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Economy of Ireland vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 25/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Ireland vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Ireland
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Zimbabwe
2024 $609,157,459,747 $41,539,411,516
2023 $567,372,737,459 $35,871,779,681
2022 $548,341,794,599 $40,757,561,709
2021 $530,394,123,830 $41,287,673,690
2020 $436,009,027,819 $31,980,334,561
2019 $407,211,793,801 $33,357,695,635
2018 $395,780,319,817 $34,141,666,667
2017 $348,355,212,569 $51,035,657,371
2016 $305,431,252,709 $20,559,250,000
2015 $302,101,388,556 $19,973,250,000
2014 $266,490,442,124 $19,505,500,000
2013 $242,924,245,719 $19,100,750,000
2012 $226,921,827,888 $17,123,500,000
2011 $240,975,871,047 $14,109,000,000
2010 $221,732,824,603 $12,047,750,000
2009 $236,443,115,854 $9,670,750,000
2008 $275,447,471,451 $4,418,000,000
2007 $270,079,279,420 $5,294,750,000
2006 $232,180,617,162 $5,446,750,000
2005 $211,876,989,656 $5,758,250,000
2004 $194,372,115,041 $5,808,500,000
2003 $164,670,771,260 $5,730,500,000
2002 $128,596,035,288 $6,345,250,000
2001 $109,346,669,230 $6,780,750,000
2000 $100,207,610,430 $6,693,250,000
1999 $98,893,958,263 $6,861,500,000
1998 $90,199,410,116 $6,405,250,000
1997 $82,856,648,758 $8,534,000,000
1996 $75,790,786,290 $8,557,500,000
1995 $69,139,823,232 $7,115,000,000
1994 $57,097,656,066 $6,894,250,000
1993 $52,417,477,614 $6,567,250,000
1992 $55,918,538,121 $6,755,000,000
1991 $49,787,501,584 $8,646,000,000
1990 $49,305,632,408 $8,788,301,546
1989 $39,238,392,678 $8,290,553,535
1988 $37,772,896,221 $7,818,774,177
1987 $33,920,518,493 $6,744,657,033
1986 $28,714,571,852 $6,220,698,247
1985 $21,270,013,326 $5,640,137,575
1984 $20,106,648,455 $6,355,369,172
1983 $20,766,047,764 $7,768,031,182
1982 $21,474,752,962 $8,544,060,905
1981 $20,670,190,138 $8,015,464,252
1980 $21,747,855,640 $6,682,278,300
1979 $18,319,334,300 $5,180,102,910
1978 $14,647,996,074 $4,353,822,343
1977 $11,248,340,431 $4,366,610,469
1976 $9,453,756,015 $4,320,576,877
1975 $9,483,808,362 $4,373,532,601
1974 $7,896,860,615 $3,984,194,614
1973 $7,481,173,066 $3,311,043,292
1972 $6,318,060,582 $2,679,096,597
1971 $5,098,250,287 $2,179,828,710
1970 $4,395,995,086 $1,885,168,339
1969 $3,902,721,632 $1,748,891,294
1968 $3,378,701,147 $1,480,355,355
1967 $3,445,739,915 $1,397,715,282
1966 $3,198,820,904 $1,282,403,936
1965 $3,035,655,794 $1,312,105,394
1964 $2,851,091,646 $1,217,759,447
1963 $2,505,073,358 $1,160,103,724
1962 $2,329,372,972 $1,118,172,226
1961 $2,151,772,980 $1,097,206,526
1960 $1,998,550,222 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Zimbabwe by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $902 $2,661
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $736 $2,233
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $341 $1,987
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $414 $2,396
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $431 $2,454
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $461 $2,496
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $470 $2,591
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $468 $2,708
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $525 $3,238
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $566 $3,533
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $563 $3,429
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $582 $3,491
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $552 $3,527
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $751 $3,457
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $767 $3,372
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $648 $3,051
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $634 $3,012
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $605 $2,703
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $631 $2,651
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $831 $2,930
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $867 $2,757
1989 $11,176 - $840 -
1988 $10,716 - $816 -
1987 $9,582 - $726 -
1986 $8,112 - $693 -
1985 $6,012 - $649 -
1984 $5,692 - $757 -
1983 $5,915 - $959 -
1982 $6,161 - $1,096 -
1981 $5,986 - $1,069 -
1980 $6,372 - $949 -
1979 $5,430 - $779 -
1978 $4,400 - $665 -
1977 $3,427 - $677 -
1976 $2,920 - $687 -
1975 $2,973 - $717 -
1974 $2,517 - $674 -
1973 $2,424 - $579 -
1972 $2,080 - $483 -
1971 $1,704 - $406 -
1970 $1,487 - $361 -
1969 $1,331 - $346 -
1968 $1,159 - $302 -
1967 $1,187 - $294.4 -
1966 $1,107 - $278.7 -
1965 $1,055 - $294.3 -
1964 $995 - $281.9 -
1963 $878 - $277.1 -
1962 $821 - $275.7 -
1961 $762 - $279.2 -
1960 $707 - $276.6 -

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

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Ireland Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires
11
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
12.1%
2024
Population
5518360
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 12.9% 73%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 13.9% 33%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 19.8% 49%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 28.1% 74% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 16.2% 30%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 33% 26.1% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 32.8% 28.1% - -
2003 32.7% 29.8% - -
2002 32.9% 30.9% - -
2001 32.2% 33.6% - -
2000 30.6% 36.4% - -
1999 32.5% 46.6% - -
1998 34.2% 51.4% - -
1997 36.1% 61.6% - -
1996 38.5% 69.8% - -
1995 40.3% 78.5% - -
1994 44.2% 88% - -
1993 44.6% 93.4% - -
1992 46.8% 90.6% - -
1991 46.1% 93.8% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 138/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Zimbabwe
2024 4.09% -1.06%
2023 1.52% -3.9%
2022 1.67% -3.3%
2021 -1.37% -2.24%
2020 -4.87% -0.34%
2019 0.41% -1.72%
2018 0.09% -3.81%
2017 -0.3% -7.37%
2016 -0.76% -4.63%
2015 -1.97% -1.45%
2014 -3.52% -0.71%
2013 -6.28% -0.69%
2012 -8.42% -0.13%
2011 -13.5% -1.72%
2010 -32.1% -0.11%
2009 -13.9% -1.39%
2008 -7.03% -1.2%
2007 0.27% -1.67%
2006 2.78% -1.4%
2005 1.57% -3.46%
2004 1.3% -
2003 0.35% -
2002 -0.52% -
2001 0.96% -
2000 4.86% -
1999 3.54% -
1998 2.07% -
1997 1.37% -
1996 -0.2% -
1995 -2.07% -
1994 -1.82% -
1993 -2.62% -
1992 -2.84% -
1991 -2.8% -
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.08% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Zimbabwe
2024 2.11% 736%
2023 6.3% 667%
2022 7.83% 193.4%
2021 2.34% 98.5%
2020 -0.33% 557%
2019 0.94% 255.3%
2018 0.47% 10.6%
2017 0.36% 0.9%
2016 0.02% -1.6%
2015 -0.33% -2.4%
2014 0.19% -0.2%
2013 0.52% 1.6%
2012 1.69% 3.7%
2011 2.55% 3.5%
2010 -0.92% 3%
2009 -4.45% 6.2%
2008 4.04% 157%
2007 4.89% -72.7%
2006 3.94% 33%
2005 2.46% -31.5%
2004 2.18% 113.6%
2003 3.49% -8.6%
2002 4.63% -34.4%
2001 4.85% -37.2%
2000 5.58% 4.5%
1999 1.63% -13.4%
1998 2.41% -28%
1997 1.54% -1%

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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $13.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.47M
Raw materials & minerals $311K
Machinery & equipment $218K
Raw agricultural goods $108K
Wood & paper products $60K
Miscellaneous $17K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K
Metals $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $21K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Ireland Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 83.3 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 190/197
Property rights 94.4 19.4
Government integrity 84 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 16.8
Tax burden 77.7 73.6
Government spending 85.9 93.9
Fiscal health 97 52.4
Business freedom 85.5 42
Labor freedom 61.3 33.3
Monetary freedom 79.3 0
Trade freedom 79.4 50.4
Investment freedom 90 10
Financial freedom 70 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Zimbabwe
2026 83.3 35.2
2025 83.1 35.1
2024 82.6 38.2
2023 82 39
2022 82 33.1
2021 81.4 39.5
2020 80.9 43.1
2019 80.5 40.4
2018 80.4 44
2017 76.7 44
2016 77.3 38.2
2015 76.6 37.6
2014 76.2 35.5
2013 75.7 28.6
2012 76.9 26.3
2011 78.7 22.1
2010 81.3 21.4
2009 82.2 22.7
2008 82.5 29.5
2007 82.6 32
2006 82.2 33.5
2005 80.8 35.2
2004 80.3 34.4
2003 80.9 36.7
2002 80.5 36.7
2001 81.2 38.8
2000 76.1 48.7
1999 74.6 47.2
1998 73.7 44.6
1997 72.6 48
1996 68.5 46.7
1995 68.5 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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 (2020–2024, 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.