Ireland: economy and key statistics
Ireland is number 23 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $721.7 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $131,592. The economy grew by 12.3% in 2025. Unemployment is 4.6%. The economy is 57% services, 38% industry, 1% agriculture. In 311 Institute directories: 37 R&D labs, 7 startups, 17 investors, 28 Titans.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Ireland is number 35 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 47.6 out of 100: economic 73, technology 38, military 27 and human capital 49.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $721.7 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $850.6 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $131,592 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +12.3% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 2.2% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 2025 |
| Population | 5.5 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 2.9 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 57% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 38% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 34% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 1% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 140% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | 0.8% of GDP | 2024 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 54% | 2024 |
| R&D spending | 1.59% of GDP | 2023 |
| Internet users | 97% of people | 2024 |
R&D labs
Largest companies in Ireland
- Accenture (#99)
- CRH public limited company (#186)
- Eaton Corporation plc (#252)
- Johnson Controls International plc (#292)
- Trane Technologies plc (#323)
- Aon plc (#384)
- Dole plc (#653)
- Icon plc (#664)
- STERIS plc (#836)
Startups in Ireland
Investors in Ireland
Main export industries
Ireland exported goods worth about $242.2bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Pharmaceutical products: $89.8bn (37.1% of goods exports)
- Organic chemicals: $46.4bn (19.2% of goods exports)
- Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus: $21.2bn (8.7% of goods exports)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $14.6bn (6.0% of goods exports)
- Essential oils and resinoids: $12.5bn (5.1% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Europe
- Germany (#3)
- United Kingdom (#5)
- France (#7)
- Russia (#8)
- Italy (#9)
- Spain (#12)
- Türkiye (#16)
- Netherlands (#18)
- Switzerland (#20)
- Poland (#21)
- Belgium (#22)
- Sweden (#25)
- Austria (#28)
- Norway (#31)
- Denmark (#35)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Ireland?
Ireland had a GDP of $721.7 billion in 2025, ranking number 23 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Ireland?
GDP per person in Ireland was $131,592 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Ireland growing?
The economy of Ireland grew by 12.3% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
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