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Economy of Ireland vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 24/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Ireland vs Syria GDP by year

Ireland
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Syria
2025 $721,701,359,046 -
2024 $609,157,459,747 -
2023 $567,372,737,459 $19,993,439,950
2022 $548,341,794,599 $23,737,634,644
2021 $530,394,123,830 $14,892,885,528
2020 $436,009,027,819 $12,501,503,673
2019 $407,211,793,801 $22,583,046,645
2018 $395,780,319,817 $21,497,779,248
2017 $348,355,212,569 $16,369,842,725
2016 $305,431,252,709 $12,597,854,088
2015 $302,101,388,556 $16,466,861,435
2014 $266,490,442,124 $21,502,061,466
2013 $242,924,245,719 $21,361,254,635
2012 $226,921,827,888 $43,190,318,033
2011 $240,975,871,047 $67,539,433,544
2010 $221,732,824,603 $61,390,833,273
2009 $236,443,115,854 $54,111,721,044
2008 $275,447,471,451 $52,557,913,397
2007 $270,079,279,420 $40,465,331,020
2006 $232,180,617,162 $33,751,812,959
2005 $211,876,989,656 $28,858,937,499
2004 $194,372,115,041 $25,086,910,448
2003 $164,670,771,260 $21,828,144,686
2002 $128,596,035,288 $20,786,986,580
2001 $109,346,669,230 $20,078,599,626
2000 $100,207,610,430 $18,937,031,610
1999 $98,893,958,263 $15,873,875,969
1998 $90,199,410,116 $15,200,846,154
1997 $82,856,648,758 $14,505,233,463
1996 $75,790,786,290 $13,789,560,878
1995 $69,139,823,232 $11,396,706,587
1994 $57,097,656,066 $10,122,020,000
1993 $52,417,477,614 $13,695,962,055
1992 $55,918,538,121 $13,253,565,861
1991 $49,787,501,584 $12,981,833,333
1990 $49,305,632,408 $12,308,624,418
1989 $39,238,392,678 $9,853,395,762
1988 $37,772,896,221 $10,577,041,645
1987 $33,920,518,493 $11,356,215,543
1986 $28,714,571,852 $13,293,205,278
1985 $21,270,013,326 $16,403,539,893
1984 $20,106,648,455 $17,503,078,174
1983 $20,766,047,764 $17,589,277,143
1982 $21,474,752,962 $16,298,929,011
1981 $20,670,190,138 $15,518,201,335
1980 $21,747,855,640 $13,062,420,382
1979 $18,319,334,300 $9,929,681,529
1978 $14,647,996,074 $9,275,200,458
1977 $11,248,340,431 $7,696,011,396
1976 $9,453,756,015 $7,633,528,867
1975 $9,483,808,362 $6,826,980,444
1974 $7,896,860,615 $5,159,557,148
1973 $7,481,173,066 $3,239,487,516
1972 $6,318,060,582 $3,059,681,698
1971 $5,098,250,287 $2,589,851,325
1970 $4,395,995,086 $2,140,384,010
1969 $3,902,721,632 $2,245,011,515
1968 $3,378,701,147 $1,753,746,430
1967 $3,445,739,915 $1,580,229,799
1966 $3,198,820,904 $1,342,287,553
1965 $3,035,655,794 $1,472,036,540
1964 $2,851,091,646 $1,339,494,267
1963 $2,505,073,358 $1,200,447,408
1962 $2,329,372,972 $1,110,565,881
1961 $2,151,772,980 $945,244,972
1960 $1,998,550,222 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Syria by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - - -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 - -
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $847 $4,650
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $689 $4,593
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $594 $3,738
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $852 $3,265
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $656 -
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $848 -
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $1,061 -
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $986 -
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $1,898 -
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $2,952 -
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $2,731 -
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $2,462 -
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $2,429 -
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $1,938 -
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $1,719 -
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $1,534 -
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $1,368 -
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $1,220 -
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $1,190 -
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $1,178 -
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $1,138 -
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $978 -
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $961 -
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $941 -
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $918 -
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $780 -
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $712 -
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $993 -
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $990 -
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $1,000 -
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $978 -
1989 $11,176 - $809 -
1988 $10,716 - $898 -
1987 $9,582 - $997 -
1986 $8,112 - $1,208 -
1985 $6,012 - $1,544 -
1984 $5,692 - $1,706 -
1983 $5,915 - $1,776 -
1982 $6,161 - $1,703 -
1981 $5,986 - $1,676 -
1980 $6,372 - $1,458 -
1979 $5,430 - $1,146 -
1978 $4,400 - $1,108 -
1977 $3,427 - $951 -
1976 $2,920 - $976 -
1975 $2,973 - $904 -
1974 $2,517 - $707 -
1973 $2,424 - $459 -
1972 $2,080 - $448 -
1971 $1,704 - $393 -
1970 $1,487 - $335 -
1969 $1,331 - $364 -
1968 $1,159 - $293.3 -
1967 $1,187 - $272.9 -
1966 $1,107 - $239.3 -
1965 $1,055 - $270.8 -
1964 $995 - $254.2 -
1963 $878 - $234.9 -
1962 $821 - $223.9 -
1961 $762 - $196.3 -
1960 $707 - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Ireland Syria
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
24/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$238B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
5562212
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% - -
2024 22.4% 38.3% - -
2023 22.2% 41.8% - -
2022 20.7% 42.9% - -
2021 23.5% 52.4% - -
2020 26.7% 56.9% - -
2019 23.9% 55.8% - -
2018 24.7% 61.3% - -
2017 25.3% 65.2% - -
2016 27.5% 72.7% - -
2015 28.1% 74% - -
2014 36.6% 101.4% - -
2013 39.8% 117.7% - -
2012 42.3% 118.9% - -
2011 46.9% 109.6% - -
2010 64.9% 86.2% 28.6% 30%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 26.3% 45%
2005 33% 26.1% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 31.3% 113%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 28% 144.5%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 28% 147.7%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 29% 147.6%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 43.9% 88% 30.3% 163%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 44.8% 90.6% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 44.4% 93.8% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 42.8% 92.7% 28.3% 189.8%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 30% in Syria, ranking 149/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Syria
2025 1.54% -
2024 4.02% -
2023 1.36% -
2022 1.58% -
2021 -1.31% -
2020 -4.87% -
2019 0.41% -
2018 0.09% -
2017 -0.3% -
2016 -0.76% -
2015 -1.97% -
2014 -3.52% -
2013 -6.28% -
2012 -8.42% -
2011 -13.5% -
2010 -32.1% -7.79%
2009 -13.9% -2.89%
2008 -7.03% -2.86%
2007 0.27% -2.99%
2006 2.78% -1.12%
2005 1.57% -4.41%
2004 1.3% -4.18%
2003 0.35% -2.7%
2002 -0.52% -2.02%
2001 0.96% 2.3%
2000 4.86% -1.36%
1999 3.54% -1.47%
1998 2.07% -2.81%
1997 1.37% -1.78%
1996 -0.2% -2.83%
1995 -2.07% -3.81%
1994 -1.98% -6%
1993 -2.7% -4.96%
1992 -2.92% -7.26%
1991 -2.82% -6.57%
1990 -2.77% -3.92%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, Ireland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $71.3B, equivalent to 32.1% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Syria
2025 2.21% -
2024 2.11% -
2023 6.3% -
2022 7.83% -
2021 2.34% -
2020 -0.33% -
2019 0.94% 13.4%
2018 0.47% 0.94%
2017 0.36% 18.1%
2016 0.02% 47.7%
2015 -0.33% 38.5%
2014 0.19% 10.9%
2013 0.52% 40%
2012 1.69% 36.7%
2011 2.55% 4.75%
2010 -0.92% 4.4%
2009 -4.45% 2.92%
2008 4.04% 15.7%
2007 4.89% 3.91%
2006 3.94% 10%
2005 2.46% 7.24%
2004 2.18% 4.43%
2003 3.49% 5.8%
2002 4.63% -0.13%
2001 4.85% 3%
2000 5.58% -3.85%
1999 1.63% -3.7%
1998 2.41% -0.8%
1997 1.54% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.86%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $14.2M
Animal & marine products $1.13M
Machinery & equipment $280K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16K
Miscellaneous $7K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Metals $1K
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $165K
Raw materials & minerals $144K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33K
Wood & paper products $5K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Ireland Syria
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$467B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$526B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Syria
Economic freedom 83.3 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 155/197
Property rights 94.4 4
Government integrity 84 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 3.7
Tax burden 77.7 87.3
Government spending 85.9 78.5
Fiscal health 97 13.8
Business freedom 85.5 33.8
Labor freedom 61.3 37.2
Monetary freedom 79.3 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 90 0
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Syria
2026 83.3 -
2025 83.1 -
2024 82.6 -
2023 82 -
2022 82 -
2021 81.4 -
2020 80.9 -
2019 80.5 -
2018 80.4 -
2017 76.7 -
2016 77.3 -
2015 76.6 -
2014 76.2 -
2013 75.7 -
2012 76.9 51.2
2011 78.7 51.3
2010 81.3 49.4
2009 82.2 51.3
2008 82.5 47.2
2007 82.6 48.3
2006 82.2 51.2
2005 80.8 46.3
2004 80.3 40.6
2003 80.9 41.3
2002 80.5 36.3
2001 81.2 36.6
2000 76.1 37.2
1999 74.6 39
1998 73.7 42.2
1997 72.6 43
1996 68.5 42.3
1995 68.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Syria
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
16%
1969

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/syria | 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 (1990–2025, 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 (2010–2025, 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.

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.