IRELAND’S REPUTATION AMONG an international public has slipped significantly since last year, according to a new survey of G8 nations.

Our country is now ranked 17th out of 53 states – down three places since the last survey in 2010. This continues a decline since the first time the research was carried out in 2009, when Ireland came 11th.

The figures also show a dramatic decline in Irish people’s view of their own country – with nationals rating Ireland 31st, a drop of 12 places since last year.

According to researchers at Corporate Reputations and the Reputation Institute, Ireland’s international reputation is currently having a marked negative effect on the economy. Spokesperson Niamh Boyle said:

If we can improve our reputation, we will see a direct rise in the numbers willing to support us by investing in us, visiting us, buying from us, living here and working here. Our data show us that if Ireland’s reputation improves by 10 per cent, moving from a current score of 63.6 to a score of 70,  tourism and FDI [foreign direct investment] revenues alone would increase by $570 million [€420 million].

During the study 42,000 people across the G8 group of nations – Canada, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan, France, the US and Russia – were asked to rate the standing of each of 53 countries on a number of key attributes. Canada came first, followed by Sweden and Australia, with Iraq at the bottom of the table in 53rd place.

The most important factor in determining reputation was found to be a “friendly and welcoming” population, along with “offering a safe environment to visitors and residents” and “contributing to the global economy”.