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Economy of Ireland vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 25/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Ireland vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Ireland
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Papua New Guinea
2024 $609,157,459,747 $31,800,428,266
2023 $567,372,737,459 $30,816,367,067
2022 $548,341,794,599 $31,653,185,953
2021 $530,394,123,830 $26,109,413,521
2020 $436,009,027,819 $23,848,447,850
2019 $407,211,793,801 $24,750,626,030
2018 $395,780,319,817 $24,109,780,708
2017 $348,355,212,569 $22,742,699,138
2016 $305,431,252,709 $20,758,876,953
2015 $302,101,388,556 $21,723,437,010
2014 $266,490,442,124 $23,210,823,987
2013 $242,924,245,719 $21,261,338,065
2012 $226,921,827,888 $21,295,168,666
2011 $240,975,871,047 $17,985,138,066
2010 $221,732,824,603 $14,250,786,675
2009 $236,443,115,854 $11,619,456,449
2008 $275,447,471,451 $11,670,892,801
2007 $270,079,279,420 $9,545,028,944
2006 $232,180,617,162 $8,354,911,041
2005 $211,876,989,656 $4,865,892,972
2004 $194,372,115,041 $3,927,157,867
2003 $164,670,771,260 $3,536,411,824
2002 $128,596,035,288 $2,999,511,040
2001 $109,346,669,230 $3,081,024,212
2000 $100,207,610,430 $3,521,339,699
1999 $98,893,958,263 $3,477,038,204
1998 $90,199,410,116 $3,789,443,015
1997 $82,856,648,758 $4,936,615,299
1996 $75,790,786,290 $5,155,311,077
1995 $69,139,823,232 $4,636,057,476
1994 $57,097,656,066 $5,502,786,070
1993 $52,417,477,614 $4,974,550,286
1992 $55,918,538,121 $4,377,980,510
1991 $49,787,501,584 $3,787,394,958
1990 $49,305,632,408 $3,219,729,083
1989 $39,238,392,678 $3,546,472,566
1988 $37,772,896,221 $3,656,177,881
1987 $33,920,518,493 $3,143,851,794
1986 $28,714,571,852 $2,647,995,602
1985 $21,270,013,326 $2,423,339,172
1984 $20,106,648,455 $2,552,662,617
1983 $20,766,047,764 $2,562,351,551
1982 $21,474,752,962 $2,368,719,683
1981 $20,670,190,138 $2,498,190,847
1980 $21,747,855,640 $2,545,808,456
1979 $18,319,334,300 $2,293,760,511
1978 $14,647,996,074 $1,947,878,831
1977 $11,248,340,431 $1,640,746,619
1976 $9,453,756,015 $1,511,843,235
1975 $9,483,808,362 $1,356,603,608
1974 $7,896,860,615 $1,467,417,672
1973 $7,481,173,066 $1,299,079,410
1972 $6,318,060,582 $858,761,926
1971 $5,098,250,287 $717,750,278
1970 $4,395,995,086 $645,568,215
1969 $3,902,721,632 $551,263,864
1968 $3,378,701,147 $485,184,190
1967 $3,445,739,915 $441,728,183
1966 $3,198,820,904 $390,992,063
1965 $3,035,655,794 $344,176,055
1964 $2,851,091,646 $305,312,049
1963 $2,505,073,358 $275,968,044
1962 $2,329,372,972 $261,184,042
1961 $2,151,772,980 $244,832,039
1960 $1,998,550,222 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Papua New Guinea by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $744 $2,322
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $621 $2,187
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $577 $2,142
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $506 $2,125
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $538 $2,168
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $636 $2,196
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $650 $2,280
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $733 $2,285
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $990 $2,432
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $998 $2,436
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $942 $1,869
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $826 $1,703
1989 $11,176 - $934 -
1988 $10,716 - $985 -
1987 $9,582 - $865 -
1986 $8,112 - $745 -
1985 $6,012 - $697 -
1984 $5,692 - $750 -
1983 $5,915 - $769 -
1982 $6,161 - $726 -
1981 $5,986 - $781 -
1980 $6,372 - $813 -
1979 $5,430 - $748 -
1978 $4,400 - $648 -
1977 $3,427 - $558 -
1976 $2,920 - $525 -
1975 $2,973 - $482 -
1974 $2,517 - $533 -
1973 $2,424 - $483 -
1972 $2,080 - $327 -
1971 $1,704 - $279.7 -
1970 $1,487 - $257.6 -
1969 $1,331 - $225.3 -
1968 $1,159 - $202.9 -
1967 $1,187 - $189 -
1966 $1,107 - $171.1 -
1965 $1,055 - $153.9 -
1964 $995 - $139.5 -
1963 $878 - $128.9 -
1962 $821 - $124.7 -
1961 $762 - $119.7 -
1960 $707 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Ireland Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$1.68B
2017
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
2.69%
2022
Population
5518360
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 22% 52.6%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 28.1% 74% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 18% 22.2%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 19.4% 26%
2005 33% 26.1% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 20% 45.7%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 44.2% 88% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 23.5% 30%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 22.4% -
1990 44.6% 92.7% 24.5% -
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 (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 138/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Papua New Guinea
2024 4.09% -3.23%
2023 1.52% -4.34%
2022 1.67% -5.25%
2021 -1.37% -6.84%
2020 -4.87% -8.85%
2019 0.41% -4.98%
2018 0.09% -2.58%
2017 -0.3% -2.47%
2016 -0.76% -4.75%
2015 -1.97% -4.55%
2014 -3.52% -6.27%
2013 -6.28% -6.87%
2012 -8.42% -1.19%
2011 -13.5% 2.22%
2010 -32.1% 3.06%
2009 -13.9% -5.48%
2008 -7.03% 2.73%
2007 0.27% 6.9%
2006 2.78% 5.34%
2005 1.57% 2.85%
2004 1.3% 2.03%
2003 0.35% 0.19%
2002 -0.52% -1.75%
2001 0.96% -1.33%
2000 4.86% 0.3%
1999 3.54% -1.94%
1998 2.07% -0.16%
1997 1.37% 0.67%
1996 -0.2% 2.05%
1995 -2.07% 1.08%
1994 -1.82% -1.01%
1993 -2.62% -4.9%
1992 -2.84% -4.33%
1991 -2.8% -0.62%
1990 -2.69% -2.04%
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/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Papua New Guinea
2024 2.11% 0.6%
2023 6.3% 2.3%
2022 7.83% 5.25%
2021 2.34% 4.48%
2020 -0.33% 4.87%
2019 0.94% 3.93%
2018 0.47% 4.37%
2017 0.36% 5.42%
2016 0.02% 6.67%
2015 -0.33% 6%
2014 0.19% 5.22%
2013 0.52% 4.96%
2012 1.69% 4.54%
2011 2.55% 4.44%
2010 -0.92% 6.01%
2009 -4.45% 6.92%
2008 4.04% 10.8%
2007 4.89% 0.91%
2006 3.94% 2.37%
2005 2.46% 1.78%
2004 2.18% 2.16%
2003 3.49% 14.7%
2002 4.63% 11.8%
2001 4.85% 9.3%
2000 5.58% 15.6%
1999 1.63% 14.9%
1998 2.41% 13.6%
1997 1.54% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.27M
Animal & marine products $830K
Chemicals & pharma $156K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $205K
Machinery & equipment $61K
Raw agricultural goods $31K

Balance of trade

Ireland Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 83.3 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 134/197
Property rights 94.4 45
Government integrity 84 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 41.1
Tax burden 77.7 70.9
Government spending 85.9 86.1
Fiscal health 97 65.3
Business freedom 85.5 34.2
Labor freedom 61.3 65.1
Monetary freedom 79.3 77.4
Trade freedom 79.4 80.2
Investment freedom 90 25
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Papua New Guinea
2026 83.3 54.3
2025 83.1 52.5
2024 82.6 49.4
2023 82 51.7
2022 82 54.6
2021 81.4 58.9
2020 80.9 58.4
2019 80.5 58.4
2018 80.4 55.7
2017 76.7 50.9
2016 77.3 53.2
2015 76.6 53.1
2014 76.2 53.9
2013 75.7 53.6
2012 76.9 53.8
2011 78.7 52.6
2010 81.3 53.5
2009 82.2 54.8
2008 82.5 -
2007 82.6 -
2006 82.2 -
2005 80.8 -
2004 80.3 -
2003 80.9 -
2002 80.5 -
2001 81.2 57.2
2000 76.1 55.8
1999 74.6 56.3
1998 73.7 55.2
1997 72.6 56.7
1996 68.5 58.6
1995 68.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | 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 (1926–1993, 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 (2022–2024, 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.