Formal Borrowing Statistics in Ireland (2026)
As of the 2021 data, 54.1% of adults in Ireland borrowed from a formal financial institution, per World Bank Global Findex. Up from 50.6% in 2017 to 54.1% in 2021 (+3.5 percentage points). Ireland ranks #8 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #16 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2021)
- 54.1% (2021)
- Formal Borrowing in Ireland as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2017
- +3.5 pp (2021)
- Up from 50.6% in 2017 to 54.1% in 2021 (+3.5 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 50.4% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 50.4% in 2014 to 54.1% in 2021.
- Record high (2021)
- 54.1% (2021)
- The 2021 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Ireland.
- Rank in Europe & Central Asia
- #8 of 46 (2021)
- Ireland ranks 8 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #16 of 142 (2021)
- Ireland ranks 16 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Europe & Central Asia average
- 33.3% (2021)
- Ireland (54.1%) is above the average of 33.3% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
- Among women (2021)
- 56.7% (2021)
- Value for women in Ireland, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2021)
- 51.4% (2021)
- Value for men in Ireland, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- +5.3 pp (2021)
- In 2021, the figure was 56.7% for women and 51.4% for men — 5.3 percentage points higher among women.
- Among the poorest 40% (2021)
- 56.5% (2021)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Ireland in 2021.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- +2.4 pp (2021)
- The poorest 40% (56.5%) are 2.4 percentage points above the national figure (54.1%).
- 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, 2014–2021
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54.1% | +3.5 pp |
| 2017 | 50.6% | +0.2 pp |
| 2014 | 50.4% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Ireland borrowed from a formal financial institution?
54.1% of adults in Ireland borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
Where does Ireland rank globally on formal borrowing?
Ireland ranks 16 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in formal borrowing in Ireland?
Yes — in 2021 the figure was 56.7% for women and 51.4% for men, a gap of 5.3 percentage points in favor of women.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a, 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 .