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Economy of Ireland vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 25/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Ireland vs Serbia GDP by year

Ireland
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Serbia
2024 $609,157,459,747 $90,097,765,959
2023 $567,372,737,459 $81,343,999,280
2022 $548,341,794,599 $66,809,895,701
2021 $530,394,123,830 $66,159,884,073
2020 $436,009,027,819 $55,874,017,669
2019 $407,211,793,801 $53,864,693,665
2018 $395,780,319,817 $52,787,520,249
2017 $348,355,212,569 $45,972,834,714
2016 $305,431,252,709 $42,225,495,910
2015 $302,101,388,556 $41,297,410,635
2014 $266,490,442,124 $49,114,321,280
2013 $242,924,245,719 $50,455,529,604
2012 $226,921,827,888 $45,103,269,969
2011 $240,975,871,047 $51,251,098,408
2010 $221,732,824,603 $43,536,629,233
2009 $236,443,115,854 $46,955,984,410
2008 $275,447,471,451 $54,220,641,202
2007 $270,079,279,420 $44,888,028,946
2006 $232,180,617,162 $33,298,057,362
2005 $211,876,989,656 $28,334,256,181
2004 $194,372,115,041 $26,845,632,342
2003 $164,670,771,260 $23,593,044,418
2002 $128,596,035,288 $17,930,583,571
2001 $109,346,669,230 $13,599,378,662
2000 $100,207,610,430 $7,326,373,882
1999 $98,893,958,263 $20,878,694,851
1998 $90,199,410,116 $21,004,077,441
1997 $82,856,648,758 $27,153,408,995
1996 $75,790,786,290 $23,277,430,168
1995 $69,139,823,232 $17,921,892,655
1994 $57,097,656,066 -
1993 $52,417,477,614 -
1992 $55,918,538,121 -
1991 $49,787,501,584 -
1990 $49,305,632,408 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Serbia by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $975 $6,416
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $15,903 $17,011 - -
1993 $14,657 $15,811 - -
1992 $15,714 $15,116 - -
1991 $14,087 $14,399 - -
1990 $14,031 $13,743 - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Ireland Serbia
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$4.06B
2011
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
7.24%
2024
Population
5518360
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 46% 54.3%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 39% 51.1%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 40.3% 65%
2015 28.1% 74% 41% 67.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 40% 42%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 40.6% 30%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 41.3% 37%
2005 33% 26.1% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 28% 200.6%
1999 32.5% 46.6% - -
1998 34.2% 51.4% - -
1997 36.1% 61.6% - -
1996 38.5% 69.8% - -
1995 40.3% 78.5% - -
1994 44.2% 88% - -
1993 44.6% 93.4% - -
1992 46.8% 90.6% - -
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/serbia | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 138/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Serbia
2024 4.09% -1.75%
2023 1.52% -1.21%
2022 1.67% -0.14%
2021 -1.37% -3.16%
2020 -4.87% -6.91%
2019 0.41% -0.004%
2018 0.09% 0.78%
2017 -0.3% 1.32%
2016 -0.76% -1.08%
2015 -1.97% -3.25%
2014 -3.52% -5.61%
2013 -6.28% -4.79%
2012 -8.42% -6.11%
2011 -13.5% -3.75%
2010 -32.1% -3.35%
2009 -13.9% -3.3%
2008 -7.03% -4.25%
2007 0.27% -0.8%
2006 2.78% -0.9%
2005 1.57% 1.02%
2004 1.3% 0.06%
2003 0.35% -2.39%
2002 -0.52% -2.33%
2001 0.96% 0.32%
2000 4.86% -0.15%
1999 3.54% -
1998 2.07% -
1997 1.37% -
1996 -0.2% -
1995 -2.07% -
1994 -1.82% -
1993 -2.62% -
1992 -2.84% -
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/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Serbia
2024 2.11% 4.67%
2023 6.3% 12.4%
2022 7.83% 12%
2021 2.34% 4.09%
2020 -0.33% 1.58%
2019 0.94% 1.85%
2018 0.47% 1.96%
2017 0.36% 3.13%
2016 0.02% 1.12%
2015 -0.33% 1.39%
2014 0.19% 2.08%
2013 0.52% 7.69%
2012 1.69% 7.33%
2011 2.55% 11.1%
2010 -0.92% 6.14%
2009 -4.45% 8.12%
2008 4.04% 12.4%
2007 4.89% 6.39%
2006 3.94% 11.7%
2005 2.46% 16.1%
2004 2.18% 11%
2003 3.49% 9.88%
2002 4.63% 19.5%
2001 4.85% 95%
2000 5.58% 71.1%
1999 1.63% 42.5%
1998 2.41% 30.2%
1997 1.54% 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 15.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $99.8M
Machinery & equipment $14.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.01M
Textiles & consumer goods $542K
Raw agricultural goods $462K
Raw materials & minerals $345K
Wood & paper products $322K
Animal & marine products $286K
Metals $171K
Miscellaneous $64K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $154M
IT & IP services $86.4M
Transport & tourism services $21.2M
Chemicals & pharma $10M
Raw materials & minerals $4.6M
Machinery & equipment $2.81M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.71M
Government & miscellaneous services $2.25M
Textiles & consumer goods $629K
Wood & paper products $370K

Balance of trade

Ireland Serbia
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Serbia
Economic freedom 83.3 65
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 68/197
Property rights 94.4 57.2
Government integrity 84 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 50.1
Tax burden 77.7 88
Government spending 85.9 48.2
Fiscal health 97 94.3
Business freedom 85.5 73.6
Labor freedom 61.3 61.8
Monetary freedom 79.3 73
Trade freedom 79.4 76.6
Investment freedom 90 70
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Serbia
2026 83.3 65
2025 83.1 64.4
2024 82.6 62.7
2023 82 63.5
2022 82 65.2
2021 81.4 67.2
2020 80.9 66
2019 80.5 63.9
2018 80.4 62.5
2017 76.7 58.9
2016 77.3 62.1
2015 76.6 60
2014 76.2 59.4
2013 75.7 58.6
2012 76.9 58
2011 78.7 58
2010 81.3 56.9
2009 82.2 56.6
2008 82.5 -
2007 82.6 -
2006 82.2 -
2005 80.8 -
2004 80.3 -
2003 80.9 43.5
2002 80.5 46.6
2001 81.2 -
2000 76.1 -
1999 74.6 -
1998 73.7 -
1997 72.6 -
1996 68.5 -
1995 68.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Serbia
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25%
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/serbia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2017–2024, 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.