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Economy of Belize vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 168/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Belize vs Ireland GDP by year

Belize
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize Ireland
2024 $3,203,631,800 $609,157,459,747
2023 $3,052,362,650 $567,372,737,459
2022 $2,846,604,350 $548,341,794,599
2021 $2,428,606,250 $530,394,123,830
2020 $2,047,284,600 $436,009,027,819
2019 $2,381,187,850 $407,211,793,801
2018 $2,285,915,050 $395,780,319,817
2017 $2,266,028,250 $348,355,212,569
2016 $2,239,604,950 $305,431,252,709
2015 $2,193,095,150 $302,101,388,556
2014 $2,138,242,200 $266,490,442,124
2013 $2,035,191,450 $242,924,245,719
2012 $1,917,083,500 $226,921,827,888
2011 $1,831,576,700 $240,975,871,047
2010 $1,748,988,400 $221,732,824,603
2009 $1,688,012,750 $236,443,115,854
2008 $1,738,453,600 $275,447,471,451
2007 $1,706,190,450 $270,079,279,420
2006 $1,590,463,100 $232,180,617,162
2005 $1,474,298,400 $211,876,989,656
2004 $1,400,202,000 $194,372,115,041
2003 $1,308,280,250 $164,670,771,260
2002 $1,243,912,050 $128,596,035,288
2001 $1,172,045,150 $109,346,669,230
2000 $1,138,138,100 $100,207,610,430
1999 $999,713,050 $98,893,958,263
1998 $929,047,000 $90,199,410,116
1997 $872,916,050 $82,856,648,758
1996 $850,339,100 $75,790,786,290
1995 $818,590,250 $69,139,823,232
1994 $771,838,000 $57,097,656,066
1993 $752,255,150 $52,417,477,614
1992 $695,741,150 $55,918,538,121
1991 $596,682,100 $49,787,501,584
1990 $546,750,912 $49,305,632,408
1989 $491,100,000 $39,238,392,678
1988 $421,450,000 $37,772,896,221
1987 $371,100,000 $33,920,518,493
1986 $311,500,000 $28,714,571,852
1985 $287,300,000 $21,270,013,326
1984 $290,350,000 $20,106,648,455
1983 $262,150,000 $20,766,047,764
1982 $248,550,000 $21,474,752,962
1981 $260,750,000 $20,670,190,138
1980 $257,400,000 $21,747,855,640
1979 $151,800,000 $18,319,334,300
1978 $136,300,000 $14,647,996,074
1977 $117,650,000 $11,248,340,431
1976 $97,094,227 $9,453,756,015
1975 $118,194,026 $9,483,808,362
1974 $103,160,450 $7,896,860,615
1973 $78,214,768 $7,481,173,066
1972 $65,998,069 $6,318,060,582
1971 $59,074,687 $5,098,250,287
1970 $53,339,893 $4,395,995,086
1969 $47,399,905 $3,902,721,632
1968 $44,999,910 $3,378,701,147
1967 $47,431,256 $3,445,739,915
1966 $44,450,044 $3,198,820,904
1965 $40,110,040 $3,035,655,794
1964 $36,194,586 $2,851,091,646
1963 $33,750,114 $2,505,073,358
1962 $31,857,592 $2,329,372,972
1961 $29,965,000 $2,151,772,980
1960 $28,072,478 $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Belize vs Ireland by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $2,742 - $11,176 -
1988 $2,406 - $10,716 -
1987 $2,166 - $9,582 -
1986 $1,859 - $8,112 -
1985 $1,754 - $6,012 -
1984 $1,814 - $5,692 -
1983 $1,677 - $5,915 -
1982 $1,629 - $6,161 -
1981 $1,753 - $5,986 -
1980 $1,774 - $6,372 -
1979 $1,071 - $5,430 -
1978 $983 - $4,400 -
1977 $866 - $3,427 -
1976 $729 - $2,920 -
1975 $906 - $2,973 -
1974 $805 - $2,517 -
1973 $619 - $2,424 -
1972 $529 - $2,080 -
1971 $481 - $1,704 -
1970 $442 - $1,487 -
1969 $402 - $1,331 -
1968 $392 - $1,159 -
1967 $426 - $1,187 -
1966 $412 - $1,107 -
1965 $383 - $1,055 -
1964 $356 - $995 -
1963 $342 - $878 -
1962 $332 - $821 -
1961 $320 - $762 -
1960 $307 - $707 -

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

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

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Belize Ireland
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires
1
2025
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
4.27%
2024
Population
430409
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 33.2% 103% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 26.9% 79% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 28.1% 74%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 33% 26.1%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 23.2% 79% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 19.9% 38.4% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 - - 40.3% 78.5%
1994 - - 44.2% 88%
1993 - - 44.6% 93.4%
1992 - - 46.8% 90.6%
1991 - - 46.1% 93.8%
1990 - - 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 (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 67/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Ireland
2024 -1.23% 4.09%
2023 -2.42% 1.52%
2022 -1.04% 1.67%
2021 -3.29% -1.37%
2020 -8.57% -4.87%
2019 -2.9% 0.41%
2018 -1.37% 0.09%
2017 -3.48% -0.3%
2016 -4.47% -0.76%
2015 -5.14% -1.97%
2014 -1.72% -3.52%
2013 -1.21% -6.28%
2012 -0.22% -8.42%
2011 -1.06% -13.5%
2010 -1.9% -32.1%
2009 -2.46% -13.9%
2008 1.25% -7.03%
2007 -0.19% 0.27%
2006 -2.27% 2.78%
2005 -3.7% 1.57%
2004 -4.52% 1.3%
2003 -8.41% 0.35%
2002 -5.41% -0.52%
2001 -7.23% 0.96%
2000 -6.68% 4.86%
1999 -6.51% 3.54%
1998 -2.69% 2.07%
1997 -1.81% 1.37%
1996 -1.76% -0.2%
1995 - -2.07%
1994 - -1.82%
1993 - -2.62%
1992 - -2.84%
1991 - -2.8%
1990 - -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/belize/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.4M, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.34% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize Ireland
2024 3.3% 2.11%
2023 4.4% 6.3%
2022 6.3% 7.83%
2021 3.2% 2.34%
2020 0.1% -0.33%
2019 0.2% 0.94%
2018 0.3% 0.47%
2017 1.1% 0.36%
2016 0.7% 0.02%
2015 -0.9% -0.33%
2014 1.2% 0.19%
2013 0.5% 0.52%
2012 1.2% 1.69%
2011 1.7% 2.55%
2010 0.9% -0.92%
2009 -1.1% -4.45%
2008 6.4% 4.04%
2007 2.3% 4.89%
2006 4.2% 3.94%
2005 3.7% 2.46%
2004 3.1% 2.18%
2003 2.6% 3.49%
2002 2.2% 4.63%
2001 1.1% 4.85%
2000 0.6% 5.58%
1999 -1.2% 1.63%
1998 -0.8% 2.41%
1997 1% 1.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Belize
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $12.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21K
Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $366K
Machinery & equipment $95K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $65K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K

Balance of trade

Belize Ireland
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$356B
2024
Service imports
$362M
2024
$467B
2024
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belize Ireland
Economic freedom 64.7 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 3/197
Property rights 46.3 94.4
Government integrity 46.2 84
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 95.4
Tax burden 81.8 77.7
Government spending 81 85.9
Fiscal health 87.5 97
Business freedom 67.2 85.5
Labor freedom 57.6 61.3
Monetary freedom 72.6 79.3
Trade freedom 57.8 79.4
Investment freedom 55 90
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Ireland
2026 64.7 83.3
2025 64.2 83.1
2024 61.2 82.6
2023 59.8 82
2022 56.6 82
2021 57.5 81.4
2020 57.4 80.9
2019 55.4 80.5
2018 57.1 80.4
2017 58.6 76.7
2016 57.4 77.3
2015 56.8 76.6
2014 56.7 76.2
2013 57.3 75.7
2012 61.9 76.9
2011 63.8 78.7
2010 61.5 81.3
2009 63 82.2
2008 63 82.5
2007 63.3 82.6
2006 64.7 82.2
2005 64.5 80.8
2004 62.8 80.3
2003 63.5 80.9
2002 65.6 80.5
2001 65.9 81.2
2000 63.3 76.1
1999 60.7 74.6
1998 59.1 73.7
1997 64.3 72.6
1996 61.6 68.5
1995 62.9 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, 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

Belize Ireland
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
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/belize/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 (1926–2000, 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.