The Economist magazine has apologised for errors in its recently published "Pocket World in Figures 2004" book relating to marriage rates around the world, in particular, those in the Republic of Ireland.
The book stated that there were just over two marriages per 1000 population in the State, a figure they now admit is incorrect.
The statement issued by the magazine also says figures relating to the amount of money spent in the Republic may not be strictly comparable.
The Economist reference book suggested that the average Irish person spends vastly more on alcohol than other Europeans, a claim which was described as "ludicrous" by a senior Irish economist with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
According to the study, $1,335.50 per year is spent on alcoholic drinks for every man, woman and child in Ireland, a figure which is more than France, Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands combined.
The book also suggested that Ireland had the lowest marriage rate in the world.
The figures suggested that Ireland had a marriage rate of just over two per 1,000 population in 2002, which would make it by far the lowest marriage rate in Europe.
The study also found Britain with 10 marriages per 1,000 population to have the highest.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/2693e910-3117-4a22-aacf-74cecf13edc4.png)