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Economy of Ireland vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 24/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Ireland vs Vietnam GDP by year

Ireland
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Vietnam
2025 $721,701,359,046 $514,697,215,165
2024 $609,157,459,747 $476,324,572,784
2023 $567,372,737,459 $433,805,036,898
2022 $548,341,794,599 $413,445,230,669
2021 $530,394,123,830 $366,474,752,771
2020 $436,009,027,819 $346,615,738,538
2019 $407,211,793,801 $334,365,270,497
2018 $395,780,319,817 $310,106,478,395
2017 $348,355,212,569 $281,353,605,987
2016 $305,431,252,709 $257,096,001,178
2015 $302,101,388,556 $239,258,328,382
2014 $266,490,442,124 $233,451,469,643
2013 $242,924,245,719 $213,708,811,665
2012 $226,921,827,888 $195,590,661,129
2011 $240,975,871,047 $172,595,049,184
2010 $221,732,824,603 $147,201,173,197
2009 $236,443,115,854 $106,014,659,565
2008 $275,447,471,451 $99,130,304,099
2007 $270,079,279,420 $77,414,425,532
2006 $232,180,617,162 $66,371,664,817
2005 $211,876,989,656 $57,633,255,738
2004 $194,372,115,041 $45,427,854,693
2003 $164,670,771,260 $39,552,513,232
2002 $128,596,035,288 $35,064,105,501
2001 $109,346,669,230 $32,685,198,809
2000 $100,207,610,430 $31,172,518,403
1999 $98,893,958,263 $28,683,659,007
1998 $90,199,410,116 $27,209,602,050
1997 $82,856,648,758 $26,843,700,442
1996 $75,790,786,290 $24,657,470,575
1995 $69,139,823,232 $20,736,164,459
1994 $57,097,656,066 $16,286,433,533
1993 $52,417,477,614 $13,180,953,598
1992 $55,918,538,121 $9,866,990,236
1991 $49,787,501,584 $9,613,369,520
1990 $49,305,632,408 $6,471,740,806
1989 $39,238,392,678 $6,293,304,975
1988 $37,772,896,221 $25,423,812,649
1987 $33,920,518,493 $36,658,108,850
1986 $28,714,571,852 $26,336,616,250
1985 $21,270,013,326 $14,094,687,821
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Vietnam by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $5,066 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $926 $4,581
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $808 $4,237
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $711 $3,894
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $565 $3,543
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $497 $3,240
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $445 $3,002
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $419 $2,809
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $404 $2,614
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $376 $2,421
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $361 $2,308
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $362 $2,189
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $337 $2,019
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $11,176 - $98.1 -
1988 $10,716 - $405 -
1987 $9,582 - $595 -
1986 $8,112 - $436 -
1985 $6,012 - $238.6 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Ireland Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$316B
2025
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
1.53%
2024
Population
5562212
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 19.8% 41%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 28.1% 74% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 25% 36.2%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 21.4% 31%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 33% 26.1% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 16.7% -
1998 34.2% 51.4% 16% -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 149/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Vietnam
2025 1.54% -2.2%
2024 4.02% -1.54%
2023 1.36% -1.72%
2022 1.58% 0.67%
2021 -1.31% -1.43%
2020 -4.87% -2.86%
2019 0.41% -0.4%
2018 0.09% -1.02%
2017 -0.3% -1.96%
2016 -0.76% -3.16%
2015 -1.97% -4.98%
2014 -3.52% -5.02%
2013 -6.28% -5.96%
2012 -8.42% -5.46%
2011 -13.5% -0.9%
2010 -32.1% -2.25%
2009 -13.9% -4.82%
2008 -7.03% -0.45%
2007 0.27% -1.74%
2006 2.78% 0.2%
2005 1.57% -0.95%
2004 1.3% -0.15%
2003 0.35% -2.56%
2002 -0.52% -1.85%
2001 0.96% -2.19%
2000 4.86% -1.61%
1999 3.54% -1.25%
1998 2.07% -0.1%
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Vietnam
2025 2.21% 3.3%
2024 2.11% 3.6%
2023 6.3% 3.3%
2022 7.83% 3.2%
2021 2.34% 1.8%
2020 -0.33% 3.2%
2019 0.94% 2.8%
2018 0.47% 3.5%
2017 0.36% 3.5%
2016 0.02% 2.7%
2015 -0.33% 0.6%
2014 0.19% 4.1%
2013 0.52% 6.6%
2012 1.69% 9.1%
2011 2.55% 18.7%
2010 -0.92% 10.5%
2009 -4.45% 6.7%
2008 4.04% 23.1%
2007 4.89% 8.3%
2006 3.94% 7.5%
2005 2.46% 8.4%
2004 2.18% 7.9%
2003 3.49% 3.3%
2002 4.63% 4.1%
2001 4.85% -0.3%
2000 5.58% -1.8%
1999 1.63% 4.1%
1998 2.41% 7.2%
1997 1.54% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $42.8M
Machinery & equipment $31.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27.2M
Animal & marine products $15.9M
Wood & paper products $2.88M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.6M
Raw materials & minerals $1.26M
Textiles & consumer goods $979K
Metals $530K
Raw agricultural goods $523K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $895M
Textiles & consumer goods $66.3M
Raw materials & minerals $11.7M
Chemicals & pharma $9.48M
Raw agricultural goods $6.69M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.7M
Metals $5.26M
Animal & marine products $4.94M
Wood & paper products $3.53M
Miscellaneous $1.49M

Balance of trade

Ireland Vietnam
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$407B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Vietnam
Economic freedom 83.3 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 73/197
Property rights 94.4 47.3
Government integrity 84 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 31.3
Tax burden 77.7 80.9
Government spending 85.9 89.5
Fiscal health 97 96.9
Business freedom 85.5 70
Labor freedom 61.3 54.7
Monetary freedom 79.3 73.2
Trade freedom 79.4 79.8
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Vietnam
2026 83.3 64.4
2025 83.1 65.2
2024 82.6 62.8
2023 82 61.8
2022 82 60.6
2021 81.4 61.7
2020 80.9 58.8
2019 80.5 55.3
2018 80.4 53.1
2017 76.7 52.4
2016 77.3 54
2015 76.6 51.7
2014 76.2 50.8
2013 75.7 51
2012 76.9 51.3
2011 78.7 51.6
2010 81.3 49.8
2009 82.2 51
2008 82.5 50.4
2007 82.6 49.8
2006 82.2 50.5
2005 80.8 48.1
2004 80.3 46.1
2003 80.9 46.2
2002 80.5 45.6
2001 81.2 44.3
2000 76.1 43.7
1999 74.6 42.7
1998 73.7 40.4
1997 72.6 38.6
1996 68.5 40.2
1995 68.5 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
30.8%
2025

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/vietnam | 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 (2024–2025, 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.