Ireland GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Ireland has a highly open economy supported by multinational companies, pharmaceuticals, technology, financial services, and exports. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, European position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+2.5%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#116
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-9.8 pp
2025: +12.3%
Europe Rank
#11
Out of 43 countries
1. Ireland GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Irish economic growth is influenced by multinational activity, exports, investment, domestic consumption, and services. Because of its large foreign corporate sector, headline economic performance can sometimes be more volatile than underlying domestic activity.
2. Ireland GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Ireland’s growth history has been shaped by foreign direct investment, European integration, exports, and the expansion of technology and pharmaceutical industries. Multinational operations have had a significant influence on national output.
3. Ireland GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +2.5% | -9.8 pp |
| 2025 | +12.3% | +9.7 pp |
| 2024 | +2.6% | +5.1 pp |
| 2023 | -2.5% | -10.0 pp |
| 2022 | +7.5% | -8.8 pp |
| 2021 | +16.3% | +9.1 pp |
| 2020 | +7.2% | +2.2 pp |
| 2019 | +5.0% | -2.7 pp |
| 2018 | +7.7% | -2.4 pp |
| 2017 | +10.1% | +8.9 pp |
| 2016 | +1.2% | -23.4 pp |
| 2015 | +24.6% | +15.2 pp |
| 2014 | +9.4% | +7.2 pp |
| 2013 | +2.2% | +2.6 pp |
| 2012 | -0.4% | -2.0 pp |
| 2011 | +1.6% | -0.1 pp |
| 2010 | +1.7% | +6.8 pp |
| 2009 | -5.1% | -0.6 pp |
| 2008 | -4.5% | -9.8 pp |
| 2007 | +5.3% | +0.3 pp |
| 2006 | +5.0% | -0.7 pp |
| 2005 | +5.7% | -1.1 pp |
| 2004 | +6.8% | +3.8 pp |
| 2003 | +3.0% | -2.9 pp |
| 2002 | +5.9% | +0.6 pp |
| 2001 | +5.3% | -4.1 pp |
| 2000 | +9.4% | -1.1 pp |
| 1999 | +10.5% | +1.7 pp |
| 1998 | +8.8% | -1.9 pp |
| 1997 | +10.7% | +1.6 pp |
| 1996 | +9.1% | -0.5 pp |
| 1995 | +9.6% | +3.7 pp |
| 1994 | +5.9% | +3.6 pp |
| 1993 | +2.3% | -1.3 pp |
| 1992 | +3.6% | +2.0 pp |
| 1991 | +1.6% | -6.1 pp |
| 1990 | +7.7% | +2.1 pp |
| 1989 | +5.6% | +2.6 pp |
| 1988 | +3.0% | -0.6 pp |
| 1987 | +3.6% | +3.2 pp |
| 1986 | +0.4% | -1.5 pp |
| 1985 | +1.9% | -1.3 pp |
| 1984 | +3.2% | +3.9 pp |
| 1983 | -0.7% | -2.2 pp |
| 1982 | +1.5% | -1.0 pp |
| 1981 | +2.5% | -0.4 pp |
| 1980 | +2.9% | — |
4. Ireland GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+2.5%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+4.5%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+6.9%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+5.2%
(2007 to 2026)
Ireland continues to benefit from strong foreign investment, high-value exports, and a competitive corporate environment. Domestic demand and employment also support activity, although external corporate decisions can create large swings in reported growth.
5. Ireland GDP Growth Rate vs Europe and World
Ireland
+2.5%
Europe Average
+1.9%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.4%
2.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Ireland’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.7 pp
above the
Europe average
and
0.3 pp
below the world average.
6. Ireland GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Europe
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #7 | Serbia | +2.8% |
| #8 | Montenegro | +2.8% |
| #9 | Bulgaria | +2.8% |
| #10 | Croatia | +2.6% |
| #11 | Ireland | +2.5% |
| #12 | Czech Republic | +2.2% |
| #13 | Latvia | +2.2% |
| #14 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | +2.2% |
| #15 | Andorra | +2.1% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Ireland
Ireland GDP (Nominal)
$779.4 Billion
(2026)
Ireland GDP Growth Rate
+2.5%
(2026)
Ireland can record faster and more volatile growth than many European economies due to the scale of multinational activity. Its underlying domestic economy may therefore show a different pattern from headline national accounts.
Explore more:
Ireland GDP
9. Ireland GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on multinational investment, exports, domestic demand, housing, and global corporate activity. International tax changes, external demand, and concentration in major industries remain important risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +2.4% | -0.1 pp |
| 2028 | +2.6% | +0.2 pp |
| 2029 | +2.4% | -0.2 pp |
| 2030 | +2.3% | -0.1 pp |
10. Ireland GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Ireland GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.5% in 2026.
It ranks #116 globally and #11 in Europe by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 9.8 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +4.5%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +6.9%.
The current rate is 0.7 percentage points above the Europe average.
The current rate is 0.3 percentage points below the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +2.3% in 2030, 0.2 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Ireland GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Ireland GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.5% in 2026.
Ireland ranks #116 globally and #11 in Europe by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +2.5% in 2026.
Ireland GDP growth rate was +24.6% in 2015.
Ireland GDP growth rate is 0.7 percentage points above the Europe average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.