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Economy of Ireland vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $14.9B for Malawi, ranking 24/197 and 148/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $11.7B (78.4% of GDP) in Malawi.

Ireland vs Malawi GDP by year

Ireland
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Malawi
2025 $721,701,359,046 $14,918,276,698
2024 $609,157,459,747 $11,311,971,400
2023 $567,372,737,459 $13,363,669,673
2022 $548,341,794,599 $12,429,059,928
2021 $530,394,123,830 $12,378,119,199
2020 $436,009,027,819 $11,769,313,598
2019 $407,211,793,801 $11,051,852,713
2018 $395,780,319,817 $9,879,220,354
2017 $348,355,212,569 $8,943,543,794
2016 $305,431,252,709 $7,909,868,618
2015 $302,101,388,556 $9,219,474,379
2014 $266,490,442,124 $8,801,326,169
2013 $242,924,245,719 $8,031,571,928
2012 $226,921,827,888 $8,773,203,178
2011 $240,975,871,047 $11,648,142,958
2010 $221,732,824,603 $10,128,323,011
2009 $236,443,115,854 $9,009,887,947
2008 $275,447,471,451 $7,743,617,352
2007 $270,079,279,420 $6,451,210,219
2006 $232,180,617,162 $5,818,279,739
2005 $211,876,989,656 $5,320,409,651
2004 $194,372,115,041 $5,058,726,350
2003 $164,670,771,260 $4,669,789,300
2002 $128,596,035,288 $5,087,328,438
2001 $109,346,669,230 $2,498,008,665
2000 $100,207,610,430 $2,537,307,580
1999 $98,893,958,263 $2,584,478,924
1998 $90,199,410,116 $2,547,609,590
1997 $82,856,648,758 $3,875,785,863
1996 $75,790,786,290 $3,319,573,750
1995 $69,139,823,232 $2,033,701,498
1994 $57,097,656,066 $1,719,864,761
1993 $52,417,477,614 $3,013,392,658
1992 $55,918,538,121 $2,618,837,835
1991 $49,787,501,584 $3,206,783,830
1990 $49,305,632,408 $2,737,087,862
1989 $39,238,392,678 $2,314,205,130
1988 $37,772,896,221 $2,008,189,508
1987 $33,920,518,493 $1,721,711,808
1986 $28,714,571,852 $1,722,586,299
1985 $21,270,013,326 $1,646,442,273
1984 $20,106,648,455 $1,758,028,656
1983 $20,766,047,764 $1,780,148,049
1982 $21,474,752,962 $1,717,379,495
1981 $20,670,190,138 $1,801,193,910
1980 $21,747,855,640 $1,801,156,775
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Malawi by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $672 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $522 $1,858
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $633 $1,830
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $604 $1,778
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $617 $1,688
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $603 $1,513
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $581 $1,450
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $533 $1,364
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $496 $1,380
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $451 $1,410
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $540 $1,403
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $530 $1,506
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $497 $1,558
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $558 $1,464
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $763 $1,516
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $683 $1,458
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $626 $1,388
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $554 $1,311
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $475 $1,231
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $441 $1,124
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $414 $1,071
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $405 $1,033
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $383 $979
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $428 $931
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $215.5 $924
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $224.2 $974
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $233.9 $961
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $236 $941
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $367 $915
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $321 $884
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $200.4 $825
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $169.2 $692
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $293 $746
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $258.4 $674
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $326 $732
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $286.7 $672
1989 $11,176 - $252.2 -
1988 $10,716 - $229.4 -
1987 $9,582 - $207.6 -
1986 $8,112 - $217.9 -
1985 $6,012 - $216.1 -
1984 $5,692 - $239.7 -
1983 $5,915 - $252.4 -
1982 $6,161 - $253.3 -
1981 $5,986 - $276.4 -
1980 $6,372 - $287.5 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $672 in Malawi, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Ireland Malawi
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$14.9B
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
148/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
1.89%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$672
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
190/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$11.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
78.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$526
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
166/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$1,255
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
30.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
28.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
24%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
15.4%
2024
Population
5562212
23086106

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 30.6% 78.4%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 21% 40%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 28.1% 74% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 17% 20%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 33% 26.1% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 32.2% 33.6% - -
2000 30.6% 36.4% - -
1999 32.5% 46.6% - -
1998 34.2% 51.4% - -
1997 36.1% 61.6% - -
1996 38.5% 69.8% - -
1995 40.3% 78.5% - -
1994 43.9% 88% - -
1993 44.6% 93.4% - -
1992 44.8% 90.6% - -
1991 44.4% 93.8% - -
1990 42.8% 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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $4.56B, or 30.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 78.4% in Malawi, ranking 149/185 and 47/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Malawi
2025 1.54% -11.5%
2024 4.02% -11%
2023 1.36% -7.84%
2022 1.58% -9.32%
2021 -1.31% -8.34%
2020 -4.87% -8.03%
2019 0.41% -4.55%
2018 0.09% -4.35%
2017 -0.3% -5.15%
2016 -0.76% -4.9%
2015 -1.97% -4.17%
2014 -3.52% -3.08%
2013 -6.28% -3.73%
2012 -8.42% -1.45%
2011 -13.5% -2.85%
2010 -32.1% 0.63%
2009 -13.9% -2.97%
2008 -7.03% -2.92%
2007 0.27% -2.56%
2006 2.78% -0.05%
2005 1.57% -1.63%
2004 1.3% -2.61%
2003 0.35% -2.6%
2002 -0.52% -4.47%
2001 0.96% -
2000 4.86% -
1999 3.54% -
1998 2.07% -
1997 1.37% -
1996 -0.2% -
1995 -2.07% -
1994 -1.98% -
1993 -2.7% -
1992 -2.92% -
1991 -2.82% -
1990 -2.77% -
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.2B, equivalent to 1.54% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.71B, or 11.5% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 3.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.56% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Malawi
2025 2.21% 28.4%
2024 2.11% 32.2%
2023 6.3% 28.8%
2022 7.83% 20.8%
2021 2.34% 9.3%
2020 -0.33% 8.6%
2019 0.94% 9.4%
2018 0.47% 9.2%
2017 0.36% 11.5%
2016 0.02% 21.7%
2015 -0.33% 21.9%
2014 0.19% 23.8%
2013 0.52% 28.3%
2012 1.69% 21.3%
2011 2.55% 7.6%
2010 -0.92% 7.4%
2009 -4.45% 8.4%
2008 4.04% 8.7%
2007 4.89% 7.9%
2006 3.94% 13.9%
2005 2.46% 15.5%
2004 2.18% 11.4%
2003 3.49% 9.6%
2002 4.63% 14.7%
2001 4.85% 22.7%
2000 5.58% 29.6%
1999 1.63% 44.8%
1998 2.41% 29.8%
1997 1.54% 9.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 17.8% in Malawi. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 28.4% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.45M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $488K
Chemicals & pharma $289K
Machinery & equipment $50K
Metals $34K
Miscellaneous $22K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $45K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Metals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Ireland Malawi
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
143/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
28.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
10.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Malawi
Economic freedom 83.3 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 159/197
Property rights 94.4 49.5
Government integrity 84 35
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 51.8
Tax burden 77.7 77
Government spending 85.9 77.8
Fiscal health 97 4.7
Business freedom 85.5 34.1
Labor freedom 61.3 55.2
Monetary freedom 79.3 55.1
Trade freedom 79.4 68.6
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Malawi
2026 83.3 50.7
2025 83.1 50.9
2024 82.6 52.1
2023 82 52.8
2022 82 53
2021 81.4 53
2020 80.9 52.8
2019 80.5 51.4
2018 80.4 52
2017 76.7 52.2
2016 77.3 51.8
2015 76.6 54.8
2014 76.2 55.4
2013 75.7 55.3
2012 76.9 56.4
2011 78.7 55.8
2010 81.3 54.1
2009 82.2 53.7
2008 82.5 52.7
2007 82.6 52.9
2006 82.2 55.4
2005 80.8 53.6
2004 80.3 53.6
2003 80.9 53.2
2002 80.5 56.9
2001 81.2 56.2
2000 76.1 57.4
1999 74.6 54
1998 73.7 54.1
1997 72.6 53.4
1996 68.5 56.2
1995 68.5 54.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 50.7 for Malawi, ranking 159/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Malawi
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
48.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
14.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
30%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$1,880
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$258M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
15.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.

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.