Ireland the world's 'most global' nation

For the second year, Ireland has topped a poll of 62 countries placed in order of how open they are to economic, political, social and technological integration.

The latest AT Kearney/Foreign Policy magazine Globalization Index reveals that despite a slowing world economy and other knock-on affects of 11 September - including the first decline in international travel and tourism since 1945 - Ireland continues to prosper from its international links, many of which revolve around high-tech.

Political globalisation has actually increased as a result of 11 September and the war on terrorism. Membership of international organisations has increased and while UN peace-keeping missions have declined, the number of countries taking part in them has gone up.

However, the areas of telecoms and IT show why Ireland comes out ahead of nations such as the Netherlands, Singapore (a past winner), Sweden and the UK.

Overall, worldwide telephone traffic grew nine per cent in 2002 and the Irish are the world's most talkative citizens, spending more than 737 minutes on international calls per person. Meanwhile, global internet use has gone up 22.5 per cent, to over 550 million people.

Ireland is a key hub for tech companies in Europe, being a base for giants such as EDS, EMC and Nortel. The latest poll also showed Ireland attracted $91bn in portfolio capital inflows in 2001, up $11bn on the previous year and nearly $30bn ahead of the UK, a long-time leader in inward investment in Europe.

Other nations to fare well in this year's poll - assuming 'globalisation' is largely seen as a positive thing - are the Czech Republic (15), Malaysia (18) and Israel (19). Big movers of note outside the top 20 include Morocco (up 17 places to 29) and South Africa (up 16 to 38), largely on the back of inward investment.