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Economy of Ireland vs Slovakia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $155B for Slovakia, ranking 24/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $95.3B (61.6% of GDP) in Slovakia.

Ireland vs Slovakia GDP by year

Ireland
Slovakia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Slovakia
2025 $721,701,359,046 $154,530,066,507
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 $96,685,492,864
2007 $270,079,279,420 $77,019,443,089
2006 $232,180,617,162 $57,111,148,619
2005 $211,876,989,656 $48,823,790,951
2004 $194,372,115,041 $42,960,730,480
2003 $164,670,771,260 $33,761,723,946
2002 $128,596,035,288 $24,768,142,566
2001 $109,346,669,230 $21,377,597,035
2000 $100,207,610,430 $20,626,538,612
1999 $98,893,958,263 $20,813,421,086
1998 $90,199,410,116 $22,911,708,405
1997 $82,856,648,758 $22,026,728,498
1996 $75,790,786,290 $21,864,845,214
1995 $69,139,823,232 $20,306,095,054
1994 $57,097,656,066 $16,187,735,322
1993 $52,417,477,614 $13,991,963,247
1992 $55,918,538,121 $12,932,972,789
1991 $49,787,501,584 $11,952,983,608
1990 $49,305,632,408 $17,068,924,602
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $131,592 - $28,544 -
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 $17,974 $23,714
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $14,330 $21,232
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $10,629 $18,906
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $9,087 $16,570
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $7,997 $15,166
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $6,283 $14,088
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $4,606 $13,292
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $3,974 $12,367
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $3,828 $11,370
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $3,857 $10,726
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $4,250 $10,666
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $4,092 $10,137
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $4,069 $9,500
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $3,787 $8,812
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $3,028 $8,178
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $2,627 $7,569
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $2,438 $7,270
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $2,254 $7,623
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $3,221 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $28,544 in Slovakia, ranking 46/197. 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
$722B
2025
$155B
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
60/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
0.81%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$28,544
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
46/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$48,132
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
49/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$95.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
61.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$17,597
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
36/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$17,518
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$5.38B
2014
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
2
2026
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
21.6%
2025
48.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
4%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
5.4%
2025
Population
5562212
5376239

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
2025 21.6% 32.9% 48.7% 61.6%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 47.5% 59.7%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 48.2% 55.8%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 43.1% 57.8%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 44.8% 60.2%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 44.5% 58.4%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 40.6% 48%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 39.7% 49.3%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 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 43.9% 88% - -
1993 44.6% 93.4% - -
1992 44.8% 90.6% - -
1991 44.4% 93.8% - -
1990 42.8% 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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Slovakia spent $75.3B, or 48.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 61.6% in Slovakia, ranking 149/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Slovakia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Slovakia
2025 1.54% -5.02%
2024 4.02% -5.5%
2023 1.36% -5.3%
2022 1.58% -1.56%
2021 -1.31% -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 -1.98% -
1993 -2.7% -
1992 -2.92% -
1991 -2.82% -
1990 -2.77% -
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.2B, equivalent to 1.54% of GDP. This compares to Slovakia's deficit of $7.75B, or 5.02% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Slovakia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.63% of GDP for Slovakia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Slovakia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Slovakia
2025 2.21% 4%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 4.44% in Slovakia. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 4% in Slovakia.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $110M
Chemicals & pharma $50.9M
Transport & tourism services $31.4M
Business & finance services $26M
Animal & marine products $16M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.31M
Metals $3.67M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.33M
Wood & paper products $759K
Raw materials & minerals $287K
Slovakia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $315M
Business & finance services $259M
IT & IP services $71.5M
Transport & tourism services $30.3M
Chemicals & pharma $20.8M
Raw materials & minerals $7.34M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.38M
Wood & paper products $4.92M
Metals $4.29M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.36M

Balance of trade

Ireland Slovakia
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
165/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$117B
2025
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$117B
2025
Service imports
$467B
2024
$14.3B
2025
Service exports
$526B
2024
$14.7B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
85.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
85.1%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
56.7%
2025
59.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
28.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
1.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$143B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$47,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$18.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
69/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$198M
2025
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
22.9%
2025
20.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.