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Economy of Ireland vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $19.1B for North Macedonia, ranking 24/197 and 137/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $10B (52.5% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Ireland vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Ireland
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland North Macedonia
2025 $721,701,359,046 $19,101,199,817
2024 $609,157,459,747 $16,951,682,221
2023 $567,372,737,459 $15,855,131,189
2022 $548,341,794,599 $13,932,436,550
2021 $530,394,123,830 $14,000,283,827
2020 $436,009,027,819 $12,361,036,914
2019 $407,211,793,801 $12,606,338,449
2018 $395,780,319,817 $12,683,068,114
2017 $348,355,212,569 $11,307,067,070
2016 $305,431,252,709 $10,672,467,073
2015 $302,101,388,556 $10,064,519,963
2014 $266,490,442,124 $11,362,265,253
2013 $242,924,245,719 $10,817,702,346
2012 $226,921,827,888 $9,745,261,301
2011 $240,975,871,047 $10,494,626,768
2010 $221,732,824,603 $9,407,170,321
2009 $236,443,115,854 $9,401,736,825
2008 $275,447,471,451 $9,909,552,435
2007 $270,079,279,420 $8,336,474,974
2006 $232,180,617,162 $6,861,226,972
2005 $211,876,989,656 $6,258,602,873
2004 $194,372,115,041 $5,682,784,472
2003 $164,670,771,260 $4,946,296,599
2002 $128,596,035,288 $4,018,365,747
2001 $109,346,669,230 $3,709,636,031
2000 $100,207,610,430 $3,772,859,034
1999 $98,893,958,263 $3,863,619,285
1998 $90,199,410,116 $3,765,745,023
1997 $82,856,648,758 $3,912,986,091
1996 $75,790,786,290 $4,642,021,256
1995 $69,139,823,232 $4,707,041,315
1994 $57,097,656,066 $3,559,608,640
1993 $52,417,477,614 $2,682,456,897
1992 $55,918,538,121 $2,436,849,342
1991 $49,787,501,584 $4,938,775,510
1990 $49,305,632,408 $4,699,646,643
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs North Macedonia by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $10,490 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $2,277 $5,348
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/north-macedonia | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $10,490 in North Macedonia, ranking 86/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Ireland North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$19.1B
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
137/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
3.49%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$10,490
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
86/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$10B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
52.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$5,510
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
78/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$9,326
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
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
36.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
4.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
11.5%
2025
Population
5562212
1811466

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 36.2% 52.5%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 36.1% 52.9%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 35.3% 50.5%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 35% 50.4%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 28.1% 74% 32.2% 38%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 31.7% 38%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 31.7% 34%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 33% 26.1% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 36% 36.5%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 32% 45.6%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 32.5% 29.8%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 32.2% 33.1%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 32.3% 29.3%
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 (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.91B, or 36.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 52.5% in North Macedonia, ranking 149/185 and 97/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland North Macedonia
2025 1.54% -4.01%
2024 4.02% -4.38%
2023 1.36% -4.59%
2022 1.58% -5.23%
2021 -1.31% -5.32%
2020 -4.87% -8.05%
2019 0.41% -1.97%
2018 0.09% -1.76%
2017 -0.3% -2.73%
2016 -0.76% -2.7%
2015 -1.97% -3.48%
2014 -3.52% -4.19%
2013 -6.28% -3.84%
2012 -8.42% -3.81%
2011 -13.5% -2.47%
2010 -32.1% -2.41%
2009 -13.9% -2.63%
2008 -7.03% -0.93%
2007 0.27% 0.58%
2006 2.78% -0.51%
2005 1.57% 0.21%
2004 1.3% 0.37%
2003 0.35% -0.07%
2002 -0.52% -5.24%
2001 0.96% -5.88%
2000 4.86% 2.37%
1999 3.54% 0.03%
1998 2.07% -1.59%
1997 1.37% -0.35%
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/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $766M, or 4.01% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.57% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland North Macedonia
2025 2.21% 4.1%
2024 2.11% 3.5%
2023 6.3% 9.4%
2022 7.83% 14.2%
2021 2.34% 3.2%
2020 -0.33% 1.2%
2019 0.94% 0.8%
2018 0.47% 1.5%
2017 0.36% 1.4%
2016 0.02% -0.2%
2015 -0.33% -0.2%
2014 0.19% -0.3%
2013 0.52% 2.8%
2012 1.69% 3.3%
2011 2.55% 3.9%
2010 -0.92% 1.5%
2009 -4.45% -0.8%
2008 4.04% 7.2%
2007 4.89% 2.8%
2006 3.94% 3.3%
2005 2.46% 0%
2004 2.18% -0.4%
2003 3.49% 1.1%
2002 4.63% 1.7%
2001 4.85% 5.1%
2000 5.58% 6.6%
1999 1.63% -1.3%
1998 2.41% 0.5%
1997 1.54% 1.3%

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/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 2.66% in North Macedonia. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 4.1% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $24M
Machinery & equipment $1.26M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $993K
Animal & marine products $208K
Raw materials & minerals $61K
Textiles & consumer goods $34K
Wood & paper products $24K
Raw agricultural goods $13K
Metals $9K
Miscellaneous $1K
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Metals $1.29M
Machinery & equipment $754K
Textiles & consumer goods $372K
Wood & paper products $65K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $59K
Miscellaneous $44K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Ireland North Macedonia
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$815M
2025
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
112/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-4.27%
2025
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$11.7B
2025
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$7.87B
2025
Service imports
$467B
2024
$2.4B
2025
Service exports
$526B
2024
$3.55B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
73.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
59.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland North Macedonia
Economic freedom 83.3 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 81/197
Property rights 94.4 56.2
Government integrity 84 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 49.5
Tax burden 77.7 94.9
Government spending 85.9 61.7
Fiscal health 97 57.7
Business freedom 85.5 72.2
Labor freedom 61.3 51.4
Monetary freedom 79.3 69.6
Trade freedom 79.4 77.8
Investment freedom 90 65
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland North Macedonia
2026 83.3 63.3
2025 83.1 63.2
2024 82.6 61.4
2023 82 63.7
2022 82 65.7
2021 81.4 68.6
2020 80.9 69.5
2019 80.5 71.1
2018 80.4 71.3
2017 76.7 70.7
2016 77.3 67.5
2015 76.6 67.1
2014 76.2 68.6
2013 75.7 68.2
2012 76.9 68.5
2011 78.7 66
2010 81.3 65.7
2009 82.2 61.2
2008 82.5 61.1
2007 82.6 60.6
2006 82.2 59.2
2005 80.8 56.1
2004 80.3 56.8
2003 80.9 60.1
2002 80.5 58
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 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
5.98%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$17.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$26,680
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$5.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
98/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$276M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
21.9%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
31.7%
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/north-macedonia | 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 (1926–1998, 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 (2022–2025, 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.