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Economy of Ireland vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 25/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Ireland vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Ireland
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Sierra Leone
2024 $609,157,459,747 $6,971,127,235
2023 $567,372,737,459 $6,415,852,767
2022 $548,341,794,599 $7,121,125,278
2021 $530,394,123,830 $7,166,931,485
2020 $436,009,027,819 $6,688,307,703
2019 $407,211,793,801 $6,523,577,594
2018 $395,780,319,817 $6,390,514,689
2017 $348,355,212,569 $5,749,846,528
2016 $305,431,252,709 $6,084,297,211
2015 $302,101,388,556 $6,788,352,975
2014 $266,490,442,124 $7,686,138,791
2013 $242,924,245,719 $7,502,762,863
2012 $226,921,827,888 $6,141,666,509
2011 $240,975,871,047 $4,861,632,885
2010 $221,732,824,603 $4,262,805,967
2009 $236,443,115,854 $3,953,403,098
2008 $275,447,471,451 $4,157,895,298
2007 $270,079,279,420 $3,632,957,611
2006 $232,180,617,162 $3,263,697,467
2005 $211,876,989,656 $2,545,275,313
2004 $194,372,115,041 $2,237,350,687
2003 $164,670,771,260 $2,142,618,046
2002 $128,596,035,288 $1,933,863,911
2001 $109,346,669,230 $1,681,473,894
2000 $100,207,610,430 $635,866,404
1999 $98,893,958,263 $669,386,624
1998 $90,199,410,116 $672,368,187
1997 $82,856,648,758 $850,232,760
1996 $75,790,786,290 $941,709,423
1995 $69,139,823,232 $870,740,292
1994 $57,097,656,066 $911,853,802
1993 $52,417,477,614 $768,867,883
1992 $55,918,538,121 $679,940,814
1991 $49,787,501,584 $779,981,987
1990 $49,305,632,408 $649,644,098
1989 $39,238,392,678 $932,974,420
1988 $37,772,896,221 $1,055,083,933
1987 $33,920,518,493 $660,106,336
1986 $28,714,571,852 $490,181,457
1985 $21,270,013,326 $856,890,459
1984 $20,106,648,455 $1,087,471,862
1983 $20,766,047,764 $995,104,305
1982 $21,474,752,962 $1,295,361,886
1981 $20,670,190,138 $1,114,830,472
1980 $21,747,855,640 $1,100,685,845
1979 $18,319,334,300 $1,109,374,911
1978 $14,647,996,074 $960,728,339
1977 $11,248,340,431 $691,777,584
1976 $9,453,756,015 $594,895,942
1975 $9,483,808,362 $679,336,344
1974 $7,896,860,615 $648,590,643
1973 $7,481,173,066 $575,230,724
1972 $6,318,060,582 $465,381,340
1971 $5,098,250,287 $419,549,305
1970 $4,395,995,086 $434,410,974
1969 $3,902,721,632 $408,690,163
1968 $3,378,701,147 $329,859,732
1967 $3,445,739,915 $348,795,303
1966 $3,198,820,904 $375,479,850
1965 $3,035,655,794 $359,379,856
1964 $2,851,091,646 $371,847,461
1963 $2,505,073,358 $348,547,279
1962 $2,329,372,972 $342,721,416
1961 $2,151,772,980 $327,834,191
1960 $1,998,550,222 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Sierra Leone by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $807 $3,522
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $758 $3,368
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $860 $3,144
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $885 $2,849
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $845 $2,719
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $844 $2,704
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $846 $2,640
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $779 $2,501
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $844 $2,635
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $965 $2,560
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $938 $2,317
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $761 $2,043
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $685 $1,900
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $653 $1,814
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $705 $1,824
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $632 $1,770
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $580 $1,698
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $463 $1,615
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $418 $1,541
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $414 $1,458
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $389 $1,360
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $358 $1,121
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $155 $1,167
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $185 $1,269
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $11,176 - $231.3 -
1988 $10,716 - $268.2 -
1987 $9,582 - $172.4 -
1986 $8,112 - $131.5 -
1985 $6,012 - $235.5 -
1984 $5,692 - $306 -
1983 $5,915 - $285.8 -
1982 $6,161 - $380 -
1981 $5,986 - $334 -
1980 $6,372 - $336 -
1979 $5,430 - $346 -
1978 $4,400 - $305 -
1977 $3,427 - $224.2 -
1976 $2,920 - $196.4 -
1975 $2,973 - $228.4 -
1974 $2,517 - $222.1 -
1973 $2,424 - $200.6 -
1972 $2,080 - $165.4 -
1971 $1,704 - $151.8 -
1970 $1,487 - $160.2 -
1969 $1,331 - $153.6 -
1968 $1,159 - $126.3 -
1967 $1,187 - $136.1 -
1966 $1,107 - $149.3 -
1965 $1,055 - $145.6 -
1964 $995 - $153.4 -
1963 $878 - $146.3 -
1962 $821 - $146.3 -
1961 $762 - $142.3 -
1960 $707 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sierra-leone | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Ireland Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
5518360
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 16.7% 54%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 15% 44.2%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 28.1% 74% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 33% 26.1% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 12% 113.5%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 10.3% -
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 138/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Sierra Leone
2024 4.09% -4.53%
2023 1.52% -4.99%
2022 1.67% -5.93%
2021 -1.37% -4.35%
2020 -4.87% -3.5%
2019 0.41% -1.95%
2018 0.09% -3.57%
2017 -0.3% -5.61%
2016 -0.76% -5.41%
2015 -1.97% -2.86%
2014 -3.52% -2.77%
2013 -6.28% -1.74%
2012 -8.42% -3.41%
2011 -13.5% -2.78%
2010 -32.1% -3.09%
2009 -13.9% -1.51%
2008 -7.03% -2.22%
2007 0.27% 12.6%
2006 2.78% -0.93%
2005 1.57% -1.17%
2004 1.3% -1.46%
2003 0.35% -2.78%
2002 -0.52% -3.03%
2001 0.96% -3.22%
2000 4.86% -1.94%
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/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Sierra Leone
2024 2.11% 28.4%
2023 6.3% 47.7%
2022 7.83% 27.2%
2021 2.34% 11.9%
2020 -0.33% 13.4%
2019 0.94% 14.8%
2018 0.47% 16%
2017 0.36% 18.2%
2016 0.02% 10.9%
2015 -0.33% 6.7%
2014 0.19% 4.6%
2013 0.52% 5.5%
2012 1.69% 6.6%
2011 2.55% 6.8%
2010 -0.92% 7.2%
2009 -4.45% 7.5%
2008 4.04% 8.2%
2007 4.89% 17%
2006 3.94% 10.5%
2005 2.46% 13.7%
2004 2.18% 12.9%
2003 3.49% 4%
2002 4.63% 0.1%
2001 4.85% 2.6%
2000 5.58% -0.9%
1999 1.63% 34.1%
1998 2.41% 36%
1997 1.54% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.95M
Animal & marine products $1.09M
Chemicals & pharma $789K
Machinery & equipment $306K
Textiles & consumer goods $286K
Raw materials & minerals $41K
Miscellaneous $40K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ireland Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$467B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$526B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 83.3 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 165/197
Property rights 94.4 32.9
Government integrity 84 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 42
Tax burden 77.7 88.2
Government spending 85.9 92.4
Fiscal health 97 54.1
Business freedom 85.5 44.8
Labor freedom 61.3 38.2
Monetary freedom 79.3 53.6
Trade freedom 79.4 63.6
Investment freedom 90 30
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Sierra Leone
2026 83.3 49.6
2025 83.1 48
2024 82.6 44.6
2023 82 50.2
2022 82 52
2021 81.4 51.7
2020 80.9 48
2019 80.5 47.5
2018 80.4 51.8
2017 76.7 52.6
2016 77.3 52.3
2015 76.6 51.7
2014 76.2 50.5
2013 75.7 48.3
2012 76.9 49.1
2011 78.7 49.6
2010 81.3 47.9
2009 82.2 47.8
2008 82.5 48.3
2007 82.6 47
2006 82.2 45.2
2005 80.8 44.8
2004 80.3 43.6
2003 80.9 42.2
2002 80.5 -
2001 81.2 -
2000 76.1 44.2
1999 74.6 47.2
1998 73.7 47.7
1997 72.6 45
1996 68.5 52.3
1995 68.5 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (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.