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Economy of Ireland vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 24/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Ireland vs Romania GDP by year

Ireland
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Romania
2025 $721,701,359,046 $428,677,977,855
2024 $609,157,459,747 $382,564,217,989
2023 $567,372,737,459 $347,757,995,759
2022 $548,341,794,599 $295,317,862,856
2021 $530,394,123,830 $285,072,444,957
2020 $436,009,027,819 $250,624,575,872
2019 $407,211,793,801 $250,080,428,512
2018 $395,780,319,817 $241,791,427,224
2017 $348,355,212,569 $210,147,385,855
2016 $305,431,252,709 $185,290,759,249
2015 $302,101,388,556 $177,885,131,240
2014 $266,490,442,124 $199,722,319,676
2013 $242,924,245,719 $189,798,603,751
2012 $226,921,827,888 $179,117,323,107
2011 $240,975,871,047 $192,623,977,894
2010 $221,732,824,603 $170,064,350,672
2009 $236,443,115,854 $174,110,532,659
2008 $275,447,471,451 $214,315,932,061
2007 $270,079,279,420 $174,588,782,939
2006 $232,180,617,162 $122,023,735,993
2005 $211,876,989,656 $98,454,380,120
2004 $194,372,115,041 $74,973,656,852
2003 $164,670,771,260 $57,806,384,143
2002 $128,596,035,288 $46,065,502,703
2001 $109,346,669,230 $40,395,116,581
2000 $100,207,610,430 $37,253,739,511
1999 $98,893,958,263 $35,953,156,754
1998 $90,199,410,116 $41,696,091,974
1997 $82,856,648,758 $35,575,214,078
1996 $75,790,786,290 $36,937,074,278
1995 $69,139,823,232 $37,430,162,103
1994 $57,097,656,066 $30,072,805,104
1993 $52,417,477,614 $26,361,160,450
1992 $55,918,538,121 $25,121,666,667
1991 $49,787,501,584 $28,850,634,900
1990 $49,305,632,408 $38,247,882,300
1989 $39,238,392,678 $41,450,777,202
1988 $37,772,896,221 $40,424,528,302
1987 $33,920,518,493 $38,067,567,568
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Romania by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $22,538 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $11,176 - $1,790 -
1988 $10,716 - $1,753 -
1987 $9,582 - $1,659 -
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/romania | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Ireland Romania
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$70.9B
2025
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
6.1%
2025
Population
5562212
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 40% 57.5%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 37% 52.6%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 31% 37.1%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 28.1% 74% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 35% 32.6%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 35.3% 13%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 33% 26.1% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 35% 29.6%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 33.5% 15%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 33.5% 11%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 43.9% 88% 33.1% -
1993 44.6% 93.4% 33.5% -
1992 44.8% 90.6% 41.5% -
1991 44.4% 93.8% 38.3% -
1990 42.8% 92.7% 38.4% -
1989 42.5% 97.9% 40.1% -
1988 48.2% 106.5% 36.6% -
1987 51.4% 108.3% 40.7% -
1986 52.9% 107.2% 42.5% -
1985 53.2% 93% 41.6% -
1984 52.7% 90.2% 28.6% -
1983 55.6% 86.1% 25.8% -
1982 56.7% 73.5% 28.5% -
1981 54.1% 68.8% 30.4% -
1980 53.7% 64.6% 33.6% -
1979 48.7% 63.5% 42% -
1978 46.2% 50.6% 42.1% -
1977 44.6% 49.2% 39.9% -
1976 47.8% 51.7% 37.5% -
1975 48.2% 48.3% 40.6% -
1974 44.3% 43.5% 37.6% -
1973 40.3% 35.1% 32.6% -
1972 41.5% 37.3% 29.9% -
1971 45.3% 39.8% 27.2% -
1970 44.1% 41.7% 28.1% -
1969 42.5% 42.6% 32.1% -
1968 40% 44.7% 31.8% -
1967 39.3% 47.1% 30.6% -
1966 36.9% 47.7% 27.3% -
1965 35.8% 44.6% 25.6% -
1964 34.8% 43.1% 25.1% -
1963 33.6% 45.2% 23.1% -
1962 31.7% 44.5% 43.4% -
1961 31.4% 44.3% - -
1960 29.1% 44.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 149/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Romania
2025 1.54% -7.64%
2024 4.02% -8.68%
2023 1.36% -5.66%
2022 1.58% -5.85%
2021 -1.31% -6.74%
2020 -4.87% -9.6%
2019 0.41% -4.58%
2018 0.09% -2.76%
2017 -0.3% -2.86%
2016 -0.76% -2.5%
2015 -1.97% -1.35%
2014 -3.52% -1.76%
2013 -6.28% -2.44%
2012 -8.42% -2.39%
2011 -13.5% -4.14%
2010 -32.1% -6.22%
2009 -13.9% -6.86%
2008 -7.03% -4.6%
2007 0.27% -3.05%
2006 2.78% -1.36%
2005 1.57% -0.69%
2004 1.3% -3.39%
2003 0.35% -2.29%
2002 -0.52% -2.59%
2001 0.96% -3.2%
2000 4.86% -3.99%
1999 3.54% -3.58%
1998 2.07% -5.33%
1997 1.37% -5.19%
1996 -0.2% -4.74%
1995 -2.07% -3.32%
1994 -1.98% -2.2%
1993 -2.7% -0.35%
1992 -2.92% -4.55%
1991 -2.82% 3.23%
1990 -2.77% 1.03%
1989 -2.64% -2.87%
1988 -4.62% 8.4%
1987 -8.47% 2.37%
1986 -10.5% 5.72%
1985 -10.7% 6.36%
1984 -9.43% 15.2%
1983 -11.5% 9.35%
1982 -13.1% 0.36%
1981 -12.1% 0.61%
1980 -11.1% -1.95%
1979 -10% 0%
1978 -8.27% 0%
1977 -6.44% 0.23%
1976 -7.34% 0.66%
1975 -11.1% 0.41%
1974 -6.96% 0.51%
1973 -3.84% 1.53%
1972 -3.23% 1.21%
1971 -3.5% 0.89%
1970 -3.64% 0.52%
1969 -3.4% 0.93%
1968 -2.72% 1.65%
1967 -2.69% 1.23%
1966 -2.26% 0.91%
1965 -3.5% -1.29%
1964 -3.35% -3.11%
1963 -2.92% -1.61%
1962 -2.91% -4.86%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 39 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.19% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Romania
2025 2.21% 7.3%
2024 2.11% 5.6%
2023 6.3% 10.4%
2022 7.83% 13.8%
2021 2.34% 5%
2020 -0.33% 2.6%
2019 0.94% 3.8%
2018 0.47% 4.6%
2017 0.36% 1.3%
2016 0.02% -1.6%
2015 -0.33% -0.6%
2014 0.19% 1.1%
2013 0.52% 4%
2012 1.69% 3.3%
2011 2.55% 5.8%
2010 -0.92% 6.1%
2009 -4.45% 5.6%
2008 4.04% 7.8%
2007 4.89% 4.8%
2006 3.94% 6.6%
2005 2.46% 9%
2004 2.18% 11.9%
2003 3.49% 15.4%
2002 4.63% 22.5%
2001 4.85% 34.5%
2000 5.58% 45.7%
1999 1.63% 45.8%
1998 2.41% 59.1%
1997 1.54% 154.8%

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/romania | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $281M
Machinery & equipment $117M
Business & finance services $75.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $54.5M
Transport & tourism services $30.3M
Animal & marine products $17.1M
Government & miscellaneous services $14.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.73M
Raw agricultural goods $2.52M
Wood & paper products $1.64M
Romania
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $553M
IT & IP services $445M
Machinery & equipment $152M
Transport & tourism services $152M
Textiles & consumer goods $44.2M
Manufacturing & construction services $44.1M
Chemicals & pharma $33M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23.4M
Metals $8.54M
Raw agricultural goods $6.76M

Balance of trade

Ireland Romania
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$102B
2025
Service imports
$467B
2024
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$526B
2024
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Romania
Economic freedom 83.3 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 64/197
Property rights 94.4 81
Government integrity 84 50
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 67
Tax burden 77.7 89.1
Government spending 85.9 56.7
Fiscal health 97 21.4
Business freedom 85.5 74.4
Labor freedom 61.3 63.6
Monetary freedom 79.3 72.7
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 90 70
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Romania
2026 83.3 65.4
2025 83.1 66.5
2024 82.6 64.4
2023 82 64.5
2022 82 67.1
2021 81.4 69.5
2020 80.9 69.7
2019 80.5 68.6
2018 80.4 69.4
2017 76.7 69.7
2016 77.3 65.6
2015 76.6 66.6
2014 76.2 65.5
2013 75.7 65.1
2012 76.9 64.4
2011 78.7 64.7
2010 81.3 64.2
2009 82.2 63.2
2008 82.5 61.7
2007 82.6 61.2
2006 82.2 58.2
2005 80.8 52.1
2004 80.3 50
2003 80.9 50.6
2002 80.5 48.7
2001 81.2 50
2000 76.1 52.1
1999 74.6 50.1
1998 73.7 54.4
1997 72.6 50.8
1996 68.5 46.2
1995 68.5 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Romania
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
25.9%
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/romania | CC BY

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Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2024–2025, 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.