Skip to content

Economy of Bhutan vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 170/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Bhutan vs Ireland GDP by year

Bhutan
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Ireland
2024 - $609,157,459,747
2023 $3,012,896,789 $567,372,737,459
2022 $2,898,227,744 $548,341,794,599
2021 $2,768,802,960 $530,394,123,830
2020 $2,457,604,334 $436,009,027,819
2019 $2,735,683,570 $407,211,793,801
2018 $2,583,335,722 $395,780,319,817
2017 $2,591,358,009 $348,355,212,569
2016 $2,357,504,761 $305,431,252,709
2015 $2,187,815,803 $302,101,388,556
2014 $2,089,079,571 $266,490,442,124
2013 $1,943,696,952 $242,924,245,719
2012 $1,973,387,228 $226,921,827,888
2011 $1,977,728,659 $240,975,871,047
2010 $1,708,880,730 $221,732,824,603
2009 $1,331,343,798 $236,443,115,854
2008 $1,317,517,835 $275,447,471,451
2007 $1,255,767,964 $270,079,279,420
2006 $942,879,879 $232,180,617,162
2005 $860,391,000 $211,876,989,656
2004 $735,348,490 $194,372,115,041
2003 $651,935,430 $164,670,771,260
2002 $559,345,264 $128,596,035,288
2001 $496,110,226 $109,346,669,230
2000 $460,733,418 $100,207,610,430
1999 $399,311,200 $98,893,958,263
1998 $363,458,381 $90,199,410,116
1997 $352,229,077 $82,856,648,758
1996 $303,408,346 $75,790,786,290
1995 $290,490,984 $69,139,823,232
1994 $258,954,708 $57,097,656,066
1993 $225,973,693 $52,417,477,614
1992 $240,233,531 $55,918,538,121
1991 $240,294,286 $49,787,501,584
1990 $287,765,007 $49,305,632,408
1989 $264,798,626 $39,238,392,678
1988 $272,298,067 $37,772,896,221
1987 $242,742,766 $33,920,518,493
1986 $191,218,115 $28,714,571,852
1985 $163,288,815 $21,270,013,326
1984 $160,423,494 $20,106,648,455
1983 $156,704,290 $20,766,047,764
1982 $141,439,317 $21,474,752,962
1981 $139,174,178 $20,670,190,138
1980 $128,669,201 $21,747,855,640
1979 $105,377,995 $18,319,334,300
1978 $94,086,228 $14,647,996,074
1977 $97,884,434 $11,248,340,431
1976 $88,461,263 $9,453,756,015
1975 $86,820,762 $9,483,808,362
1974 $92,901,784 $7,896,860,615
1973 $78,900,289 $7,481,173,066
1972 $70,139,867 $6,318,060,582
1971 $66,289,450 $5,098,250,287
1970 $61,812,113 $4,395,995,086
1969 - $3,902,721,632
1968 - $3,378,701,147
1967 - $3,445,739,915
1966 - $3,198,820,904
1965 - $3,035,655,794
1964 - $2,851,091,646
1963 - $2,505,073,358
1962 - $2,329,372,972
1961 - $2,151,772,980
1960 - $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Ireland by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $112,895 $133,437
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $896 $3,663 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $812 $3,338 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $772 $3,113 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $685 $3,017 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $638 $2,819 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $630 $2,683 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $553 $2,548 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $530 $2,374 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $467 $2,146 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $407 $2,001 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $416 $1,840 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $401 $1,657 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $488 $1,638 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $462 - $11,176 -
1988 $489 - $10,716 -
1987 $449 - $9,582 -
1986 $365 - $8,112 -
1985 $321 - $6,012 -
1984 $326 - $5,692 -
1983 $328 - $5,915 -
1982 $306 - $6,161 -
1981 $311 - $5,986 -
1980 $296.9 - $6,372 -
1979 $251.4 - $5,430 -
1978 $232.2 - $4,400 -
1977 $249.9 - $3,427 -
1976 $233.7 - $2,920 -
1975 $237.4 - $2,973 -
1974 $262.8 - $2,517 -
1973 $230.9 - $2,424 -
1972 $212.4 - $2,080 -
1971 $207.7 - $1,704 -
1970 $200.3 - $1,487 -
1969 - - $1,331 -
1968 - - $1,159 -
1967 - - $1,187 -
1966 - - $1,107 -
1965 - - $1,055 -
1964 - - $995 -
1963 - - $878 -
1962 - - $821 -
1961 - - $762 -
1960 - - $707 -

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

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Ireland
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$609B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
25/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
4/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
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%
22.7%
2022
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
4.27%
2024
Population
803385
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 30.9% 116% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 30.5% 103% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 28.1% 74%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 39.3% 61% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 33% 26.1%
2004 31% 76% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 43% 44% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 37.8% 33% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 44.2% 88%
1993 35.2% 60.2% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 34.5% 35.6% 46.8% 90.6%
1991 30.8% 33.5% 46.1% 93.8%
1990 35.8% 27.4% 44.6% 92.7%
1989 46.8% 26.4% 42.5% 97.9%
1988 45.3% 24.7% 48.2% 106.5%
1987 47.5% 17.3% 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 (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 17/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Ireland
2024 -0.17% 4.09%
2023 -4.73% 1.52%
2022 -6.95% 1.67%
2021 -5.76% -1.37%
2020 -1.81% -4.87%
2019 -1.49% 0.41%
2018 -1.52% 0.09%
2017 -4.49% -0.3%
2016 -2.31% -0.76%
2015 -0.49% -1.97%
2014 2.46% -3.52%
2013 -4.55% -6.28%
2012 -2.1% -8.42%
2011 -3.02% -13.5%
2010 1.92% -32.1%
2009 -0.8% -13.9%
2008 -2.57% -7.03%
2007 0.79% 0.27%
2006 -0.07% 2.78%
2005 -6.96% 1.57%
2004 1.8% 1.3%
2003 -10.2% 0.35%
2002 -4.33% -0.52%
2001 -12.2% 0.96%
2000 -3.39% 4.86%
1999 -1.28% 3.54%
1998 1.28% 2.07%
1997 -1.92% 1.37%
1996 2.55% -0.2%
1995 -0.88% -2.07%
1994 -0.13% -1.82%
1993 4.71% -2.62%
1992 -3.47% -2.84%
1991 -0.48% -2.8%
1990 -7.21% -2.69%
1989 -10.1% -2.64%
1988 1.33% -4.62%
1987 -0.56% -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/bhutan/ireland | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Ireland's surplus of $8.65B, or 1.52% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.77% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Ireland
2024 4.3% 2.11%
2023 4.5% 6.3%
2022 5.9% 7.83%
2021 8.2% 2.34%
2020 3% -0.33%
2019 2.8% 0.94%
2018 3.6% 0.47%
2017 4.3% 0.36%
2016 3.3% 0.02%
2015 6.7% -0.33%
2014 9.6% 0.19%
2013 8.1% 0.52%
2012 10.1% 1.69%
2011 8.6% 2.55%
2010 4.8% -0.92%
2009 7.1% -4.45%
2008 6.3% 4.04%
2007 5.2% 4.89%
2006 4.9% 3.94%
2005 4.8% 2.46%
2004 3.3% 2.18%
2003 2.5% 3.49%
2002 2.9% 4.63%
2001 3.7% 4.85%
2000 7.2% 5.58%
1999 9.1% 1.63%
1998 7.6% 2.41%
1997 8.6% 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/bhutan/ireland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Bhutan
Export category Export value
Ireland
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $32K
Machinery & equipment $28K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Bhutan Ireland
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$356B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$467B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Ireland
Economic freedom 57.5 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 3/197
Property rights 69.2 94.4
Government integrity 72.2 84
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 95.4
Tax burden 83.4 77.7
Government spending 74.1 85.9
Fiscal health 25.8 97
Business freedom 67.8 85.5
Labor freedom 60.1 61.3
Monetary freedom 71.6 79.3
Trade freedom 63.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 90
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Ireland
2026 57.5 83.3
2025 57.5 83.1
2024 55.4 82.6
2023 59 82
2022 59.3 82
2021 58.3 81.4
2020 62.1 80.9
2019 62.9 80.5
2018 61.8 80.4
2017 58.4 76.7
2016 59.5 77.3
2015 57.4 76.6
2014 56.7 76.2
2013 55 75.7
2012 56.6 76.9
2011 57.6 78.7
2010 57 81.3
2009 57.7 82.2
2008 - 82.5
2007 - 82.6
2006 - 82.2
2005 - 80.8
2004 - 80.3
2003 - 80.9
2002 - 80.5
2001 - 81.2
2000 - 76.1
1999 - 74.6
1998 - 73.7
1997 - 72.6
1996 - 68.5
1995 - 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, 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

Bhutan Ireland
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
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/bhutan/ireland | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1926–1992, 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 (2022–2024, 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.