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Economy of Ireland vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 25/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

Ireland vs Nauru GDP by year

Ireland
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Nauru
2024 $609,157,459,747 $162,588,621
2023 $567,372,737,459 $151,435,610
2022 $548,341,794,599 $152,373,434
2021 $530,394,123,830 $175,390,281
2020 $436,009,027,819 $124,685,688
2019 $407,211,793,801 $125,160,116
2018 $395,780,319,817 $130,995,566
2017 $348,355,212,569 $109,355,639
2016 $305,431,252,709 $97,541,943
2015 $302,101,388,556 $84,863,441
2014 $266,490,442,124 $99,149,244
2013 $242,924,245,719 $94,385,015
2012 $226,921,827,888 $101,055,723
2011 $240,975,871,047 $65,071,880
2010 $221,732,824,603 $47,562,845
2009 $236,443,115,854 $44,176,246
2008 $275,447,471,451 $37,602,265
2007 $270,079,279,420 $22,766,972
2006 $232,180,617,162 $29,200,359
2005 $211,876,989,656 $30,070,666
2004 $194,372,115,041 $30,587,566
2003 $164,670,771,260 $24,778,160
2002 $128,596,035,288 $21,017,424
2001 $109,346,669,230 $22,613,288
2000 $100,207,610,430 $26,930,980
1999 $98,893,958,263 $27,328,613
1998 $90,199,410,116 $29,664,451
1997 $82,856,648,758 $37,331,507
1996 $75,790,786,290 $37,458,801
1995 $69,139,823,232 $39,969,706
1994 $57,097,656,066 $39,742,511
1993 $52,417,477,614 $43,542,088
1992 $55,918,538,121 $51,133,123
1991 $49,787,501,584 $52,533,789
1990 $49,305,632,408 $55,572,376
1989 $39,238,392,678 $53,736,786
1988 $37,772,896,221 $45,931,134
1987 $33,920,518,493 $40,118,410
1986 $28,714,571,852 $39,939,391
1985 $21,270,013,326 $41,548,741
1984 $20,106,648,455 $47,363,231
1983 $20,766,047,764 $48,439,093
1982 $21,474,752,962 $52,877,742
1981 $20,670,190,138 $51,689,637
1980 $21,747,855,640 $46,947,124
1979 $18,319,334,300 $44,431,330
1978 $14,647,996,074 $41,754,147
1977 $11,248,340,431 $40,444,702
1976 $9,453,756,015 $40,287,427
1975 $9,483,808,362 $40,106,776
1974 $7,896,860,615 $35,994,511
1973 $7,481,173,066 $26,529,817
1972 $6,318,060,582 $21,734,269
1971 $5,098,250,287 $19,009,433
1970 $4,395,995,086 $17,570,366
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/nauru | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Nauru by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $13,609 $14,173
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $12,752 $13,732
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $12,912 $13,245
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $14,979 $12,112
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $11,176 - $5,723 -
1988 $10,716 - $5,012 -
1987 $9,582 - $4,485 -
1986 $8,112 - $4,569 -
1985 $6,012 - $4,859 -
1984 $5,692 - $5,654 -
1983 $5,915 - $5,896 -
1982 $6,161 - $6,577 -
1981 $5,986 - $6,594 -
1980 $6,372 - $6,138 -
1979 $5,430 - $5,950 -
1978 $4,400 - $5,721 -
1977 $3,427 - $5,646 -
1976 $2,920 - $5,703 -
1975 $2,973 - $5,740 -
1974 $2,517 - $5,199 -
1973 $2,424 - $3,864 -
1972 $2,080 - $3,191 -
1971 $1,704 - $2,811 -
1970 $1,487 - $2,619 -
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/nauru | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Ireland Nauru
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$163M
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$8,783
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
9.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
5.06%
2021
Population
5518360
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 122.1% 17.4%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 118.1% 20.5%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 134.8% 22.4%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 93% 20.5%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 106% 59.6%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 102.3% 78%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 96% 86.3%
2015 28.1% 74% 85.4% 113%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 66% 166.9%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 46% 157.3%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 68% 295.6%
2008 41.6% 42.5% - -
2007 35.6% 23.9% - -
2006 33.6% 23.7% - -
2005 33% 26.1% - -
2004 32.8% 28.1% - -
2003 32.7% 29.8% - -
2002 32.9% 30.9% - -
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/nauru | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 138/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Nauru
2024 4.09% 29.8%
2023 1.52% 19.4%
2022 1.67% 24.3%
2021 -1.37% 44.5%
2020 -4.87% 42.8%
2019 0.41% 31%
2018 0.09% 29.6%
2017 -0.3% 16.2%
2016 -0.76% 18.9%
2015 -1.97% 10.7%
2014 -3.52% 29.6%
2013 -6.28% 1.71%
2012 -8.42% 8.12%
2011 -13.5% 2.73%
2010 -32.1% 0.09%
2009 -13.9% 0.37%
2008 -7.03% -
2007 0.27% -
2006 2.78% -
2005 1.57% -
2004 1.3% -
2003 0.35% -
2002 -0.52% -
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/nauru | 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 Nauru's surplus of $48.4M, or 29.8% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.95% of GDP, compared to surplus of 19.4% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Nauru
2024 2.11% 9.3%
2023 6.3% 4.8%
2022 7.83% 1.1%
2021 2.34% 2%
2020 -0.33% 0.9%
2019 0.94% 4.1%
2018 0.47% 1.1%
2017 0.36% 4.5%
2016 0.02% 8.1%
2015 -0.33% 9.8%
2014 0.19% 0.3%
2013 0.52% -1.1%
2012 1.69% 0.3%
2011 2.55% -3.4%
2010 -0.92% -2%
2009 -4.45% 22.4%
2008 4.04% 1%
2007 4.89% 5.6%
2006 3.94% 19.3%
2005 2.46% 8.7%
2004 2.18% -
2003 3.49% -
2002 4.63% -
2001 4.85% -
2000 5.58% -
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 (2005–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 4.84% in Nauru. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 9.3% in Nauru.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.02M
Raw materials & minerals $311K
Machinery & equipment $41K
Nauru
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K

Balance of trade

Ireland Nauru
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
55.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Nauru
Economic freedom 83.3 60
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 97/197
Property rights 94.4 n/a
Government integrity 84 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 n/a
Tax burden 77.7 n/a
Government spending 85.9 n/a
Fiscal health 97 n/a
Business freedom 85.5 n/a
Labor freedom 61.3 n/a
Monetary freedom 79.3 n/a
Trade freedom 79.4 n/a
Investment freedom 90 n/a
Financial freedom 70 n/a

Other economic metrics

Ireland Nauru
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$21,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
n/a

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/nauru | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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.