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Economy of Ireland vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 25/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Ireland vs Namibia GDP by year

Ireland
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Namibia
2024 $609,157,459,747 $13,372,354,512
2023 $567,372,737,459 $12,408,271,449
2022 $548,341,794,599 $12,569,449,123
2021 $530,394,123,830 $12,402,486,184
2020 $436,009,027,819 $10,583,748,542
2019 $407,211,793,801 $12,541,928,303
2018 $395,780,319,817 $13,682,019,076
2017 $348,355,212,569 $12,895,153,371
2016 $305,431,252,709 $10,722,018,732
2015 $302,101,388,556 $11,335,161,084
2014 $266,490,442,124 $12,435,430,970
2013 $242,924,245,719 $12,043,307,277
2012 $226,921,827,888 $13,042,053,592
2011 $240,975,871,047 $12,523,359,441
2010 $221,732,824,603 $11,431,412,421
2009 $236,443,115,854 $8,938,847,189
2008 $275,447,471,451 $8,607,431,497
2007 $270,079,279,420 $8,839,536,476
2006 $232,180,617,162 $8,001,779,551
2005 $211,876,989,656 $7,248,374,838
2004 $194,372,115,041 $6,609,205,995
2003 $164,670,771,260 $4,926,439,384
2002 $128,596,035,288 $3,349,169,826
2001 $109,346,669,230 $3,557,341,215
2000 $100,207,610,430 $3,922,232,165
1999 $98,893,958,263 $3,868,551,730
1998 $90,199,410,116 $3,873,109,866
1997 $82,856,648,758 $4,154,989,950
1996 $75,790,786,290 $3,989,163,197
1995 $69,139,823,232 $3,978,514,206
1994 $57,097,656,066 $3,666,503,530
1993 $52,417,477,614 $3,251,188,833
1992 $55,918,538,121 $3,429,521,699
1991 $49,787,501,584 $2,996,869,281
1990 $49,305,632,408 $2,789,921,854
1989 $39,238,392,678 $2,535,135,798
1988 $37,772,896,221 $2,495,094,746
1987 $33,920,518,493 $2,300,068,217
1986 $28,714,571,852 $1,809,048,527
1985 $21,270,013,326 $1,608,237,350
1984 $20,106,648,455 $1,951,260,038
1983 $20,766,047,764 $2,297,400,688
1982 $21,474,752,962 $2,118,710,248
1981 $20,670,190,138 $2,249,908,578
1980 $21,747,855,640 $2,421,990,338
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Namibia by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $11,176 - $1,967 -
1988 $10,716 - $2,063 -
1987 $9,582 - $1,969 -
1986 $8,112 - $1,599 -
1985 $6,012 - $1,466 -
1984 $5,692 - $1,830 -
1983 $5,915 - $2,214 -
1982 $6,161 - $2,097 -
1981 $5,986 - $2,267 -
1980 $6,372 - $2,468 -
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/namibia | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Ireland Namibia
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$2.48B
2024
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
19.9%
2018
Population
5518360
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 37% 67.2%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 28.1% 74% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 35% 24.6%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 32% 15.9%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 33% 26.1% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 29.6% 18%
1994 44.2% 88% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 33% 11.8%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 30.2% 12.9%
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 (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 138/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Namibia
2024 4.09% -3.59%
2023 1.52% -3.14%
2022 1.67% -6.33%
2021 -1.37% -8.68%
2020 -4.87% -8.07%
2019 0.41% -5.49%
2018 0.09% -5.09%
2017 -0.3% -4.99%
2016 -0.76% -9.3%
2015 -1.97% -8.3%
2014 -3.52% -6.44%
2013 -6.28% -4.69%
2012 -8.42% -3.1%
2011 -13.5% -7.09%
2010 -32.1% -4.98%
2009 -13.9% -0.4%
2008 -7.03% 3.48%
2007 0.27% 6.01%
2006 2.78% 3.41%
2005 1.57% -0.31%
2004 1.3% -2.67%
2003 0.35% -4.47%
2002 -0.52% -1.38%
2001 0.96% -2.01%
2000 4.86% -0.79%
1999 3.54% -1.88%
1998 2.07% -2.76%
1997 1.37% -2.38%
1996 -0.2% -3.7%
1995 -2.07% -1.74%
1994 -1.82% -0.57%
1993 -2.62% -2.73%
1992 -2.84% -2.55%
1991 -2.8% -1.59%
1990 -2.69% 1.08%
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/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Namibia
2024 2.11% 4.2%
2023 6.3% 5.9%
2022 7.83% 6.1%
2021 2.34% 3.6%
2020 -0.33% 2.2%
2019 0.94% 3.7%
2018 0.47% 4.3%
2017 0.36% 6.1%
2016 0.02% 6.7%
2015 -0.33% 3.4%
2014 0.19% 5.3%
2013 0.52% 5.6%
2012 1.69% 6.7%
2011 2.55% 5%
2010 -0.92% 4.9%
2009 -4.45% 9.5%
2008 4.04% 9.1%
2007 4.89% 6.5%
2006 3.94% 5%
2005 2.46% 2.3%
2004 2.18% 4.1%
2003 3.49% 7.2%
2002 4.63% 12.7%
2001 4.85% 10.2%
2000 5.58% 10.2%
1999 1.63% 9.4%
1998 2.41% 6.6%
1997 1.54% 9.7%

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/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1.22M
Machinery & equipment $815K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $220K
Textiles & consumer goods $216K
Animal & marine products $164K
Metals $32K
Raw materials & minerals $26K
Chemicals & pharma $22K
Wood & paper products $10K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $2.06M
Raw agricultural goods $1.97M
Miscellaneous $27K
Wood & paper products $24K
Precious metals & jewellery $19K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Ireland Namibia
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Namibia
Economic freedom 83.3 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 95/197
Property rights 94.4 63.1
Government integrity 84 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 67.2
Tax burden 77.7 66.4
Government spending 85.9 57.1
Fiscal health 97 60.5
Business freedom 85.5 58
Labor freedom 61.3 62.7
Monetary freedom 79.3 76.1
Trade freedom 79.4 69.8
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Namibia
2026 83.3 60.2
2025 83.1 58.7
2024 82.6 57.5
2023 82 57.7
2022 82 59.2
2021 81.4 62.6
2020 80.9 60.9
2019 80.5 58.7
2018 80.4 58.5
2017 76.7 62.5
2016 77.3 61.9
2015 76.6 59.6
2014 76.2 59.4
2013 75.7 60.3
2012 76.9 61.9
2011 78.7 62.7
2010 81.3 62.2
2009 82.2 62.4
2008 82.5 61.4
2007 82.6 63.5
2006 82.2 60.7
2005 80.8 61.4
2004 80.3 62.4
2003 80.9 67.3
2002 80.5 65.1
2001 81.2 64.8
2000 76.1 66.7
1999 74.6 66.1
1998 73.7 66.1
1997 72.6 61.6
1996 68.5 -
1995 68.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Namibia
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$44.5M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (1926–1992, 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.

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.