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Economy of Bahamas vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 140/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Bahamas vs Ireland GDP by year

Bahamas
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Ireland
2024 $15,832,800,000 $609,157,459,747
2023 $15,271,300,000 $567,372,737,459
2022 $13,896,800,000 $548,341,794,599
2021 $12,037,000,000 $530,394,123,830
2020 $10,363,200,000 $436,009,027,819
2019 $13,277,000,000 $407,211,793,801
2018 $12,819,200,000 $395,780,319,817
2017 $12,446,900,000 $348,355,212,569
2016 $11,880,900,000 $305,431,252,709
2015 $11,837,600,000 $302,101,388,556
2014 $11,139,100,000 $266,490,442,124
2013 $10,475,300,000 $242,924,245,719
2012 $10,720,400,000 $226,921,827,888
2011 $10,070,450,000 $240,975,871,047
2010 $10,095,760,000 $221,732,824,603
2009 $9,981,960,000 $236,443,115,854
2008 $10,526,000,000 $275,447,471,451
2007 $10,618,340,000 $270,079,279,420
2006 $10,167,250,000 $232,180,617,162
2005 $9,836,200,000 $211,876,989,656
2004 $9,055,290,000 $194,372,115,041
2003 $8,870,090,000 $164,670,771,260
2002 $8,881,160,000 $128,596,035,288
2001 $8,317,830,000 $109,346,669,230
2000 $8,076,470,000 $100,207,610,430
1999 $7,683,870,000 $98,893,958,263
1998 $6,833,220,000 $90,199,410,116
1997 $6,332,360,000 $82,856,648,758
1996 $3,609,000,000 $75,790,786,290
1995 $3,429,000,000 $69,139,823,232
1994 $3,259,000,000 $57,097,656,066
1993 $3,092,000,000 $52,417,477,614
1992 $3,109,000,000 $55,918,538,121
1991 $3,111,160,000 $49,787,501,584
1990 $3,166,000,000 $49,305,632,408
1989 $3,062,000,000 $39,238,392,678
1988 $2,817,900,000 $37,772,896,221
1987 $2,713,999,900 $33,920,518,493
1986 $2,472,500,000 $28,714,571,852
1985 $2,320,699,900 $21,270,013,326
1984 $2,041,100,000 $20,106,648,455
1983 $1,732,800,000 $20,766,047,764
1982 $1,578,300,000 $21,474,752,962
1981 $1,426,500,000 $20,670,190,138
1980 $1,335,300,000 $21,747,855,640
1979 $1,139,800,100 $18,319,334,300
1978 $832,400,000 $14,647,996,074
1977 $713,000,000 $11,248,340,431
1976 $642,100,000 $9,453,756,015
1975 $596,200,000 $9,483,808,362
1974 $632,400,000 $7,896,860,615
1973 $670,900,000 $7,481,173,066
1972 $590,900,000 $6,318,060,582
1971 $573,400,000 $5,098,250,287
1970 $539,500,000 $4,395,995,086
1969 $538,700,000 $3,902,721,632
1968 $453,800,000 $3,378,701,147
1967 $398,000,000 $3,445,739,915
1966 $346,800,000 $3,198,820,904
1965 $300,272,048 $3,035,655,794
1964 $266,560,043 $2,851,091,646
1963 $237,650,038 $2,505,073,358
1962 $212,170,034 $2,329,372,972
1961 $190,022,030 $2,151,772,980
1960 $169,736,027 $1,998,550,222

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/ireland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Ireland by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $11,291 - $11,176 -
1988 $10,576 - $10,716 -
1987 $10,361 - $9,582 -
1986 $9,601 - $8,112 -
1985 $9,167 - $6,012 -
1984 $8,202 - $5,692 -
1983 $7,081 - $5,915 -
1982 $6,559 - $6,161 -
1981 $6,029 - $5,986 -
1980 $5,743 - $6,372 -
1979 $4,994 - $5,430 -
1978 $3,720 - $4,400 -
1977 $3,253 - $3,427 -
1976 $2,993 - $2,920 -
1975 $2,841 - $2,973 -
1974 $3,080 - $2,517 -
1973 $3,341 - $2,424 -
1972 $3,014 - $2,080 -
1971 $3,004 - $1,704 -
1970 $2,916 - $1,487 -
1969 $3,027 - $1,331 -
1968 $2,668 - $1,159 -
1967 $2,453 - $1,187 -
1966 $2,239 - $1,107 -
1965 $2,030 - $1,055 -
1964 $1,883 - $995 -
1963 $1,759 - $878 -
1962 $1,651 - $821 -
1961 $1,555 - $762 -
1960 $1,459 - $707 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/ireland | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Ireland
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
4.27%
2024
Population
405203
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 19.4% 51% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 28.1% 74%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 13.3% 23% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 13% 22.8% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 12.3% 22% 33% 26.1%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 11.6% 20% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 11.2% 20.2% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 11.2% 20.5% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 11.4% 20.4% 44.2% 88%
1993 11.5% 19.8% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 46.8% 90.6%
1991 12% 15.4% 46.1% 93.8%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 44.6% 92.7%
1989 - - 42.5% 97.9%
1988 - - 48.2% 106.5%
1987 - - 51.4% 108.3%
1986 - - 52.9% 107.2%
1985 - - 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 53/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Ireland
2024 -1.18% 4.09%
2023 -3.49% 1.52%
2022 -5.16% 1.67%
2021 -11.1% -1.37%
2020 -8.09% -4.87%
2019 -1.65% 0.41%
2018 -3.24% 0.09%
2017 -5.92% -0.3%
2016 -2.61% -0.76%
2015 -3.24% -1.97%
2014 -4.38% -3.52%
2013 -5.16% -6.28%
2012 -3.15% -8.42%
2011 -2.87% -13.5%
2010 -2.56% -32.1%
2009 -2.45% -13.9%
2008 -0.83% -7.03%
2007 -0.76% 0.27%
2006 -0.43% 2.78%
2005 -1.11% 1.57%
2004 -1.93% 1.3%
2003 -1.63% 0.35%
2002 -1.62% -0.52%
2001 0.3% 0.96%
2000 0.09% 4.86%
1999 1.68% 3.54%
1998 -0.41% 2.07%
1997 -1.56% 1.37%
1996 -0.15% -0.2%
1995 0.18% -2.07%
1994 -0.39% -1.82%
1993 -1.05% -2.62%
1992 -2.23% -2.84%
1991 -2.29% -2.8%
1990 -2.64% -2.69%
1989 - -2.64%
1988 - -4.62%
1987 - -8.47%
1986 - -10.5%
1985 - -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Ireland
2024 0.41% 2.11%
2023 3.05% 6.3%
2022 5.61% 7.83%
2021 2.9% 2.34%
2020 0.04% -0.33%
2019 2.49% 0.94%
2018 2.27% 0.47%
2017 1.52% 0.36%
2016 -0.35% 0.02%
2015 1.86% -0.33%
2014 1.51% 0.19%
2013 0.72% 0.52%
2012 1.97% 1.69%
2011 3.2% 2.55%
2010 1.34% -0.92%
2009 2.06% -4.45%
2008 4.49% 4.04%
2007 2.49% 4.89%
2006 2.39% 3.94%
2005 1.59% 2.46%
2004 0.98% 2.18%
2003 3.03% 3.49%
2002 2.17% 4.63%
2001 2.04% 4.85%
2000 1.61% 5.58%
1999 1.25% 1.63%
1998 1.34% 2.41%
1997 0.54% 1.54%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/ireland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $20.1M
Animal & marine products $292K
Textiles & consumer goods $109K
Ireland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $16.5M
Animal & marine products $3.04M
Chemicals & pharma $1.27M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $299K
Machinery & equipment $105K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $102K
Metals $10K
Miscellaneous $7K
Wood & paper products $7K

Balance of trade

Bahamas Ireland
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$356B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$467B
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahamas Ireland
Economic freedom 65.1 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 3/197
Property rights 62.7 94.4
Government integrity 67.1 84
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 95.4
Tax burden 96.1 77.7
Government spending 83.8 85.9
Fiscal health 9.1 97
Business freedom 69.4 85.5
Labor freedom 66.5 61.3
Monetary freedom 77.2 79.3
Trade freedom 59.4 79.4
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Ireland
2026 65.1 83.3
2025 63.2 83.1
2024 62.5 82.6
2023 62.6 82
2022 68.7 82
2021 64.6 81.4
2020 64.5 80.9
2019 62.9 80.5
2018 63.3 80.4
2017 61.1 76.7
2016 70.9 77.3
2015 68.7 76.6
2014 69.8 76.2
2013 70.1 75.7
2012 68 76.9
2011 68 78.7
2010 67.3 81.3
2009 70.3 82.2
2008 71.1 82.5
2007 72 82.6
2006 72.3 82.2
2005 72.6 80.8
2004 72.1 80.3
2003 73.5 80.9
2002 74.4 80.5
2001 74.8 81.2
2000 73.9 76.1
1999 74.7 74.6
1998 74.5 73.7
1997 74.5 72.6
1996 74 68.5
1995 71.8 68.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/ireland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Ireland
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
18.2%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/ireland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.