Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Ireland
Ireland: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 25.7% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Latest (2024)
25.7%
Change on year
up 12.4%
World rank
76th
of 157 countries
All-time high
37.6%
in 1984
All-time low
21.2%
in 2020
Years of data
53
1972–2024
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Ireland, 1972–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for central government revenues as a share of gdp in Ireland is 25.7%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 12.4% on the previous year and down 18.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Ireland peaked at 37.6% in 1984 and was at its lowest, 21.2%, in 2020.
That places Ireland 76th out of 157 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 53 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Ireland, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 27.4% | — |
| 1973 | 27.5% | +0.4% |
| 1974 | 28.2% | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 28.1% | -0.4% |
| 1976 | 30.7% | +9.3% |
| 1977 | 29.7% | -3.2% |
| 1978 | 29.2% | -1.7% |
| 1979 | 29.2% | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 32.1% | +10.0% |
| 1981 | 33.2% | +3.5% |
| 1982 | 35.4% | +6.6% |
| 1983 | 37.3% | +5.5% |
| 1984 | 37.6% | +0.7% |
| 1985 | 36.8% | -2.2% |
| 1986 | 36.1% | -1.8% |
| 1987 | 36.2% | +0.2% |
| 1988 | 36.1% | -0.2% |
| 1989 | 32.5% | -9.9% |
| 1990 | 32.3% | -0.8% |
| 1991 | 32.8% | +1.8% |
| 1992 | 33.3% | +1.3% |
| 1993 | 33.1% | -0.4% |
| 1994 | 33.8% | +2.0% |
| 1995 | 35.1% | +3.9% |
| 1996 | 35.2% | +0.2% |
| 1997 | 34.4% | -2.3% |
| 1998 | 33.4% | -2.8% |
| 1999 | 33.2% | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 32.9% | -0.8% |
| 2001 | 30.8% | -6.6% |
| 2002 | 29.7% | -3.4% |
| 2003 | 30.1% | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 31.1% | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 32.2% | +3.4% |
| 2006 | 33.7% | +4.8% |
| 2007 | 33.2% | -1.6% |
| 2008 | 31.9% | -3.9% |
| 2009 | 30.8% | -3.3% |
| 2010 | 30.9% | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 31.6% | +2.2% |
| 2012 | 32.1% | +1.5% |
| 2013 | 32.0% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 31.7% | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 25.1% | -20.8% |
| 2016 | 25.7% | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 24.0% | -6.6% |
| 2018 | 23.8% | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 23.3% | -2.1% |
| 2020 | 21.2% | -9.4% |
| 2021 | 21.5% | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 21.5% | -0.0% |
| 2023 | 22.8% | +6.1% |
| 2024 | 25.7% | +12.4% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 25.7% is below the median for high income countries, which is 33.0%, 78% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 25.7% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 35.0%, 73% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 28.7% | 27.4% | 30.7% | 8 |
| 1980s | 35.3% | 32.1% | 37.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 33.7% | 32.3% | 35.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 31.6% | 29.7% | 33.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 28.0% | 23.3% | 32.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.5% | 21.2% | 25.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 73 Albania 26.1% compare
- 74 Colombia 25.8% compare
- 75 Korea 25.8% compare
- 77 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 25.6% compare
- 78 Solomon Islands 25.4% compare
- 79 Iran, Islamic Republic of 25.4% compare
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 central government revenues as a share of gdp in Ireland?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Ireland was 25.7% in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 37.6% in 1984.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.2% in 2020.
- How does Ireland rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Ireland ranks 76th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.