Tertiary Economic Activities

Despite a strong primary and secondary sector, tertiary activities makes up the majority of Dublin's economic output and employment. Two main parts of the Tertiary Sector are tourism and transport.

Tourism

• Tourism significantly contributes to Dublin's economy, attracting millions of visitors annually and boosting local businesses and services.
• Key attractions include the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and Dublin Castle, drawing numerous international tourists.
• Tourism supports thousands of jobs in Dublin, ranging from hospitality to tour guides, providing significant employment opportunities.
• Dublin offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget hostels, catering to various tourist needs and preferences.
• The city hosts several cultural events and festivals, such as St. Patrick's Day celebrations and the Dublin International Film Festival, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.

*Viking Splash tours are popular with tourists *

Transport

• Dublin has a well-developed public transport network, including Luas, DART, and Dublin Bus, which are regular, efficient, and plentiful, helping reduce traffic congestion.
• Dublin Port processes 50% of Irish trade, while Dublin Airport is the largest employer in the region, handling 29 million passengers in 2017.
• Under Ireland 2040, a metro system linking the city with the airport is planned, which will ease city travel and potentially increase tourist numbers.
• Despite the efficient transport network, Dublin faces significant traffic congestion, with 90% of commercial transport by road. In 1997, the average city speed was 14 kmph.
• The Transport 21 plan introduced by the government included the development of the Dublin Port Tunnel and the M50 ring road, with ongoing expansions of Luas lines and quality bus corridors.

The M50 is Ireland's busiest motorway

Population Distribution

The GDA's population has a number of defining characteristics.

• The Greater Dublin Area has a population of 1.3 million, which continues to grow. Between 2002 and 2006, it increased by 5.6%.
• Dublin does not suffer from a brain drain, as many people move there for work or further education. There are five major universities: TUD, UCD, DCU, Maynooth University and Trinity College.
• During the Celtic Tiger era, migrants from both Ireland and abroad moved to Dublin due to its status as an economic core, with many manufacturing and service job opportunities. Migrants are typically young and skilled, contributing to the social and economic life of the city.
• Educational attainment is unevenly distributed, with areas like Ballymun experiencing early school-leaving and poor attendance, linked to poverty and social issues. The proportion of those attending third-level education in Dublin is 50.8%, lower than the national average of 55%. However, this number is rising, aiding the development of areas like Ballymun.
• Dublin is a multicultural city with many nationalities and religions. It has two mosques catering to its large Islamic population. Foreign nationals make up 8% of Dublin's population, creating a diverse cultural landscape often described as a 'salad bowl' where cultures maintain distinct identities with low assimilation rates.
• Migrants have revitalised parts of Dublin by settling in specific areas. For example, 60% of Ireland's Asian population lives in Dublin, raising questions about future cultural integration. Dublin also has a large population of migrants from Brazil and Poland.