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Economy of Ireland vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $120B for Kenya, ranking 25/197 and 64/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $81B (67.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Ireland vs Kenya GDP by year

Ireland
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Kenya
2024 $609,157,459,747 $120,339,557,906
2023 $567,372,737,459 $107,500,884,685
2022 $548,341,794,599 $114,448,978,153
2021 $530,394,123,830 $109,703,658,905
2020 $436,009,027,819 $100,657,505,751
2019 $407,211,793,801 $100,378,436,207
2018 $395,780,319,817 $92,202,979,985
2017 $348,355,212,569 $82,036,510,877
2016 $305,431,252,709 $74,815,144,164
2015 $302,101,388,556 $70,120,446,897
2014 $266,490,442,124 $68,285,796,514
2013 $242,924,245,719 $61,671,440,408
2012 $226,921,827,888 $56,396,704,672
2011 $240,975,871,047 $46,869,473,151
2010 $221,732,824,603 $45,405,615,064
2009 $236,443,115,854 $42,347,217,913
2008 $275,447,471,451 $35,895,153,328
2007 $270,079,279,420 $31,958,195,182
2006 $232,180,617,162 $25,825,512,284
2005 $211,876,989,656 $18,737,895,513
2004 $194,372,115,041 $16,095,337,094
2003 $164,670,771,260 $14,904,517,650
2002 $128,596,035,288 $13,147,736,899
2001 $109,346,669,230 $12,986,007,426
2000 $100,207,610,430 $12,705,350,098
1999 $98,893,958,263 $12,896,010,459
1998 $90,199,410,116 $14,093,998,844
1997 $82,856,648,758 $13,115,764,358
1996 $75,790,786,290 $12,045,865,396
1995 $69,139,823,232 $9,046,320,255
1994 $57,097,656,066 $7,148,148,564
1993 $52,417,477,614 $5,751,786,643
1992 $55,918,538,121 $8,209,120,763
1991 $49,787,501,584 $8,151,488,783
1990 $49,305,632,408 $8,572,359,038
1989 $39,238,392,678 $8,283,114,514
1988 $37,772,896,221 $8,355,380,879
1987 $33,920,518,493 $7,970,820,369
1986 $28,714,571,852 $7,239,126,568
1985 $21,270,013,326 $6,135,034,214
1984 $20,106,648,455 $6,191,437,070
1983 $20,766,047,764 $5,979,198,314
1982 $21,474,752,962 $6,431,579,357
1981 $20,670,190,138 $6,854,491,706
1980 $21,747,855,640 $7,265,315,820
1979 $18,319,334,300 $6,234,391,113
1978 $14,647,996,074 $5,303,735,111
1977 $11,248,340,431 $4,494,378,764
1976 $9,453,756,015 $3,474,542,392
1975 $9,483,808,362 $3,259,345,083
1974 $7,896,860,615 $2,969,958,812
1973 $7,481,173,066 $2,509,001,324
1972 $6,318,060,582 $2,107,279,157
1971 $5,098,250,287 $1,778,391,289
1970 $4,395,995,086 $1,603,447,359
1969 $3,902,721,632 $1,458,379,417
1968 $3,378,701,147 $1,353,295,459
1967 $3,445,739,915 $1,232,559,507
1966 $3,198,820,904 $1,164,519,674
1965 $3,035,655,794 $997,919,321
1964 $2,851,091,646 $998,759,334
1963 $2,505,073,358 $926,589,349
1962 $2,329,372,972 $868,111,401
1961 $2,151,772,980 $792,959,473
1960 $1,998,550,222 $791,265,459

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

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Kenya by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $2,132 $6,644
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $916 $2,459
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $840 $2,481
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $700 $2,330
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $523 $2,189
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $464 $2,066
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $443 $1,975
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $403 $1,940
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $411 $1,961
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $415 $1,907
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $434 $1,910
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $488 $1,895
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $467 $1,865
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $441 $1,875
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $340 $1,818
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $229 $1,723
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $337 $1,728
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $345 $1,756
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $374 $1,729
1989 $11,176 - $374 -
1988 $10,716 - $391 -
1987 $9,582 - $387 -
1986 $8,112 - $364 -
1985 $6,012 - $320 -
1984 $5,692 - $334 -
1983 $5,915 - $335 -
1982 $6,161 - $374 -
1981 $5,986 - $413 -
1980 $6,372 - $454 -
1979 $5,430 - $403 -
1978 $4,400 - $355 -
1977 $3,427 - $311 -
1976 $2,920 - $248.9 -
1975 $2,973 - $241.2 -
1974 $2,517 - $227.2 -
1973 $2,424 - $198.6 -
1972 $2,080 - $172.6 -
1971 $1,704 - $150.9 -
1970 $1,487 - $141 -
1969 $1,331 - $133.3 -
1968 $1,159 - $128.7 -
1967 $1,187 - $121.9 -
1966 $1,107 - $119.8 -
1965 $1,055 - $106.9 -
1964 $995 - $111.3 -
1963 $878 - $107.4 -
1962 $821 - $104.6 -
1961 $762 - $99.3 -
1960 $707 - $102.8 -

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

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $2,132 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Ireland Kenya
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
64/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$2,132
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
154/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$81B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
67.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$1,436
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
133/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$3,229
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$15B
2024
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
23.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
4.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
5.44%
2022
Population
5518360
58955623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 23.3% 67.3%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 22.7% 73.4%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 23.2% 67.8%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 24% 68.2%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 24.8% 68%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 25.4% 50.4%
2015 28.1% 74% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 20.3% 36%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 33% 26.1% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 16% 43.8%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 15.7% 42%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 15.6% 36%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 15.2% 40.5%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 17.3% 52.1%
1994 44.2% 88% 18.8% 57%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 18.9% 61.6%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 17.6% 41.2%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 16.4% 43%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 17.2% 37.6%
1989 42.5% 97.9% 16.3% 33.4%
1988 48.2% 106.5% 15.9% 33.9%
1987 51.4% 108.3% 15.5% 36.3%
1986 52.9% 107.2% 15.3% 31.3%
1985 53.2% 93% 15.6% 28.8%
1984 52.7% 90.2% 14.9% 25.6%
1983 55.6% 86.1% 14.6% 26.1%
1982 56.7% 73.5% 16.2% 26.9%
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 (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $28B, or 23.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 67.3% in Kenya, ranking 138/185 and 64/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Kenya
2024 4.09% -5.77%
2023 1.52% -5.71%
2022 1.67% -6.06%
2021 -1.37% -7.2%
2020 -4.87% -8.13%
2019 0.41% -7.42%
2018 0.09% -6.94%
2017 -0.3% -7.4%
2016 -0.76% -7.47%
2015 -1.97% -6.68%
2014 -3.52% -5.75%
2013 -6.28% -5.25%
2012 -8.42% -5.29%
2011 -13.5% -3.64%
2010 -32.1% -3.67%
2009 -13.9% -3.12%
2008 -7.03% -1.95%
2007 0.27% -0.95%
2006 2.78% -0.43%
2005 1.57% -0.19%
2004 1.3% 0.5%
2003 0.35% -0.73%
2002 -0.52% -1.29%
2001 0.96% -0.53%
2000 4.86% 0.38%
1999 3.54% 0.84%
1998 2.07% -0.03%
1997 1.37% -0.91%
1996 -0.2% -0.49%
1995 -2.07% -0.23%
1994 -1.82% -4.14%
1993 -2.62% -8.57%
1992 -2.84% -8.28%
1991 -2.8% -6.56%
1990 -2.69% -3.28%
1989 -2.64% -2.39%
1988 -4.62% -1.97%
1987 -8.47% -2.27%
1986 -10.5% -2.98%
1985 -10.7% -3.05%
1984 -9.43% -2.55%
1983 -11.5% -2.17%
1982 -13.1% -3.07%
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/ireland/kenya | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.9B, equivalent to 4.09% of GDP. This compares to Kenya's deficit of $6.94B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 3.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Kenya
2024 2.11% 4.49%
2023 6.3% 7.67%
2022 7.83% 7.66%
2021 2.34% 6.11%
2020 -0.33% 5.41%
2019 0.94% 5.24%
2018 0.47% 4.69%
2017 0.36% 8.01%
2016 0.02% 6.3%
2015 -0.33% 6.58%
2014 0.19% 6.88%
2013 0.52% 5.72%
2012 1.69% 9.38%
2011 2.55% 14%
2010 -0.92% 3.96%
2009 -4.45% 9.23%
2008 4.04% 26.2%
2007 4.89% 9.76%
2006 3.94% 14.5%
2005 2.46% 10.3%
2004 2.18% 11.6%
2003 3.49% 9.82%
2002 4.63% 1.96%
2001 4.85% 5.74%
2000 5.58% 9.98%
1999 1.63% 5.74%
1998 2.41% 6.72%
1997 1.54% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 8.39% in Kenya. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 4.49% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $21.9M
Chemicals & pharma $21.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $181K
Raw agricultural goods $156K
Animal & marine products $72K
Raw materials & minerals $52K
Miscellaneous $51K
Metals $36K
Wood & paper products $29K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $22.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.54M
Chemicals & pharma $1.67M
Machinery & equipment $92K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Wood & paper products $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Metals $2K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Ireland Kenya
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
134/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
23.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
17.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Kenya
Economic freedom 83.3 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 128/197
Property rights 94.4 40.2
Government integrity 84 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 47
Tax burden 77.7 76.3
Government spending 85.9 84.1
Fiscal health 97 36.2
Business freedom 85.5 61.5
Labor freedom 61.3 56.5
Monetary freedom 79.3 75.1
Trade freedom 79.4 52
Investment freedom 90 55
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Kenya
2026 83.3 55.5
2025 83.1 54.8
2024 82.6 53.6
2023 82 52.5
2022 82 52.6
2021 81.4 54.9
2020 80.9 55.3
2019 80.5 55.1
2018 80.4 54.7
2017 76.7 53.5
2016 77.3 57.5
2015 76.6 55.6
2014 76.2 57.1
2013 75.7 55.9
2012 76.9 57.5
2011 78.7 57.4
2010 81.3 57.5
2009 82.2 58.7
2008 82.5 59.3
2007 82.6 59.6
2006 82.2 59.7
2005 80.8 57.9
2004 80.3 57.7
2003 80.9 58.6
2002 80.5 58.2
2001 81.2 57.6
2000 76.1 59.7
1999 74.6 58.2
1998 73.7 58.4
1997 72.6 60.1
1996 68.5 56.4
1995 68.5 54.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Kenya
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
55.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$118B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$6,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
75/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.79%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
16.8%
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/ireland/kenya | 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 (1926–1997, 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.