Since 2004, inflation has been more muted but still running higher than that of most peer countries.

Worse still, it found that fewer people here aspire to starting businesses than in most peer countries.

She said Ireland had rejected six recommendations from peer countries: Spain, Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands, Norway and Slovenia.

If the system in place shows shortcomings, the peer countries must raise those issues, he said at the weekend.

The performance of this economy has been uniquely volatile relative to peer countries since the middle of the last century.

The study notes that the United States does have lower-than-average cancer death rates and better control of blood pressure and cholesterol than peer countries.

The United States has a "health disadvantage" compared with peer countries, particularly regarding obesity and women's life expectancy, while having high rates of mammography screening.