[ Irish economy forecast to grow at eight times euro area averageOpens in new window ]Most of it related to exports by pharma giant Eli Lilly. The commission expects Irish GDP to expand by 10.7 per cent this year, eight times the growth it is forecasting for the euro zone as a whole. In other words, GDP overstates the size of the Irish economy by about 40 per cent. That 40 per cent disparity is why the real feel in the Irish economy differs so strikingly from the headline growth metrics that surround it. Throw in an aggravated housing crisis and a dysfunctional health service and Ireland’s turbo-charged economic performance can seem illusory.

Source: The Irish Times November 17, 2025 19:54 UTC