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 accounted for 234% of GDP in 2022 (World Bank). In the same year, the pharmaceutical sector constituted 55% of the overall export value, totalling more than EUR 112 billion. Enterprises within the manufacturing & construction sector contributed exports valued at EUR 44.8 billion (22%), while the agri-food sector accounted for EUR 18.5 billion in exports, representing 9% of the total export value. In 2022, the retail & wholesale sector emerged as the primary importer, responsible for importing goods worth EUR 43.2 billion, constituting 31% of the total. Meanwhile, the services sector, encompassing aircraft leasing companies, imported goods valued at EUR 26.5 billion, representing 19% of the total imports. Imports of chemicals & related products accounted for EUR 38 billion (27%), while food & live animal imports accounted for 7% of the total (data CSO).
In 2022, the United States emerged as Ireland’s foremost export market, with exports exceeding EUR 63 billion, constituting 30% of the total. Germany stood as the second-largest export partner, with EUR 25 billion worth of exports (12%), trailed by the United Kingdom with EUR 22 billion (11%). Belgium (8%) and the Netherlands (7%) rounded off the list of the top five export markets for Ireland. The UK was the biggest source of imports in 2022 (21%), followed by the U.S. (16%), China (10%), France (9%), and Germany (7% - data CSO).
The Irish trade balance is structurally in surplus. According to the WTO, in 2022 Ireland exported goods with a record total value of USD 213.6 billion, while imports reached USD 146 billion (+12% and +21.3% y-o-y, respectively). The country also exported USD 355.1 billion worth of services (+2.2%) against USD 372.8 billion in imports (+7.5%). The country’s trade balance was estimated to be positive by 39.9% of GDP in 2022 (World Bank). According to the Central Statistics Office, comparing the first 11 months of 2023 with the same period in 2022, exports of goods were down 5% (to EUR 183.2 billion), while the value of imports fell by 2% (EUR 125.4 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 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 217.1 | 252.2 | 247.8 | 229.4 | 236.6 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | 129,048 | 133,368 | 162,713 | 199,347 | 212,501 |
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | 110,479 | 49,334 | 82,228 | 206,530 | 213,051 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 2.5 | 42.3 | -2.1 | -8.3 | 19.0 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 9.8 | 11.8 | 11.2 | 14.1 | 15.0 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 94.3 | 124.4 | 114.4 | 95.0 | 99.6 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 122.8 | 127.9 | 133.3 | 134.4 | 137.0 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2023 | 2024 (e) | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | -4.8 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 0.4 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 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.
335.1 bn USD of services exported in 2022 | |
61.65% | |
18.87% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 16.76% |
Other business servicesOther business services | 4.19% |
Research and developmentResearch and development | 2.11% |
5.78% | |
4.52% | |
4.47% | |
2.43% | |
1.85% | |
0.26% | |
0.12% | |
0.06% |
360.2 bn USD of services imported in 2022 | |
44.99% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 25.50% |
Research and developmentResearch and development | 19.49% |
38.12% | |
5.10% | |
3.92% | |
3.37% | |
2.14% | |
1.69% | |
0.34% | |
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: July 2024