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Economy of Ireland vs Slovakia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $141B for Slovakia, ranking 25/197 and 61/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $80.7B (57.2% of GDP) in Slovakia.

Ireland vs Slovakia GDP by year

Ireland
Slovakia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Slovakia
2024 $609,157,459,747 $140,934,076,532
2023 $567,372,737,459 $133,578,518,424
2022 $548,341,794,599 $115,792,972,358
2021 $530,394,123,830 $120,511,265,913
2020 $436,009,027,819 $107,732,602,896
2019 $407,211,793,801 $105,843,498,304
2018 $395,780,319,817 $106,611,673,365
2017 $348,355,212,569 $95,978,130,735
2016 $305,431,252,709 $90,347,173,229
2015 $302,101,388,556 $89,178,548,717
2014 $266,490,442,124 $101,713,075,599
2013 $242,924,245,719 $99,134,277,850
2012 $226,921,827,888 $94,724,394,278
2011 $240,975,871,047 $99,705,104,723
2010 $221,732,824,603 $91,112,160,801
2009 $236,443,115,854 $89,342,984,698
2008 $275,447,471,451 $100,830,060,553
2007 $270,079,279,420 $86,587,749,518
2006 $232,180,617,162 $70,751,813,443
2005 $211,876,989,656 $62,547,753,148
2004 $194,372,115,041 $57,215,475,076
2003 $164,670,771,260 $46,616,149,117
2002 $128,596,035,288 $35,243,658,399
2001 $109,346,669,230 $30,726,659,551
2000 $100,207,610,430 $29,215,726,005
1999 $98,893,958,263 $30,496,272,225
1998 $90,199,410,116 $29,976,207,629
1997 $82,856,648,758 $27,844,628,979
1996 $75,790,786,290 $28,197,790,875
1995 $69,139,823,232 $26,180,022,222
1994 $57,097,656,066 $20,428,139,756
1993 $52,417,477,614 $16,737,973,764
1992 $55,918,538,121 $15,699,327,209
1991 $49,787,501,584 $14,459,924,589
1990 $49,305,632,408 $12,915,046,978
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/slovakia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Slovakia by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Slovakia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Slovakia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $25,993 $48,132
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $24,615 $45,974
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $21,318 $41,562
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $22,123 $38,346
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $19,735 $35,328
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $19,406 $33,986
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $19,573 $31,510
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $17,646 $30,246
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $16,636 $29,868
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $16,442 $30,148
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $18,771 $29,108
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $18,313 $28,075
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $17,517 $27,023
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $18,469 $26,202
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $16,899 $25,382
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $16,587 $23,077
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $18,744 $23,714
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $16,110 $21,232
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $13,168 $18,906
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $11,642 $16,570
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $10,650 $15,166
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $8,675 $14,088
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $6,555 $13,292
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $5,712 $12,367
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $5,422 $11,370
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $5,652 $10,726
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $5,561 $10,666
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $5,172 $10,137
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $5,248 $9,500
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $4,883 $8,812
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $3,821 $8,178
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $3,143 $7,569
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $2,959 $7,270
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $2,727 $7,623
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $2,437 $8,638
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/slovakia | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $25,993 in Slovakia, ranking 47/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Slovakia ranks 49th at $48,132.

Economic indicators

Ireland Slovakia
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$141B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
61/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
1.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$25,993
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
47/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$48,132
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
49/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$80.7B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$14,876
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
40/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$17,983
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$5.38B
2014
Number of billionaires
11
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
18.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
47.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
2.76%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
5.34%
2024
Population
5518360
5359438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Slovakia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Slovakia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 47.1% 57.2%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 48% 55.6%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 43% 57.7%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 44.9% 60.2%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 44.5% 58.4%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 40.6% 48%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 39.7% 49.3%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 39.8% 51.4%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 40.9% 52.1%
2015 28.1% 74% 44.1% 51.6%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 42% 53.4%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 41.1% 54.6%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 40% 51.7%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 40.8% 43.3%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 41% 40.7%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 43.2% 36.4%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 36.5% 28.6%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 35.9% 30.4%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 38.2% 31.5%
2005 33% 26.1% 39.1% 35%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 38.4% 42%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 40% 43.6%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 46% 45.6%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 46.2% 51.4%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 53.2% 50.6%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 48.4% 47.1%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 46.2% 33.9%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 48.6% 32.8%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 52.8% 30.3%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 47.8% 21.3%
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/slovakia | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Slovakia spent $66.4B, or 47.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 57.2% in Slovakia, ranking 138/185 and 90/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Slovakia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Slovakia
2024 4.09% -5.27%
2023 1.52% -5.15%
2022 1.67% -1.16%
2021 -1.37% -5.09%
2020 -4.87% -5.3%
2019 0.41% -1.21%
2018 0.09% -1.01%
2017 -0.3% -0.98%
2016 -0.76% -2.59%
2015 -1.97% -2.78%
2014 -3.52% -3.25%
2013 -6.28% -2.86%
2012 -8.42% -4.37%
2011 -13.5% -4.36%
2010 -32.1% -7.44%
2009 -13.9% -8.18%
2008 -7.03% -2.54%
2007 0.27% -2.26%
2006 2.78% -3.57%
2005 1.57% -2.86%
2004 1.3% -2.36%
2003 0.35% -2.28%
2002 -0.52% -8.35%
2001 0.96% -7.74%
2000 4.86% -12.7%
1999 3.54% -7.25%
1998 2.07% -5.37%
1997 1.37% -6.24%
1996 -0.2% -9.72%
1995 -2.07% -3.43%
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/slovakia | 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 Slovakia's deficit of $7.43B, or 5.27% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Slovakia ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.33% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.59% of GDP for Slovakia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Slovakia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Slovakia
2024 2.11% 2.76%
2023 6.3% 10.5%
2022 7.83% 12.8%
2021 2.34% 3.15%
2020 -0.33% 1.94%
2019 0.94% 2.66%
2018 0.47% 2.51%
2017 0.36% 1.31%
2016 0.02% -0.52%
2015 -0.33% -0.33%
2014 0.19% -0.08%
2013 0.52% 1.4%
2012 1.69% 3.61%
2011 2.55% 3.92%
2010 -0.92% 0.96%
2009 -4.45% 1.62%
2008 4.04% 4.6%
2007 4.89% 2.76%
2006 3.94% 4.48%
2005 2.46% 2.71%
2004 2.18% 7.55%
2003 3.49% 8.55%
2002 4.63% 3.13%
2001 4.85% 7.33%
2000 5.58% 12%
1999 1.63% 10.6%
1998 2.41% 6.67%
1997 1.54% 6.14%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 4.45% in Slovakia. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 2.76% in Slovakia.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $140M
IT & IP services $59.1M
Chemicals & pharma $49.2M
Business & finance services $27.5M
Transport & tourism services $25.3M
Animal & marine products $10M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.21M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.94M
Manufacturing & construction services $1.12M
Government & miscellaneous services $1.12M
Slovakia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $274M
Business & finance services $208M
IT & IP services $60M
Chemicals & pharma $24.7M
Transport & tourism services $21.9M
Raw materials & minerals $7.41M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.47M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.11M
Metals $3.29M
Wood & paper products $3.2M

Balance of trade

Ireland Slovakia
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$6.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
171/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-4.61%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$107B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$106B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$13.2B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
85.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
85.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Slovakia
Economic freedom 83.3 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 54/197
Property rights 94.4 82.6
Government integrity 84 57.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 70.5
Tax burden 77.7 75.4
Government spending 85.9 36.4
Fiscal health 97 69.6
Business freedom 85.5 71.1
Labor freedom 61.3 55.1
Monetary freedom 79.3 69.7
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 90 75
Financial freedom 70 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Slovakia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Slovakia
2026 83.3 67.7
2025 83.1 68.4
2024 82.6 68.1
2023 82 69
2022 82 69.7
2021 81.4 66.3
2020 80.9 66.8
2019 80.5 65
2018 80.4 65.3
2017 76.7 65.7
2016 77.3 66.6
2015 76.6 67.2
2014 76.2 66.4
2013 75.7 68.7
2012 76.9 67
2011 78.7 69.5
2010 81.3 69.7
2009 82.2 69.4
2008 82.5 70
2007 82.6 69.6
2006 82.2 69.8
2005 80.8 66.8
2004 80.3 64.6
2003 80.9 59
2002 80.5 59.8
2001 81.2 58.5
2000 76.1 53.8
1999 74.6 54.2
1998 73.7 57.5
1997 72.6 55.5
1996 68.5 57.6
1995 68.5 60.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 67.7 for Slovakia, ranking 54/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Slovakia
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
1.58%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$128B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$47,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$14.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
68/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$2.77B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$5.01B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$2.24B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
13.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
20.1%
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/slovakia | 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 (2019–2024, 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.

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.