Back to Top
75 years of the CSO
Statistics Database
cso.ie as Gaeilge

 Skip navigation

Show Menu  

Measuring Ireland's Progress 2019

Economy

 

Table 2.1 Ireland: Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Income, 2009-20191,2
Year€ billion%€
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)Gross National Income (GNI)Modified Gross National Income (GNI*)GNI as a % of GDPGNI* as a % of GDPGNI* at current prices per capita
2009169.8141.9134.583.679.229,535
2010167.7140.5128.983.876.928,176
2011171.0138.6126.581.174.027,531
2012175.1141.1126.580.672.227,407
2013179.6151.5136.984.476.229,471
2014195.1164.8149.184.576.431,797
2015262.9202.1162.776.961.934,319
2016270.8220.7174.781.564.536,459
2017300.4239.2186.279.662.038,340
2018327.0257.5198.778.760.840,374
2019356.1275.5213.777.460.042,936
Source: CSO, National Income and Expenditure Annual Results
1Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Income (GNI) and Modified Gross National Income (GNI*) calculated at current market prices.
2GNI* is designed to exclude the globalisation effects that are disproportionally affecting the size of the Irish economy, see Appendix 1.
  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices increased from €169.8 bn in 2009 to €356.1 bn in 2019.

  • Gross National Income (GNI) also increased between 2009 and 2019, from €141.9 bn to €275.5 bn. However, as a percent of GDP, GNI has decreased in the same time period, from 83.6% in 2009 to 77.4% in 2019.

  • Modified Gross National Income (GNI*) is an indicator that is designed to exclude globalisation effects that have a disproportionate impact on the measurement of the size of the Irish economy, see Appendix 1 for further details.

  • Modified GNI (GNI*) at current prices fell from €134.5 bn in 2009 to €126.5 bn in 2011, before increasing over the next seven years to €213.7 bn by 2019.
YearGNI at current prices per capita
200931154
201030711
201130172
201230576
201332613
201435155
201542641
201646051
201749249
201852321
201955350
Table 2.2 By country: GDP and GNI at current market prices, 20191
 € million€ million%
CountryGross Domestic Product (GDP)Gross National Income (GNI)GNI as % of GDP
EU2713,963,89713,932,54799.8
Eurozone 1911,935,52611,967,868100.3
Germany3,449,0503,542,818102.7
France2,425,7082,475,992102.1
Italy1,789,7471,805,101100.9
Spain1,244,7721,246,631100.1
Netherlands810,247813,417100.4
Poland532,329511,14196.0
Belgium476,203482,136101.2
Sweden474,468488,298102.9
Austria397,575399,558100.5
Ireland356,051275,46277.4
Denmark312,747321,986103.0
Finland240,561241,775100.5
Czech Republic223,950210,44994.0
Romania223,337220,20098.6
Portugal213,301208,37397.7
Greece183,414181,91199.2
Hungary146,062142,12197.3
Slovakia93,86592,20998.2
Luxembourg63,516::
Bulgaria61,240::
Croatia54,23853,96299.5
Lithuania48,79747,11096.5
Slovenia48,39347,61798.4
Latvia30,46330,03398.6
Estonia28,11227,47697.7
Cyprus22,28721,39196.0
Malta13,462::
    
United Kingdom2,526,6152,480,20498.2
Turkey679,510::
Switzerland653,471657,950100.7
Norway362,243::
Serbia45,970::
Source: Eurostat Annual National Accounts, CSO NIEAR
1Sorted by GDP, descending
: Data not available
  • Ten countries in the EU27 had a GNI greater than their GDP in 2019, including Denmark (103.0%), Sweden (102.9%), Germany (102.7%), France (102.1%), Belgium (101.2%), Italy (100.9%), Austria (100.5%), Finland (100.5%), Netherlands (100.4%), Spain (100.1%).

  • Ireland had the eleventh highest Gross National Income (GNI) in the EU27 in 2019 at €275.5 bn, and the tenth highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of €356.1 bn.

  • Four countries in the EU27 had a GDP and GNI of greater than one trillion euros – Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

  • In the EU27, Germany had both the highest GDP and GNI in 2019, both at €3.5 tn. Malta had the lowest GDP in the EU27, at €13.5 bn.

  • Ireland had the lowest ratio of GNI to GDP at 77.4%, among the listed countries that data was available for 2019. This can be attributed to the importance of foreign direct investment into the Irish economy. 
LegendGDP
Germany3449050
France2425708
Italy1789747
Spain1244772
Netherlands810247
Poland532329.2
Belgium476203.3
Sweden474468.2
Austria397575.3
Ireland (GDP)356051.2
Denmark312747.2
Ireland (GNI*)213708
Finland240561
Czech Republic223950.3
Romania223337.4
Portugal213301
Greece183413.5
Hungary146061.8
Slovakia93865.2
Luxembourg63516.3
Bulgaria61239.5
Croatia54237.9
Lithuania48797.4
Slovenia48392.6
Latvia30463.3
Estonia28112.4
Cyprus22286.9
Malta13462.4
United Kingdom2526615.2
Turkey679510.4
Switzerland653470.8
Norway362242.6
Serbia45970.4
Table 2.3 By country: GDP growth rates, 2015-20191
% change on previous year
Country20152016201720182019
Ireland % GDP25.22.09.18.55.6
Malta9.64.18.04.85.3
Estonia1.83.25.54.45.0
Hungary3.82.14.35.44.6
Poland4.23.14.85.44.5
Lithuania2.02.54.33.94.3
Romania3.04.77.34.54.2
Bulgaria4.03.83.53.13.7
Ireland % GNI13.77.56.37.33.4
Slovenia2.23.24.84.43.2
Cyprus3.26.45.25.23.1
Croatia2.43.53.42.82.9
Denmark2.33.22.82.22.8
Czech Republic5.42.55.23.22.3
Luxembourg4.34.61.83.12.3
Slovakia4.82.13.03.82.3
Portugal1.82.03.52.82.2
Latvia4.02.43.34.02.1
Spain3.83.03.02.42.0
Greece-0.4-0.51.31.61.9
Belgium2.01.31.61.81.7
Netherlands2.02.22.92.41.7
EU272.32.02.82.11.6
France1.11.12.31.81.5
Austria1.02.02.42.61.4
Eurozone 192.01.92.61.91.3
Sweden4.52.12.62.01.3
Finland0.52.83.21.31.1
Germany1.52.22.61.30.6
Italy0.81.31.70.90.3
      
United Kingdom2.41.71.71.31.4
      
EFTA Countries:
Iceland4.46.34.24.61.9
Norway2.01.12.31.10.9
Switzerland1.72.01.63.01.1
      
EU Candidate Countries:
Serbia1.83.32.14.54.2
Source: Eurostat Annual National Accounts, CSO NIEAR
1Sorted by 2019 descending.
  • In 2009, Ireland had a negative GDP growth rate of -5.1%. It then returned to a positive growth rate in 2010, at 1.8%.

  • The growth rate then dipped again in 2012 at 0.2%, before increasing to 25.2% in 2015. The dramatic increase in the growth rate in 2015 can be attributed to the globalisation activities of a small number of companies.

  • In 2019, Ireland had the highest annual GDP growth rate in the EU27 at 5.6%.

  • The average GDP growth rate for the EU27 was 1.6% in 2019.

  • Ireland, Malta and Estonia were the only countries in the EU27 to have a GDP growth rate of 5.0% or greater in 2019. Furthermore, six countries in the EU27 had a GDP growth rate of 1.5% or less in 2019: France, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Italy.

  • No country experienced negative growth in the EU27 in 2019.
CountryGDP Growth Rate
Ireland % GDP5.6
Malta5.3
Estonia5
Hungary4.6
Poland4.5
Lithuania4.3
Romania4.2
Bulgaria3.7
Ireland % GNI3.4
Slovenia3.2
Cyprus3.1
Croatia2.9
Denmark2.8
Czech Republic2.3
Luxembourg2.3
Slovakia2.3
Portugal2.2
Latvia2.1
Spain2
Greece1.9
Belgium1.7
Netherlands1.7
EU271.6
France1.5
Austria1.4
Eurozone 191.3
Sweden1.3
Finland1.1
Germany0.6
Italy0.3
United Kingdom1.4
Iceland1.9
Norway0.9
Switzerland1.1
Serbia4.2
YearEU27Ireland
2009-4.3-5.1
20102.21.8
20111.80.6
2012-0.70.1
201301.2
20141.68.6
20152.425.2
201622
20172.89.1
20182.18.5
20191.55.6
Table 2.4 By country: GDP per capita in Purchasing Power Standards, 2015-20191
EU27 = 100
Country20152016201720182019
Luxembourg272272263261260
Ireland181177185191193
Denmark128128130129130
Netherlands132129129130128
Austria131130127128126
Germany125125124123120
Sweden129124122120119
Belgium121120118118118
Ireland GNI*112115113116115
Finland111111111112111
France107106104104106
EU27100100100100100
Malta989810099100
Italy9798989796
Czech Republic8989919293
Spain9192939191
Cyprus8388899190
Slovenia8384868789
Estonia7778808284
Lithuania7576798284
Portugal7878787879
Hungary7069697173
Poland6969707173
Romania5760646670
Slovakia7873717170
Latvia6566676969
Greece7068676767
Croatia6061636465
Bulgaria4849505153
United Kingdom111109107106104
EFTA Countries:
Switzerland173168162161158
Norway158145150155147
Iceland128131129128126
EU Candidate Countries:
Turkey6866666359
Montenegro4345464850
Serbia3939394041
Macedonia3637373838
Albania3130303031
Source: Eurostat Annual National Accounts, CSO NIEAR
1Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • GNI* in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS) in Ireland was 112 in 2015, increasing to 115 by 2016. It then decreased to 113 in 2017, before increasing again to 115 in 2019.

  • Ireland had the second highest GDP per capita in PPS in 2019, at 193, 93% higher than the EU27 average.

  • GDP per capita in PPS in Ireland increased from 130 in 2009 to 138 in 2014. In 2015, GDP per capita increased sharply to 181 in Ireland. This increase can be attributed to the unprecedented growth in GDP the same year, resulting from the globalisation activities of a small number of companies.

  • Luxembourg had the highest GDP per capita in PPS in the EU27 in 2019 at 260, while Bulgaria had the lowest GDP per capita at 53.

  • More than half (sixteen) of countries had a GDP per capita in PPS below the EU27 average. These included twelve of the thirteen countries that joined the EU27 in 2004 or after, in addition to Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
This map is © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. License number 01/05/001.
Table 2.5 By country: General government consolidated gross debt, 2015-20191
Percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Country20152016201720182019
Greece177.0180.8179.2186.2180.5
Italy135.3134.8134.1134.4134.7
Portugal131.2131.5126.1121.5117.2
Belgium105.2105.0102.099.898.1
France95.698.098.398.198.1
Ireland % GNI*124.0114.8108.1103.695.5
Spain99.399.298.697.495.5
Cyprus107.2103.193.599.294.0
Eurozone 1990.990.187.785.884.0
EU2784.884.081.579.577.6
Croatia84.380.877.574.372.8
Austria84.982.878.574.070.5
Slovenia82.678.574.170.365.6
Hungary75.874.972.269.165.4
Germany72.369.365.161.859.6
Finland63.663.261.359.659.3
Ireland % GDP76.774.167.063.057.4
Netherlands64.761.956.952.448.7
Slovakia51.952.451.749.948.5
Poland51.354.250.648.845.7
Malta55.954.548.845.242.6
Latvia37.140.439.037.136.9
Lithuania42.539.739.133.735.9
Romania37.837.435.134.735.3
Sweden43.742.340.738.935.1
Denmark39.837.235.934.033.3
Czech Republic39.736.634.232.130.2
Luxembourg22.020.122.321.022.0
Bulgaria26.029.325.322.320.2
Estonia10.09.99.18.28.4
      
United Kingdom86.786.886.385.885.4
Source: Eurostat Government Statistics, CSO Government Finance Statistics
1Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • From 2009 to 2012, Ireland’s general government consolidated gross debt as a percentage of GDP increased from 61.7% to 119.9%. In 2014, the debt to GDP ratio dropped to 104.4% and continued to decline over the subsequent years, to 57.4% in 2019.

  • In 2019, Ireland had the fourteenth highest general government consolidated gross debt as a percentage of GDP in the EU27, at 57.4%. However, as a percentage of GNI*, Ireland has the sixth highest general government consolidated gross debt, at 95.5%.

  • Current figures show that Ireland’s general government consolidated gross debt of 57.4% falls more than twenty percentage points below the EU27 average of 77.6%.

  • The highest debt to GDP ratio in the EU27 in 2019 was in Greece at 180.5%, while the lowest was in Estonia at 8.4%.
Year% of GDP% of GNI*
200961.777.8
201086111.9
2011111150
2012119.9166.1
2013119.9157.3
2014104.2136.4
201576.7124
201674.1114.8
201767108.1
201863103.6
201957.495.5
This map is © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. License number 01/05/001.
Table 2.6 By country: Public balance, 2015-20191
Percentage of GDP
Country20152016201720182019
Denmark-1.20.11.80.73.8
Luxembourg1.31.91.33.12.4
Bulgaria-1.70.11.12.01.9
Netherlands-2.00.01.31.41.7
Cyprus-0.90.31.9-3.51.5
Germany1.01.21.41.81.5
Greece-5.70.50.71.01.5
Austria-1.0-1.5-0.80.20.7
Ireland % GNI*-3.2-1.1-0.50.20.7
Ireland % GDP-2.0-0.7-0.30.10.5
Malta-1.00.93.22.00.5
Slovenia-2.8-1.9-0.10.70.5
Sweden0.01.01.40.80.5
Croatia-3.5-0.90.80.20.4
Czechia-0.60.71.50.90.3
Lithuania-0.30.20.50.60.3
Estonia0.1-0.4-0.7-0.50.1
Portugal-4.4-1.9-3.0-0.30.1
EU27-1.9-1.4-0.8-0.4-0.5
Eurozone 19-2.0-1.5-0.9-0.5-0.6
Latvia-1.40.2-0.8-0.8-0.6
Poland-2.6-2.4-1.5-0.2-0.7
Finland-2.4-1.7-0.7-0.9-1.0
Slovakia-2.7-2.6-0.9-1.0-1.4
Italy-2.6-2.4-2.4-2.2-1.6
Belgium-2.4-2.4-0.7-0.8-1.9
Hungary-2.0-1.8-2.4-2.1-2.1
Spain-5.2-4.3-3.0-2.5-2.9
France-3.6-3.6-3.0-2.3-3.0
Romania-0.6-2.6-2.6-2.9-4.3
     
United Kingdom-4.5-3.3-2.4-2.2-2.3
Source: Eurostat Government Statistics, CSO Government Finance Statistics
1Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • In 2019, Ireland’s public balance, the ratio between net lending and net borrowing, was 0.5% of GDP and 0.7% of GNI*. In 2018, the public balance was 0.1% of GDP and 0.2% of GNI*.

  • Ireland’s public balance in 2019 was higher than that of the EU27 average of -0.5%.

  • From 2009 to 2010, Ireland's public balance as a percentage of GDP decreased significantly from -13.9% to -32.1%, meaning that net borrowing had exceeded net lending for those years.

  • After 2010, Ireland's public balance increased, and by 2015 it had fallen within the 3.0% deficit limit established by the EMU Stability and Growth Pact.

  • The country with the highest public balance surplus in 2019 was Denmark at 3.8% of GDP. Romania had the greatest public balance deficit at -4.3%, exceeding the 3% EMU limit.
Year% GDP%GNI*3% deficit limit
2009-13.9-17.5-3
2010-32.1-41.7-3
2011-12.8-17.3-3
2012-8.1-11.2-3
2013-6.2-8.1-3
2014-3.6-4.8-3
2015-2-3.2-3
2016-0.7-1.1-3
2017-0.3-0.5-3
20180.10.2-3
20190.50.7-3
This map is © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. License number 01/05/001.
Table 2.7 Ireland: General government total expenditure, 2009-2019
Year€ million%
General Government Total Expenditure% of GDP% of GNI*
200980,04047.159.5
2010109,17265.184.7
201180,18846.963.4
201274,42442.558.8
201373,24840.853.5
201473,99637.949.6
201577,05929.347.4
201676,56628.343.8
201778,84726.242.3
201883,43025.542.0
201987,63724.641.0
Source: CSO, Government Finance Statistics
  • General government total expenditure increased in Ireland from €80.0 bn in 2009 to €109.2 bn in 2010. It then decreased each year until 2013 to €73.3 bn. Over the next six years, total government expenditure rose to €87.6 bn.

  • Government total expenditure increased from 47.1% of GDP in 2009 to 65.1% by 2010, before decreasing over the next nine years to 24.6% in 2019.

  • Government spending in Ireland as a percentage of GNI* follows a similar pattern, where it increased from 59.5% in 2009 to 84.7% in 2010, before decreasing to 41.0% in 2019.
Year% of GDP% of GNI*
200947.159.5
201065.184.7
201146.963.4
201242.558.8
201340.853.5
201437.949.6
201529.347.4
201628.343.8
201726.242.3
201825.542
201924.641
Table 2.8 By country: Gross fixed capital formation, 2015-20191
Percentage of GDP
Country20152016201720182019
Ireland % GNI*38.855.553.446.776.0
Ireland % GDP24.135.833.128.445.6
Hungary22.219.522.224.827.2
Czech Republic26.524.924.926.326.2
Estonia24.324.224.924.626.2
Austria22.723.123.624.024.7
Sweden23.824.225.125.224.4
Belgium23.023.323.323.724.2
Finland21.222.723.324.123.9
France21.521.822.522.923.6
Romania24.822.922.421.123.6
Latvia21.919.320.622.122.2
EU2720.220.420.821.222.1
Denmark19.921.021.222.022.0
Germany20.020.320.421.121.7
Malta24.224.221.821.121.7
Lithuania19.619.920.121.021.4
Slovakia23.721.021.221.021.4
Croatia19.520.120.020.421.0
Netherlands22.120.020.120.421.0
Spain18.018.018.719.519.9
Slovenia18.717.418.319.219.6
Cyprus12.918.121.019.219.4
Bulgaria20.918.518.418.818.7
Poland20.118.017.518.218.5
Portugal15.515.516.817.518.2
Italy16.917.217.517.818.1
Luxembourg18.218.118.816.816.9
Greece10.811.011.710.810.1
     
United Kingdom17.217.718.017.818.0
     
EFTA Countries:
Norway23.825.224.623.925.6
Switzerland25.225.426.025.425.5
Iceland19.320.921.821.519.9
     
EU Candidate Countries:
Turkey29.629.129.929.725.9
Serbia17.017.117.720.022.5
Albania24.424.424.623.922.5
Montenegro20.124.726.929.227.3
North Macedonia23.824.422.520.021.2
Source: Eurostat Annual National Accounts, CSO NIEAR
1Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) in Ireland was 45.6% of GDP in 2019, the highest rate in the EU27, and above the EU27 average of 22.1%.

  • As a percentage of GNI*, Ireland also had the highest investment in capital formation, at 76.0%. This was a sharp increase from 2018, where GFCF as a percentage of GNI* was 46.7%.

  • Greece had the lowest GFCF (as a percentage of GDP) within the EU27 in 2019, at 10.1%.
Table 2.9 By country: Current account balance, 2015-20191
Percentage of GDP
Country20152016201720182019
Netherlands6.38.110.810.89.9
Denmark8.27.88.07.08.9
Germany8.68.57.87.47.1
Slovenia3.84.86.25.85.6
Luxembourg5.14.94.94.84.6
Malta2.7-0.64.95.74.6
Sweden3.32.42.92.64.6
Lithuania-2.4-1.10.50.33.3
Bulgaria0.13.23.51.03.0
Italy1.42.62.62.53.0
Austria1.72.71.41.32.8
Croatia3.22.13.41.82.7
Spain2.03.22.81.92.1
Estonia1.81.22.30.92.0
Poland-0.9-0.8-0.3-1.30.5
Belgium1.40.60.7-0.80.3
Portugal0.21.21.30.4-0.1
Finland-0.9-2.0-0.8-1.9-0.2
Hungary2.34.52.00.3-0.2
Czech Republic0.41.81.50.5-0.3
Latvia-0.61.61.3-0.3-0.6
France-0.4-0.5-0.8-0.6-0.7
Greece-0.8-1.7-1.9-2.9-1.5
Slovakia-2.1-2.7-1.9-2.2-2.7
Romania-0.6-1.4-2.8-4.4-4.7
Cyprus-0.4-4.2-5.3-3.9-6.3
Ireland % GDP4.4-4.20.56.0-11.3
Ireland % GNI*7.1-6.50.89.9-18.9
      
United Kingdom-5.0-5.5-3.8-3.7-3.1
      
EFTA Countries:
Switzerland10.39.07.16.66.7
Iceland5.68.24.23.86.4
Norway8.14.04.78.02.6
      
EU Candidate Countries:
Turkey-3.7-3.1-4.7-2.50.9
Serbia-4.3-3.6-5.2-4.9-7.1
Albania-8.6-7.6-7.5-6.8-8.0
Montenegro-11.0-16.2-16.1-17.0:
Source: Eurostat Balance of Payments, CSO Balance of Payments
1Sorted by 2019, descending.
: Data are not available
  • In 2019 Ireland had a current account deficit of 11.3% of GDP, the highest in the EU27.

  • As a percentage of GNI*, Ireland’s current account deficit was -18.9% in 2019.

  • In 2019, eleven countries (including Ireland) in the EU27 had a current account deficit, namely Portugal, Finland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Latvia, France, Greece, Slovakia, Romania, Cyprus and Ireland.
Table 2.10 By country: Exports of goods and services, 2015-20191
% of GDP
Country20152016201720182019
Ireland % GNI*197.1187.9193.1201.3210.0
Luxembourg201.4194.1200.0197.8200.7
Malta148.6143.1142.1134.6135.0
Ireland % GDP122.0121.2119.7122.3126.1
Slovakia90.192.694.595.492.3
Slovenia77.077.683.284.983.8
Netherlands82.779.583.484.783.3
Hungary87.686.586.083.982.2
Belgium77.879.483.283.081.8
Lithuania68.867.673.675.277.5
Czech Republic80.579.179.077.074.3
Estonia76.976.475.674.172.9
Cyprus70.170.573.575.271.9
Bulgaria64.064.067.365.864.2
Latvia60.359.661.661.460.1
Denmark55.453.455.156.358.3
Austria53.052.354.055.655.5
Poland49.151.954.155.255.5
Croatia46.447.749.950.252.0
Sweden44.142.743.845.847.4
Germany46.946.147.247.446.9
Portugal41.140.643.043.643.8
Romania41.441.842.041.940.4
Finland35.434.837.538.440.2
Greece32.131.234.838.739.6
Spain33.633.935.135.134.9
France31.931.632.133.032.8
Italy29.729.330.831.431.6
     
United Kingdom27.328.230.130.931.1
     
EFTA Countries:
Switzerland61.564.864.565.565.4
Iceland51.647.645.747.044.7
Norway37.735.436.237.936.2
     
EU Candidate Countries:
Serbia44.047.349.249.550.9
Turkey23.122.925.930.632.3
Albania27.329.031.631.731.6
Montenegro42.340.641.142.843.7
Macedonia48.850.954.960.162.0
Source: Eurostat Balance of Payments, CSO NIEAR
1Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • Exports of goods and services were 126.1% of GDP in Ireland in 2019. This was the third highest in the EU27, after Luxembourg (200.7%) and Malta (135.0%).

  • In Ireland exports of goods and services increased from 197.1% of GNI* in 2015 to 210.0% of GNI* in 2019.

  • Italy had the lowest percentage of exports in the EU27 in 2019, at 31.6% of GDP.

  • Twelve countries (including Ireland) have shown an increase in exports as a percentage of GDP between 2018 and 2019.
Table 2.11 By country: Imports of goods and services, 2015-20191
Percentage of GDP
Country20152016201720182019
Ireland % GNI*150.6163.6157.9154.6189.5
Luxembourg154.3147.0155.9155.8162.0
Malta139.2132.0125.3119.6121.0
Ireland % GDP93.2105.697.993.9113.8
Slovakia89.090.692.794.692.1
Belgium76.478.282.283.381.2
Hungary79.777.879.279.579.1
Slovenia68.969.174.276.375.3
Cyprus67.568.973.973.772.9
Netherlands75.269.372.674.172.9
Lithuania69.866.971.373.472.2
Estonia73.072.871.771.568.9
Czech Republic74.671.571.671.068.4
Bulgaria63.059.162.963.361.0
Latvia62.059.362.362.261.0
Austria49.448.651.052.552.3
Croatia46.246.549.351.052.2
Denmark48.646.747.950.451.0
Poland46.348.250.452.250.8
Romania42.042.644.245.044.3
Sweden39.839.641.143.543.8
Portugal39.738.941.542.943.4
Germany39.338.740.241.241.1
Greece32.732.235.840.540.5
Finland36.036.137.539.739.9
France32.332.133.134.033.9
Spain30.629.931.532.431.9
Italy26.726.027.829.028.5
     
United Kingdom28.730.031.632.132.3
     
EFTA Countries:
Switzerland50.854.254.453.853.9
Iceland44.240.941.343.439.6
Norway32.133.732.732.134.6
     
EU Candidate Countries:
Macedonia65.066.269.072.876.5
Montenegro60.763.164.566.864.8
Serbia53.054.256.959.261.1
Albania44.645.946.745.445.4
Turkey25.925.129.631.829.9
Source: Eurostat Balance of Payments, CSO NIEAR
1Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • In 2019, Ireland had the third highest imports of goods and services in the EU27 at 113.8% of GDP. This is an increase from 93.9% in 2018.

  • As a percentage of GNI*, Ireland's imports were 189.5% in 2019, up from 154.6% in 2019.

  • The high level of imports and exports relative to national income reflects that Ireland's economy is very open (see Table 2.10 for data on exports).

  • Three countries (including Ireland) had imports greater than 100% of their GDP in 2019 – Luxembourg (162.0%) and Malta (121.0).

  • Italy had the lowest imports as a percentage of GDP in the EU27 in 2019, at 28.5%.

Table 2.12 By country: Harmonised index of consumer prices, 2015-20191
Base 2015=100
Country20152016201720182019% Change 2015 to 2019
Estonia100.0100.8104.5108.1110.510.5
Lithuania100.0100.7104.4107.1109.59.5
Hungary100.0100.5102.8105.8109.59.5
Latvia100.0100.1103.0105.6108.58.5
Romania100.098.9100.0104.1108.28.2
Belgium100.0101.8104.0106.4107.87.8
Czech Republic100.0100.7103.1105.1107.87.8
Austria100.0101.0103.2105.4107.07.0
Sweden100.0101.1103.0105.1106.96.9
Slovakia100.099.5100.9103.5106.36.3
Luxembourg100.0100.0102.2104.2105.95.9
Netherlands100.0100.1101.4103.0105.85.8
Germany100.0100.4102.1104.0105.55.5
Malta100.0100.9102.2104.0105.55.5
Slovenia100.099.9101.4103.4105.15.1
EU27100.0100.2101.7103.6105.05.0
Bulgaria100.098.799.9102.5105.05.0
France100.0100.3101.5103.6105.05.0
Eurozone 19100.0100.2101.8103.6104.84.8
Poland100.099.8101.4102.6104.84.8
Spain100.099.7101.7103.5104.34.3
Portugal100.0100.6102.2103.4103.73.7
Finland100.0100.4101.2102.4103.63.6
Italy100.099.9101.3102.5103.23.2
Croatia100.099.4100.7102.2103.03.0
Denmark100.0100.0101.1101.8102.52.5
Greece100.0100.0101.2101.9102.52.5
Ireland100.099.8100.1100.8101.71.7
Cyprus100.098.899.5100.2100.80.8
United Kingdom100.0100.7103.4105.9107.87.8
EFTA Countries:
Norway100.0103.9105.8109.0111.511.5
Iceland100.0100.899.199.9101.81.8
Switzerland100.099.5100.1101.0101.41.4
EU Candidate Countries:
Turkey100.0107.7119.6139.2160.360.3
Serbia100.0101.3104.7106.8108.88.8
Macedonia100.0100.2102.4104.7105.45.4
Source: Eurostat HICP
1Sorted by "% Change 2015 to 2019", descending.
  • Ireland had the second smallest percentage increase in consumer prices between 2015 and 2019 in the EU27 of 1.7%, less than the average of the EU27 at 5.0%

  • Estonia had the highest percentage increase in the EU27 between 2015 and 2019 at 10.5%, while Cyprus had the lowest at 0.8%.

  • No countries in the EU27 showed a percentage decrease in consumer prices between 2015 and 2019.
YearEU27Eurozone 19Ireland
200991.3591.6597.8
201093.0393.1396.2
201195.6995.6797.4
201298.1998.0699.2
201399.4999.3899.7
201499.8999.81100
2015100100100
2016100.18100.2399.8
2017101.74101.78100.1
2018103.57103.56100.8
2019105.04104.8101.7
Table 2.13 By country: Comparative price levels of final consumption by private households including direct taxes, 2015-20191
     EU27 = 100
Country20152016201720182019
Denmark142.9146.2143.1141.9140.8
Ireland128.4129.4131.6134.1135.4
Luxembourg125.6128.0128.8130.0132.0
Finland125.9126.2125.1125.5125.6
Sweden127.8130.8131.3125.1123.0
Netherlands114.2115.9114.8114.2116.7
Belgium111.2113.4114.3114.5115.1
Austria109.3110.5111.7112.6113.8
France112.1112.5113.1113.8113.4
Germany107.0107.2106.6106.1107.3
Italy106.5104.4103.7103.2101.7
EU27100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0
Spain94.995.494.896.596.3
Cyprus92.389.689.890.491.3
Portugal86.587.489.088.187.6
Slovenia86.087.086.687.187.0
Malta83.984.686.386.286.6
Slovakia70.778.082.484.286.4
Greece88.287.786.986.686.3
Estonia77.578.880.983.485.3
Latvia73.274.574.976.677.8
Czech Republic66.868.370.573.975.1
Croatia67.868.669.370.571.2
Lithuania64.265.266.167.468.6
Hungary61.462.465.965.966.8
Poland57.656.058.859.560.1
Romania55.253.854.855.755.2
Bulgaria49.749.751.251.753.3
     
United Kingdom142.7127.8119.7119.3120.6
     
EFTA Countries:
Switzerland170.1168.3164.8158.9164.6
Iceland136.2158.9174.2164.8158.7
Norway152.2152.7148.5145.7144.3
     
EU Candidate Countries:
Albania48.351.152.555.857.5
Montenegro56.256.056.957.457.0
Serbia51.451.553.855.756.5
Macedonia48.148.048.849.849.8
Turkey61.461.855.345.847.2
Source: Eurostat, Purchasing Power Parities
1Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • In 2019, comparative price levels of final consumption by private households in Ireland were 35.4% higher than the EU27 average.

  • Ireland had the second highest price level in the EU27 in 2019, while Denmark had the highest at 140.8.

  • In 2009 price levels for final consumption by private households in Ireland were 25.9% above the EU27 average (see Figure 2.9). Price levels in Ireland then dropped to 21.1% above the EU27 average by 2011, before increasing again in recent years.

  • Bulgaria had the lowest comparative price levels in 2019, with prices just over half the EU27 average at 53.3%.

 

YearEU27Eurozone 19Ireland
2009100105.2125.9
2010100104.7120.2
2011100104.9121.1
2012100105.1121.8
2013100105.1124.1
2014100105.4128
2015100105.6128.4
2016100105.7129.4
2017100105.5131.6
2018100105.7134.1
2019100105.9135.4
This map is © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. License number 01/05/001.
Table 2.14 By country: Employment rates by sex, 20191
% of population aged 15-64
CountryTotal PersonsMalesFemalesGender Differential
Netherlands78.282.274.18.1
Sweden77.178.875.43.4
Germany76.780.572.87.7
Estonia75.378.771.96.8
Czech Republic75.181.968.113.8
Denmark75.078.072.06.0
Austria73.678.069.28.8
Malta73.182.462.819.6
Lithuania73.073.572.51.0
Finland72.974.171.82.3
Latvia72.373.970.73.2
Slovenia71.874.868.66.2
Cyprus70.576.265.211.0
Portugal70.573.667.66.0
Hungary70.177.363.014.3
Bulgaria70.174.166.08.1
Ireland69.174.663.710.9
Slovakia68.474.462.412.0
EU2768.473.763.010.7
Poland68.275.361.114.2
Eurozone 1968.073.062.910.1
Luxembourg67.972.163.68.5
Romania65.874.656.817.8
France65.568.862.46.4
Belgium65.368.961.77.2
Spain63.368.757.910.8
Croatia62.167.057.19.9
Italy59.068.050.117.9
Greece56.565.947.318.6
     
United Kingdom75.279.271.18.1
     
EFTA Countries:
Iceland84.186.281.94.3
Switzerland80.584.576.38.2
Norway75.377.473.14.3
     
EU Candidate Countries:
Serbia60.767.254.312.9
Montenegro56.062.349.712.6
Macedonia54.764.444.719.7
Turkey50.368.332.236.1
Source: Eurostat Labour Force Survey, CSO Labour Force Survey
1Sorted by "Total Persons", descending.
  • The employment rate in Ireland was 69.1% in 2019, higher than the EU27 average of 68.4%. The Netherlands had the highest employment rate in 2019 at 78.2%. The lowest rate of employment was in Greece, at 56.5%.

  • The employment rate in Ireland fell from 64.0% in 2009 to 59.8% in 2012 (see figure 2.10), before increasing annually to stand at 69.1% in 2019.

  • The male employment rate fell from 68.6% in 2009 to 63.4% in 2012, before rising to 74.6% in 2019. The employment rate for females followed a similar pattern, falling from 59.3% in 2009 to 56.3% in 2012, and then rising to 63.7% in 2019.
  • Across all countries in the EU27, there was a higher rate of males in employment than females. The average gender differential across the EU27 was 10.7 percentage points.

  • The gender differential in Ireland in 2019 was 10.9 percentage points. Malta had the highest gender differential at 19.6% while Lithuania had the lowest at 1.0%.
YearPersonsMalesFemales
20096468.659.3
201061.465.357.4
201160.46456.8
201259.863.456.3
201361.465.857.1
201462.667.757.5
201564.670.359
201666.371.661.2
201767.472.662.3
201868.573.863.4
201969.174.663.7
Table 2.15 By country: GDP in PPS per hour worked, 2015-20191,2,3
EU27= 100
Country20152016201720182019
Ireland174.6169.5174.0177.5178.9
Luxembourg183.7185.7179.9177.7175.1
Denmark133.8133.7136.3137.6138.2
Belgium136.9136.5134.0133.9133.2
France124.8124.5124.2124.1126.2
Netherlands129.7126.4125.6125.2122.3
Germany123.0124.7124.6124.0121.3
Austria119.7119.5117.6118.0115.7
Sweden118.0114.1112.4111.7112.4
Ireland excluding Foreign Sector2107.1106.1108.2109.3111.6
Finland109.7110.6111.9110.7109.7
Eurozone 19111.0111.0110.6109.9109.1
Italy101.7103.2102.0101.1100.1
EU27100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0
Spain98.998.498.395.895.0
Slovenia78.380.582.383.783.9
Czech Republic75.374.575.876.677.4
Malta82.679.380.678.375.7
Cyprus76.578.177.276.975.0
Estonia64.165.465.669.171.2
Slovakia78.072.770.570.670.1
Lithuania63.061.565.466.367.7
Hungary66.963.563.465.366.7
Romania53.857.260.462.566.2
Portugal68.367.966.265.765.9
Poland59.659.460.462.664.9
Croatia64.866.066.266.364.5
Latvia55.856.658.358.959.9
Greece62.658.959.057.758.5
Bulgaria44.445.745.747.048.2
      
United Kingdom102.299.598.898.296.8
      
EFTA Countries:     
Iceland114.0114.1112.8114.5117.2
Norway158.9148.6156.0162.8152.4
Switzerland134.3131.8130.1131.0129.3
      
EU Candidate Countries:     
Macedonia43.244.142.6::
Source: Eurostat Employment Performance Monitor, CSO Productivity in Ireland 2017
1 2018 and 2019 data unavailable for Macedonia
2 Ireland excluding the Foreign Sector accounts for GDP in PPS per hour worked, this measure excludes the impact of sectors dominated by foreign owned Multinational Enterprises. See Appendix 1.
3 Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • GDP in PPS per hour worked can be considered a measure of labour productivity per hour worked. When the Foreign Sector is excluded, Ireland had a GDP in PPS per hour worked 11.6% higher than the EU27 average in 2019.

  • Labour productivity in all sectors in Ireland increased from 36.4% to 74.6% above the EU27 average between 2014 and 2015. This large increase can be mainly attributed to the impact of globalisation on GDP (see Tables 2.1 and 2.3).

  • Bulgaria had the lowest labour productivity in 2019 at 48.2%.
Table 2.16 By country: Unemployment rates by sex, 20191
Unemployment rate % (Persons aged 15-74)
CountryTotal PersonsMalesFemalesGender Differential
Greece17.514.121.7-7.6
Spain14.212.516.1-3.6
Italy10.29.311.3-2.0
France8.58.68.40.2
Eurozone 197.77.48.0-0.6
Cyprus7.36.58.1-1.6
Sweden7.06.97.1-0.2
EU276.86.57.2-0.7
Finland6.87.46.31.1
Croatia6.76.27.3-1.1
Portugal6.76.17.3-1.2
Latvia6.57.35.71.6
Lithuania6.57.35.71.6
Slovakia5.85.76.0-0.3
Luxembourg5.65.75.50.2
Belgium5.45.85.00.8
Ireland5.45.65.20.4
Denmark5.14.95.4-0.5
Estonia4.64.15.1-1.0
Austria4.64.74.40.3
Slovenia4.54.15.0-0.9
Bulgaria4.34.63.90.7
Romania4.04.43.50.9
Malta3.73.44.1-0.7
Hungary3.53.43.5-0.1
Netherlands3.43.43.40.0
Poland3.33.13.7-0.6
Germany3.23.62.80.8
Czech Republic2.11.82.4-0.6
    
United Kingdom3.84.03.60.4
    
EFTA Countries:
Switzerland4.54.34.8-0.5
Norway3.84.13.50.6
Iceland3.64.03.20.8
    
EU Candidate Countries:
Macedonia17.416.618.6-2.0
Montenegro15.415.015.9-0.9
Turkey14.012.616.7-4.1
Serbia10.910.411.5-1.1
Source: Eurostat Labour Force Survey, CSO Labour Force Survey
1Sorted by "Total Persons", descending.
  • In 2019, Ireland had a total unemployment rate of 5.4%, which was below the EU27 average of 6.8%. This was the twelfth lowest unemployment rate in the EU27 in 2019.

  • In Ireland, the male unemployment rate in 2019 was 5.6%, while female unemployment was 5.2%, resulting in a gender differential of 0.4%.

  • Czech Republic had the lowest unemployment rate in the EU27 in 2019, at 2.1%, while Greece had the highest at 17.5%.
  • The female unemployment rate in the EU27 was 7.2% compared to 6.5% for males, resulting in gender differential of 0.7%. A total of fifteen countries in the EU27 had a female unemployment rate higher than that of males.
  • The Netherlands was the only country in the EU27 with a gender differential of zero in 2019.
YearEU27Ireland
20099.312.9
20101014.6
20111015.3
20121115.9
201311.514.7
20141112.5
201510.210.4
20169.39.1
20178.36.9
20187.46
20196.85.4
Table 2.17 By country: Long-term unemployment rates by sex, 20191
Unemployment rate % (Persons aged 15-74)
CountryTotal PersonsMalesFemalesGender Differential
Greece12.29.615.4-5.8
Italy5.65.16.2-1.1
Spain5.34.46.5-2.1
France3.43.53.30.2
Slovakia3.43.43.30.1
Eurozone 193.33.13.5-0.4
EU272.82.62.9-0.3
Portugal2.82.63.0-0.4
Bulgaria2.42.62.20.4
Croatia2.42.32.4-0.1
Latvia2.42.91.91.0
Belgium2.32.62.10.5
Cyprus2.11.82.3-0.5
Lithuania1.92.01.80.2
Slovenia1.91.82.1-0.3
Romania1.71.91.40.5
Ireland1.72.01.30.7
Luxembourg1.31.31.30.0
Germany1.21.41.00.4
Finland1.21.41.00.4
Hungary1.11.11.10.0
Austria1.11.21.00.2
Netherlands1.01.01.00.0
Estonia0.91.00.80.2
Malta0.91.20.50.7
Sweden0.91.00.80.2
Denmark0.80.80.9-0.1
Poland0.70.70.70.0
Czech Republic0.60.60.7-0.1
    
United Kingdom0.91.10.80.3
    
EFTA Countries:
Switzerland1.51.41.7-0.3
Norway0.81.00.70.3
    
EU Candidate Countries:
Macedonia12.412.412.40.0
Montenegro12.011.412.7-1.3
Serbia5.34.85.9-1.1
Turkey3.22.35.1-2.8
Source: Eurostat Labour Force Survey, CSO Labour Force Survey
1Sorted by "Total Persons", descending.
  • In 2019, Ireland had a long-term unemployment rate of 1.7%, below the EU27 average of 2.8%.

  • In the EU27, the Czech Republic had the lowest long-term unemployment rate at 0.6%, and Greece had the highest at 12.2%.

  • In Ireland, the male long-term unemployment rate was 2.0% compared to 1.3% for females, resulting in a gender differential of 0.7 percentage points.

  • The country with the highest gender differential in the EU27 was Greece at 5.8 percentage points (female long-term unemployment was higher than male).

  • A total of four countries in the EU27 had a gender differential of zero, namely Luxembourg, Netherlands, Hungary and Poland.
YearEU27Eurozone 19Ireland
20093.43.63
201044.36.5
20114.44.78.3
201255.39.4
20135.568.1
20145.56.16.8
201555.65.5
20164.55.14.4
20173.94.53.1
20183.442
20192.83.31.7
Table 2.18 By country: Share of persons living in jobless households, 2015-20191,2,3
% of target population
Country20152016201720182019
Czech Republic5.95.04.23.83.8
Malta6.96.26.15.35.2
Hungary8.37.16.25.55.3
Portugal9.08.26.96.05.6
Slovenia9.09.06.96.05.8
Slovakia7.56.46.65.86.2
Cyprus9.910.39.17.26.8
Germany8.18.17.97.57.0
Latvia8.78.98.47.97.0
Austria8.68.78.17.47.0
Netherlands8.78.48.27.57.1
Estonia7.87.57.07.47.2
Romania10.610.68.98.27.2
Bulgaria12.211.79.88.87.5
Poland9.48.68.07.57.5
Croatia11.210.29.39.07.9
Lithuania11.010.610.08.78.3
Denmark9.48.79.78.58.4
Luxembourg8.09.49.18.48.4
Ireland11.710.99.89.48.6
EU2710.810.39.79.18.8
Finland10.410.510.18.99.0
Eurozone 1911.110.710.29.69.3
Spain13.912.611.410.49.7
Sweden11.49.89.49.910.3
France11.511.511.010.610.8
Belgium13.112.412.311.811.2
Italy13.112.812.211.811.8
Greece18.117.116.114.813.6
      
United Kingdom9.79.18.98.58.2
      
EU Candidate Countries:
Serbia14.312.911.710.49.6
Macedonia15.713.713.312.511.5
Turkey11.411.411.110.812.9
Montenegro17.718.416.614.815.4
Source: Eurostat, Labour Force Survey
1This indicator is calculated as the share of persons aged 18-59 who are living in households where no-one works. Students aged 18-24 who live in households composed solely of students of the same age class are not included.
2Data unavailable for the EFTA countries.
3Sorted by 2019, descending.
  • In Ireland, 8.6% of persons aged 18-59 lived in jobless households in 2019. This was below the EU27 average of 8.8%, and less than the Eurozone 19 average of 9.3%.

  • Ireland had the eighth highest percentage of people living in a jobless household in the EU27.

  • In 2019, the Czech Republic had the lowest percentage of people living in jobless households at 3.8%, while Greece had the highest at 13.6%.

  • The percentage of people aged 18-59 living in jobless households in Ireland increased from 12.4% to 15.7% between 2009 and 2012, before dropping to 8.6% by 2019.
YearEU27Eurozone 19Ireland
2009109.912.4
201010.310.214.4
201110.410.315.4
201210.810.915.7
201311.311.514.4
201411.111.512.9
201510.811.111.7
201610.310.710.9
20179.710.29.8
20189.19.69.4
20198.89.38.6
This map is © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. License number 01/05/001.
Table 2.19 Ireland: Residential Property Price Index, 2010-20201
Base year Jan 2005 = 100
YearNationalDublinRest of Ireland
201090.681.195.2
201178.070.581.3
201262.356.065.1
201360.258.658.3
201465.467.658.9
201577.383.066.6
201683.287.073.8
201790.592.082.4
2018101.2102.892.4
2019106.5105.699.6
2020107.6105.1102.2
Source: CSO, Residential Property Price Index
1Data are from January of each year.
  • Nationally, residential property prices decreased 33.6% between 2010 and 2013. In 2013, national property prices reached their lowest point, and from there they increased 78.7% by 2020.

  • In Dublin, residential property prices dropped 31.0% between 2010 and 2012, subsequently increasing 87.7% by 2020.

  • Property prices in the rest of Ireland decreased between 2010 and 2013 by 38.8%, before increasing 75.3% by 2020.

 

YearNationalDublinRest of Ireland
201090.681.195.2
20117870.581.3
201262.35665.1
201360.258.658.3
201465.467.658.9
201577.38366.6
201683.28773.8
201790.59282.4
2018101.2102.892.4
2019106.5105.699.6
2020107.6105.1102.2
Table 2.20 Ireland: New Dwelling Completions, 2011-20191
YearSingle HouseScheme HouseApartmentTotal
20114,8141,3588226,994
20123,5019644464,911
20132,9471,1554734,575
20142,9751,7957485,518
20153,2523,2946737,219
20163,6575,0681,1619,886
20174,2507,8862,21714,353
20184,68210,9822,28017,944
20195,06712,5163,55021,133
Source: CSO, Dwelling Completions
1Scheme houses and apartments are part of multi-unit developments, whereas single houses stand alone. See Appendix 1.
  • New Dwelling Completions is a measure by the CSO of housing and construction in Ireland. It combines multiple data sources to provide a more accurate assessment of the number of new dwellings.

  • The number of new dwellings in Ireland decreased from 6,994 in 2011, to 4,575 in 2013. It then rose to a total of 21,133 in 2019, an increase of 361.9% on 2011.

  • Between 2011 and 2019 apartments increased by 331.9%, scheme houses rose by 821.6%, and single houses rose by 5.3%.

  • In 2019 there were 5,067 new single houses, 12,516 new scheme houses, and 3,550 new apartments built.
YearSingle houseScheme houseApartment
2011Q11156447272
2011Q21194380217
2011Q31197305185
2011Q41267226148
2012Q1797211123
2012Q284719476
2012Q386824493
2012Q4989315154
2013Q163817477
2013Q2721281144
2013Q372726739
2013Q4861433213
2014Q1625309160
2014Q2712365241
2014Q3728506170
2014Q4910615177
2015Q1659606106
2015Q2735674161
2015Q3879899255
2015Q49791115151
2016Q1699939340
2016Q28881256252
2016Q39781223286
2016Q410921650283
2017Q18701417477
2017Q210301780455
2017Q311252001641
2017Q412252688644
2018Q19692022476
2018Q211512762486
2018Q312082834593
2018Q413543364725
2019Q110892568596
2019Q213172824688
2019Q3127233151074
2019Q4138938091192

Go to next chapter: Environment

Contents

Why you can Trust the CSO

Learn about our data and confidentiality safeguards, and the steps we take to produce statistics that can be trusted by all.

go to trust & transparency

Contact:

Central Statistics Office
Skehard Road, Cork T12 X00E, Ireland

Tel:
(+353) 21 453 5000
E-Mail:
information@cso.ie

Links:

Careers

You can count on a rewarding career with the CSO.

Learn about our variety of roles and the benefits of working with the CSO.

Follow: