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Economy of Ireland vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 25/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Ireland vs Tunisia GDP by year

Ireland
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Tunisia
2024 $609,157,459,747 $51,332,285,657
2023 $567,372,737,459 $48,205,328,303
2022 $548,341,794,599 $44,929,920,093
2021 $530,394,123,830 $47,073,234,359
2020 $436,009,027,819 $42,491,780,918
2019 $407,211,793,801 $41,905,642,419
2018 $395,780,319,817 $42,686,504,460
2017 $348,355,212,569 $42,163,530,591
2016 $305,431,252,709 $44,360,072,680
2015 $302,101,388,556 $45,779,494,042
2014 $266,490,442,124 $50,271,812,921
2013 $242,924,245,719 $48,685,446,414
2012 $226,921,827,888 $47,311,401,813
2011 $240,975,871,047 $48,123,325,825
2010 $221,732,824,603 $46,206,091,938
2009 $236,443,115,854 $43,455,740,497
2008 $275,447,471,451 $44,859,439,902
2007 $270,079,279,420 $38,915,353,867
2006 $232,180,617,162 $34,376,664,601
2005 $211,876,989,656 $32,272,186,695
2004 $194,372,115,041 $31,183,885,241
2003 $164,670,771,260 $27,453,902,261
2002 $128,596,035,288 $23,141,616,605
2001 $109,346,669,230 $22,065,832,449
2000 $100,207,610,430 $21,473,528,161
1999 $98,893,958,263 $22,943,202,175
1998 $90,199,410,116 $21,802,893,587
1997 $82,856,648,758 $20,746,210,354
1996 $75,790,786,290 $19,587,161,807
1995 $69,139,823,232 $18,030,876,599
1994 $57,097,656,066 $15,633,174,304
1993 $52,417,477,614 $14,608,335,608
1992 $55,918,538,121 $15,496,708,060
1991 $49,787,501,584 $13,074,782,609
1990 $49,305,632,408 $12,290,568,182
1989 $39,238,392,678 $10,101,851,745
1988 $37,772,896,221 $10,096,245,762
1987 $33,920,518,493 $9,696,715,911
1986 $28,714,571,852 $9,017,806,654
1985 $21,270,013,326 $8,410,226,053
1984 $20,106,648,455 $8,254,541,195
1983 $20,766,047,764 $8,350,582,748
1982 $21,474,752,962 $8,133,580,052
1981 $20,670,190,138 $8,428,445,294
1980 $21,747,855,640 $8,744,134,354
1979 $18,319,334,300 $7,188,863,904
1978 $14,647,996,074 $5,968,460,080
1977 $11,248,340,431 $5,109,324,009
1976 $9,453,756,015 $4,508,191,942
1975 $9,483,808,362 $4,328,965,588
1974 $7,896,860,615 $3,545,868,575
1973 $7,481,173,066 $2,730,813,385
1972 $6,318,060,582 $2,237,556,149
1971 $5,098,250,287 $1,685,162,272
1970 $4,395,995,086 $1,439,238,095
1969 $3,902,721,632 $1,289,904,762
1968 $3,378,701,147 $1,214,666,667
1967 $3,445,739,915 $1,085,714,286
1966 $3,198,820,904 $1,040,952,381
1965 $3,035,655,794 $991,047,619
1964 $2,851,091,646 $1,025,866,792
1963 $2,505,073,358 $1,026,737,600
1962 $2,329,372,972 $880,027,733
1961 $2,151,772,980 $866,155,429
1960 $1,998,550,222 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Tunisia by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $4,181 $14,521
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $11,176 - $1,239 -
1988 $10,716 - $1,266 -
1987 $9,582 - $1,245 -
1986 $8,112 - $1,187 -
1985 $6,012 - $1,135 -
1984 $5,692 - $1,143 -
1983 $5,915 - $1,184 -
1982 $6,161 - $1,177 -
1981 $5,986 - $1,247 -
1980 $6,372 - $1,324 -
1979 $5,430 - $1,113 -
1978 $4,400 - $946 -
1977 $3,427 - $830 -
1976 $2,920 - $752 -
1975 $2,973 - $741 -
1974 $2,517 - $624 -
1973 $2,424 - $493 -
1972 $2,080 - $415 -
1971 $1,704 - $320 -
1970 $1,487 - $280.5 -
1969 $1,331 - $257.7 -
1968 $1,159 - $248.9 -
1967 $1,187 - $228 -
1966 $1,107 - $223.8 -
1965 $1,055 - $217.3 -
1964 $995 - $228.5 -
1963 $878 - $231.9 -
1962 $821 - $201.4 -
1961 $762 - $200.7 -
1960 $707 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Ireland Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$8.3B
2024
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
15.1%
2023
Population
5518360
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 35.7% 84%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 36.5% 83%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 28.1% 74% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 28.3% 49%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 24% 38.8%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 33% 26.1% 23% 50%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 23% 51.6%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 24% 52.2%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 24% 62.9%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 24% 61.9%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 44.2% 88% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 27.6% 63.3%
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/tunisia | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 138/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Tunisia
2024 4.09% -5.92%
2023 1.52% -7.03%
2022 1.67% -6.91%
2021 -1.37% -7.6%
2020 -4.87% -9.06%
2019 0.41% -3.6%
2018 0.09% -4.27%
2017 -0.3% -5.61%
2016 -0.76% -5.87%
2015 -1.97% -4.95%
2014 -3.52% -3.11%
2013 -6.28% -7.05%
2012 -8.42% -4.9%
2011 -13.5% -3.19%
2010 -32.1% -0.46%
2009 -13.9% -2.59%
2008 -7.03% -0.62%
2007 0.27% -2.47%
2006 2.78% -2.33%
2005 1.57% -2.59%
2004 1.3% -2.1%
2003 0.35% -2.64%
2002 -0.52% -2.55%
2001 0.96% -2.87%
2000 4.86% -3.22%
1999 3.54% -3.05%
1998 2.07% -2.84%
1997 1.37% -3.7%
1996 -0.2% -5.18%
1995 -2.07% -4.53%
1994 -1.82% -2.87%
1993 -2.62% -3.22%
1992 -2.84% -3.45%
1991 -2.8% -5.25%
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/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.04B, or 5.92% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Tunisia
2024 2.11% 7%
2023 6.3% 9.3%
2022 7.83% 8.3%
2021 2.34% 5.7%
2020 -0.33% 5.6%
2019 0.94% 6.7%
2018 0.47% 7.3%
2017 0.36% 5.3%
2016 0.02% 3.6%
2015 -0.33% 4.4%
2014 0.19% 4.6%
2013 0.52% 5.3%
2012 1.69% 4.6%
2011 2.55% 3.2%
2010 -0.92% 4.4%
2009 -4.45% 3.5%
2008 4.04% 4.9%
2007 4.89% 3.4%
2006 3.94% 4.1%
2005 2.46% 2%
2004 2.18% 3.7%
2003 3.49% 2.7%
2002 4.63% 2.7%
2001 4.85% 1.9%
2000 5.58% 2.8%
1999 1.63% 2.8%
1998 2.41% 3.1%
1997 1.54% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $11.5M
Animal & marine products $4.66M
Machinery & equipment $4.52M
Textiles & consumer goods $292K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $259K
Raw materials & minerals $198K
Raw agricultural goods $80K
Wood & paper products $37K
Miscellaneous $30K
Metals $2K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $79.7M
Machinery & equipment $23.1M
Chemicals & pharma $12.9M
Raw materials & minerals $3.7M
Metals $964K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $929K
Wood & paper products $321K
Raw agricultural goods $151K

Balance of trade

Ireland Tunisia
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Tunisia
Economic freedom 83.3 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 172/197
Property rights 94.4 55.7
Government integrity 84 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 39.7
Tax burden 77.7 68.5
Government spending 85.9 62.5
Fiscal health 97 16
Business freedom 85.5 59.4
Labor freedom 61.3 55.8
Monetary freedom 79.3 72.4
Trade freedom 79.4 54.6
Investment freedom 90 20
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Tunisia
2026 83.3 48.1
2025 83.1 49.1
2024 82.6 48.8
2023 82 52.9
2022 82 54.2
2021 81.4 56.6
2020 80.9 55.8
2019 80.5 55.4
2018 80.4 58.9
2017 76.7 55.7
2016 77.3 57.6
2015 76.6 57.7
2014 76.2 57.3
2013 75.7 57
2012 76.9 58.6
2011 78.7 58.5
2010 81.3 58.9
2009 82.2 58
2008 82.5 60.1
2007 82.6 60.3
2006 82.2 57.5
2005 80.8 55.4
2004 80.3 58.4
2003 80.9 58.1
2002 80.5 60.2
2001 81.2 60.8
2000 76.1 61.3
1999 74.6 61.1
1998 73.7 63.9
1997 72.6 63.8
1996 68.5 63.9
1995 68.5 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
7.86%
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/tunisia | 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 (2023–2024, 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.

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.