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Economy of Ireland vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $679M for Tonga, ranking 24/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $186M (27.4% of GDP) in Tonga.

Ireland vs Tonga GDP by year

Ireland
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Tonga
2025 $721,701,359,046 $679,218,219
2024 $609,157,459,747 $647,488,244
2023 $567,372,737,459 $591,139,734
2022 $548,341,794,599 $556,514,556
2021 $530,394,123,830 $519,306,339
2020 $436,009,027,819 $506,571,487
2019 $407,211,793,801 $506,031,248
2018 $395,780,319,817 $493,530,767
2017 $348,355,212,569 $459,976,847
2016 $305,431,252,709 $420,828,255
2015 $302,101,388,556 $437,525,539
2014 $266,490,442,124 $440,997,735
2013 $242,924,245,719 $451,788,498
2012 $226,921,827,888 $471,122,971
2011 $240,975,871,047 $414,143,828
2010 $221,732,824,603 $366,887,375
2009 $236,443,115,854 $312,415,028
2008 $275,447,471,451 $344,438,844
2007 $270,079,279,420 $298,519,623
2006 $232,180,617,162 $292,232,703
2005 $211,876,989,656 $261,823,805
2004 $194,372,115,041 $230,678,011
2003 $164,670,771,260 $202,246,591
2002 $128,596,035,288 $182,764,281
2001 $109,346,669,230 $181,117,230
2000 $100,207,610,430 $204,848,488
1999 $98,893,958,263 $199,208,718
1998 $90,199,410,116 $191,504,893
1997 $82,856,648,758 $214,991,452
1996 $75,790,786,290 $222,100,576
1995 $69,139,823,232 $208,871,666
1994 $57,097,656,066 $195,990,986
1993 $52,417,477,614 $138,489,884
1992 $55,918,538,121 $137,066,291
1991 $49,787,501,584 $132,201,141
1990 $49,305,632,408 $113,563,822
1989 $39,238,392,678 $106,344,855
1988 $37,772,896,221 $106,657,267
1987 $33,920,518,493 $81,667,133
1986 $28,714,571,852 $68,195,856
1985 $21,270,013,326 $60,058,663
1984 $20,106,648,455 $64,248,355
1983 $20,766,047,764 $60,863,964
1982 $21,474,752,962 $62,068,161
1981 $20,670,190,138 $62,242,013
1980 $21,747,855,640 $53,260,077
1979 $18,319,334,300 $44,667,002
1978 $14,647,996,074 $41,567,472
1977 $11,248,340,431 $34,139,388
1976 $9,453,756,015 $30,036,417
1975 $9,483,808,362 $32,506,742
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/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Tonga by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $6,547 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $6,215 -
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $11,176 - $1,070 -
1988 $10,716 - $1,078 -
1987 $9,582 - $830 -
1986 $8,112 - $696 -
1985 $6,012 - $613 -
1984 $5,692 - $656 -
1983 $5,915 - $621 -
1982 $6,161 - $633 -
1981 $5,986 - $636 -
1980 $6,372 - $545 -
1979 $5,430 - $458 -
1978 $4,400 - $428 -
1977 $3,427 - $353 -
1976 $2,920 - $315 -
1975 $2,973 - $349 -
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/tonga | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $6,547 in Tonga, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Ireland Tonga
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$679M
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
191/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$6,547
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
110/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$238B
2025
$186M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
27.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
123/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$4,104
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
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
46.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
5.59%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
1.65%
2023
Population
5562212
103283

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 46.8% 27.4%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 44.3% 31.9%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 41.5% 37.2%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 41.3% 40.2%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 44.5% 43%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 37.1% 41.7%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 39% 41.8%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 39.3% 45.5%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 28.1% 74% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 32% 60%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 24% 34%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 33% 26.1% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 20% 56.2%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 20% 43.6%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 34.2% 51.4% - -
1997 36.1% 61.6% - -
1996 38.5% 69.8% - -
1995 40.3% 78.5% - -
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $318M, or 46.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 27.4% in Tonga, ranking 149/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Tonga
2025 1.54% 4.86%
2024 4.02% 3.6%
2023 1.36% 5.28%
2022 1.58% -0.09%
2021 -1.31% -0.87%
2020 -4.87% 5.15%
2019 0.41% 3.2%
2018 0.09% 2.9%
2017 -0.3% 3.58%
2016 -0.76% 1.47%
2015 -1.97% -2.75%
2014 -3.52% 6.38%
2013 -6.28% -1.3%
2012 -8.42% -1.74%
2011 -13.5% -6.02%
2010 -32.1% -1.22%
2009 -13.9% 6.85%
2008 -7.03% 2.14%
2007 0.27% 5.39%
2006 2.78% 1.34%
2005 1.57% 4.23%
2004 1.3% 4.23%
2003 0.35% 2.37%
2002 -0.52% 2.59%
2001 0.96% 2.23%
2000 4.86% 1.35%
1999 3.54% 1.55%
1998 2.07% -
1997 1.37% -
1996 -0.2% -
1995 -2.07% -
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/tonga | 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 Tonga's surplus of $33M, or 4.86% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.59% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.1% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Tonga
2025 2.21% 5.59%
2024 2.11% 3.18%
2023 6.3% 6.35%
2022 7.83% 11%
2021 2.34% 5.64%
2020 -0.33% -0.35%
2019 0.94% 1.18%
2018 0.47% 5.03%
2017 0.36% 7.52%
2016 0.02% 2.58%
2015 -0.33% -1.05%
2014 0.19% 2.51%
2013 0.52% 0.78%
2012 1.69% 1.15%
2011 2.55% 6.27%
2010 -0.92% 3.53%
2009 -4.45% 1.43%
2008 4.04% 10.4%
2007 4.89% 5.84%
2006 3.94% 6.15%
2005 2.46% 8.67%
2004 2.18% 11%
2003 3.49% 11.6%
2002 4.63% 10.4%
2001 4.85% 8.29%
2000 5.58% 6.33%
1999 1.63% 4.46%
1998 2.41% 3.27%
1997 1.54% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 5.2% in Tonga. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 5.59% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Tonga
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ireland Tonga
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-6.72%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
60.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Tonga
Economic freedom 83.3 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 107/197
Property rights 94.4 71.1
Government integrity 84 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 64.9
Tax burden 77.7 85.6
Government spending 85.9 31
Fiscal health 97 97.3
Business freedom 85.5 59.2
Labor freedom 61.3 55.9
Monetary freedom 79.3 61
Trade freedom 79.4 75.4
Investment freedom 90 40
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Tonga
2026 83.3 58.9
2025 83.1 58.5
2024 82.6 59.2
2023 82 60
2022 82 60.8
2021 81.4 57.5
2020 80.9 58.8
2019 80.5 57.7
2018 80.4 63.1
2017 76.7 63
2016 77.3 59.6
2015 76.6 59.3
2014 76.2 58.2
2013 75.7 56
2012 76.9 57
2011 78.7 55.8
2010 81.3 53.4
2009 82.2 54.1
2008 82.5 -
2007 82.6 -
2006 82.2 -
2005 80.8 -
2004 80.3 -
2003 80.9 -
2002 80.5 -
2001 81.2 -
2000 76.1 -
1999 74.6 -
1998 73.7 -
1997 72.6 -
1996 68.5 -
1995 68.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Tonga
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
49.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
17.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
18.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$709M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$9,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$413M
2025
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
162/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
6.33%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
26.4%
2024

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/tonga | 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 (2022–2025, 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.