Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 23/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.
Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.
Belgium vs Ireland GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|
| 2024 | $671,370,081,636 | $609,157,459,747 |
| 2023 | $651,330,595,110 | $567,372,737,459 |
| 2022 | $591,085,783,326 | $548,341,794,599 |
| 2021 | $598,522,422,242 | $530,394,123,830 |
| 2020 | $529,694,473,502 | $436,009,027,819 |
| 2019 | $536,726,344,405 | $407,211,793,801 |
| 2018 | $542,638,913,428 | $395,780,319,817 |
| 2017 | $500,908,767,352 | $348,355,212,569 |
| 2016 | $474,271,566,740 | $305,431,252,709 |
| 2015 | $461,044,767,545 | $302,101,388,556 |
| 2014 | $537,987,419,164 | $266,490,442,124 |
| 2013 | $524,097,026,599 | $242,924,245,719 |
| 2012 | $498,414,364,945 | $226,921,827,888 |
| 2011 | $527,196,649,049 | $240,975,871,047 |
| 2010 | $481,556,503,720 | $221,732,824,603 |
| 2009 | $485,014,525,992 | $236,443,115,854 |
| 2008 | $517,328,087,920 | $275,447,471,451 |
| 2007 | $470,922,156,309 | $270,079,279,420 |
| 2006 | $408,259,840,869 | $232,180,617,162 |
| 2005 | $385,714,762,230 | $211,876,989,656 |
| 2004 | $369,214,712,443 | $194,372,115,041 |
| 2003 | $318,082,528,507 | $164,670,771,260 |
| 2002 | $258,383,599,375 | $128,596,035,288 |
| 2001 | $236,746,141,604 | $109,346,669,230 |
| 2000 | $236,792,460,312 | $100,207,610,430 |
| 1999 | $258,245,733,221 | $98,893,958,263 |
| 1998 | $258,528,339,631 | $90,199,410,116 |
| 1997 | $252,708,051,421 | $82,856,648,758 |
| 1996 | $279,201,433,225 | $75,790,786,290 |
| 1995 | $288,025,588,396 | $69,139,823,232 |
| 1994 | $244,884,129,491 | $57,097,656,066 |
| 1993 | $224,721,795,709 | $52,417,477,614 |
| 1992 | $234,781,652,447 | $55,918,538,121 |
| 1991 | $210,510,999,409 | $49,787,501,584 |
| 1990 | $205,331,747,948 | $49,305,632,408 |
| 1989 | $164,221,056,511 | $39,238,392,678 |
| 1988 | $162,299,103,675 | $37,772,896,221 |
| 1987 | $149,394,404,106 | $33,920,518,493 |
| 1986 | $120,018,787,249 | $28,714,571,852 |
| 1985 | $86,268,264,148 | $21,270,013,326 |
| 1984 | $83,349,530,159 | $20,106,648,455 |
| 1983 | $87,184,239,053 | $20,766,047,764 |
| 1982 | $92,095,926,188 | $21,474,752,962 |
| 1981 | $104,730,018,470 | $20,670,190,138 |
| 1980 | $126,829,314,388 | $21,747,855,640 |
| 1979 | $116,315,456,797 | $18,319,334,300 |
| 1978 | $101,246,526,194 | $14,647,996,074 |
| 1977 | $82,839,905,459 | $11,248,340,431 |
| 1976 | $71,113,882,968 | $9,453,756,015 |
| 1975 | $65,678,189,097 | $9,483,808,362 |
| 1974 | $56,033,077,879 | $7,896,860,615 |
| 1973 | $47,743,801,490 | $7,481,173,066 |
| 1972 | $37,209,418,019 | $6,318,060,582 |
| 1971 | $29,821,661,870 | $5,098,250,287 |
| 1970 | $26,706,196,047 | $4,395,995,086 |
| 1969 | $24,019,653,475 | $3,902,721,632 |
| 1968 | $21,654,856,965 | $3,378,701,147 |
| 1967 | $20,252,508,995 | $3,445,739,915 |
| 1966 | $18,894,891,312 | $3,198,820,904 |
| 1965 | $17,597,783,297 | $3,035,655,794 |
| 1964 | $16,168,044,450 | $2,851,091,646 |
| 1963 | $14,445,805,381 | $2,505,073,358 |
| 1962 | $13,436,827,167 | $2,329,372,972 |
| 1961 | $12,561,701,694 | $2,151,772,980 |
| 1960 | $11,810,619,368 | $1,998,550,222 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/ireland | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Belgium vs Ireland by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $56,615 | $73,514 | $112,895 | $133,437 |
| 2023 | $55,291 | $71,946 | $106,819 | $129,683 |
| 2022 | $50,606 | $69,128 | $105,191 | $138,523 |
| 2021 | $51,658 | $60,669 | $103,783 | $116,904 |
| 2020 | $45,906 | $56,120 | $86,514 | $97,800 |
| 2019 | $46,717 | $56,712 | $81,828 | $92,023 |
| 2018 | $47,487 | $52,467 | $80,804 | $86,299 |
| 2017 | $44,035 | $50,256 | $72,161 | $80,450 |
| 2016 | $41,855 | $48,415 | $64,130 | $73,013 |
| 2015 | $40,894 | $46,072 | $64,250 | $71,588 |
| 2014 | $47,996 | $45,148 | $57,215 | $52,641 |
| 2013 | $46,965 | $43,864 | $52,538 | $48,839 |
| 2012 | $44,874 | $42,484 | $49,336 | $46,726 |
| 2011 | $47,761 | $41,245 | $52,614 | $45,526 |
| 2010 | $44,197 | $39,840 | $48,624 | $43,212 |
| 2009 | $44,923 | $37,906 | $52,133 | $41,491 |
| 2008 | $48,303 | $37,883 | $61,353 | $44,169 |
| 2007 | $44,319 | $36,798 | $61,396 | $46,782 |
| 2006 | $38,705 | $35,251 | $54,329 | $44,223 |
| 2005 | $36,810 | $33,178 | $50,933 | $40,466 |
| 2004 | $35,429 | $32,060 | $47,754 | $38,729 |
| 2003 | $30,655 | $30,931 | $41,204 | $36,280 |
| 2002 | $25,006 | $30,282 | $32,705 | $35,222 |
| 2001 | $23,015 | $28,794 | $28,282 | $32,573 |
| 2000 | $23,099 | $27,794 | $26,335 | $30,216 |
| 1999 | $25,253 | $25,441 | $26,338 | $27,041 |
| 1998 | $25,338 | $24,370 | $24,295 | $25,094 |
| 1997 | $24,821 | $23,733 | $22,551 | $22,637 |
| 1996 | $27,490 | $22,745 | $20,836 | $20,482 |
| 1995 | $28,414 | $22,446 | $19,158 | $18,944 |
| 1994 | $24,209 | $21,518 | $15,903 | $17,011 |
| 1993 | $22,284 | $20,473 | $14,657 | $15,811 |
| 1992 | $23,373 | $20,272 | $15,714 | $15,116 |
| 1991 | $21,042 | $19,601 | $14,087 | $14,399 |
| 1990 | $20,600 | $18,688 | $14,031 | $13,743 |
| 1989 | $16,525 | - | $11,176 | - |
| 1988 | $16,391 | - | $10,716 | - |
| 1987 | $15,136 | - | $9,582 | - |
| 1986 | $12,170 | - | $8,112 | - |
| 1985 | $8,751 | - | $6,012 | - |
| 1984 | $8,457 | - | $5,692 | - |
| 1983 | $8,846 | - | $5,915 | - |
| 1982 | $9,344 | - | $6,161 | - |
| 1981 | $10,623 | - | $5,986 | - |
| 1980 | $12,864 | - | $6,372 | - |
| 1979 | $11,811 | - | $5,430 | - |
| 1978 | $10,290 | - | $4,400 | - |
| 1977 | $8,427 | - | $3,427 | - |
| 1976 | $7,243 | - | $2,920 | - |
| 1975 | $6,701 | - | $2,973 | - |
| 1974 | $5,734 | - | $2,517 | - |
| 1973 | $4,901 | - | $2,424 | - |
| 1972 | $3,832 | - | $2,080 | - |
| 1971 | $3,083 | - | $1,704 | - |
| 1970 | $2,766 | - | $1,487 | - |
| 1969 | $2,490 | - | $1,331 | - |
| 1968 | $2,251 | - | $1,159 | - |
| 1967 | $2,114 | - | $1,187 | - |
| 1966 | $1,983 | - | $1,107 | - |
| 1965 | $1,860 | - | $1,055 | - |
| 1964 | $1,724 | - | $995 | - |
| 1963 | $1,555 | - | $878 | - |
| 1962 | $1,457 | - | $821 | - |
| 1961 | $1,368 | - | $762 | - |
| 1960 | $1,290 | - | $707 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/ireland | CC BY
Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.
Economic indicators
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$671B
2024 |
$609B
2024 |
| GDP rank |
23/197
2024 |
25/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
1.07%
2023-2024 |
2.6%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$56,615
2024 |
$112,895
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
18/197
2024 |
4/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$73,514
2024 |
$133,437
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
21/197
2024 |
4/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$703B
2024 |
$236B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
104.7%
2024 |
38.8%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$59,278
2024 |
$43,766
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
5/185
2024 |
11/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$35,259
2026 |
$47,851
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$321B
2018 |
$110B
2018 |
| Number of millionaires |
549,000
2025 |
n/a |
| Number of billionaires |
11
2025 |
11
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
22.2%
2023 |
24.1%
2023 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.7%
2023 |
3.7%
2023 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
54.5%
2024 |
22.3%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
3.14%
2023-2024 |
2.11%
2023-2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
5.7%
2024 |
4.27%
2024 |
| Population |
11902714
|
5518360
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 54.5% | 104.7% | 22.3% | 38.8% |
| 2023 | 53.3% | 103.2% | 22.1% | 42.1% |
| 2022 | 52.3% | 102.7% | 20.6% | 43.2% |
| 2021 | 54.9% | 108.5% | 23.6% | 52.7% |
| 2020 | 58.5% | 111.2% | 26.7% | 57.1% |
| 2019 | 51.8% | 97.6% | 23.9% | 55.9% |
| 2018 | 52.5% | 100.1% | 24.7% | 61.4% |
| 2017 | 52.3% | 102.5% | 25.3% | 65.3% |
| 2016 | 53.4% | 105.5% | 27.5% | 72.7% |
| 2015 | 53.9% | 105.6% | 28.1% | 74% |
| 2014 | 55.4% | 106.6% | 36.6% | 101.4% |
| 2013 | 55.9% | 105% | 39.8% | 117.7% |
| 2012 | 56.2% | 104.3% | 42.3% | 118.9% |
| 2011 | 55% | 102.7% | 46.9% | 109.6% |
| 2010 | 53.9% | 100.2% | 64.9% | 86.2% |
| 2009 | 54.5% | 99.9% | 46.9% | 61.8% |
| 2008 | 50.8% | 93.2% | 41.6% | 42.5% |
| 2007 | 48.6% | 87.3% | 35.6% | 23.9% |
| 2006 | 48.8% | 91.5% | 33.6% | 23.7% |
| 2005 | 51.9% | 95.1% | 33% | 26.1% |
| 2004 | 49.3% | 97.2% | 32.8% | 28.1% |
| 2003 | 51% | 101.7% | 32.7% | 29.8% |
| 2002 | 49.9% | 105.4% | 32.9% | 30.9% |
| 2001 | 49.4% | 108.2% | 32.2% | 33.6% |
| 2000 | 49.4% | 109.6% | 30.6% | 36.4% |
| 1999 | 50.5% | 115.4% | 32.5% | 46.6% |
| 1998 | 51% | 119.2% | 34.2% | 51.4% |
| 1997 | 51.6% | 124.3% | 36.1% | 61.6% |
| 1996 | 53.1% | 129% | 38.5% | 69.8% |
| 1995 | 52.6% | 131.3% | 40.3% | 78.5% |
| 1994 | 54.7% | 137.1% | 44.2% | 88% |
| 1993 | 57.1% | 138.9% | 44.6% | 93.4% |
| 1992 | 55.9% | 134.7% | 46.8% | 90.6% |
| 1991 | 55.6% | 131.8% | 46.1% | 93.8% |
| 1990 | 54.4% | 130.3% | 44.6% | 92.7% |
| 1989 | 52.3% | 126.4% | 42.5% | 97.9% |
| 1988 | 53.9% | 129.7% | 48.2% | 106.5% |
| 1987 | 55.8% | 129.2% | 51.4% | 108.3% |
| 1986 | 57.6% | 124.7% | 52.9% | 107.2% |
| 1985 | 58.4% | 119.4% | 53.2% | 93% |
| 1984 | 59.1% | 114.6% | 52.7% | 90.2% |
| 1983 | 62.2% | 110.3% | 55.6% | 86.1% |
| 1982 | 59.6% | 99.6% | 56.7% | 73.5% |
| 1981 | 61.5% | 89.7% | 54.1% | 68.8% |
| 1980 | 54.9% | 76.8% | 53.7% | 64.6% |
| 1979 | 54.8% | 69.2% | 48.7% | 63.5% |
| 1978 | 52.8% | 65.2% | 46.2% | 50.6% |
| 1977 | 52.2% | 61.6% | 44.6% | 49.2% |
| 1976 | 50.4% | 61.4% | 47.8% | 51.7% |
| 1975 | 50.2% | 59.5% | 48.2% | 48.3% |
| 1974 | 44.5% | 61.7% | 44.3% | 43.5% |
| 1973 | 45% | 63.7% | 40.3% | 35.1% |
| 1972 | 45% | 64.9% | 41.5% | 37.3% |
| 1971 | 43.9% | 63.5% | 45.3% | 39.8% |
| 1970 | 42.7% | 66.6% | 44.1% | 41.7% |
| 1969 | 26.5% | 51.6% | 42.5% | 42.6% |
| 1968 | 26.7% | 54.5% | 40% | 44.7% |
| 1967 | 25.5% | 54.1% | 39.3% | 47.1% |
| 1966 | 25.1% | 55.6% | 36.9% | 47.7% |
| 1965 | 23.4% | 57.6% | 35.8% | 44.6% |
| 1964 | 22.5% | 59.4% | 34.8% | 43.1% |
| 1963 | 23.1% | 64.1% | 33.6% | 45.2% |
| 1962 | 22.5% | 65.3% | 31.7% | 44.5% |
| 1961 | 22.1% | 67.8% | 31.4% | 44.3% |
| 1960 | 23.7% | 69.4% | 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/belgium/ireland | CC BY
In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 19/185 and 138/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|
| 2024 | -4.52% | 4.09% |
| 2023 | -4.1% | 1.52% |
| 2022 | -3.62% | 1.67% |
| 2021 | -5.4% | -1.37% |
| 2020 | -9.03% | -4.87% |
| 2019 | -2.05% | 0.41% |
| 2018 | -1.05% | 0.09% |
| 2017 | -0.76% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | -2.43% | -0.76% |
| 2015 | -2.48% | -1.97% |
| 2014 | -3.18% | -3.52% |
| 2013 | -3.16% | -6.28% |
| 2012 | -4.35% | -8.42% |
| 2011 | -4.44% | -13.5% |
| 2010 | -4.13% | -32.1% |
| 2009 | -5.45% | -13.9% |
| 2008 | -1.1% | -7.03% |
| 2007 | 0.07% | 0.27% |
| 2006 | 0.24% | 2.78% |
| 2005 | -2.72% | 1.57% |
| 2004 | -0.24% | 1.3% |
| 2003 | -1.86% | 0.35% |
| 2002 | -0.04% | -0.52% |
| 2001 | 0.23% | 0.96% |
| 2000 | -0.08% | 4.86% |
| 1999 | -0.65% | 3.54% |
| 1998 | -1.03% | 2.07% |
| 1997 | -2.15% | 1.37% |
| 1996 | -4% | -0.2% |
| 1995 | -4.51% | -2.07% |
| 1994 | -5.29% | -1.82% |
| 1993 | -7.71% | -2.62% |
| 1992 | -8.42% | -2.84% |
| 1991 | -7.67% | -2.8% |
| 1990 | -6.99% | -2.69% |
| 1989 | -7.58% | -2.64% |
| 1988 | -7.28% | -4.62% |
| 1987 | -7.89% | -8.47% |
| 1986 | -9.96% | -10.5% |
| 1985 | -10.1% | -10.7% |
| 1984 | -10.8% | -9.43% |
| 1983 | -14.5% | -11.5% |
| 1982 | -12.3% | -13.1% |
| 1981 | -15.5% | -12.1% |
| 1980 | -9.43% | -11.1% |
| 1979 | -8.33% | -10% |
| 1978 | -6.51% | -8.27% |
| 1977 | -6.51% | -6.44% |
| 1976 | -6.61% | -7.34% |
| 1975 | -6.45% | -11.1% |
| 1974 | -3.87% | -6.96% |
| 1973 | -5.02% | -3.84% |
| 1972 | -6.07% | -3.23% |
| 1971 | -4.45% | -3.5% |
| 1970 | -3.51% | -3.64% |
| 1969 | -3.34% | -3.4% |
| 1968 | -3.69% | -2.72% |
| 1967 | -2.76% | -2.69% |
| 1966 | -3.08% | -2.26% |
| 1965 | -2.9% | -3.5% |
| 1964 | -2.27% | -3.35% |
| 1963 | -2.8% | -2.92% |
| 1962 | -2.12% | -2.91% |
| 1961 | -2.34% | -2.6% |
| 1960 | -4.89% | -1.97% |
| 1959 | -5.21% | -2.16% |
| 1958 | -4.33% | -4.3% |
| 1957 | -1.27% | -5.19% |
| 1956 | 1.85% | -3.23% |
| 1955 | -1.05% | -5.06% |
| 1954 | 2.34% | -5.28% |
| 1953 | 0.14% | -5.77% |
| 1952 | -0.26% | -7.84% |
| 1951 | 0.59% | -4.62% |
| 1950 | -2.01% | -5.21% |
| 1949 | -2.05% | -2.17% |
| 1948 | -2.29% | -1.29% |
| 1947 | -14.5% | -1.8% |
| 1946 | 1.87% | -0.43% |
| 1945 | - | -0.43% |
| 1944 | - | 0.39% |
| 1943 | -5.81% | -1.18% |
| 1942 | - | -2.48% |
| 1941 | - | -1.42% |
| 1940 | - | -0.15% |
| 1939 | -6.86% | -7.31% |
| 1938 | -5.17% | -0.92% |
| 1937 | -4.71% | -0.77% |
| 1936 | -4.92% | -0.19% |
| 1935 | -5.94% | - |
| 1934 | -2.78% | - |
| 1933 | -1.69% | 2.97% |
| 1932 | - | - |
| 1931 | - | -1.63% |
| 1930 | -2.48% | - |
| 1929 | - | -3.41% |
| 1928 | - | - |
| 1927 | 3.06% | - |
| 1926 | - | -1.95% |
| 1925 | - | - |
| 1924 | -5.53% | - |
| 1923 | - | - |
| 1922 | - | - |
| 1921 | - | - |
| 1920 | - | - |
| 1919 | - | - |
| 1918 | - | - |
| 1917 | - | - |
| 1916 | - | - |
| 1915 | - | - |
| 1914 | - | - |
| 1913 | -1.4% | - |
| 1912 | -1.39% | - |
| 1911 | -0.92% | - |
| 1910 | -0.18% | - |
| 1909 | 0.13% | - |
| 1908 | -0.95% | - |
| 1907 | -0.81% | - |
| 1906 | -1.35% | - |
| 1905 | 1.23% | - |
| 1904 | 0.004% | - |
| 1903 | 0.08% | - |
| 1902 | 0.22% | - |
| 1901 | 0.55% | - |
| 1900 | -0.54% | - |
| 1899 | -1.64% | - |
| 1898 | -0.28% | - |
| 1897 | -0.25% | - |
| 1896 | 0.94% | - |
| 1895 | -0.33% | - |
| 1894 | 0.06% | - |
| 1893 | 0.07% | - |
| 1892 | 0.17% | - |
| 1891 | -0.005% | - |
| 1890 | -0.83% | - |
| 1889 | 0.3% | - |
| 1888 | -0.21% | - |
| 1887 | -0.12% | - |
| 1886 | 0.54% | - |
| 1885 | -0.43% | - |
| 1884 | -0.26% | - |
| 1883 | -0.54% | - |
| 1882 | -0.3% | - |
| 1881 | 0.08% | - |
| 1880 | 0.12% | - |
| 1879 | -1.51% | - |
| 1878 | -1.78% | - |
| 1877 | -2.52% | - |
| 1876 | -0.77% | - |
| 1875 | -0.88% | - |
| 1874 | -1.02% | - |
| 1873 | -2.08% | - |
| 1872 | -0.7% | - |
| 1871 | -0.64% | - |
| 1870 | -0.58% | - |
| 1869 | -0.35% | - |
| 1868 | -0.39% | - |
| 1867 | -0.49% | - |
| 1866 | -0.87% | - |
| 1865 | -0.55% | - |
| 1864 | -0.62% | - |
| 1863 | -0.72% | - |
| 1862 | -0.49% | - |
| 1861 | -0.22% | - |
| 1860 | -0.13% | - |
| 1859 | 0.1% | - |
| 1858 | 0.35% | - |
| 1857 | 0% | - |
| 1856 | -0.26% | - |
| 1855 | -0.28% | - |
| 1854 | -0.4% | - |
| 1853 | -0.3% | - |
| 1852 | -0.44% | - |
| 1851 | -0.05% | - |
| 1850 | -0.11% | - |
| 1849 | 0.11% | - |
| 1848 | -1.41% | - |
| 1847 | -0.69% | - |
| 1846 | -0.52% | - |
| 1845 | -1.17% | - |
| 1844 | -4.92% | - |
| 1843 | -0.86% | - |
| 1842 | -0.89% | - |
| 1841 | -0.75% | - |
| 1840 | 0.16% | - |
| 1839 | -0.43% | - |
| 1838 | 0.23% | - |
| 1837 | -0.11% | - |
| 1836 | 0.18% | - |
| 1835 | 0.27% | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1835–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/ireland | CC BY
In 2024, Belgium's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.3B, equivalent to 4.52% of GDP. This compares to Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.
Over the past 65 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 50 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Ireland.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|
| 2024 | 3.14% | 2.11% |
| 2023 | 4.05% | 6.3% |
| 2022 | 9.6% | 7.83% |
| 2021 | 2.44% | 2.34% |
| 2020 | 0.74% | -0.33% |
| 2019 | 1.44% | 0.94% |
| 2018 | 2.05% | 0.47% |
| 2017 | 2.13% | 0.36% |
| 2016 | 1.97% | 0.02% |
| 2015 | 0.56% | -0.33% |
| 2014 | 0.34% | 0.19% |
| 2013 | 1.11% | 0.52% |
| 2012 | 2.84% | 1.69% |
| 2011 | 3.53% | 2.55% |
| 2010 | 2.19% | -0.92% |
| 2009 | -0.05% | -4.45% |
| 2008 | 4.49% | 4.04% |
| 2007 | 1.82% | 4.89% |
| 2006 | 1.79% | 3.94% |
| 2005 | 2.78% | 2.46% |
| 2004 | 2.1% | 2.18% |
| 2003 | 1.59% | 3.49% |
| 2002 | 1.65% | 4.63% |
| 2001 | 2.47% | 4.85% |
| 2000 | 2.54% | 5.58% |
| 1999 | 1.12% | 1.63% |
| 1998 | 0.95% | 2.41% |
| 1997 | 1.63% | 1.54% |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/ireland | CC BY
Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 2.11% in Ireland.
Top exports between countries
|
Belgium
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Chemicals & pharma | $2.15B |
| Machinery & equipment | $1.67B |
| Manufacturing & construction services | $761M |
| Business & finance services | $742M |
| Raw materials & minerals | $552M |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $490M |
| IT & IP services | $425M |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $401M |
| Transport & tourism services | $178M |
| Metals | $129M |
|
Ireland
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Chemicals & pharma | $16.8B |
| Business & finance services | $2.62B |
| IT & IP services | $2.57B |
| Machinery & equipment | $961M |
| Animal & marine products | $316M |
| Transport & tourism services | $311M |
| Raw materials & minerals | $171M |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $96M |
| Wood & paper products | $26.7M |
| Manufacturing & construction services | $18.7M |
Balance of trade
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$2.54B
2024 |
$106B
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
151/190
2024 |
6/190
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-0.38%
2024 |
+17.4%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$370B
2024 |
$165B
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$382B
2024 |
$356B
2024 |
| Service imports |
$164B
2024 |
$467B
2024 |
| Service exports |
$150B
2024 |
$526B
2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
79.7%
2024 |
102.2%
2024 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
79.3%
2024 |
144%
2024 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 69.2 | 83.3 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 42/197 | 3/197 |
| Property rights | 91.1 | 94.4 |
| Government integrity | 78.2 | 84 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 91.6 | 95.4 |
| Tax burden | 50.6 | 77.7 |
| Government spending | 14.6 | 85.9 |
| Fiscal health | 53.4 | 97 |
| Business freedom | 82.5 | 85.5 |
| Labor freedom | 57.5 | 61.3 |
| Monetary freedom | 76.8 | 79.3 |
| Trade freedom | 79.4 | 79.4 |
| Investment freedom | 85 | 90 |
| Financial freedom | 70 | 70 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|
| 2026 | 69.2 | 83.3 |
| 2025 | 69 | 83.1 |
| 2024 | 65.6 | 82.6 |
| 2023 | 67.1 | 82 |
| 2022 | 69.6 | 82 |
| 2021 | 70.1 | 81.4 |
| 2020 | 68.9 | 80.9 |
| 2019 | 67.3 | 80.5 |
| 2018 | 67.5 | 80.4 |
| 2017 | 67.8 | 76.7 |
| 2016 | 68.4 | 77.3 |
| 2015 | 68.8 | 76.6 |
| 2014 | 69.9 | 76.2 |
| 2013 | 69.2 | 75.7 |
| 2012 | 69 | 76.9 |
| 2011 | 70.2 | 78.7 |
| 2010 | 70.1 | 81.3 |
| 2009 | 72.1 | 82.2 |
| 2008 | 71.7 | 82.5 |
| 2007 | 72.5 | 82.6 |
| 2006 | 71.8 | 82.2 |
| 2005 | 69 | 80.8 |
| 2004 | 68.7 | 80.3 |
| 2003 | 68.1 | 80.9 |
| 2002 | 67.6 | 80.5 |
| 2001 | 63.8 | 81.2 |
| 2000 | 63.5 | 76.1 |
| 1999 | 62.9 | 74.6 |
| 1998 | 64.7 | 73.7 |
| 1997 | 64.6 | 72.6 |
| 1996 | 66 | 68.5 |
| 1995 | - | 68.5 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/ireland | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, 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
|
Belgium
|
Ireland
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
71%
2024 |
60.6%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
18.7%
2024 |
33.6%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
0.79%
2024 |
1.02%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$656B
2024 |
$435B
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$74,770
2024 |
$101,180
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$41.4B
2024 |
$12.7B
2024 |
| Total reserves ranking |
49/177
2024 |
73/177
2024 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$46.1B
2024 |
$62.3B
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$41.4B
2024 |
$4.82B
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$4.71B
2024 |
$67.1B
2024 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
12.3%
2022 |
14%
2021 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
24.5%
2024 |
18.2%
2024 |
GDP per capita map
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/belgium/ireland | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1835–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
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.