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Economy of Hungary vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Hungary has a GDP of $223B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 55/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $164B in government debt (73.5% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Hungary vs Ireland GDP by year

Hungary
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Ireland
2024 $222,722,738,926 $609,157,459,747
2023 $213,240,316,635 $567,372,737,459
2022 $177,002,580,544 $548,341,794,599
2021 $183,282,685,440 $530,394,123,830
2020 $158,468,487,754 $436,009,027,819
2019 $164,936,682,034 $407,211,793,801
2018 $161,184,691,014 $395,780,319,817
2017 $143,335,098,992 $348,355,212,569
2016 $128,983,560,865 $305,431,252,709
2015 $125,244,126,623 $302,101,388,556
2014 $141,128,696,412 $266,490,442,124
2013 $135,646,053,779 $242,924,245,719
2012 $128,470,269,690 $226,921,827,888
2011 $141,712,804,954 $240,975,871,047
2010 $131,898,737,241 $221,732,824,603
2009 $130,807,441,076 $236,443,115,854
2008 $158,228,265,916 $275,447,471,451
2007 $140,123,326,896 $270,079,279,420
2006 $115,604,111,412 $232,180,617,162
2005 $113,098,237,571 $211,876,989,656
2004 $104,015,363,080 $194,372,115,041
2003 $85,190,469,121 $164,670,771,260
2002 $67,636,468,625 $128,596,035,288
2001 $53,800,068,066 $109,346,669,230
2000 $47,275,954,429 $100,207,610,430
1999 $49,160,204,397 $98,893,958,263
1998 $48,784,412,624 $90,199,410,116
1997 $47,398,564,799 $82,856,648,758
1996 $46,833,767,124 $75,790,786,290
1995 $46,577,614,589 $69,139,823,232
1994 $43,307,949,890 $57,097,656,066
1993 $40,256,233,360 $52,417,477,614
1992 $38,857,339,125 $55,918,538,121
1991 $34,867,307,353 $49,787,501,584
1990 $34,478,360,679 $49,305,632,408
1989 $30,422,508,938 $39,238,392,678
1988 $29,799,838,597 $37,772,896,221
1987 $27,232,016,527 $33,920,518,493
1986 $24,778,163,812 $28,714,571,852
1985 $21,510,643,750 $21,270,013,326
1984 $21,242,726,264 $20,106,648,455
1983 $21,910,365,258 $20,766,047,764
1982 $24,141,667,188 $21,474,752,962
1981 $23,705,883,892 $20,670,190,138
1980 $23,116,977,148 $21,747,855,640
1979 $19,959,731,325 $18,319,334,300
1978 $17,286,744,154 $14,647,996,074
1977 $14,783,674,055 $11,248,340,431
1976 $13,235,612,079 $9,453,756,015
1975 $11,420,392,515 $9,483,808,362
1974 $10,016,338,179 $7,896,860,615
1973 $9,138,292,402 $7,481,173,066
1972 $7,379,313,742 $6,318,060,582
1971 $6,291,568,221 $5,098,250,287
1970 $5,780,929,203 $4,395,995,086
1969 $5,429,812,387 $3,902,721,632
1968 $4,886,222,555 $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/hungary/ireland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Ireland by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,292 $48,552 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $22,231 $46,592 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $2,902 - $11,176 -
1988 $2,812 - $10,716 -
1987 $2,566 - $9,582 -
1986 $2,331 - $8,112 -
1985 $2,020 - $6,012 -
1984 $1,991 - $5,692 -
1983 $2,050 - $5,915 -
1982 $2,255 - $6,161 -
1981 $2,213 - $5,986 -
1980 $2,158 - $6,372 -
1979 $1,865 - $5,430 -
1978 $1,618 - $4,400 -
1977 $1,388 - $3,427 -
1976 $1,249 - $2,920 -
1975 $1,083 - $2,973 -
1974 $956 - $2,517 -
1973 $876 - $2,424 -
1972 $710 - $2,080 -
1971 $607 - $1,704 -
1970 $559 - $1,487 -
1969 $527 - $1,331 -
1968 $476 - $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/hungary/ireland | CC BY

Hungary's GDP per capita is $23,292, ranking 55/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Hungary Ireland
Gross domestic product
$223B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
55/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
0.56%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,292
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
55/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$164B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.5%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,109
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,996
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$41.5B
2024
$110B
2018
Number of millionaires
24,692
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.47%
2024
4.27%
2024
Population
9475525
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.9% 73.5% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 49.2% 73% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 48.7% 73.9% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 51% 78.7% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 45.8% 65% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 46.6% 72% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 28.1% 74%
2014 50% 76.5% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 33% 26.1%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 51% 55.6% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 48.9% 60.3% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 50.7% 60.4% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 49.5% 62.2% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 50.9% 71.2% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 55% 83.9% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 - 86.2% 44.2% 88%
1993 - 87.2% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 - 76.5% 46.8% 90.6%
1991 - 74.2% 46.1% 93.8%
1990 - 63.7% 44.6% 92.7%
1989 - 70.7% 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Hungary's government spending was $104B, accounting for 46.9% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.5% in Hungary and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 49/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Ireland
2024 -4.92% 4.09%
2023 -6.75% 1.52%
2022 -6.17% 1.67%
2021 -7.11% -1.37%
2020 -7.49% -4.87%
2019 -2.02% 0.41%
2018 -2.05% 0.09%
2017 -2.45% -0.3%
2016 -1.79% -0.76%
2015 -2% -1.97%
2014 -2.77% -3.52%
2013 -2.6% -6.28%
2012 -2.33% -8.42%
2011 -5.22% -13.5%
2010 -4.44% -32.1%
2009 -4.76% -13.9%
2008 -3.78% -7.03%
2007 -5.09% 0.27%
2006 -9.27% 2.78%
2005 -7.79% 1.57%
2004 -6.6% 1.3%
2003 -7.19% 0.35%
2002 -8.79% -0.52%
2001 -4% 0.96%
2000 -3.04% 4.86%
1999 -5.27% 3.54%
1998 -7.41% 2.07%
1997 -5.54% 1.37%
1996 -4.36% -0.2%
1995 -8.57% -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 -0.17% -1.18%
1942 0.31% -2.48%
1941 0.2% -1.42%
1940 -0.07% -0.15%
1939 0.19% -7.31%
1938 -0.11% -0.92%
1937 -0.01% -0.77%
1936 0.08% -0.19%
1935 0.03% -
1934 0.04% -
1933 -0.03% 2.97%
1932 -0.22% -
1931 -0.32% -1.63%
1930 -0.26% -
1929 0.02% -3.41%
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.15% -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.9B, equivalent to 4.92% of GDP. This compares to Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 5.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.33% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Ireland
2024 3.7% 2.11%
2023 17.1% 6.3%
2022 14.6% 7.83%
2021 5.11% 2.34%
2020 3.33% -0.33%
2019 3.34% 0.94%
2018 2.85% 0.47%
2017 2.35% 0.36%
2016 0.39% 0.02%
2015 -0.06% -0.33%
2014 -0.23% 0.19%
2013 1.73% 0.52%
2012 5.65% 1.69%
2011 3.93% 2.55%
2010 4.86% -0.92%
2009 4.21% -4.45%
2008 6.04% 4.04%
2007 7.96% 4.89%
2006 3.93% 3.94%
2005 3.56% 2.46%
2004 6.74% 2.18%
2003 4.66% 3.49%
2002 5.27% 4.63%
2001 9.12% 4.85%
2000 9.8% 5.58%
1999 10% 1.63%
1998 14.2% 2.41%
1997 18.3% 1.54%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.16%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 3.7% in Hungary and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $968M
Transport & tourism services $230M
Business & finance services $197M
IT & IP services $161M
Manufacturing & construction services $146M
Chemicals & pharma $109M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16.7M
Wood & paper products $11.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $10.5M
Metals $10.2M
Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $347M
Machinery & equipment $334M
IT & IP services $306M
Business & finance services $183M
Transport & tourism services $40M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15M
Animal & marine products $7.52M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.22M
Raw materials & minerals $3.52M
Metals $2.9M

Balance of trade

Hungary Ireland
Current account balance
$3.52B
2024
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.58%
2024
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$130B
2024
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$129B
2024
$356B
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$467B
2024
Service exports
$38.9B
2024
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.1%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Hungary Ireland
Economic freedom 62.5 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 3/197
Property rights 67.3 94.4
Government integrity 44 84
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 95.4
Tax burden 85.1 77.7
Government spending 30.2 85.9
Fiscal health 32.7 97
Business freedom 70.8 85.5
Labor freedom 56.5 61.3
Monetary freedom 72.1 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 80 90
Financial freedom 70 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Ireland
2026 62.5 83.3
2025 61.4 83.1
2024 61.2 82.6
2023 64.1 82
2022 66.9 82
2021 67.2 81.4
2020 66.4 80.9
2019 65 80.5
2018 66.7 80.4
2017 65.8 76.7
2016 66 77.3
2015 66.8 76.6
2014 67 76.2
2013 67.3 75.7
2012 67.1 76.9
2011 66.6 78.7
2010 66.1 81.3
2009 66.8 82.2
2008 67.6 82.5
2007 64.8 82.6
2006 65 82.2
2005 63.5 80.8
2004 62.7 80.3
2003 63 80.9
2002 64.5 80.5
2001 65.6 81.2
2000 64.4 76.1
1999 59.6 74.6
1998 56.9 73.7
1997 55.3 72.6
1996 56.8 68.5
1995 55.2 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, 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

Hungary Ireland
Services, % of GDP
59.5%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.71%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$199B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,290
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.4B
2024
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2024
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$15.8B
2024
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$62.2B
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$78B
2024
$67.1B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.5%
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/hungary/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 (1926–1994, 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 (2015–2024, 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.

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.