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Economy of Ireland vs Montenegro compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $8.27B for Montenegro, ranking 25/197 and 155/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $5.02B (60.8% of GDP) in Montenegro.

Ireland vs Montenegro GDP by year

Ireland
Montenegro
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Montenegro
2024 $609,157,459,747 $8,270,016,671
2023 $567,372,737,459 $7,644,389,160
2022 $548,341,794,599 $6,251,215,144
2021 $530,394,123,830 $5,823,715,810
2020 $436,009,027,819 $4,723,571,498
2019 $407,211,793,801 $5,483,476,883
2018 $395,780,319,817 $5,433,467,175
2017 $348,355,212,569 $4,803,962,016
2016 $305,431,252,709 $4,357,469,330
2015 $302,101,388,556 $4,010,885,991
2014 $266,490,442,124 $4,579,636,602
2013 $242,924,245,719 $4,422,097,763
2012 $226,921,827,888 $4,071,829,462
2011 $240,975,871,047 $4,507,126,949
2010 $221,732,824,603 $4,136,936,189
2009 $236,443,115,854 $4,142,640,317
2008 $275,447,471,451 $4,540,861,726
2007 $270,079,279,420 $3,677,910,895
2006 $232,180,617,162 $2,717,702,923
2005 $211,876,989,656 $2,257,174,481
2004 $194,372,115,041 $2,073,234,418
2003 $164,670,771,260 $1,707,710,053
2002 $128,596,035,288 $1,284,685,051
2001 $109,346,669,230 $1,159,869,246
2000 $100,207,610,430 $984,293,044
1999 $98,893,958,263 $828,950,327
1998 $90,199,410,116 $854,261,161
1997 $82,856,648,758 $838,288,806
1996 $75,790,786,290 -
1995 $69,139,823,232 -
1994 $57,097,656,066 -
1993 $52,417,477,614 -
1992 $55,918,538,121 -
1991 $49,787,501,584 -
1990 $49,305,632,408 -
1989 $39,238,392,678 -
1988 $37,772,896,221 -
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/montenegro | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Montenegro by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Montenegro
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Montenegro
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $13,263 $34,063
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $12,260 $31,863
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $10,025 $28,050
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $9,317 $23,690
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $7,539 $20,625
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $8,749 $23,706
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $8,674 $21,084
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $7,674 $19,357
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $6,968 $18,030
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $6,421 $16,092
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $7,342 $15,276
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $7,103 $14,692
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $6,552 $13,793
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $7,266 $14,347
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $6,679 $13,612
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $6,700 $12,976
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $7,360 $13,802
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $5,972 $12,452
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $4,419 $10,440
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $3,675 $8,314
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $3,380 $7,841
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $2,789 $7,340
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $2,107 $7,100
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $1,910 $6,772
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $1,627 $6,004
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $1,368 $5,684
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $1,406 $6,170
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $1,375 $5,798
1996 $20,836 $20,482 - -
1995 $19,158 $18,944 - -
1994 $15,903 $17,011 - -
1993 $14,657 $15,811 - -
1992 $15,714 $15,116 - -
1991 $14,087 $14,399 - -
1990 $14,031 $13,743 - -
1989 $11,176 - - -
1988 $10,716 - - -
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/montenegro | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $13,263 in Montenegro, ranking 77/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Montenegro ranks 65th at $34,063.

Economic indicators

Ireland Montenegro
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$8.27B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.16%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$13,263
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
77/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$34,063
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
65/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$5.02B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
60.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$8,058
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
64/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$11,119
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$3.79B
2012
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
24.7%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
43.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
13.1%
2023
Population
5518360
612312

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Montenegro
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Montenegro
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 43.5% 60.8%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 39.7% 59.6%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 42.2% 70.3%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 45.1% 86.2%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 54.9% 108.4%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 44.4% 79.6%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 47.8% 72.9%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 47.6% 66.9%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 47.7% 66.7%
2015 28.1% 74% 46.9% 69.5%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 44.3% 63.6%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 46.3% 59.2%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 45.9% 57.1%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 45.7% 49%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 46.7% 45.1%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 51.5% 43.9%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 51.2% 34.2%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 43.9% 31.8%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 42.6% 36.7%
2005 33% 26.1% 38.2% 38.6%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 40% 45.4%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 43.3% 48.6%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 37.5% 85.7%
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 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/montenegro | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Montenegro spent $3.6B, or 43.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 60.8% in Montenegro, ranking 138/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Montenegro
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Montenegro
2024 4.09% -2.81%
2023 1.52% 0.85%
2022 1.67% -4.07%
2021 -1.37% -1.72%
2020 -4.87% -11%
2019 0.41% -1.74%
2018 0.09% -6.3%
2017 -0.3% -6.89%
2016 -0.76% -6.21%
2015 -1.97% -6.03%
2014 -3.52% -0.7%
2013 -6.28% -4.54%
2012 -8.42% -5.87%
2011 -13.5% -6.79%
2010 -32.1% -4.88%
2009 -13.9% -6.74%
2008 -7.03% -2.3%
2007 0.27% 8.44%
2006 2.78% 4.34%
2005 1.57% -1.42%
2004 1.3% -2.45%
2003 0.35% -4.06%
2002 -0.52% -1.44%
2001 0.96% -
2000 4.86% -
1999 3.54% -
1998 2.07% -
1997 1.37% -
1996 -0.2% -
1995 -2.07% -
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/montenegro | 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 Montenegro's deficit of $232M, or 2.81% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Montenegro ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 3.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.23% of GDP for Montenegro.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Montenegro
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Montenegro
2024 2.11% 3.3%
2023 6.3% 8.6%
2022 7.83% 13%
2021 2.34% 2.4%
2020 -0.33% -0.3%
2019 0.94% 0.4%
2018 0.47% 2.6%
2017 0.36% 2.4%
2016 0.02% -0.3%
2015 -0.33% 1.5%
2014 0.19% -0.7%
2013 0.52% 2.2%
2012 1.69% 4.1%
2011 2.55% 3.5%
2010 -0.92% 0.4%
2009 -4.45% 3.6%
2008 4.04% 9%
2007 4.89% 3.4%
2006 3.94% 2.1%
2005 2.46% 3.4%
2004 2.18% 3.1%
2003 3.49% 7.5%
2002 4.63% 19.7%
2001 4.85% 23.7%
2000 5.58% 29.9%
1999 1.63% -
1998 2.41% -
1997 1.54% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 25 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 5.94% in Montenegro. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 3.3% in Montenegro.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.24M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.05M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $907K
Machinery & equipment $257K
Textiles & consumer goods $58K
Metals $5K
Wood & paper products $5K
Miscellaneous $2K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Montenegro
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $26M
Business & finance services $5.92M
Transport & tourism services $2.37M
Metals $176K
Machinery & equipment $32K
Wood & paper products $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Ireland Montenegro
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$1.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
131/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-17%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$4.29B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$714M
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$1.19B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$2.92B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
66.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
43.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Montenegro
Economic freedom 83.3 63.8
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 78/197
Property rights 94.4 60.9
Government integrity 84 49.9
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 51.5
Tax burden 77.7 88.7
Government spending 85.9 47.6
Fiscal health 97 86.2
Business freedom 85.5 68.4
Labor freedom 61.3 59.4
Monetary freedom 79.3 75.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.4
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Montenegro
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Montenegro
2026 83.3 63.8
2025 83.1 63.8
2024 82.6 59.7
2023 82 60.9
2022 82 57.8
2021 81.4 63.4
2020 80.9 61.5
2019 80.5 60.5
2018 80.4 64.3
2017 76.7 62
2016 77.3 64.9
2015 76.6 64.7
2014 76.2 63.6
2013 75.7 62.6
2012 76.9 62.5
2011 78.7 62.5
2010 81.3 63.6
2009 82.2 58.2
2008 82.5 -
2007 82.6 -
2006 82.2 -
2005 80.8 -
2004 80.3 -
2003 80.9 43.5
2002 80.5 46.6
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/montenegro | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 63.8 for Montenegro, ranking 78/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Montenegro
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
63.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
12.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
3.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$7.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$33,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$1.74B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
130/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$532M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$599M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$67.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
20%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25.9%
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/montenegro | 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 (1926–1989, 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 (2021–2024, 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.