Skip to content

Economy of Ireland vs Kiribati compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $308M for Kiribati, ranking 25/197 and 192/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $30.5M (9.92% of GDP) in Kiribati.

Ireland vs Kiribati GDP by year

Ireland
Kiribati
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Kiribati
2024 $609,157,459,747 $307,862,564
2023 $567,372,737,459 $288,610,748
2022 $548,341,794,599 $270,040,453
2021 $530,394,123,830 $285,259,881
2020 $436,009,027,819 $220,898,020
2019 $407,211,793,801 $216,985,388
2018 $395,780,319,817 $233,514,717
2017 $348,355,212,569 $222,875,736
2016 $305,431,252,709 $206,467,819
2015 $302,101,388,556 $191,559,399
2014 $266,490,442,124 $200,287,282
2013 $242,924,245,719 $201,730,861
2012 $226,921,827,888 $207,001,546
2011 $240,975,871,047 $195,970,140
2010 $221,732,824,603 $165,458,433
2009 $236,443,115,854 $140,177,384
2008 $275,447,471,451 $147,017,895
2007 $270,079,279,420 $138,054,946
2006 $232,180,617,162 $112,338,353
2005 $211,876,989,656 $113,895,437
2004 $194,372,115,041 $104,085,892
2003 $164,670,771,260 $96,105,619
2002 $128,596,035,288 $74,743,869
2001 $109,346,669,230 $64,935,850
2000 $100,207,610,430 $74,910,527
1999 $98,893,958,263 $77,323,978
1998 $90,199,410,116 $74,905,706
1997 $82,856,648,758 $80,205,807
1996 $75,790,786,290 $81,456,854
1995 $69,139,823,232 $68,596,395
1994 $57,097,656,066 $67,055,334
1993 $52,417,477,614 $58,953,596
1992 $55,918,538,121 $61,491,369
1991 $49,787,501,584 $41,247,792
1990 $49,305,632,408 $36,534,295
1989 $39,238,392,678 $37,645,319
1988 $37,772,896,221 $38,278,810
1987 $33,920,518,493 $29,554,413
1986 $28,714,571,852 $25,993,009
1985 $21,270,013,326 $26,126,615
1984 $20,106,648,455 $34,394,167
1983 $20,766,047,764 $31,000,546
1982 $21,474,752,962 $32,742,713
1981 $20,670,190,138 $35,267,489
1980 $21,747,855,640 $33,157,723
1979 $18,319,334,300 $34,466,197
1978 $14,647,996,074 $36,563,965
1977 $11,248,340,431 $31,335,459
1976 $9,453,756,015 $33,246,817
1975 $9,483,808,362 $44,547,454
1974 $7,896,860,615 $69,256,489
1973 $7,481,173,066 $25,645,040
1972 $6,318,060,582 $15,314,346
1971 $5,098,250,287 $12,356,134
1970 $4,395,995,086 $11,560,877
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/ireland/kiribati | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Kiribati by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Kiribati
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $2,289 $3,702
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $2,178 $3,486
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $2,070 $3,329
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $2,222 $3,020
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $1,752 $2,711
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $1,751 $2,763
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $1,913 $2,672
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $1,853 $2,562
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $1,743 $2,463
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $1,640 $2,311
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $1,737 $2,084
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $1,772 $2,049
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $1,844 $1,896
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $1,771 $1,786
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $1,522 $1,724
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $1,317 $1,718
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $1,411 $1,735
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $1,353 $1,792
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $1,123 $1,728
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $1,162 $1,617
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $1,083 $1,579
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $1,021 $1,578
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $810 $1,605
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $719 $1,591
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $845 $1,638
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $887 $1,526
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $874 $1,593
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $953 $1,535
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $986 $1,519
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $844 $1,518
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $838 $1,469
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $748 $1,431
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $792 $1,421
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $540 $1,139
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $488 $1,192
1989 $11,176 - $515 -
1988 $10,716 - $536 -
1987 $9,582 - $424 -
1986 $8,112 - $382 -
1985 $6,012 - $393 -
1984 $5,692 - $527 -
1983 $5,915 - $483 -
1982 $6,161 - $519 -
1981 $5,986 - $568 -
1980 $6,372 - $542 -
1979 $5,430 - $573 -
1978 $4,400 - $611 -
1977 $3,427 - $520 -
1976 $2,920 - $548 -
1975 $2,973 - $730 -
1974 $2,517 - $1,131 -
1973 $2,424 - $422 -
1972 $2,080 - $256.2 -
1971 $1,704 - $210.7 -
1970 $1,487 - $201 -
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/ireland/kiribati | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $2,289 in Kiribati, ranking 152/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702.

Economic indicators

Ireland Kiribati
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$308M
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
192/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
5.27%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$2,289
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
152/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$3,702
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
169/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$30.5M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
9.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$226.9
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
181/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$1,967
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
22.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
98.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
2.79%
2023
Population
5518360
139020

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Kiribati
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Kiribati
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 98.1% 9.92%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 95.3% 11.4%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 87.5% 16.3%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 84% 17.3%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 102.2% 21%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 108.3% 19%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 108.8% 19%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 92.1% 20.2%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 99% 21.2%
2015 28.1% 74% 90.9% 18.8%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 101.2% 8.97%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 78% 8.86%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 83.9% 8.13%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 80.9% 8.8%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 75.7% 9.43%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 74.7% 10.3%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 79.4% 13.9%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 77.3% 11.1%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 82.1% 12.9%
2005 33% 26.1% 95.6% 12.1%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 103.8% 13.6%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 84.4% 12.3%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 96.9% 13.3%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 101.3% 17%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 66% 12.7%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 77.6% 11.8%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 74.7% 9.81%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 70.9% 10.7%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 68.4% 11%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 69.6% 12.3%
1994 44.2% 88% 54.6% 12.3%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 55.3% 10.9%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 65.9% 7.31%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 82.1% 8.43%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 105.5% 7.72%
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/ireland/kiribati | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Kiribati spent $302M, or 98.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 9.92% in Kiribati, ranking 138/185 and 180/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Kiribati
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Kiribati
2024 4.09% -22%
2023 1.52% 0.13%
2022 1.67% -18.3%
2021 -1.37% -10.8%
2020 -4.87% 3.57%
2019 0.41% 10.8%
2018 0.09% 5.18%
2017 -0.3% 34.1%
2016 -0.76% 20.1%
2015 -1.97% 42.5%
2014 -3.52% 35%
2013 -6.28% 11.8%
2012 -8.42% -5.43%
2011 -13.5% -17.6%
2010 -32.1% -7.8%
2009 -13.9% -8.56%
2008 -7.03% -15.8%
2007 0.27% -12.5%
2006 2.78% -12.3%
2005 1.57% -9.96%
2004 1.3% -19.2%
2003 0.35% -8.93%
2002 -0.52% 3.13%
2001 0.96% -10.9%
2000 4.86% -0.03%
1999 3.54% -1.81%
1998 2.07% 14.6%
1997 1.37% 5.92%
1996 -0.2% -20.2%
1995 -2.07% -5.14%
1994 -1.82% 0.74%
1993 -2.62% 6.27%
1992 -2.84% 0.79%
1991 -2.8% 3.87%
1990 -2.69% -4.62%
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/ireland/kiribati | 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 Kiribati's deficit of $67.7M, or 22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Kiribati ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.38% of GDP for Kiribati.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Kiribati
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Kiribati
2024 2.11% 2.5%
2023 6.3% 9.3%
2022 7.83% 5.3%
2021 2.34% 2.1%
2020 -0.33% 2.6%
2019 0.94% -1.8%
2018 0.47% 0.6%
2017 0.36% 0.4%
2016 0.02% 1.9%
2015 -0.33% 0.6%
2014 0.19% 2.1%
2013 0.52% -1.5%
2012 1.69% -3%
2011 2.55% 1.5%
2010 -0.92% -3.9%
2009 -4.45% 9.8%
2008 4.04% 13.7%
2007 4.89% 3.6%
2006 3.94% -1%
2005 2.46% -0.4%
2004 2.18% -0.7%
2003 3.49% 1.6%
2002 4.63% 3.2%
2001 4.85% 6%
2000 5.58% 0.4%
1999 1.63% 1.8%
1998 2.41% 3.7%
1997 1.54% 2.6%

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/ireland/kiribati | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 2.25% in Kiribati. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 2.5% in Kiribati.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $142K
Kiribati
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ireland Kiribati
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$59.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
85/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-19.3%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$227M
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$8.49M
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$108M
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$7M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
94.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
6.27%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Kiribati
Economic freedom 83.3 50.8
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 158/197
Property rights 94.4 69.6
Government integrity 84 50.5
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 54.6
Tax burden 77.7 72.6
Government spending 85.9 0
Fiscal health 97 19.8
Business freedom 85.5 60.2
Labor freedom 61.3 65.3
Monetary freedom 79.3 76.7
Trade freedom 79.4 80
Investment freedom 90 30
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Kiribati
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Kiribati
2026 83.3 50.8
2025 83.1 50.9
2024 82.6 51.3
2023 82 58.8
2022 82 59.2
2021 81.4 44.4
2020 80.9 45.2
2019 80.5 47.3
2018 80.4 50.8
2017 76.7 50.9
2016 77.3 46.2
2015 76.6 46.4
2014 76.2 46.3
2013 75.7 45.9
2012 76.9 46.9
2011 78.7 44.8
2010 81.3 43.7
2009 82.2 45.7
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/ireland/kiribati | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 50.8 for Kiribati, ranking 158/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Kiribati
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
67.1%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
11.5%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
27.2%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$493M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$6,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$8.06M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$8.07M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$16.4K
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
5.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25.8%
2023

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/kiribati | 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 (1926–1989, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2020, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.