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Economy of Ireland vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 25/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Ireland vs Rwanda GDP by year

Ireland
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Rwanda
2024 $609,157,459,747 $14,251,642,235
2023 $567,372,737,459 $14,331,722,703
2022 $548,341,794,599 $13,316,161,002
2021 $530,394,123,830 $11,078,787,090
2020 $436,009,027,819 $10,174,386,857
2019 $407,211,793,801 $10,349,300,277
2018 $395,780,319,817 $9,637,904,521
2017 $348,355,212,569 $9,252,833,891
2016 $305,431,252,709 $8,695,272,058
2015 $302,101,388,556 $8,543,760,200
2014 $266,490,442,124 $8,238,966,124
2013 $242,924,245,719 $7,819,964,030
2012 $226,921,827,888 $7,654,761,050
2011 $240,975,871,047 $6,884,913,658
2010 $221,732,824,603 $6,124,756,654
2009 $236,443,115,854 $5,674,476,969
2008 $275,447,471,451 $5,179,854,065
2007 $270,079,279,420 $4,070,507,895
2006 $232,180,617,162 $3,319,784,539
2005 $211,876,989,656 $2,933,819,766
2004 $194,372,115,041 $2,376,496,067
2003 $164,670,771,260 $2,138,237,279
2002 $128,596,035,288 $1,966,003,468
2001 $109,346,669,230 $1,966,600,715
2000 $100,207,610,430 $2,068,836,754
1999 $98,893,958,263 $2,157,108,263
1998 $90,199,410,116 $1,989,343,546
1997 $82,856,648,758 $1,851,558,197
1996 $75,790,786,290 $1,382,334,879
1995 $69,139,823,232 $1,293,535,193
1994 $57,097,656,066 $753,636,370
1993 $52,417,477,614 $1,971,525,712
1992 $55,918,538,121 $2,029,026,962
1991 $49,787,501,584 $1,911,600,237
1990 $49,305,632,408 $2,550,185,679
1989 $39,238,392,678 $2,405,022,593
1988 $37,772,896,221 $2,395,492,687
1987 $33,920,518,493 $2,157,432,668
1986 $28,714,571,852 $1,944,710,684
1985 $21,270,013,326 $1,715,626,331
1984 $20,106,648,455 $1,587,413,084
1983 $20,766,047,764 $1,479,687,587
1982 $21,474,752,962 $1,407,243,139
1981 $20,670,190,138 $1,407,062,527
1980 $21,747,855,640 $1,254,765,642
1979 $18,319,334,300 $1,109,346,131
1978 $14,647,996,074 $905,709,076
1977 $11,248,340,431 $746,650,613
1976 $9,453,756,015 $637,753,853
1975 $9,483,808,362 $571,863,500
1974 $7,896,860,615 $308,458,423
1973 $7,481,173,066 $290,746,157
1972 $6,318,060,582 $246,457,838
1971 $5,098,250,287 $222,952,504
1970 $4,395,995,086 $219,900,006
1969 $3,902,721,632 $188,700,037
1968 $3,378,701,147 $172,200,018
1967 $3,445,739,915 $159,560,018
1966 $3,198,820,904 $124,525,703
1965 $3,035,655,794 $148,799,980
1964 $2,851,091,646 $129,999,994
1963 $2,505,073,358 $128,000,000
1962 $2,329,372,972 $125,000,008
1961 $2,151,772,980 $122,000,016
1960 $1,998,550,222 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Rwanda by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $975 $3,099
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $830 $2,733
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $779 $2,285
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $810 $2,336
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $772 $2,125
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $758 $1,968
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $730 $1,866
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $734 $1,781
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $725 $1,678
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $705 $1,512
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $707 $1,455
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $651 $1,413
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $594 $1,314
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $564 $1,241
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $528 $1,191
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $426 $1,079
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $357 $1,002
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $324 $914
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $269.5 $832
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $249 $775
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $234 $760
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $237.3 $670
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $251.9 $609
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $264.7 $554
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $246.2 $528
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $238.7 $500
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $206 $499
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $228 $514
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $111 $311
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $247 $521
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $264.1 $575
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $254 $542
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $346 $549
1989 $11,176 - $335 -
1988 $10,716 - $344 -
1987 $9,582 - $320 -
1986 $8,112 - $297.7 -
1985 $6,012 - $271.6 -
1984 $5,692 - $259.9 -
1983 $5,915 - $250.6 -
1982 $6,161 - $246.4 -
1981 $5,986 - $254.6 -
1980 $6,372 - $234.4 -
1979 $5,430 - $213.8 -
1978 $4,400 - $179.9 -
1977 $3,427 - $152.7 -
1976 $2,920 - $134.4 -
1975 $2,973 - $124.1 -
1974 $2,517 - $68.9 -
1973 $2,424 - $66.9 -
1972 $2,080 - $58.4 -
1971 $1,704 - $54.4 -
1970 $1,487 - $55.2 -
1969 $1,331 - $48.9 -
1968 $1,159 - $46 -
1967 $1,187 - $44 -
1966 $1,107 - $35.4 -
1965 $1,055 - $43.5 -
1964 $995 - $39 -
1963 $878 - $39.3 -
1962 $821 - $39.2 -
1961 $762 - $39.3 -
1960 $707 - $39.4 -

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

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Ireland Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$2.75B
2024
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
5518360
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 27% 63.4%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 28.1% 74% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 33% 26.1% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 20.5% 92%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 19.1% 84%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 18.2% 86%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 17% 72.2%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 18% 100.8%
1994 44.2% 88% 13.3% -
1993 44.6% 93.4% 20.3% -
1992 46.8% 90.6% 21.5% -
1991 46.1% 93.8% - -
1990 44.6% 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 (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/rwanda | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 138/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Rwanda
2024 4.09% -6.57%
2023 1.52% -5.04%
2022 1.67% -5.74%
2021 -1.37% -7%
2020 -4.87% -9.54%
2019 0.41% -5.08%
2018 0.09% -2.57%
2017 -0.3% -2.52%
2016 -0.76% -2.27%
2015 -1.97% -2.68%
2014 -3.52% -3.92%
2013 -6.28% -1.27%
2012 -8.42% -2.38%
2011 -13.5% -0.86%
2010 -32.1% -0.64%
2009 -13.9% 0.26%
2008 -7.03% 0.83%
2007 0.27% -1.56%
2006 2.78% -0.03%
2005 1.57% 1.12%
2004 1.3% 2.27%
2003 0.35% -1.23%
2002 -0.52% -2.03%
2001 0.96% -1.8%
2000 4.86% -0.22%
1999 3.54% -4.41%
1998 2.07% -2.59%
1997 1.37% -2.22%
1996 -0.2% -5.01%
1995 -2.07% -2.04%
1994 -1.82% -9.54%
1993 -2.62% -6.6%
1992 -2.84% -7.21%
1991 -2.8% -
1990 -2.69% -
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.34% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Rwanda
2024 2.11% 1.77%
2023 6.3% 19.8%
2022 7.83% 17.7%
2021 2.34% -0.39%
2020 -0.33% 9.85%
2019 0.94% 3.35%
2018 0.47% -0.31%
2017 0.36% 8.28%
2016 0.02% 7.17%
2015 -0.33% 2.53%
2014 0.19% 2.35%
2013 0.52% 5.92%
2012 1.69% 10.3%
2011 2.55% 3.08%
2010 -0.92% -0.25%
2009 -4.45% 12.9%
2008 4.04% 15.4%
2007 4.89% 9.08%
2006 3.94% 8.88%
2005 2.46% 9.01%
2004 2.18% 12.3%
2003 3.49% 7.45%
2002 4.63% 1.99%
2001 4.85% 3.34%
2000 5.58% 3.9%
1999 1.63% -2.41%
1998 2.41% 6.21%
1997 1.54% 12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $4.58M
Chemicals & pharma $760K
Machinery & equipment $308K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $190K
Metals $4K
Wood & paper products $3K
Animal & marine products $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $5.16M
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Metals $2K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Ireland Rwanda
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Rwanda
Economic freedom 83.3 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 121/197
Property rights 94.4 60.3
Government integrity 84 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 27.5
Tax burden 77.7 80.6
Government spending 85.9 75.7
Fiscal health 97 37.5
Business freedom 85.5 60.1
Labor freedom 61.3 49.1
Monetary freedom 79.3 72.3
Trade freedom 79.4 61.8
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Rwanda
2026 83.3 56.5
2025 83.1 54.8
2024 82.6 51.6
2023 82 52.2
2022 82 57.1
2021 81.4 68.3
2020 80.9 70.9
2019 80.5 71.1
2018 80.4 69.1
2017 76.7 67.6
2016 77.3 63.1
2015 76.6 64.8
2014 76.2 64.7
2013 75.7 64.1
2012 76.9 64.9
2011 78.7 62.7
2010 81.3 59.1
2009 82.2 54.2
2008 82.5 54.2
2007 82.6 52.4
2006 82.2 52.8
2005 80.8 51.7
2004 80.3 53.3
2003 80.9 47.8
2002 80.5 50.4
2001 81.2 45.4
2000 76.1 42.3
1999 74.6 39.8
1998 73.7 39.1
1997 72.6 38.3
1996 68.5 -
1995 68.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25.9%
2024

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/rwanda | 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.