Economic Outlook No 117 — Balance of primary income in Ireland
Ireland: Economic Outlook No 117 — Balance of primary income was -155.00 billion in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Economic Outlook No 117 — Balance of primary income in Ireland, 1990–2026
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Analysis
The most recent figure for economic outlook no 117 — balance of primary income in Ireland is -155.00 billion, measured in 2026.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.9% on the previous year and down 203.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, economic outlook no 117 — balance of primary income in Ireland peaked at -3.39 billion in 1991 and was at its lowest, -164.48 billion, in 2022.
Ireland ranks 26th of 35 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Economic Outlook No 117 — Balance of primary income in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | -3.55 billion | — |
| 1991 | -3.39 billion | -4.5% |
| 1992 | -3.93 billion | +15.8% |
| 1993 | -4.32 billion | +10.0% |
| 1994 | -4.36 billion | +0.8% |
| 1995 | -5.47 billion | +25.7% |
| 1996 | -6.16 billion | +12.5% |
| 1997 | -7.65 billion | +24.2% |
| 1998 | -8.29 billion | +8.4% |
| 1999 | -11.54 billion | +39.2% |
| 2000 | -12.91 billion | +11.9% |
| 2001 | -16.32 billion | +26.5% |
| 2002 | -21.91 billion | +34.2% |
| 2003 | -20.04 billion | -8.6% |
| 2004 | -21.34 billion | +6.5% |
| 2005 | -22.79 billion | +6.8% |
| 2006 | -22.72 billion | -0.3% |
| 2007 | -26.63 billion | +17.2% |
| 2008 | -25.14 billion | -5.6% |
| 2009 | -27.89 billion | +10.9% |
| 2010 | -27.17 billion | -2.6% |
| 2011 | -32.31 billion | +18.9% |
| 2012 | -33.94 billion | +5.0% |
| 2013 | -28.81 billion | -15.1% |
| 2014 | -31.25 billion | +8.5% |
| 2015 | -60.74 billion | +94.4% |
| 2016 | -51.08 billion | -15.9% |
| 2017 | -66.41 billion | +30.0% |
| 2018 | -80.78 billion | +21.6% |
| 2019 | -89.33 billion | +10.6% |
| 2020 | -102.76 billion | +15.0% |
| 2021 | -128.20 billion | +24.8% |
| 2022 | -164.48 billion | +28.3% |
| 2023 | -121.66 billion | -26.0% |
| 2024 | -128.95 billion | +6.0% |
| 2025 | -145.00 billion | +12.4% |
| 2026 | -155.00 billion | +6.9% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's -155.00 billion is below the median for high income countries, which is -4.00 billion, 38.8× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- Ireland's -155.00 billion is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is -1.71 billion, 90.6× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | -5.87 billion | -11.54 billion | -3.39 billion | 10 |
| 2000s | -21.77 billion | -27.89 billion | -12.91 billion | 10 |
| 2010s | -50.18 billion | -89.33 billion | -27.17 billion | 10 |
| 2020s | -135.15 billion | -164.48 billion | -102.76 billion | 7 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More economy & growth data for Ireland
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.96 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.52 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 67.14 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.1102 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 12,444 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 4.82 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 103.44 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0079 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 893.09 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 7.57 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is economic outlook no 117 — balance of primary income in Ireland?
- Economic outlook no 117 — balance of primary income in Ireland was -155.00 billion in 2026, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest economic outlook no 117 — balance of primary income recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was -3.39 billion in 1991.
- What is the lowest economic outlook no 117 — balance of primary income recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was -164.48 billion in 2022.
- How does Ireland rank for economic outlook no 117 — balance of primary income?
- Ireland ranks 26th out of 35 countries with data for 2026.
- Is economic outlook no 117 — balance of primary income rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 203.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Economic Outlook No 117 — Balance of primary income (balance of payments basis). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
The OECD Economic Outlook presents the OECD’s analysis of the major global economic trends and prospects for the next two years. The Outlook puts forward a consistent set of projections for output, employment, government spending, prices and current balances based on a review of each member country and of the induced effect on each of them on international developments. OECD (2025), OECD Economic Outlook No 117 (Edition 2025/1) EO117 Database documentation EO117 Last historical points gdp inflation cpi population unemployment real gdp gdp per capita employment OECD Economic Outlook website: https://www.oecd.org/economic-outlook/ Contact : eco.outlook@oecd.org Keywords : Outlook, forecasts, forecast, GDP