Irlanda: Visió econòmica i política
Ireland is a very open economy, and therefore very dependent on the international economic situation and vulnerable to external shocks. Trade accounts for around 237% of GD (the sixth-highest level globally - World Bank, latest data available). According to data by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), in 2023, exports of chemicals & related products totalled over EUR 126 billion, making up nearly two-thirds of total exports. Machinery & transport equipment accounted for 13%, and food & live animals exports reached EUR 14.4 billion, or 7%. Imports were dominated by machinery & transport equipment, which made up 38% of total imports, valued at over EUR 53 billion, including aircraft. Chemicals & related products imports were valued at EUR 40 billion (28%), while food & live animals accounted for 7% of imports.
In 2023, the U.S. was Ireland’s largest export market, receiving EUR 54 billion in exports, which accounted for 28% of the total. The UK followed as the second biggest export partner with EUR 22.4 billion (11%), followed by Germany with EUR 20.4 billion (10%). Belgium and the Netherlands (9% each) rounded out the top five export markets. In 2023, the UK was Ireland’s largest source of imports, with over EUR 26 billion in imports (19% of the total). The U.S. followed with EUR 23 billion in imports (16%), followed by France (13%), China (8%), and Germany (6%) completed the top five import partners (data CSO).
The Irish trade balance is structurally in surplus. According to the WTO, in 2023. Ireland exported goods with a total value of USD 209.5 billion (-2.1% y-o-y), while imports were stable at USD 147 billion. The country also exported USD 397.6 billion worth of services (+2.1%) against USD 389.3 billion in imports (+9.2%). The country’s trade balance was estimated to be positive by 39.9% of GDP in 2023 (World Bank). According to the Central Statistics Office, in the first 11 months of 2024, Ireland's goods exports grew by 14% to exceed EUR 207 billion compared to the same period in 2023, whereas imports fell by EUR 6.8 billion.
Foreign Trade Values | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 101,104 | 99,823 | 120,301 | 147,269 | 147,065 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 169,625 | 180,104 | 190,658 | 214,156 | 209,499 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 375,826 | 374,204 | 346,704 | 356,480 | 389,313 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 257,650 | 293,717 | 353,899 | 357,027 | 397,592 |
Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 249.7 | 250.1 | 224.4 | 232.1 | 237.2 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | 131,292 | 162,616 | 199,248 | 215,362 | 168,643 |
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | 20,224 | 92,441 | 222,321 | 226,351 | 181,476 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 40.6 | 0.0 | -8.7 | 16.0 | 1.2 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 10.5 | 13.8 | 14.1 | 13.5 | -5.8 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 122.5 | 114.6 | 91.4 | 95.4 | 102.2 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 127.3 | 135.5 | 133.1 | 136.7 | 135.1 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2024 | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) | 2028 (e) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 10.0 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 7.0 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2023 |
United States | 27.6% |
United Kingdom | 11.4% |
Germany | 10.4% |
Belgium | 9.4% |
Netherlands | 8.5% |
See More Countries | 32.7% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2023 |
United Kingdom | 18.8% |
United States | 16.5% |
France | 12.3% |
China | 7.7% |
Germany | 6.5% |
See More Countries | 38.3% |
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.
376.0 bn USD of services exported in 2023 | |
62.97% | |
18.17% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 16.08% |
Other business servicesOther business services | 3.34% |
Research and developmentResearch and development | 2.09% |
4.97% | |
4.42% | |
4.09% | |
3.03% | |
2.03% | |
0.23% | |
0.10% |
374.9 bn USD of services imported in 2023 | |
42.07% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 26.90% |
Research and developmentResearch and development | 15.17% |
40.70% | |
5.38% | |
4.04% | |
3.15% | |
2.75% | |
1.58% | |
0.31% | |
0.02% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
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Actualitzacions: March 2025