Business Working Capital Financing Statistics in Ireland (2026)
According to World Bank World Development Indicators data, 17.9% of firms in Ireland used banks to finance working capital in 2024. Down from 24.4% in 2020 to 17.9% in 2024 (−6.5 percentage points). Ireland ranks #38 of 43 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #101 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 17.9% (2024)
- Business Working Capital Financing in Ireland as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2020
- −6.5 pp (2024)
- Down from 24.4% in 2020 to 17.9% in 2024 (−6.5 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2005)
- 46.1% (2005)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 46.1% in 2005 to 17.9% in 2024.
- Peak value (2005)
- 46.1% (2005)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 17.9%.
- Rank in Europe & Central Asia
- #38 of 43 (2024)
- Ireland ranks 38 of 43 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #101 of 145 (2024)
- Ireland ranks 101 of 145 countries with data globally.
- Europe & Central Asia average
- 30.6% (2024)
- Ireland (17.9%) is below the average of 30.6% across the 43 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
- Firms with a bank loan/line of credit (% of firms) (2024)
- 42.7% (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in Ireland (2024)
- 97.2% (2024)
- 97.2% of the population in Ireland used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 5.4 million (2024)
- Ireland had a population of 5.4 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2005–2024
| Year | % of firms | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17.9% | −6.5 pp |
| 2020 | 24.4% | −21.7 pp |
| 2005 | 46.1% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of firms in Ireland used banks to finance working capital?
17.9% of firms in Ireland used banks to finance working capital in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How does Ireland compare with other countries in Europe & Central Asia?
Ireland ranks 38 of 43 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 17.9% versus a regional average of 30.6% (latest values per country).
Where does Ireland rank globally on business working capital financing?
Ireland ranks 101 of 145 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
When did business working capital financing in Ireland peak?
The highest value in the available series was 46.1% in 2005; the latest (2024) value is 17.9%.
How recent is the business working capital financing data for Ireland?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank World Development Indicators data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Ireland.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
IC.FRM.BKWC.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .