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Economy of Ireland vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 25/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Ireland vs Nigeria GDP by year

Ireland
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Nigeria
2024 $609,157,459,747 $252,261,880,141
2023 $567,372,737,459 $487,387,801,881
2022 $548,341,794,599 $646,950,257,578
2021 $530,394,123,830 $609,147,716,973
2020 $436,009,027,819 $598,586,817,819
2019 $407,211,793,801 $668,219,992,691
2018 $395,780,319,817 $421,739,251,509
2017 $348,355,212,569 $375,745,731,053
2016 $305,431,252,709 $404,649,125,252
2015 $302,101,388,556 $493,026,682,801
2014 $266,490,442,124 $574,183,763,412
2013 $242,924,245,719 $520,117,180,314
2012 $226,921,827,888 $463,971,018,239
2011 $240,975,871,047 $414,466,676,831
2010 $221,732,824,603 $366,990,417,129
2009 $236,443,115,854 $295,008,835,381
2008 $275,447,471,451 $339,476,276,258
2007 $270,079,279,420 $278,260,846,800
2006 $232,180,617,162 $238,454,997,161
2005 $211,876,989,656 $175,670,569,969
2004 $194,372,115,041 $135,764,731,646
2003 $164,670,771,260 $104,738,954,264
2002 $128,596,035,288 $95,054,059,303
2001 $109,346,669,230 $73,557,840,064
2000 $100,207,610,430 $69,171,451,627
1999 $98,893,958,263 $59,145,077,039
1998 $90,199,410,116 $218,416,200,673
1997 $82,856,648,758 $200,850,397,618
1996 $75,790,786,290 $185,730,236,700
1995 $69,139,823,232 $140,919,776,986
1994 $57,097,656,066 $80,399,613,064
1993 $52,417,477,614 $56,721,051,402
1992 $55,918,538,121 $52,058,181,854
1991 $49,787,501,584 $59,526,833,412
1990 $49,305,632,408 $54,035,795,388
1989 $39,238,392,678 $44,003,061,108
1988 $37,772,896,221 $49,648,470,440
1987 $33,920,518,493 $52,676,041,931
1986 $28,714,571,852 $54,805,852,581
1985 $21,270,013,326 $73,745,821,158
1984 $20,106,648,455 $73,484,359,521
1983 $20,766,047,764 $97,094,911,792
1982 $21,474,752,962 $142,769,363,314
1981 $20,670,190,138 $164,475,209,516
1980 $21,747,855,640 $64,201,788,123
1979 $18,319,334,300 $47,259,911,894
1978 $14,647,996,074 $36,527,862,209
1977 $11,248,340,431 $36,035,407,725
1976 $9,453,756,015 $36,308,883,249
1975 $9,483,808,362 $27,778,934,625
1974 $7,896,860,615 $24,846,641,318
1973 $7,481,173,066 $15,162,871,287
1972 $6,318,060,582 $12,274,416,018
1971 $5,098,250,287 $9,181,769,912
1970 $4,395,995,086 $12,546,094,982
1969 $3,902,721,632 $6,634,317,346
1968 $3,378,701,147 $5,200,997,920
1967 $3,445,739,915 $5,203,237,919
1966 $3,198,820,904 $6,366,917,453
1965 $3,035,655,794 $5,874,537,650
1964 $2,851,091,646 $5,552,931,319
1963 $2,505,073,358 $5,165,590,254
1962 $2,329,372,972 $4,909,399,176
1961 $2,151,772,980 $4,467,287,893
1960 $1,998,550,222 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Nigeria by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $962 $4,381
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $763 $4,015
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $712 $3,770
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $566 $3,309
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $547 $3,139
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $481 $3,002
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $745 $2,853
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $540 $2,921
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $509 $2,991
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $597 $2,870
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $556 $2,840
1989 $11,176 - $465 -
1988 $10,716 - $540 -
1987 $9,582 - $588 -
1986 $8,112 - $628 -
1985 $6,012 - $869 -
1984 $5,692 - $890 -
1983 $5,915 - $1,207 -
1982 $6,161 - $1,822 -
1981 $5,986 - $2,162 -
1980 $6,372 - $870 -
1979 $5,430 - $661 -
1978 $4,400 - $527 -
1977 $3,427 - $536 -
1976 $2,920 - $556 -
1975 $2,973 - $438 -
1974 $2,517 - $403 -
1973 $2,424 - $252.4 -
1972 $2,080 - $209.5 -
1971 $1,704 - $160.5 -
1970 $1,487 - $224.5 -
1969 $1,331 - $121.4 -
1968 $1,159 - $97.3 -
1967 $1,187 - $99.5 -
1966 $1,107 - $124.4 -
1965 $1,055 - $117.3 -
1964 $995 - $113.3 -
1963 $878 - $107.7 -
1962 $821 - $104.5 -
1961 $762 - $97.1 -
1960 $707 - $93.1 -

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

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Ireland Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires
11
2025
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
3.45%
2024
Population
5518360
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 8.51% 18%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 28.1% 74% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 10% 13%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 11% 6.12%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 33% 26.1% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 13% 25.2%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 44.2% 88% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 20% 50.4%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 14.2% 50.9%
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 138/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Nigeria
2024 4.09% -1.57%
2023 1.52% -3.12%
2022 1.67% -4%
2021 -1.37% -3.97%
2020 -4.87% -4.03%
2019 0.41% -3.31%
2018 0.09% -3.06%
2017 -0.3% -3.85%
2016 -0.76% -3.3%
2015 -1.97% -2.7%
2014 -3.52% -1.72%
2013 -6.28% -1.89%
2012 -8.42% -0.09%
2011 -13.5% 0.31%
2010 -32.1% -2.96%
2009 -13.9% -3.78%
2008 -7.03% 4.05%
2007 0.27% -0.79%
2006 2.78% 6.22%
2005 1.57% 3.49%
2004 1.3% 3.9%
2003 0.35% -1.56%
2002 -0.52% 0.95%
2001 0.96% -2.29%
2000 4.86% 2.89%
1999 3.54% -1.39%
1998 2.07% -3.47%
1997 1.37% 1.14%
1996 -0.2% 3.37%
1995 -2.07% 2.52%
1994 -1.82% -2.96%
1993 -2.62% -6.07%
1992 -2.84% 0.94%
1991 -2.8% -1.18%
1990 -2.69% -0.48%
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/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Nigeria
2024 2.11% 33.2%
2023 6.3% 24.7%
2022 7.83% 18.8%
2021 2.34% 17%
2020 -0.33% 13.2%
2019 0.94% 11.4%
2018 0.47% 12.1%
2017 0.36% 16.5%
2016 0.02% 15.7%
2015 -0.33% 9.01%
2014 0.19% 8.05%
2013 0.52% 8.5%
2012 1.69% 12.2%
2011 2.55% 10.8%
2010 -0.92% 13.7%
2009 -4.45% 12.5%
2008 4.04% 11.6%
2007 4.89% 5.39%
2006 3.94% 8.23%
2005 2.46% 17.9%
2004 2.18% 15%
2003 3.49% 14%
2002 4.63% 12.9%
2001 4.85% 18.9%
2000 5.58% 6.93%
1999 1.63% 6.62%
1998 2.41% 10%
1997 1.54% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $108M
Chemicals & pharma $63.6M
Animal & marine products $63M
Raw materials & minerals $55.4M
Business & finance services $24.8M
Transport & tourism services $21.3M
Machinery & equipment $13.7M
Miscellaneous $552K
Textiles & consumer goods $212K
Metals $192K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $10.8M
Chemicals & pharma $619K
Textiles & consumer goods $345K
Metals $166K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $166K
Raw agricultural goods $41K

Balance of trade

Ireland Nigeria
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Nigeria
Economic freedom 83.3 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 132/197
Property rights 94.4 29.7
Government integrity 84 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 34.4
Tax burden 77.7 84.6
Government spending 85.9 96.3
Fiscal health 97 83.5
Business freedom 85.5 50.3
Labor freedom 61.3 75.4
Monetary freedom 79.3 56.1
Trade freedom 79.4 64.4
Investment freedom 90 30
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Nigeria
2026 83.3 54.8
2025 83.1 53.4
2024 82.6 53.1
2023 82 53.9
2022 82 54.4
2021 81.4 58.7
2020 80.9 57.2
2019 80.5 57.3
2018 80.4 58.5
2017 76.7 57.1
2016 77.3 57.5
2015 76.6 55.6
2014 76.2 54.3
2013 75.7 55.1
2012 76.9 56.3
2011 78.7 56.7
2010 81.3 56.8
2009 82.2 55.1
2008 82.5 55.1
2007 82.6 55.6
2006 82.2 48.7
2005 80.8 48.4
2004 80.3 49.2
2003 80.9 49.5
2002 80.5 50.9
2001 81.2 49.6
2000 76.1 53.1
1999 74.6 55.7
1998 73.7 52.3
1997 72.6 52.8
1996 68.5 47.4
1995 68.5 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
56.2%
2023
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/nigeria | 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 (2020–2024, 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.