Government net lending/borrowing in Ireland

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 1.4% 2027: 1.4% 2028: 1.2% 2029: 1.0% 2030: 1.1% 2031: 1.1%

3.5 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	3.5
Jan 1998	2.1
Jan 1997	1.4
Jan 1996	-0.2
Jan 1995	-2.1

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Measures the balance of Ireland's general government accounts: a deficit occurs when spending exceeds revenue, a surplus when the reverse holds. Published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) as a percentage of GDP.

How it's calculated

Calculated as general government net lending or borrowing under ESA 2010 and validated by Eurostat, then expressed relative to GDP. In Ireland the GDP-based ratio is skewed by multinational activity, so analysts also track it against modified gross national income (GNI*).

Market implications

It shapes Ireland's debt issuance and its adherence to euro-area fiscal rules. The public finances lean heavily on corporation tax from multinationals, so the balance can swing sharply and colours how markets read the figure.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency series prone to revision. The GDP ratio understates the underlying position because of multinational distortion, so it is best cross-checked against the GNI*-based balance and split into primary and cyclical components.