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Economy of Ireland vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $1.04T for Poland, ranking 24/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $609B (58.8% of GDP) in Poland.

Ireland vs Poland GDP by year

Ireland
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Poland
2025 $721,701,359,046 $1,035,491,784,197
2024 $609,157,459,747 $917,767,106,147
2023 $567,372,737,459 $812,451,193,396
2022 $548,341,794,599 $695,607,470,875
2021 $530,394,123,830 $689,170,230,665
2020 $436,009,027,819 $605,914,237,904
2019 $407,211,793,801 $602,683,770,145
2018 $395,780,319,817 $594,616,632,477
2017 $348,355,212,569 $528,356,723,263
2016 $305,431,252,709 $473,259,623,976
2015 $302,101,388,556 $480,054,118,583
2014 $266,490,442,124 $542,134,167,179
2013 $242,924,245,719 $518,179,836,405
2012 $226,921,827,888 $498,148,649,703
2011 $240,975,871,047 $527,848,543,023
2010 $221,732,824,603 $478,111,630,684
2009 $236,443,115,854 $440,891,472,247
2008 $275,447,471,451 $535,612,030,672
2007 $270,079,279,420 $429,715,132,138
2006 $232,180,617,162 $345,897,630,736
2005 $211,876,989,656 $306,999,913,151
2004 $194,372,115,041 $256,268,656,145
2003 $164,670,771,260 $218,561,225,998
2002 $128,596,035,288 $199,694,463,256
2001 $109,346,669,230 $191,823,200,371
2000 $100,207,610,430 $172,953,527,033
1999 $98,893,958,263 $170,704,452,715
1998 $90,199,410,116 $175,282,269,667
1997 $82,856,648,758 $159,893,964,917
1996 $75,790,786,290 $160,813,026,223
1995 $69,139,823,232 $142,838,527,115
1994 $57,097,656,066 $110,803,635,288
1993 $52,417,477,614 $96,043,157,273
1992 $55,918,538,121 $94,337,050,693
1991 $49,787,501,584 $85,500,935,935
1990 $49,305,632,408 $65,977,748,211
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Poland by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $28,420 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $1,731 $6,185
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/poland | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $28,420 in Poland, ranking 47/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Ireland Poland
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
21/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
3.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$28,420
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
47/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$609B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
58.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$16,712
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
39/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$20,616
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$316B
2025
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
101,000
2026
Number of billionaires
11
2026
10
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
50%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
3.81%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
3.02%
2025
Population
5562212
36007074

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 50% 58.8%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 49.4% 55.1%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 43.6% 53%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 41% 48.2%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 28.1% 74% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 46% 53.7%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 44% 46.6%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 33% 26.1% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 43.4% 45%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 45.3% 46.2%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 44.9% 41.4%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 44.6% 37%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 42.9% 36.3%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 42.4% 39.2%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 43.9% 38.6%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 46% 42.6%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 50.6% 43%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 47.3% 48.6%
1994 43.9% 88% - 64.3%
1993 44.6% 93.4% - 83.9%
1992 44.8% 90.6% - 81.9%
1991 44.4% 93.8% - 76.9%
1990 42.8% 92.7% - 89.7%
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% 35.6% -
1978 46.2% 50.6% 35.8% -
1977 44.6% 49.2% 35.6% -
1976 47.8% 51.7% 34.8% -
1975 48.2% 48.3% 34.1% -
1974 44.3% 43.5% 28.6% -
1973 40.3% 35.1% 24.5% -
1972 41.5% 37.3% 24.1% -
1971 45.3% 39.8% 24.1% -
1970 44.1% 41.7% 25.8% -
1969 42.5% 42.6% 26.3% -
1968 40% 44.7% 27.3% -
1967 39.3% 47.1% 29.6% -
1966 36.9% 47.7% 31.7% -
1965 35.8% 44.6% 31.8% -
1964 34.8% 43.1% 33.5% -
1963 33.6% 45.2% 33.3% -
1962 31.7% 44.5% 43% -
1961 31.4% 44.3% 42.8% -
1960 29.1% 44.9% 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Poland spent $517B, or 50% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 58.8% in Poland, ranking 149/185 and 81/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Poland
2025 1.54% -7.01%
2024 4.02% -6.48%
2023 1.36% -5.2%
2022 1.58% -3.37%
2021 -1.31% -1.68%
2020 -4.87% -6.85%
2019 0.41% -0.73%
2018 0.09% -0.24%
2017 -0.3% -1.49%
2016 -0.76% -2.38%
2015 -1.97% -2.59%
2014 -3.52% -3.66%
2013 -6.28% -4.25%
2012 -8.42% -3.8%
2011 -13.5% -4.97%
2010 -32.1% -7.43%
2009 -13.9% -7.24%
2008 -7.03% -3.6%
2007 0.27% -1.88%
2006 2.78% -3.53%
2005 1.57% -3.93%
2004 1.3% -5%
2003 0.35% -6%
2002 -0.52% -4.79%
2001 0.96% -4.71%
2000 4.86% -3.98%
1999 3.54% -2.29%
1998 2.07% -4.24%
1997 1.37% -4.59%
1996 -0.2% -4.82%
1995 -2.07% -4.38%
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/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $72.6B, or 7.01% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.1% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Poland
2025 2.21% 3.81%
2024 2.11% 3.79%
2023 6.3% 11.5%
2022 7.83% 14.4%
2021 2.34% 5.06%
2020 -0.33% 3.37%
2019 0.94% 2.23%
2018 0.47% 1.81%
2017 0.36% 2.08%
2016 0.02% -0.66%
2015 -0.33% -0.87%
2014 0.19% 0.05%
2013 0.52% 0.99%
2012 1.69% 3.56%
2011 2.55% 4.24%
2010 -0.92% 2.58%
2009 -4.45% 3.8%
2008 4.04% 4.16%
2007 4.89% 2.46%
2006 3.94% 1.28%
2005 2.46% 2.18%
2004 2.18% 3.38%
2003 3.49% 0.68%
2002 4.63% 1.91%
2001 4.85% 5.41%
2000 5.58% 9.9%
1999 1.63% 7.15%
1998 2.41% 11.6%
1997 1.54% 14.9%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 4.37% in Poland. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 3.81% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $4.61B
Machinery & equipment $1.09B
Chemicals & pharma $639M
Business & finance services $589M
Transport & tourism services $458M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $199M
Animal & marine products $160M
Textiles & consumer goods $48.1M
Metals $21.5M
Government & miscellaneous services $21.2M
Poland
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $1.83B
Transport & tourism services $1.39B
Machinery & equipment $1.37B
IT & IP services $908M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $358M
Chemicals & pharma $228M
Animal & marine products $201M
Textiles & consumer goods $152M
Manufacturing & construction services $144M
Wood & paper products $98.4M

Balance of trade

Ireland Poland
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$9.05B
2025
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
172/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-0.87%
2025
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$406B
2025
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$390B
2025
Service imports
$467B
2024
$86.5B
2025
Service exports
$526B
2024
$131B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
47.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
50%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Poland
Economic freedom 83.3 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 46/197
Property rights 94.4 71.8
Government integrity 84 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 62.5
Tax burden 77.7 72.7
Government spending 85.9 35.1
Fiscal health 97 74.8
Business freedom 85.5 77.5
Labor freedom 61.3 53.7
Monetary freedom 79.3 73.8
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 90 80
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Poland
2026 83.3 68.5
2025 83.1 67.1
2024 82.6 66
2023 82 67.7
2022 82 68.7
2021 81.4 69.7
2020 80.9 69.1
2019 80.5 67.8
2018 80.4 68.5
2017 76.7 68.3
2016 77.3 69.3
2015 76.6 68.6
2014 76.2 67
2013 75.7 66
2012 76.9 64.2
2011 78.7 64.1
2010 81.3 63.2
2009 82.2 60.3
2008 82.5 60.3
2007 82.6 58.1
2006 82.2 59.3
2005 80.8 59.6
2004 80.3 58.7
2003 80.9 61.8
2002 80.5 65
2001 81.2 61.8
2000 76.1 60
1999 74.6 59.6
1998 73.7 59.2
1997 72.6 56.8
1996 68.5 57.8
1995 68.5 50.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Poland
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
25.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
2.45%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$930B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$52,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$272B
2025
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
16/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$11.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$10B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
17.9%
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/poland | 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 (1926–1994, 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 (2021–2025, 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.

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.