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Economy of Ireland vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 25/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Ireland vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Ireland
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Saudi Arabia
2024 $609,157,459,747 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $567,372,737,459 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $548,341,794,599 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $530,394,123,830 $982,661,066,667
2020 $436,009,027,819 $767,951,200,000
2019 $407,211,793,801 $888,890,133,333
2018 $395,780,319,817 $886,564,800,000
2017 $348,355,212,569 $741,266,133,333
2016 $305,431,252,709 $689,279,466,667
2015 $302,101,388,556 $693,414,400,000
2014 $266,490,442,124 $787,153,066,667
2013 $242,924,245,719 $769,755,733,333
2012 $226,921,827,888 $751,921,333,333
2011 $240,975,871,047 $680,660,800,000
2010 $221,732,824,603 $528,207,466,667
2009 $236,443,115,854 $429,097,866,667
2008 $275,447,471,451 $519,796,800,000
2007 $270,079,279,420 $415,964,509,673
2006 $232,180,617,162 $376,900,133,511
2005 $211,876,989,656 $328,459,608,764
2004 $194,372,115,041 $258,742,133,333
2003 $164,670,771,260 $215,807,733,333
2002 $128,596,035,288 $189,605,866,667
2001 $109,346,669,230 $184,137,600,000
2000 $100,207,610,430 $189,514,933,333
1999 $98,893,958,263 $161,717,066,667
1998 $90,199,410,116 $146,775,466,667
1997 $82,856,648,758 $165,963,684,913
1996 $75,790,786,290 $158,662,483,311
1995 $69,139,823,232 $143,343,124,166
1994 $57,097,656,066 $135,174,899,866
1993 $52,417,477,614 $132,967,957,276
1992 $55,918,538,121 $137,087,850,467
1991 $49,787,501,584 $132,223,230,975
1990 $49,305,632,408 $117,630,173,565
1989 $39,238,392,678 $95,344,459,279
1988 $37,772,896,221 $88,256,074,766
1987 $33,920,518,493 $85,695,861,148
1986 $28,714,571,852 $86,961,922,765
1985 $21,270,013,326 $103,897,846,494
1984 $20,106,648,455 $119,624,858,116
1983 $20,766,047,764 $129,171,635,311
1982 $21,474,752,962 $153,240,313,858
1981 $20,670,190,138 $184,291,360,139
1980 $21,747,855,640 $164,539,660,725
1979 $18,319,334,300 $111,858,444,786
1978 $14,647,996,074 $80,266,516,687
1977 $11,248,340,431 $74,188,986,586
1976 $9,453,756,015 $64,005,665,722
1975 $9,483,808,362 $46,773,208,643
1974 $7,896,860,615 $45,412,957,746
1973 $7,481,173,066 $14,947,435,499
1972 $6,318,060,582 $9,664,267,087
1971 $5,098,250,287 $7,184,806,909
1970 $4,395,995,086 $5,377,333,333
1969 $3,902,721,632 $4,485,777,644
1968 $3,378,701,147 $4,187,777,711
1967 $3,445,739,915 $3,257,022,223
1966 $3,198,820,904 $2,920,555,557
1965 $3,035,655,794 $2,647,955,558
1964 $2,851,091,646 $2,371,808,713
1963 $2,505,073,358 $2,207,393,172
1962 $2,329,372,972 $2,130,606,532
1961 $2,151,772,980 $1,920,811,284
1960 $1,998,550,222 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Saudi Arabia by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $11,176 - $9,414 -
1988 $10,716 - $9,165 -
1987 $9,582 - $9,386 -
1986 $8,112 - $10,078 -
1985 $6,012 - $12,745 -
1984 $5,692 - $15,541 -
1983 $5,915 - $17,810 -
1982 $6,161 - $22,454 -
1981 $5,986 - $28,703 -
1980 $6,372 - $27,206 -
1979 $5,430 - $19,612 -
1978 $4,400 - $14,914 -
1977 $3,427 - $14,595 -
1976 $2,920 - $13,313 -
1975 $2,973 - $10,266 -
1974 $2,517 - $10,503 -
1973 $2,424 - $3,640 -
1972 $2,080 - $2,474 -
1971 $1,704 - $1,929 -
1970 $1,487 - $1,509 -
1969 $1,331 - $1,313 -
1968 $1,159 - $1,276 -
1967 $1,187 - $1,032 -
1966 $1,107 - $961 -
1965 $1,055 - $904 -
1964 $995 - $840 -
1963 $878 - $812 -
1962 $821 - $813 -
1961 $762 - $760 -
1960 $707 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Ireland Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
3.52%
2024
Population
5518360
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 28.3% 23%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 28.1% 74% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 33% 8.43%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 37.1% 14%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 33% 26.1% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 30.3% 103%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 44.2% 88% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 138/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Saudi Arabia
2024 4.09% -2.49%
2023 1.52% -1.77%
2022 1.67% 2.24%
2021 -1.37% -1.99%
2020 -4.87% -10.2%
2019 0.41% -3.96%
2018 0.09% -5.21%
2017 -0.3% -8.57%
2016 -0.76% -13.2%
2015 -1.97% -14.9%
2014 -3.52% -3.4%
2013 -6.28% 5.47%
2012 -8.42% 11.7%
2011 -13.5% 11.4%
2010 -32.1% 4.39%
2009 -13.9% -5.38%
2008 -7.03% 29.8%
2007 0.27% 11.8%
2006 2.78% 20.8%
2005 1.57% 18%
2004 1.3% 9.72%
2003 0.35% 1.2%
2002 -0.52% -5.91%
2001 0.96% -3.91%
2000 4.86% 3.18%
1999 3.54% -5.99%
1998 2.07% -8.88%
1997 1.37% -2.51%
1996 -0.2% -3.25%
1995 -2.07% -5.12%
1994 -1.82% -8.31%
1993 -2.62% -9.33%
1992 -2.84% -8.12%
1991 -2.8% -3.28%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Saudi Arabia
2024 2.11% 1.69%
2023 6.3% 2.33%
2022 7.83% 2.47%
2021 2.34% 3.06%
2020 -0.33% 3.37%
2019 0.94% -1.19%
2018 0.47% 2.47%
2017 0.36% -0.83%
2016 0.02% 2.05%
2015 -0.33% 1.22%
2014 0.19% 2.24%
2013 0.52% 3.51%
2012 1.69% 2.87%
2011 2.55% 5.83%
2010 -0.92% 5.34%
2009 -4.45% 5.06%
2008 4.04% 9.87%
2007 4.89% 4.17%
2006 3.94% 2.21%
2005 2.46% 0.48%
2004 2.18% 0.52%
2003 3.49% 0.61%
2002 4.63% 0.25%
2001 4.85% -1.12%
2000 5.58% -1.12%
1999 1.63% -1.33%
1998 2.41% -0.37%
1997 1.54% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $1.98B
Chemicals & pharma $657M
Business & finance services $147M
Machinery & equipment $124M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $54.8M
Animal & marine products $46.4M
Manufacturing & construction services $36.9M
Transport & tourism services $33.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $15.9M
Raw materials & minerals $9.93M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $23.1M
Chemicals & pharma $10.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.46M
Metals $627K
Precious metals & jewellery $496K
Animal & marine products $446K
Wood & paper products $197K
Raw materials & minerals $192K
Raw agricultural goods $98K

Balance of trade

Ireland Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 83.3 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 65/197
Property rights 94.4 51.4
Government integrity 84 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 38.2
Tax burden 77.7 99.2
Government spending 85.9 77
Fiscal health 97 97.9
Business freedom 85.5 71.2
Labor freedom 61.3 41.8
Monetary freedom 79.3 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 73.8
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Saudi Arabia
2026 83.3 65.4
2025 83.1 64.4
2024 82.6 61.9
2023 82 58.3
2022 82 55.5
2021 81.4 66
2020 80.9 62.4
2019 80.5 60.7
2018 80.4 59.6
2017 76.7 64.4
2016 77.3 62.1
2015 76.6 62.1
2014 76.2 62.2
2013 75.7 60.6
2012 76.9 62.5
2011 78.7 66.2
2010 81.3 64.1
2009 82.2 64.3
2008 82.5 62.5
2007 82.6 60.9
2006 82.2 63
2005 80.8 63
2004 80.3 60.4
2003 80.9 63.2
2002 80.5 65.3
2001 81.2 62.2
2000 76.1 66.5
1999 74.6 65.5
1998 73.7 69.3
1997 72.6 68.7
1996 68.5 68.3
1995 68.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
30.2%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.