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 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Imports of Goods (million USD) | 99,823 | 120,301 | 147,269 | 151,097 | 142,457 |
| Exports of Goods (million USD) | 180,104 | 190,658 | 214,156 | 208,320 | 240,597 |
| Imports of Services (million USD) | 404,249 | 369,124 | 381,069 | 418,693 | 467,015 |
| Exports of Services (million USD) | 332,075 | 391,077 | 390,967 | 431,091 | 519,193 |
Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data
| Foreign Trade Indicators | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 250.1 | 224.4 | 232.1 | 237.2 | 253.0 |
| Trade Balance (million USD) | 162,616 | 199,248 | 215,362 | 168,643 | n/a |
| Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | 92,441 | 222,321 | 226,351 | 181,476 | n/a |
| Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 0.0 | -8.7 | 16.0 | 1.2 | 6.5 |
| Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 13.8 | 14.1 | 13.5 | -5.8 | 11.7 |
| Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 114.6 | 91.4 | 95.4 | 102.2 | 105.4 |
| Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 135.5 | 133.1 | 136.7 | 135.1 | 147.6 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
| Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) | 2028 (e) | 2029 (e) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 0.8 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 2.7 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.8 |
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
| Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2024 |
| United States | 32.5% |
| Netherlands | 10.3% |
| United Kingdom | 9.3% |
| Germany | 9.0% |
| Belgium | 7.6% |
| See More Countries | 31.3% |
| Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2024 |
| United States | 16.8% |
| United Kingdom | 16.5% |
| France | 10.1% |
| Germany | 9.1% |
| China | 8.8% |
| See More Countries | 38.6% |
Source: Comtrade, 2025. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Source: Comtrade, 2025. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.
| 479.4 bn USD of services exported in 2024 | |
| 61.66% | |
| 21.78% | |
| Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 10.08% |
| Other business servicesOther business services | 6.75% |
| 4.57% | |
| 3.95% | |
| 3.74% | |
| 2.43% | |
| 1.64% | |
| 0.15% | |
| 0.07% | |
| 431.8 bn USD of services imported in 2024 | |
| 42.47% | |
| 38.43% | |
| Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 27.32% |
| Research and developmentResearch and development | 11.11% |
| Other business servicesOther business services | 5.55% |
| 5.55% | |
| 4.83% | |
| 3.45% | |
| 3.22% | |
| 1.50% | |
| 0.31% | |
| 0.25% | |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2025. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
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Actualitzacions: October 2025