Current Account Balance: Ireland
Ireland's current account balance is currently 11.5 % of GDP as of 2026. # Ireland Current Account Balance Ireland's current account balance stands at 11.
Current (2026)
11.5 % of GDP
+3.6% y/y
Peak (2024)
16.2 % of GDP
Low (2019)
-20.7 % of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Current Account Balance — Ireland
1980 — 2026
Current Account Balance — Ireland
Analysis# Ireland Current Account Balance
Ireland's current account balance stands at 11.5% of GDP in 2026, reflecting a moderately strong external position. The metric peaked at 16.2% in 2024, demonstrating exceptional economic resilience, while the all-time low of -20.7% in 2019 marked a severe contraction. Since 1980, Ireland has achieved a total increase of 208.5%, underscoring a fundamental shift from historical deficits to substantial surpluses over the long term.
The most dramatic reversal occurred between 2019 and 2021, when the balance swung from -20.7% to +12.2%—a 32.9 percentage point turnaround. This recovery reflects Ireland's export-driven economy rebounding from pandemic disruptions and reasserting competitive advantages in pharmaceuticals, technology, and financial services. The 2024 peak of 16.2% signals strong external demand, with projections suggesting stabilization around 11-12% through 2026, indicating sustainable surplus maintenance rather than continued volatility.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 9.6 % of GDP | -6.80% |
| 2029 | 10.3 % of GDP | -4.63% |
| 2028 | 10.8 % of GDP | -2.70% |
| 2027 | 11.1 % of GDP | -3.48% |
| 2026 | 11.5 % of GDP | +3.60% |
| 2025 | 11.1 % of GDP | -31.48% |
| 2024 | 16.2 % of GDP | +131.43% |
| 2023 | 7 % of GDP | -20.45% |
| 2022 | 8.8 % of GDP | -27.87% |
| 2021 | 12.2 % of GDP | +271.83% |
| 2020 | -7.1 % of GDP | +65.70% |
| 2019 | -20.7 % of GDP | -581.40% |
| 2018 | 4.3 % of GDP | +290.91% |
| 2017 | 1.1 % of GDP | +191.67% |
| 2016 | -1.2 % of GDP | -119.67% |
| 2015 | 6.1 % of GDP | +190.48% |
| 2014 | 2.1 % of GDP | -12.50% |
| 2013 | 2.4 % of GDP | +170.59% |
| 2012 | -3.4 % of GDP | -100.00% |
| 2011 | -1.7 % of GDP | -30.77% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | -1.3 % of GDP | +72.34% |
| 2009 | -4.7 % of GDP | +25.40% |
| 2008 | -6.3 % of GDP | +3.08% |
| 2007 | -6.5 % of GDP | -20.37% |
| 2006 | -5.4 % of GDP | -54.29% |
| 2005 | -3.5 % of GDP | -3400.00% |
| 2004 | -0.1 % of GDP | -120.00% |
| 2003 | 0.5 % of GDP | +150.00% |
| 2002 | 0.2 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2001 | 0.2 % of GDP | -66.67% |
| 2000 | 0.6 % of GDP | +700.00% |
| 1999 | -0.1 % of GDP | -125.00% |
| 1998 | 0.4 % of GDP | -82.61% |
| 1997 | 2.3 % of GDP | -14.81% |
| 1996 | 2.7 % of GDP | +8.00% |
| 1995 | 2.5 % of GDP | -7.41% |
| 1994 | 2.7 % of GDP | -25.00% |
| 1993 | 3.6 % of GDP | +260.00% |
| 1992 | 1 % of GDP | +42.86% |
| 1991 | 0.7 % of GDP | +187.50% |
| 1990 | -0.8 % of GDP | +38.46% |
| 1989 | -1.3 % of GDP | -533.33% |
| 1988 | 0.3 % of GDP | +200.00% |
| 1987 | -0.3 % of GDP | +89.66% |
| 1986 | -2.9 % of GDP | +12.12% |
| 1985 | -3.3 % of GDP | +36.54% |
| 1984 | -5.2 % of GDP | +7.14% |
| 1983 | -5.6 % of GDP | +36.36% |
| 1982 | -8.8 % of GDP | +30.16% |
| 1981 | -12.6 % of GDP | -18.87% |
| 1980 | -10.6 % of GDP | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Ireland
Compare Current Account Balance
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Demographics
People & population data