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Economy of Gabon vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 127/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Gabon vs Ireland GDP by year

Gabon
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Ireland
2024 $20,895,684,426 $609,157,459,747
2023 $19,388,372,071 $567,372,737,459
2022 $20,440,655,695 $548,341,794,599
2021 $19,444,935,097 $530,394,123,830
2020 $15,342,236,164 $436,009,027,819
2019 $16,874,405,465 $407,211,793,801
2018 $16,867,326,402 $395,780,319,817
2017 $14,929,487,485 $348,355,212,569
2016 $14,023,890,265 $305,431,252,709
2015 $14,383,107,763 $302,101,388,556
2014 $18,203,966,896 $266,490,442,124
2013 $17,595,744,798 $242,924,245,719
2012 $17,170,464,016 $226,921,827,888
2011 $18,210,307,744 $240,975,871,047
2010 $14,372,593,020 $221,732,824,603
2009 $12,113,699,068 $236,443,115,854
2008 $15,571,348,344 $275,447,471,451
2007 $12,455,409,587 $270,079,279,420
2006 $10,327,598,306 $232,180,617,162
2005 $9,582,783,991 $211,876,989,656
2004 $7,770,219,008 $194,372,115,041
2003 $6,511,903,365 $164,670,771,260
2002 $5,335,451,100 $128,596,035,288
2001 $5,023,265,413 $109,346,669,230
2000 $5,080,483,629 $100,207,610,430
1999 $4,662,992,036 $98,893,958,263
1998 $4,483,417,310 $90,199,410,116
1997 $5,326,817,115 $82,856,648,758
1996 $5,694,040,003 $75,790,786,290
1995 $4,958,845,648 $69,139,823,232
1994 $4,190,819,344 $57,097,656,066
1993 $4,378,645,081 $52,417,477,614
1992 $5,592,390,827 $55,918,538,121
1991 $5,402,919,785 $49,787,501,584
1990 $5,952,293,765 $49,305,632,408
1989 $4,186,411,464 $39,238,392,678
1988 $3,834,503,376 $37,772,896,221
1987 $3,281,797,043 $33,920,518,493
1986 $3,403,638,189 $28,714,571,852
1985 $3,339,914,757 $21,270,013,326
1984 $3,561,451,561 $20,106,648,455
1983 $3,391,275,732 $20,766,047,764
1982 $3,618,007,841 $21,474,752,962
1981 $3,862,269,121 $20,670,190,138
1980 $4,279,637,942 $21,747,855,640
1979 $3,030,251,120 $18,319,334,300
1978 $2,389,479,272 $14,647,996,074
1977 $2,809,349,069 $11,248,340,431
1976 $3,009,409,974 $9,453,756,015
1975 $2,157,592,940 $9,483,808,362
1974 $1,544,216,002 $7,896,860,615
1973 $722,780,701 $7,481,173,066
1972 $430,508,359 $6,318,060,582
1971 $381,687,073 $5,098,250,287
1970 $323,802,476 $4,395,995,086
1969 $318,124,701 $3,902,721,632
1968 $294,468,564 $3,378,701,147
1967 $271,543,680 $3,445,739,915
1966 $245,849,781 $3,198,820,904
1965 $226,474,286 $3,035,655,794
1964 $215,679,855 $2,851,091,646
1963 $154,480,244 $2,505,073,358
1962 $182,796,536 $2,329,372,972
1961 $167,637,907 $2,151,772,980
1960 $141,468,978 $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Ireland by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $4,374 - $11,176 -
1988 $4,119 - $10,716 -
1987 $3,624 - $9,582 -
1986 $3,865 - $8,112 -
1985 $3,898 - $6,012 -
1984 $4,273 - $5,692 -
1983 $4,182 - $5,915 -
1982 $4,584 - $6,161 -
1981 $5,026 - $5,986 -
1980 $5,718 - $6,372 -
1979 $4,155 - $5,430 -
1978 $3,360 - $4,400 -
1977 $4,048 - $3,427 -
1976 $4,441 - $2,920 -
1975 $3,258 - $2,973 -
1974 $2,384 - $2,517 -
1973 $1,140 - $2,424 -
1972 $693 - $2,080 -
1971 $627 - $1,704 -
1970 $543 - $1,487 -
1969 $545 - $1,331 -
1968 $515 - $1,159 -
1967 $482 - $1,187 -
1966 $443 - $1,107 -
1965 $415 - $1,055 -
1964 $400 - $995 -
1963 $290.7 - $878 -
1962 $348 - $821 -
1961 $323 - $762 -
1960 $276.1 - $707 -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Gabon Ireland
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
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%
27.7%
2017
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
4.27%
2024
Population
2663339
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 19.8% 83% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 28.1% 74%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 22.6% 26% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 33% 26.1%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 27.8% 81% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 29.7% 57% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 44.2% 88%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 46.8% 90.6%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 46.1% 93.8%
1990 22.6% 90% 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/gabon/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 51/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Ireland
2024 -3.84% 4.09%
2023 1.79% 1.52%
2022 -0.89% 1.67%
2021 -1.93% -1.37%
2020 -2.19% -4.87%
2019 2.13% 0.41%
2018 -0.21% 0.09%
2017 -1.7% -0.3%
2016 -4.71% -0.76%
2015 -1.12% -1.97%
2014 5.98% -3.52%
2013 -3.07% -6.28%
2012 6.2% -8.42%
2011 1.41% -13.5%
2010 2.7% -32.1%
2009 6.77% -13.9%
2008 11% -7.03%
2007 8.06% 0.27%
2006 8.67% 2.78%
2005 7.98% 1.57%
2004 6.99% 1.3%
2003 7.75% 0.35%
2002 3.72% -0.52%
2001 4.07% 0.96%
2000 11.1% 4.86%
1999 1.11% 3.54%
1998 -13.1% 2.07%
1997 1.41% 1.37%
1996 2.12% -0.2%
1995 2.64% -2.07%
1994 -1.53% -1.82%
1993 -5.35% -2.62%
1992 -4.9% -2.84%
1991 -2.03% -2.8%
1990 -3.83% -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/gabon/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Ireland
2024 1.17% 2.11%
2023 3.63% 6.3%
2022 4.23% 7.83%
2021 1.09% 2.34%
2020 1.35% -0.33%
2019 2.46% 0.94%
2018 4.75% 0.47%
2017 2.65% 0.36%
2016 2.11% 0.02%
2015 -0.34% -0.33%
2014 4.69% 0.19%
2013 0.51% 0.52%
2012 2.65% 1.69%
2011 1.26% 2.55%
2010 1.46% -0.92%
2009 1.89% -4.45%
2008 5.26% 4.04%
2007 5.03% 4.89%
2006 -1.41% 3.94%
2005 3.71% 2.46%
2004 0.41% 2.18%
2003 2.24% 3.49%
2002 0.04% 4.63%
2001 2.14% 4.85%
2000 0.5% 5.58%
1999 -1.94% 1.63%
1998 1.45% 2.41%
1997 3.97% 1.54%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.62M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $358K
Wood & paper products $127K
Textiles & consumer goods $34K
Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.22M
Chemicals & pharma $1.38M
Machinery & equipment $639K
Animal & marine products $536K
Textiles & consumer goods $77K
Metals $40K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Gabon Ireland
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$356B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$467B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Ireland
Economic freedom 56.6 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 3/197
Property rights 30 94.4
Government integrity 22.6 84
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 95.4
Tax burden 76.5 77.7
Government spending 85.5 85.9
Fiscal health 87.9 97
Business freedom 63.6 85.5
Labor freedom 55.4 61.3
Monetary freedom 80.9 79.3
Trade freedom 57.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 40 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Ireland
2026 56.6 83.3
2025 56.3 83.1
2024 56.9 82.6
2023 56.1 82
2022 55.8 82
2021 58.1 81.4
2020 56.7 80.9
2019 56.3 80.5
2018 58 80.4
2017 58.6 76.7
2016 59 77.3
2015 58.3 76.6
2014 57.8 76.2
2013 57.8 75.7
2012 56.4 76.9
2011 56.7 78.7
2010 55.4 81.3
2009 55 82.2
2008 54.2 82.5
2007 54.8 82.6
2006 56.1 82.2
2005 54.8 80.8
2004 57.1 80.3
2003 58.7 80.9
2002 58 80.5
2001 55 81.2
2000 58.2 76.1
1999 60.5 74.6
1998 59.2 73.7
1997 58.8 72.6
1996 55.7 68.5
1995 57.5 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Ireland
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/gabon/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)

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.