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Economy of Ireland vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 25/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Ireland vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Ireland
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Vanuatu
2024 $609,157,459,747 $1,117,972,034
2023 $567,372,737,459 $1,115,861,056
2022 $548,341,794,599 $1,055,031,361
2021 $530,394,123,830 $950,394,007
2020 $436,009,027,819 $909,421,044
2019 $407,211,793,801 $936,526,268
2018 $395,780,319,817 $914,727,908
2017 $348,355,212,569 $880,043,284
2016 $305,431,252,709 $804,323,577
2015 $302,101,388,556 $759,690,181
2014 $266,490,442,124 $773,717,011
2013 $242,924,245,719 $758,304,466
2012 $226,921,827,888 $747,839,698
2011 $240,975,871,047 $770,153,588
2010 $221,732,824,603 $670,712,980
2009 $236,443,115,854 $592,622,319
2008 $275,447,471,451 $590,748,429
2007 $270,079,279,420 $516,392,923
2006 $232,180,617,162 $439,358,587
2005 $211,876,989,656 $394,962,433
2004 $194,372,115,041 $364,996,869
2003 $164,670,771,260 $314,471,413
2002 $128,596,035,288 $262,596,536
2001 $109,346,669,230 $257,926,882
2000 $100,207,610,430 $272,014,628
1999 $98,893,958,263 $268,006,973
1998 $90,199,410,116 $262,293,411
1997 $82,856,648,758 $272,771,209
1996 $75,790,786,290 $261,370,044
1995 $69,139,823,232 $249,333,250
1994 $57,097,656,066 $233,701,301
1993 $52,417,477,614 $200,491,853
1992 $55,918,538,121 $209,088,825
1991 $49,787,501,584 $201,334,169
1990 $49,305,632,408 $168,879,207
1989 $39,238,392,678 $154,013,202
1988 $37,772,896,221 $158,351,368
1987 $33,920,518,493 $139,464,174
1986 $28,714,571,852 $126,498,935
1985 $21,270,013,326 $131,856,421
1984 $20,106,648,455 $144,482,515
1983 $20,766,047,764 $117,389,554
1982 $21,474,752,962 $114,501,913
1981 $20,670,190,138 $113,781,796
1980 $21,747,855,640 $121,185,498
1979 $18,319,334,300 $119,258,835
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Vanuatu by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $11,176 - $1,067 -
1988 $10,716 - $1,125 -
1987 $9,582 - $1,017 -
1986 $8,112 - $946 -
1985 $6,012 - $1,012 -
1984 $5,692 - $1,137 -
1983 $5,915 - $947 -
1982 $6,161 - $946 -
1981 $5,986 - $962 -
1980 $6,372 - $1,048 -
1979 $5,430 - $1,055 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Ireland Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$3,164
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
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
5518360
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 42% 42.8%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 43.4% 48%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 28.1% 74% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 33% 26.1% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 22.3% 37%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 27.9% 28%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 28% 24.1%
1994 44.2% 88% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 31.8% 21%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 33.2% 15.9%
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/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 138/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Vanuatu
2024 4.09% -2.34%
2023 1.52% -0.95%
2022 1.67% -6.5%
2021 -1.37% 2.38%
2020 -4.87% -1.95%
2019 0.41% 2.81%
2018 0.09% 6.26%
2017 -0.3% -1.2%
2016 -0.76% -0.72%
2015 -1.97% -8.66%
2014 -3.52% 1.44%
2013 -6.28% -0.25%
2012 -8.42% -1.7%
2011 -13.5% -2.19%
2010 -32.1% -2.63%
2009 -13.9% -0.85%
2008 -7.03% -0.04%
2007 0.27% 0.28%
2006 2.78% 0.49%
2005 1.57% 1.86%
2004 1.3% 0.8%
2003 0.35% -1.35%
2002 -0.52% -3.63%
2001 0.96% -3.33%
2000 4.86% -6.28%
1999 3.54% -0.55%
1998 2.07% -6.65%
1997 1.37% -0.51%
1996 -0.2% -1.78%
1995 -2.07% -2.59%
1994 -1.82% -1.49%
1993 -2.62% -3.67%
1992 -2.84% -2.32%
1991 -2.8% -2.81%
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/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Vanuatu
2024 2.11% -
2023 6.3% 11.2%
2022 7.83% 6.68%
2021 2.34% 2.34%
2020 -0.33% 5.33%
2019 0.94% 2.76%
2018 0.47% 2.33%
2017 0.36% 3.08%
2016 0.02% 0.84%
2015 -0.33% 2.48%
2014 0.19% 0.8%
2013 0.52% 1.46%
2012 1.69% 1.35%
2011 2.55% 0.87%
2010 -0.92% 2.76%
2009 -4.45% 4.3%
2008 4.04% 4.84%
2007 4.89% 3.94%
2006 3.94% 2.04%
2005 2.46% 1.2%
2004 2.18% 1.42%
2003 3.49% 3.02%
2002 4.63% 1.96%
2001 4.85% 3.58%
2000 5.58% 2.54%
1999 1.63% 2%
1998 2.41% 3.28%
1997 1.54% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

Ireland Vanuatu
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$467B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$526B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Vanuatu
Economic freedom 83.3 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 92/197
Property rights 94.4 62.1
Government integrity 84 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 67.9
Tax burden 77.7 96.9
Government spending 85.9 48.1
Fiscal health 97 78.8
Business freedom 85.5 50.3
Labor freedom 61.3 41
Monetary freedom 79.3 72.1
Trade freedom 79.4 62
Investment freedom 90 65
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Vanuatu
2026 83.3 61.1
2025 83.1 61.8
2024 82.6 62.2
2023 82 62.1
2022 82 62.9
2021 81.4 60.5
2020 80.9 60.7
2019 80.5 56.4
2018 80.4 69.5
2017 76.7 67.4
2016 77.3 60.8
2015 76.6 61.1
2014 76.2 59.5
2013 75.7 56.6
2012 76.9 56.6
2011 78.7 56.7
2010 81.3 56.4
2009 82.2 58.4
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 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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 (2011–2024, 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.