Sources: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; Cabinet Office. Chart 12  I. Achievements and Changes  Evidence of Slowdown in Physical Aging Average Number of Teeth  Average Walking Speed 1.45  meters/second  5 years younger! 25  number of teeth  1.42  10 years younger!
Ireland has shown the most spectacular catching-up process in the EU. It is all the more impressive as Ireland lies geographically on the edge of the EU. The favourable starting conditions created by the advent of the common currency framework were helpful in this respect. Economic and political convergence make for an ever-stronger economic entity in Europe. Great challenges are ahead for us.