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Economy of Ireland vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 25/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Ireland vs South Sudan GDP by year

Ireland
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland South Sudan
2024 $609,157,459,747 -
2023 $567,372,737,459 -
2022 $548,341,794,599 -
2021 $530,394,123,830 -
2020 $436,009,027,819 -
2019 $407,211,793,801 -
2018 $395,780,319,817 -
2017 $348,355,212,569 -
2016 $305,431,252,709 -
2015 $302,101,388,556 $11,997,800,760
2014 $266,490,442,124 $13,962,212,847
2013 $242,924,245,719 $18,426,469,017
2012 $226,921,827,888 $11,931,472,169
2011 $240,975,871,047 $14,907,308,933
2010 $221,732,824,603 $14,602,072,411
2009 $236,443,115,854 $12,231,264,525
2008 $275,447,471,451 $14,586,253,383
2007 $270,079,279,420 -
2006 $232,180,617,162 -
2005 $211,876,989,656 -
2004 $194,372,115,041 -
2003 $164,670,771,260 -
2002 $128,596,035,288 -
2001 $109,346,669,230 -
2000 $100,207,610,430 -
1999 $98,893,958,263 -
1998 $90,199,410,116 -
1997 $82,856,648,758 -
1996 $75,790,786,290 -
1995 $69,139,823,232 -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs South Sudan by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 - -
2023 $106,819 $129,683 - -
2022 $105,191 $138,523 - -
2021 $103,783 $116,904 - -
2020 $86,514 $97,800 - -
2019 $81,828 $92,023 - -
2018 $80,804 $86,299 - -
2017 $72,161 $80,450 - -
2016 $64,130 $73,013 - -
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $61,396 $46,782 - -
2006 $54,329 $44,223 - -
2005 $50,933 $40,466 - -
2004 $47,754 $38,729 - -
2003 $41,204 $36,280 - -
2002 $32,705 $35,222 - -
2001 $28,282 $32,573 - -
2000 $26,335 $30,216 - -
1999 $26,338 $27,041 - -
1998 $24,295 $25,094 - -
1997 $22,551 $22,637 - -
1996 $20,836 $20,482 - -
1995 $19,158 $18,944 - -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Ireland South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
25/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$236B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$1,305
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
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
12.3%
2008
Population
5518360
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 34.1% 49%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 97% 178.3%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 28.1% 74% 34% 58.6%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 20.8% -
2010 64.9% 86.2% - -
2009 46.9% 61.8% - -
2008 41.6% 42.5% - -
2007 35.6% 23.9% - -
2006 33.6% 23.7% - -
2005 33% 26.1% - -
2004 32.8% 28.1% - -
2003 32.7% 29.8% - -
2002 32.9% 30.9% - -
2001 32.2% 33.6% - -
2000 30.6% 36.4% - -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 138/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland South Sudan
2024 4.09% 11.7%
2023 1.52% 8.04%
2022 1.67% 4.48%
2021 -1.37% -9.3%
2020 -4.87% -5.5%
2019 0.41% 0.04%
2018 0.09% -1.06%
2017 -0.3% 9.56%
2016 -0.76% -19.8%
2015 -1.97% -16.4%
2014 -3.52% -9.07%
2013 -6.28% -3.45%
2012 -8.42% -14.8%
2011 -13.5% 4.57%
2010 -32.1% -
2009 -13.9% -
2008 -7.03% -
2007 0.27% -
2006 2.78% -
2005 1.57% -
2004 1.3% -
2003 0.35% -
2002 -0.52% -
2001 0.96% -
2000 4.86% -
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Ireland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.96B, equivalent to 1.97% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 6.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland South Sudan
2024 2.11% 91.4%
2023 6.3% 2.38%
2022 7.83% -6.69%
2021 2.34% 10.5%
2020 -0.33% 29.7%
2019 0.94% 87.2%
2018 0.47% 83.5%
2017 0.36% 187.9%
2016 0.02% 380%
2015 -0.33% 52.8%
2014 0.19% 1.67%
2013 0.52% -0.06%
2012 1.69% 45.5%
2011 2.55% 46.9%
2010 -0.92% 1.17%
2009 -4.45% 5.01%
2008 4.04% -
2007 4.89% -
2006 3.94% -
2005 2.46% -
2004 2.18% -
2003 3.49% -
2002 4.63% -
2001 4.85% -
2000 5.58% -
1999 1.63% -
1998 2.41% -
1997 1.54% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.21%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $82K
Machinery & equipment $25K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Wood & paper products $5K
Miscellaneous $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
South Sudan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Ireland South Sudan
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$467B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$526B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland South Sudan
Economic freedom 83.3 41
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 186/197
Property rights 94.4 n/a
Government integrity 84 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 n/a
Tax burden 77.7 n/a
Government spending 85.9 n/a
Fiscal health 97 n/a
Business freedom 85.5 n/a
Labor freedom 61.3 n/a
Monetary freedom 79.3 n/a
Trade freedom 79.4 n/a
Investment freedom 90 n/a
Financial freedom 70 n/a

Other economic metrics

Ireland South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
5.75%
2015

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/south-sudan | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.