| BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : APRIL 10, 2000 ISSUE | ||||||||
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| INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
The Heat Is On INFLATION In 1997, Ireland had the lowest inflation in the European Union. At 4.6% today, it is now the region's highest. HOUSING BOOM Prices for some Dublin homes have doubled in the last year. CREDIT EXPANSION The huge influx of foreign banks has contributed to credit's increasing by 25% to 30% a year. LABOR SHORTAGE Over the last decade, employment has increased by 50%. Now a tight labor market operating near capacity is forcing companies to look beyond Ireland--and pay more--for both skilled and unskilled workers. DATA: BUSINESS WEEK _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ |
RELATED ITEMS Ireland: Burning Too Bright TABLE: The Heat Is On INTERACT E-Mail to Business Week Online | |||||||