External balance on goods and services (current US$) (US current) in Ireland
Ireland: External balance on goods and services (current US$) (US current) was 289.94 billion current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services in Ireland, 1970–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external balance on goods and services in Ireland is 289.94 billion current US$, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 56 years on record.
The figure is up 13.9% on the previous year and up 223.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services in Ireland peaked at 289.94 billion current US$ in 2025 and was at its lowest, -2.98 billion current US$, in 1979.
Ireland ranks 2nd of 193 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External balance on goods and services (current US$) (US current) in Ireland, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -362.34 million current US$ | — |
| 1971 | -385.20 million current US$ | +6.3% |
| 1972 | -363.75 million current US$ | -5.6% |
| 1973 | -538.41 million current US$ | +48.0% |
| 1974 | -1.14 billion current US$ | +112.1% |
| 1975 | -626.19 million current US$ | -45.2% |
| 1976 | -795.85 million current US$ | +27.1% |
| 1977 | -1.08 billion current US$ | +35.2% |
| 1978 | -1.51 billion current US$ | +40.4% |
| 1979 | -2.98 billion current US$ | +97.4% |
| 1980 | -2.95 billion current US$ | -1.0% |
| 1981 | -2.94 billion current US$ | -0.4% |
| 1982 | -1.70 billion current US$ | -42.3% |
| 1983 | -794.92 million current US$ | -53.1% |
| 1984 | -338.80 million current US$ | -57.4% |
| 1985 | 66.86 million current US$ | -119.7% |
| 1986 | 308.04 million current US$ | +360.7% |
| 1987 | 1.40 billion current US$ | +355.4% |
| 1988 | 2.25 billion current US$ | +60.7% |
| 1989 | 2.12 billion current US$ | -6.1% |
| 1990 | 2.16 billion current US$ | +2.2% |
| 1991 | 2.35 billion current US$ | +8.8% |
| 1992 | 4.06 billion current US$ | +72.8% |
| 1993 | 5.31 billion current US$ | +30.7% |
| 1994 | 5.38 billion current US$ | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 7.56 billion current US$ | +40.4% |
| 1996 | 8.30 billion current US$ | +9.7% |
| 1997 | 9.93 billion current US$ | +19.7% |
| 1998 | 9.81 billion current US$ | -1.2% |
| 1999 | 12.90 billion current US$ | +31.5% |
| 2000 | 13.85 billion current US$ | +7.3% |
| 2001 | 17.07 billion current US$ | +23.2% |
| 2002 | 22.09 billion current US$ | +29.4% |
| 2003 | 24.95 billion current US$ | +12.9% |
| 2004 | 27.92 billion current US$ | +11.9% |
| 2005 | 23.05 billion current US$ | -17.4% |
| 2006 | 18.68 billion current US$ | -18.9% |
| 2007 | 22.35 billion current US$ | +19.6% |
| 2008 | 23.76 billion current US$ | +6.3% |
| 2009 | 31.97 billion current US$ | +34.5% |
| 2010 | 36.75 billion current US$ | +15.0% |
| 2011 | 44.62 billion current US$ | +21.4% |
| 2012 | 39.23 billion current US$ | -12.1% |
| 2013 | 47.98 billion current US$ | +22.3% |
| 2014 | 50.67 billion current US$ | +5.6% |
| 2015 | 89.64 billion current US$ | +76.9% |
| 2016 | 56.96 billion current US$ | -36.5% |
| 2017 | 82.52 billion current US$ | +44.9% |
| 2018 | 116.69 billion current US$ | +41.4% |
| 2019 | 19.53 billion current US$ | -83.3% |
| 2020 | 90.88 billion current US$ | +365.3% |
| 2021 | 221.51 billion current US$ | +143.7% |
| 2022 | 226.23 billion current US$ | +2.1% |
| 2023 | 189.52 billion current US$ | -16.2% |
| 2024 | 254.62 billion current US$ | +34.4% |
| 2025 | 289.94 billion current US$ | +13.9% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 289.94 billion current US$ is above the median for high income countries, which is 3.43 billion current US$, 84.6× the median. (72 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 289.94 billion current US$ is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is -50.32 million current US$. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where External balance on goods and services (current US$) (US current) in Ireland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +365.3% | 19.53 billion current US$ | 90.88 billion current US$ |
| 1986 | +360.7% | 66.86 million current US$ | 308.04 million current US$ |
| 1987 | +355.4% | 308.04 million current US$ | 1.40 billion current US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | -978.20 million current US$ | -2.98 billion current US$ | -362.34 million current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | -257.60 million current US$ | -2.95 billion current US$ | 2.25 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.78 billion current US$ | 2.16 billion current US$ | 12.90 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 22.57 billion current US$ | 13.85 billion current US$ | 31.97 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 58.46 billion current US$ | 19.53 billion current US$ | 116.69 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 212.12 billion current US$ | 90.88 billion current US$ | 289.94 billion current US$ | 6 |
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)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, annual growth rate 7.18 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0082 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per capita 1,078 units per person (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, annual growth rate 2.06 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.006 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per capita 787.03 units per person (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, annual growth rate 2.45 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0048 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services in Ireland?
- External balance on goods and services in Ireland was 289.94 billion current US$ in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 289.94 billion current US$ in 2025.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.98 billion current US$ in 1979.
- How does Ireland rank for external balance on goods and services?
- Ireland ranks 2nd out of 193 countries with data for 2025.
- Is external balance on goods and services rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 223.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as part of External balance on goods and services (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The balance of international trade in goods and services is the difference between the exports and imports of goods and services. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.