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Economy of Guinea-Bissau vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea-Bissau has a GDP of $2.22B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 176/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea-Bissau has $1.82B in government debt (82.2% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Guinea-Bissau vs Ireland GDP by year

Guinea-Bissau
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea-Bissau Ireland
2024 $2,218,393,805 $609,157,459,747
2023 $2,127,688,181 $567,372,737,459
2022 $1,859,601,384 $548,341,794,599
2021 $1,908,094,558 $530,394,123,830
2020 $1,705,057,581 $436,009,027,819
2019 $1,596,227,316 $407,211,793,801
2018 $1,554,133,594 $395,780,319,817
2017 $1,469,978,606 $348,355,212,569
2016 $1,245,074,264 $305,431,252,709
2015 $1,152,384,167 $302,101,388,556
2014 $1,135,250,721 $266,490,442,124
2013 $1,109,682,824 $242,924,245,719
2012 $1,049,412,177 $226,921,827,888
2011 $1,157,074,319 $240,975,871,047
2010 $940,112,539 $221,732,824,603
2009 $890,167,833 $236,443,115,854
2008 $952,667,544 $275,447,471,451
2007 $753,162,998 $270,079,279,420
2006 $634,781,901 $232,180,617,162
2005 $639,776,041 $211,876,989,656
2004 $582,169,841 $194,372,115,041
2003 $553,614,800 $164,670,771,260
2002 $466,773,711 $128,596,035,288
2001 $412,610,872 $109,346,669,230
2000 $391,345,597 $100,207,610,430
1999 $579,365,780 $98,893,958,263
1998 $591,034,143 $90,199,410,116
1997 $698,107,222 $82,856,648,758
1996 $702,965,148 $75,790,786,290
1995 $660,195,402 $69,139,823,232
1994 $612,502,085 $57,097,656,066
1993 $615,779,519 $52,417,477,614
1992 $588,309,271 $55,918,538,121
1991 $668,470,891 $49,787,501,584
1990 $634,187,269 $49,305,632,408
1989 $554,072,303 $39,238,392,678
1988 $427,514,322 $37,772,896,221
1987 $451,893,375 $33,920,518,493
1986 $338,524,233 $28,714,571,852
1985 $373,959,151 $21,270,013,326
1984 $359,980,491 $20,106,648,455
1983 $425,225,177 $20,766,047,764
1982 $430,284,022 $21,474,752,962
1981 $402,230,865 $20,670,190,138
1980 $287,648,258 $21,747,855,640
1979 $308,143,183 $18,319,334,300
1978 $318,876,550 $14,647,996,074
1977 $298,871,675 $11,248,340,431
1976 $292,152,321 $9,453,756,015
1975 $283,311,997 $9,483,808,362
1974 $256,769,730 $7,896,860,615
1973 $232,331,281 $7,481,173,066
1972 $227,986,203 $6,318,060,582
1971 $204,167,297 $5,098,250,287
1970 $204,670,551 $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/guinea-bissau/ireland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guinea-Bissau vs Ireland by year

Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea-Bissau Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,008 $3,119 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $988 $2,990 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $883 $2,789 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $927 $2,523 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $847 $2,340 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $811 $2,247 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $809 $2,058 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $783 $2,082 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $680 $1,824 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $645 $1,730 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $652 $1,456 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $654 $1,416 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $635 $1,402 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $720 $1,472 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $600 $1,370 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $583 $1,315 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $640 $1,309 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $519 $1,260 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $449 $1,226 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $463 $1,187 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $431 $1,105 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $420 $1,089 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $362 $1,095 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $327 $1,064 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $317 $1,014 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $479 $1,001 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $498 $861 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $599 $1,118 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $615 $1,052 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $589 $945 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $561 $909 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $582 $890 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $574 $880 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $672 $877 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $651 $824 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $578 - $11,176 -
1988 $454 - $10,716 -
1987 $488 - $9,582 -
1986 $371 - $8,112 -
1985 $417 - $6,012 -
1984 $407 - $5,692 -
1983 $489 - $5,915 -
1982 $503 - $6,161 -
1981 $477 - $5,986 -
1980 $347 - $6,372 -
1979 $376 - $5,430 -
1978 $403 - $4,400 -
1977 $403 - $3,427 -
1976 $421 - $2,920 -
1975 $435 - $2,973 -
1974 $419 - $2,517 -
1973 $392 - $2,424 -
1972 $389 - $2,080 -
1971 $348 - $1,704 -
1970 $350 - $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/guinea-bissau/ireland | CC BY

Guinea-Bissau's GDP per capita is $1,008, ranking 177/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea-Bissau ranks 179th at $3,119, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Guinea-Bissau Ireland
Gross domestic product
$2.22B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
176/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
4.15%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,008
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
177/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,119
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
179/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$1.82B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
82.2%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$828
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
146/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,711
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%
26.1%
2021
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2021
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.67%
2022
4.27%
2024
Population
2311915
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea-Bissau
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 82.2% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 21.9% 79.4% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 21.3% 80.7% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 25% 78.8% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 25% 77.6% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 18.8% 65.1% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 19.5% 59.1% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 18.1% 51.8% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 20.5% 59.1% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 21.5% 56.3% 28.1% 74%
2014 23% 60.1% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 12.4% 49.6% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 13% 47.4% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 17.3% 45.6% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 18.5% 61.7% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 20.6% 148.3% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 21.8% 148.8% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 23.7% 164% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 19.8% 190.4% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 20.2% 203.7% 33% 26.1%
2004 23% 202% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 17% 183.4% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 14.1% 197.5% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 19.1% 204.4% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 23.5% 217.1% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 12.1% 109.9% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 8.72% 109.1% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 12.7% 94.3% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 8.93% 117.3% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 8.14% 103.3% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 18.4% 105.5% 44.2% 88%
1993 13.1% 112.4% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 10.1% 85.3% 46.8% 90.6%
1991 9.19% 88.9% 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 (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Guinea-Bissau's government spending was $452M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 82.2% in Guinea-Bissau and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 41/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea-Bissau

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Ireland
2024 -7.26% 4.09%
2023 -8.15% 1.52%
2022 -6.06% 1.67%
2021 -5.88% -1.37%
2020 -9.64% -4.87%
2019 -3.86% 0.41%
2018 -4.76% 0.09%
2017 -1.32% -0.3%
2016 -5.34% -0.76%
2015 -3.16% -1.97%
2014 -2.44% -3.52%
2013 -1.67% -6.28%
2012 -2.12% -8.42%
2011 -1.35% -13.5%
2010 -0.23% -32.1%
2009 2.68% -13.9%
2008 -0.73% -7.03%
2007 -8.77% 0.27%
2006 -4.57% 2.78%
2005 -4.96% 1.57%
2004 -5.92% 1.3%
2003 -5.63% 0.35%
2002 -3.7% -0.52%
2001 -1.83% 0.96%
2000 -2.8% 4.86%
1999 -4.06% 3.54%
1998 -5.95% 2.07%
1997 -2.56% 1.37%
1996 3.48% -0.2%
1995 2.45% -2.07%
1994 -5.54% -1.82%
1993 -0.34% -2.62%
1992 -0.25% -2.84%
1991 1.61% -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/guinea-bissau/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Guinea-Bissau's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $161M, equivalent to 7.26% of GDP. This compares to Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Guinea-Bissau recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Guinea-Bissau posted an annual deficit equal to 3.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.35% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea-Bissau

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea-Bissau Ireland
2024 3.7% 2.11%
2023 7.2% 6.3%
2022 7.9% 7.83%
2021 3.3% 2.34%
2020 1.5% -0.33%
2019 0.3% 0.94%
2018 0.4% 0.47%
2017 -0.2% 0.36%
2016 2.7% 0.02%
2015 1.5% -0.33%
2014 -1% 0.19%
2013 0.8% 0.52%
2012 2.1% 1.69%
2011 5.1% 2.55%
2010 1.1% -0.92%
2009 -1.6% -4.45%
2008 10.4% 4.04%
2007 4.6% 4.89%
2006 2% 3.94%
2005 3.4% 2.46%
2004 0.8% 2.18%
2003 -3.5% 3.49%
2002 3.3% 4.63%
2001 3.3% 4.85%
2000 8.6% 5.58%
1999 -2.1% 1.63%
1998 8.1% 2.41%
1997 49.1% 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/guinea-bissau/ireland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Guinea-Bissau has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 3.7% in Guinea-Bissau and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Guinea-Bissau
Export category Export value
Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $295K
Animal & marine products $98K
Machinery & equipment $40K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Guinea-Bissau Ireland
Current account balance
-$160M
2023
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
95/190
2023
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.53%
2023
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$403M
2023
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$240M
2023
$356B
2024
Service imports
$189M
2023
$467B
2024
Service exports
$44.8M
2023
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guinea-Bissau Ireland
Economic freedom 43.2 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 181/197 3/197
Property rights 28.4 94.4
Government integrity 21 84
Judicial effectiveness 13.2 95.4
Tax burden 89 77.7
Government spending 86.5 85.9
Fiscal health 6.5 97
Business freedom 34.6 85.5
Labor freedom 55.9 61.3
Monetary freedom 75.9 79.3
Trade freedom 47 79.4
Investment freedom 30 90
Financial freedom 30 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea-Bissau
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea-Bissau Ireland
2026 43.2 83.3
2025 43.6 83.1
2024 42.7 82.6
2023 44.6 82
2022 46 82
2021 54.9 81.4
2020 53.3 80.9
2019 54 80.5
2018 56.9 80.4
2017 56.1 76.7
2016 51.8 77.3
2015 52 76.6
2014 51.3 76.2
2013 51.1 75.7
2012 50.1 76.9
2011 46.5 78.7
2010 43.6 81.3
2009 45.4 82.2
2008 44.4 82.5
2007 46.1 82.6
2006 46.5 82.2
2005 46 80.8
2004 42.6 80.3
2003 43.1 80.9
2002 42.3 80.5
2001 42.5 81.2
2000 34.7 76.1
1999 33.5 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/guinea-bissau/ireland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea-Bissau is 43.2, ranking 181/197, 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

Guinea-Bissau Ireland
Services, % of GDP
37.9%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
42.2%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.18B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,140
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2023
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.7M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$389K
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.5%
2021
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.9%
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/guinea-bissau/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 (1926–1996, 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.