Ireland's hospital beds peaked at 9.00 in 1980.
The lowest hospital beds in Ireland was 2.54 in 2012.
Ireland ranks 54th globally in hospital beds as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.BEDS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ireland's hospital beds is projected to reach 3.00 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The hospital beds of Ireland in 2025 was 3.00. This ranks 54th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ireland_hospital-beds,
title = {Ireland Hospital Beds},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ireland/hospital-beds/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}