Ireland Balance of Trade
Exports minus imports of goods and services.
Balance of Trade in Ireland increased to 289.94 USD billion in 2025 from 254.62 USD billion in 2024.
Ireland Balance of Trade — History
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Ireland Balance of Trade — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Balance of Trade in Ireland increased to 289.94 USD billion in 2025 from 254.62 USD billion in 2024.
Over the last three years it rose twice and fell once.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was $254.6B, so the latest figure is $35.3B higher.
Over the past five years the average was $236.4B, with a range from $189.5B to $289.9B. The latest value is above that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1970 and has 56 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 98% of all of them.
The highest value on record is $289.9B (2025) and the lowest is -$3.0B (1979). The long-run average is $38.2B.
Compared with other countries
Among 184 economies with recent data, Ireland ranks 2nd from the top. The median across all these economies is -$0.3B, so Ireland is above the typical country.
Within Europe & Central Asia (52 economies with data) it ranks 1st; the regional median is -$0.1B.
Statistics
- Latest
- $289.9B2025
- Previous
- $254.6B
- 5-year average
- $236.4B
- Long-run average
- $38.2Bsince 1970
- All-time high
- $289.9B2025
- All-time low
- -$3.0B1979
- Observations
- 56Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $289.9B | ▲ +35.3 |
| 2024 | $254.6B | ▲ +65.1 |
| 2023 | $189.5B | ▼ −36.7 |
| 2022 | $226.2B | ▲ +4.7 |
| 2021 | $221.5B | ▲ +130.6 |
| 2020 | $90.9B | ▲ +71.3 |
| 2019 | $19.5B | ▼ −97.2 |
| 2018 | $116.7B | ▲ +34.2 |
| 2017 | $82.5B | ▲ +25.6 |
| 2016 | $57.0B | ▼ −32.7 |
| 2015 | $89.6B | ▲ +39.0 |
| 2014 | $50.7B | ▲ +2.7 |
| 2013 | $48.0B | ▲ +8.7 |
| 2012 | $39.2B | ▼ −5.4 |
| 2011 | $44.6B | ▲ +7.9 |
| 2010 | $36.7B | ▲ +4.8 |
| 2009 | $32.0B | ▲ +8.2 |
| 2008 | $23.8B | ▲ +1.4 |
| 2007 | $22.4B | ▲ +3.7 |
| 2006 | $18.7B | ▼ −4.4 |
| 2005 | $23.1B | ▼ −4.9 |
| 2004 | $27.9B | ▲ +3.0 |
| 2003 | $24.9B | ▲ +2.9 |
| 2002 | $22.1B | ▲ +5.0 |
| 2001 | $17.1B | ▲ +3.2 |
| 2000 | $13.9B | ▲ +0.9 |
| 1999 | $12.9B | ▲ +3.1 |
| 1998 | $9.8B | ▼ −0.1 |
| 1997 | $9.9B | ▲ +1.6 |
| 1996 | $8.3B |
Balance of Trade — Ireland vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). Ireland highlighted.
More Ireland indicators
Understanding Balance of Trade — a simple guide
What it measures
Exports of goods and services minus imports, in current US dollars.
How it is calculated
Balance of trade = exports of goods and services − imports of goods and services, measured in US dollars.
If a country exports $500 billion and imports $570 billion, its balance of trade is −$70 billion (a trade deficit).
A surplus means the country sells more to the world than it buys, bringing in foreign currency.
A deficit means it buys more than it sells. Deficits are common in fast-growing economies that import energy and machinery.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
A persistent surplus or deficit affects currency demand, foreign-exchange reserves and the current account.
How to read it
A deficit is not inherently negative — fast-growing economies often import capital goods. Read it together with the current account and capital flows.
What to look at alongside it
The current account, exchange rate, oil prices and foreign investment flows.
Key terms
- Trade surplus
- Exports greater than imports.
- Trade deficit
- Imports greater than exports.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series NE.RSB.GNFS.CD), annual data from 1970 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current balance of trade of Ireland?
What is the highest and lowest balance of trade of Ireland?
What does balance of trade measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.