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Dublin has been the engine of  Ireland's economic growth, with the leading sectors of the economy - software, electronics, financial services, and tourism - clustered in the greater Dublin area. The Greater Dublin Area accounts for 48% of national Gross Value Added (GVA).

Dublin has been at the centre of Ireland's phenomenal economic growth over the last 10-15 years, a period (often of double-digit growth) referred to as the Celtic Tiger years.

Dublin's strong performance is supported by a number of underlying factors in the Irish economy, including a strong social partnership model, and very positive demographics - Ireland is the youngest country in Europe. Irish labour costs are among the lowest in Europe, and also lower than the US average. More significantly, business tax rates have been fixed at a standard rate of 12.5% for all businesses from 2003.

Living standards in the city have risen dramatically, although the cost of living has also increased. Dublin is now the planet's 16th most expensive city.

Economic growth is expected to slow in the coming years, with the Irish central bank predicting medium-term growth rates of around 3-5%. While this represents a slowdown relative to the early Celtic Tiger years, it is still stronger than growth in most other wealthy countries.