Ireland—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #19 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
0.4%
2031
YoY Change
+0.0%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#19
of 192 countries
Maximum
4.9%
2000
Minimum
-32.1%
2010
CAGR
-7.8%
32 years
Last
0.4%
Previous
0.4%
Highest
4.9%
Lowest
-32.1%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Ireland's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was 0.6% in 2026, ranking #19 out of 192 countries. This represents a +0.0% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 4.9% (2000) and the lowest was -32.1% (2010). The IMF WEO projects 0.4% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | 0.4% | +0.0% |
| 2030 | 0.4% | -20.0% |
| 2029 | 0.5% | -28.6% |
| 2028 | 0.7% | +0.0% |
| 2027 | 0.7% | +16.7% |
| 2026 | 0.6% | -60.0% |
| 2025 | 1.5% | -62.5% |
| 2024 | 4.0% | +185.7% |
| 2023 | 1.4% | -12.5% |
| 2022 | 1.6% | +223.1% |
| 2021 | -1.3% | +73.5% |
| 2020 | -4.9% | -1325.0% |
| 2019 | 0.4% | +300.0% |
| 2018 | 0.1% | +133.3% |
| 2017 | -0.3% | +62.5% |
| 2016 | -0.8% | +60.0% |
| 2015 | -2.0% | +42.9% |
| 2014 | -3.5% | +44.4% |
| 2013 | -6.3% | +25.0% |
| 2012 | -8.4% | +37.8% |
| 2011 | -13.5% | +57.9% |
| 2010 | -32.1% | -130.9% |
| 2009 | -13.9% | -98.6% |
| 2008 | -7.0% | -2433.3% |
| 2007 | 0.3% | -89.3% |
| 2006 | 2.8% | +75.0% |
| 2005 | 1.6% | +23.1% |
| 2004 | 1.3% | +333.3% |
| 2003 | 0.3% | +160.0% |
| 2002 | -0.5% | -150.0% |
| 2001 | 1.0% | -79.6% |
| 2000 | 4.9% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | 0.6% | -60.0% |
| 2027Forecast | 0.7% | +16.7% |
| 2028Forecast | 0.7% | +0.0% |
| 2029Forecast | 0.5% | -28.6% |
| 2030Forecast | 0.4% | -20.0% |
| 2031Forecast | 0.4% | +0.0% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Naoero | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Lesotho | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Macao SAR, China | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 8 | Singapore | 3.3% | 2026 |
| 9 | Lebanon | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 10 | Liechtenstein | 3.0% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
General government net lending/borrowing as a percentage of GDP. A positive value indicates a fiscal surplus; negative indicates a deficit.
Methodology
Revenue minus expenditure minus net acquisition of nonfinancial assets, as a percentage of GDP. A comprehensive measure of the fiscal balance.
Unit
Percent of GDP