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Economy of Ireland vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 25/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Ireland vs Lebanon GDP by year

Ireland
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Lebanon
2024 $609,157,459,747 -
2023 $567,372,737,459 $20,078,620,357
2022 $548,341,794,599 $20,992,421,949
2021 $530,394,123,830 $23,131,941,557
2020 $436,009,027,819 $31,712,128,254
2019 $407,211,793,801 $51,605,959,131
2018 $395,780,319,817 $54,901,519,156
2017 $348,355,212,569 $53,027,680,686
2016 $305,431,252,709 $51,147,308,774
2015 $302,101,388,556 $49,929,337,837
2014 $266,490,442,124 $48,095,213,747
2013 $242,924,245,719 $46,880,103,081
2012 $226,921,827,888 $44,016,799,516
2011 $240,975,871,047 $39,927,125,962
2010 $221,732,824,603 $38,443,907,042
2009 $236,443,115,854 $35,399,582,929
2008 $275,447,471,451 $29,118,916,105
2007 $270,079,279,420 $24,827,355,015
2006 $232,180,617,162 $22,022,709,851
2005 $211,876,989,656 $21,497,336,499
2004 $194,372,115,041 $21,159,827,992
2003 $164,670,771,260 $20,082,918,740
2002 $128,596,035,288 $19,152,238,806
2001 $109,346,669,230 $17,649,751,244
2000 $100,207,610,430 $17,260,364,842
1999 $98,893,958,263 $17,391,056,369
1998 $90,199,410,116 $17,247,179,006
1997 $82,856,648,758 $15,751,867,489
1996 $75,790,786,290 $13,690,217,334
1995 $69,139,823,232 $11,718,795,529
1994 $57,097,656,066 $9,599,127,050
1993 $52,417,477,614 $7,941,744,492
1992 $55,918,538,121 $5,843,579,161
1991 $49,787,501,584 $4,690,415,093
1990 $49,305,632,408 $2,838,485,354
1989 $39,238,392,678 $2,717,998,688
1988 $37,772,896,221 $3,313,540,068
1987 $33,920,518,493 -
1986 $28,714,571,852 -
1985 $21,270,013,326 -
1984 $20,106,648,455 -
1983 $20,766,047,764 -
1982 $21,474,752,962 -
1981 $20,670,190,138 -
1980 $21,747,855,640 -
1979 $18,319,334,300 -
1978 $14,647,996,074 -
1977 $11,248,340,431 -
1976 $9,453,756,015 -
1975 $9,483,808,362 -
1974 $7,896,860,615 -
1973 $7,481,173,066 -
1972 $6,318,060,582 -
1971 $5,098,250,287 -
1970 $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/ireland/lebanon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Lebanon by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 - -
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $790 $2,990
1989 $11,176 - $771 -
1988 $10,716 - $959 -
1987 $9,582 - - -
1986 $8,112 - - -
1985 $6,012 - - -
1984 $5,692 - - -
1983 $5,915 - - -
1982 $6,161 - - -
1981 $5,986 - - -
1980 $6,372 - - -
1979 $5,430 - - -
1978 $4,400 - - -
1977 $3,427 - - -
1976 $2,920 - - -
1975 $2,973 - - -
1974 $2,517 - - -
1973 $2,424 - - -
1972 $2,080 - - -
1971 $1,704 - - -
1970 $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/ireland/lebanon | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Ireland Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
25/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$236B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires
11
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
5518360
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 10.9% 358%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 30.6% 150%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 28.1% 74% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 33% 26.1% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 44.2% 88% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 23% 50.5%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 40% 99.7%
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 (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 138/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Lebanon
2024 4.09% -0.19%
2023 1.52% -1.7%
2022 1.67% -7.77%
2021 -1.37% -2.67%
2020 -4.87% -7.37%
2019 0.41% -10.5%
2018 0.09% -11.3%
2017 -0.3% -8.65%
2016 -0.76% -8.88%
2015 -1.97% -7.48%
2014 -3.52% -6.22%
2013 -6.28% -8.82%
2012 -8.42% -8.43%
2011 -13.5% -5.94%
2010 -32.1% -7.47%
2009 -13.9% -8.1%
2008 -7.03% -9.86%
2007 0.27% -10.9%
2006 2.78% -10.6%
2005 1.57% -8.57%
2004 1.3% -9.83%
2003 0.35% -14%
2002 -0.52% -16.2%
2001 0.96% -21%
2000 4.86% -23.9%
1999 3.54% -16.7%
1998 2.07% -17.3%
1997 1.37% -24.5%
1996 -0.2% -25.7%
1995 -2.07% -13.6%
1994 -1.82% -29.1%
1993 -2.62% -7.19%
1992 -2.84% -24%
1991 -2.8% -19.5%
1990 -2.69% -30.2%
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/lebanon | CC BY

In 2023, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $8.65B, equivalent to 1.52% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Lebanon
2024 2.11% 45.2%
2023 6.3% 221.3%
2022 7.83% 171.2%
2021 2.34% 154.8%
2020 -0.33% 84.9%
2019 0.94% 2.9%
2018 0.47% 6.1%
2017 0.36% 4.5%
2016 0.02% -0.8%
2015 -0.33% -3.8%
2014 0.19% 1.1%
2013 0.52% 5.6%
2012 1.69% 6.6%
2011 2.55% 5%
2010 -0.92% 4%
2009 -4.45% 1.2%
2008 4.04% 10.7%
2007 4.89% 4.1%
2006 3.94% 4.1%
2005 2.46% -1.4%
2004 2.18% 1.7%
2003 3.49% 1.3%
2002 4.63% 1.8%
2001 4.85% -0.4%
2000 5.58% -0.4%
1999 1.63% 0.2%
1998 2.41% 4.5%
1997 1.54% 7.7%

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/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $46.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.1M
Machinery & equipment $6.03M
Animal & marine products $4.49M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.84M
Miscellaneous $342K
Raw materials & minerals $277K
Textiles & consumer goods $81K
Metals $22K
Raw agricultural goods $22K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.6M
Chemicals & pharma $744K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $255K
Machinery & equipment $94K
Precious metals & jewellery $83K
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Miscellaneous $4K
Raw materials & minerals $2K

Balance of trade

Ireland Lebanon
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$467B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$526B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Lebanon
Economic freedom 83.3 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 183/197
Property rights 94.4 21.8
Government integrity 84 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 23.8
Tax burden 77.7 90.3
Government spending 85.9 93.3
Fiscal health 97 63.4
Business freedom 85.5 47.6
Labor freedom 61.3 48.4
Monetary freedom 79.3 0
Trade freedom 79.4 65.6
Investment freedom 90 20
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Lebanon
2026 83.3 43.1
2025 83.1 44.1
2024 82.6 48.3
2023 82 45.6
2022 82 47.3
2021 81.4 51.4
2020 80.9 51.7
2019 80.5 51.1
2018 80.4 53.2
2017 76.7 53.3
2016 77.3 59.5
2015 76.6 59.3
2014 76.2 59.4
2013 75.7 59.5
2012 76.9 60.1
2011 78.7 60.1
2010 81.3 59.5
2009 82.2 58.1
2008 82.5 60
2007 82.6 60.4
2006 82.2 57.5
2005 80.8 57.2
2004 80.3 56.9
2003 80.9 56.7
2002 80.5 57.1
2001 81.2 61
2000 76.1 56.1
1999 74.6 59.1
1998 73.7 59
1997 72.6 63.9
1996 68.5 63.2
1995 68.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
1.9%
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/lebanon | 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 (1926–1999, 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.