Skip to content

Economy of Ireland vs Luxembourg compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $93.3B for Luxembourg, ranking 25/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $24.5B (26.3% of GDP) in Luxembourg.

Ireland vs Luxembourg GDP by year

Ireland
Luxembourg
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Luxembourg
2024 $609,157,459,747 $93,279,851,863
2023 $567,372,737,459 $88,788,881,539
2022 $548,341,794,599 $80,801,680,397
2021 $530,394,123,830 $86,386,759,695
2020 $436,009,027,819 $73,670,782,100
2019 $407,211,793,801 $69,872,035,114
2018 $395,780,319,817 $71,085,623,495
2017 $348,355,212,569 $65,712,180,343
2016 $305,431,252,709 $62,216,885,436
2015 $302,101,388,556 $60,071,584,216
2014 $266,490,442,124 $68,804,811,898
2013 $242,924,245,719 $65,203,276,467
2012 $226,921,827,888 $59,776,383,527
2011 $240,975,871,047 $61,696,281,326
2010 $221,732,824,603 $56,213,985,987
2009 $236,443,115,854 $54,467,289,898
2008 $275,447,471,451 $58,844,277,702
2007 $270,079,279,420 $51,587,401,416
2006 $232,180,617,162 $42,910,146,296
2005 $211,876,989,656 $37,672,280,120
2004 $194,372,115,041 $35,064,843,793
2003 $164,670,771,260 $29,667,268,248
2002 $128,596,035,288 $23,649,833,332
2001 $109,346,669,230 $21,387,533,703
2000 $100,207,610,430 $21,230,182,989
1999 $98,893,958,263 $21,899,317,599
1998 $90,199,410,116 $20,150,053,345
1997 $82,856,648,758 $19,563,836,265
1996 $75,790,786,290 $20,895,314,658
1995 $69,139,823,232 $20,853,093,870
1994 $57,097,656,066 $17,701,798,891
1993 $52,417,477,614 $15,925,521,222
1992 $55,918,538,121 $15,518,702,635
1991 $49,787,501,584 $13,834,219,728
1990 $49,305,632,408 $12,778,792,854
1989 $39,238,392,678 $10,037,674,038
1988 $37,772,896,221 $9,418,167,855
1987 $33,920,518,493 $8,320,902,215
1986 $28,714,571,852 $6,685,595,088
1985 $21,270,013,326 $4,577,211,767
1984 $20,106,648,455 $4,438,435,493
1983 $20,766,047,764 $4,524,217,751
1982 $21,474,752,962 $4,602,316,793
1981 $20,670,190,138 $5,053,665,797
1980 $21,747,855,640 $6,019,805,490
1979 $18,319,334,300 $5,516,982,664
1978 $14,647,996,074 $4,718,539,772
1977 $11,248,340,431 $3,789,321,328
1976 $9,453,756,015 $3,423,586,207
1975 $9,483,808,362 $3,123,333,333
1974 $7,896,860,615 $3,183,637,117
1973 $7,481,173,066 $2,609,875,802
1972 $6,318,060,582 $1,901,697,370
1971 $5,098,250,287 $1,518,773,421
1970 $4,395,995,086 $1,457,768,455
1969 $3,902,721,632 $1,245,432,991
1968 $3,378,701,147 $1,075,561,623
1967 $3,445,739,915 $983,052,315
1966 $3,198,820,904 $976,717,015
1965 $3,035,655,794 $929,477,285
1964 $2,851,091,646 $910,877,686
1963 $2,505,073,358 $797,902,154
1962 $2,329,372,972 $747,846,862
1961 $2,151,772,980 $710,163,719
1960 $1,998,550,222 $709,941,874

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

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Luxembourg by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Luxembourg
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Luxembourg
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $137,782 $155,941
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $133,231 $150,508
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $123,720 $146,919
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $134,966 $136,772
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $116,860 $122,067
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $112,697 $121,372
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $116,927 $116,638
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $110,193 $114,986
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $106,899 $113,365
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $105,462 $107,860
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $123,679 $105,296
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $120,000 $100,925
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $112,585 $96,636
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $119,025 $94,475
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $110,886 $90,336
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $109,420 $86,919
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $120,422 $90,971
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $107,475 $85,126
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $90,789 $78,861
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $80,988 $68,788
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $76,545 $64,686
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $65,689 $60,192
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $53,006 $58,576
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $48,440 $56,136
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $48,660 $55,136
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $50,872 $49,845
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $47,445 $44,270
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $46,642 $42,488
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $50,444 $39,722
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $51,032 $38,345
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $43,933 $37,551
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $40,067 $35,899
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $39,571 $34,108
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $35,747 $33,191
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $33,465 $29,949
1989 $11,176 - $26,618 -
1988 $10,716 - $25,219 -
1987 $9,582 - $22,443 -
1986 $8,112 - $18,150 -
1985 $6,012 - $12,482 -
1984 $5,692 - $12,127 -
1983 $5,915 - $12,374 -
1982 $6,161 - $12,591 -
1981 $5,986 - $13,837 -
1980 $6,372 - $16,531 -
1979 $5,430 - $15,204 -
1978 $4,400 - $13,034 -
1977 $3,427 - $10,486 -
1976 $2,920 - $9,491 -
1975 $2,973 - $8,701 -
1974 $2,517 - $8,967 -
1973 $2,424 - $7,447 -
1972 $2,080 - $5,487 -
1971 $1,704 - $4,435 -
1970 $1,487 - $4,298 -
1969 $1,331 - $3,690 -
1968 $1,159 - $3,203 -
1967 $1,187 - $2,935 -
1966 $1,107 - $2,925 -
1965 $1,055 - $2,804 -
1964 $995 - $2,779 -
1963 $878 - $2,462 -
1962 $821 - $2,332 -
1961 $762 - $2,241 -
1960 $707 - $2,261 -

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

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $137,782 in Luxembourg, ranking 3/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Luxembourg ranks 1st at $155,941.

Economic indicators

Ireland Luxembourg
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$93.3B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
0.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$137,782
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
3/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$155,941
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
1/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$24.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$36,221
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
19/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$69,593
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$41.9B
2024
Number of billionaires
11
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
46.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
2.05%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
6.42%
2024
Population
5518360
693885

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Luxembourg
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Luxembourg
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 46.9% 26.3%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 46.4% 24.7%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 44.3% 24.9%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 42.4% 24.2%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 47% 24.5%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 43.1% 22.3%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 42.3% 20.9%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 41.3% 21.8%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 40% 19.6%
2015 28.1% 74% 40.4% 21.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 40.6% 21.9%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 41.2% 22.4%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 41.8% 20.8%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 41.5% 18.5%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 42% 19.1%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 42.7% 15.3%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 37.9% 14.6%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 37.4% 8.09%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 39.4% 8.21%
2005 33% 26.1% 43.4% 7.95%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 43.7% 7.83%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 43.3% 7.43%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 41.8% 7.45%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 38.1% 7.62%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 38% 7.49%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 41.7% 8.39%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 43.9% 9.51%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 44.2% 10.1%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 42.5% 10.2%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 42% 10.3%
1994 44.2% 88% - -
1993 44.6% 93.4% - -
1992 46.8% 90.6% - -
1991 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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Luxembourg spent $43.7B, or 46.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 26.3% in Luxembourg, ranking 138/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Luxembourg
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Luxembourg
2024 4.09% 1.03%
2023 1.52% -0.78%
2022 1.67% 0.18%
2021 -1.37% 1%
2020 -4.87% -3.09%
2019 0.41% 2.68%
2018 0.09% 3.17%
2017 -0.3% 1.37%
2016 -0.76% 1.89%
2015 -1.97% 1.3%
2014 -3.52% 1.33%
2013 -6.28% 0.84%
2012 -8.42% 0.5%
2011 -13.5% 0.65%
2010 -32.1% -0.26%
2009 -13.9% -0.21%
2008 -7.03% 3.37%
2007 0.27% 4.35%
2006 2.78% 1.9%
2005 1.57% -0.21%
2004 1.3% -1.39%
2003 0.35% 0.28%
2002 -0.52% 2.03%
2001 0.96% 5.62%
2000 4.86% 5.55%
1999 3.54% 3.24%
1998 2.07% 2.98%
1997 1.37% 2.65%
1996 -0.2% 2.37%
1995 -2.07% 2.71%
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 -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/luxembourg | 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 Luxembourg's surplus of $961M, or 1.03% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Luxembourg ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.33% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.57% of GDP for Luxembourg.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Luxembourg
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Luxembourg
2024 2.11% 2.05%
2023 6.3% 3.74%
2022 7.83% 6.34%
2021 2.34% 2.53%
2020 -0.33% 0.82%
2019 0.94% 1.74%
2018 0.47% 1.53%
2017 0.36% 1.73%
2016 0.02% 0.29%
2015 -0.33% 0.47%
2014 0.19% 0.63%
2013 0.52% 1.73%
2012 1.69% 2.66%
2011 2.55% 3.41%
2010 -0.92% 2.27%
2009 -4.45% 0.37%
2008 4.04% 3.4%
2007 4.89% 2.31%
2006 3.94% 2.67%
2005 2.46% 2.49%
2004 2.18% 2.23%
2003 3.49% 2.05%
2002 4.63% 2.07%
2001 4.85% 2.66%
2000 5.58% 3.15%
1999 1.63% 1.03%
1998 2.41% 0.96%
1997 1.54% 1.37%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 2.1% in Luxembourg. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 2.05% in Luxembourg.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $2.89B
IT & IP services $364M
Manufacturing & construction services $105M
Machinery & equipment $80.2M
Transport & tourism services $27.9M
Chemicals & pharma $19.2M
Animal & marine products $9.1M
Government & miscellaneous services $1.12M
Textiles & consumer goods $996K
Metals $614K
Luxembourg
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $509M
Machinery & equipment $29.6M
Transport & tourism services $18.4M
Metals $14.3M
Chemicals & pharma $14.2M
Wood & paper products $6.01M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.57M
Raw materials & minerals $4.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.74M
Animal & marine products $691K

Balance of trade

Ireland Luxembourg
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
35/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+4.4%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$29.4B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$31.3B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$150B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
159.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
191.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Luxembourg
Economic freedom 83.3 79.7
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 7/197
Property rights 94.4 96.6
Government integrity 84 88.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 99.1
Tax burden 77.7 62.3
Government spending 85.9 36.9
Fiscal health 97 98.6
Business freedom 85.5 89.5
Labor freedom 61.3 56.7
Monetary freedom 79.3 74.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 90 95
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Luxembourg
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Luxembourg
2026 83.3 79.7
2025 83.1 79.5
2024 82.6 79.2
2023 82 78.4
2022 82 80.6
2021 81.4 76
2020 80.9 75.8
2019 80.5 75.9
2018 80.4 76.4
2017 76.7 75.9
2016 77.3 73.9
2015 76.6 73.2
2014 76.2 74.2
2013 75.7 74.2
2012 76.9 74.5
2011 78.7 76.2
2010 81.3 75.4
2009 82.2 75.2
2008 82.5 74.7
2007 82.6 74.6
2006 82.2 75.3
2005 80.8 76.3
2004 80.3 78.9
2003 80.9 79.9
2002 80.5 79.4
2001 81.2 80.1
2000 76.1 76.4
1999 74.6 72.4
1998 73.7 72.7
1997 72.6 72.8
1996 68.5 72.5
1995 68.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 79.7 for Luxembourg, ranking 7/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Luxembourg
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
81.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
9.66%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
0.21%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$57.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$110,650
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$2.79B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
119/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$21.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$106B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$109B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
17.3%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
15.8%
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/luxembourg | 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. TradeMap (2019–2024, 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.