Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris joined the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on Monday to launch a new annual report series evaluating economic trends across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The initiative marks a significant step in strengthening data-driven policymaking and understanding shared economic challenges on the island.
Developed in partnership with the Shared Island Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach, the report provides an evidence-based assessment of the economic structure and performance of both jurisdictions. The new series aims to offer consistent, comparable indicators that will help policymakers track convergence, divergence, and long-term shifts across key sectors.
As the first edition in the series, the report builds on earlier Shared Island research, including the 2025 study led by Adele Bergin and colleagues. It compiles comparable datasets and identifies critical information gaps that limit north–south analysis. ESRI researchers say establishing this baseline is essential to shaping future editions and ensuring a clear, unified framework for evaluating economic developments.
The findings are designed to deepen joint understanding of the two economies, guide policy development, support academic research, and foster increased collaboration between Ireland and Northern Ireland on common opportunities and challenges.
The report was authored by ESRI economists Dr. Alan Barrett and Dr. Adele Bergin and published as part of the ESRI Survey and Statistical Report Series.
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