Northern Ireland is situated in the northeast of the island of Ireland and is the UK’s smallest country. There are many economic sectors, spread across the country. The most important industries are agriculture, aerospace (the eighth-largest hub in the world) and medical technology.
A third of Northern Ireland’s population live in Belfast, which is an indication of the capital’s economic importance. Northern Ireland also has a growing creative sector, especially in film, music and animation.
Northern Ireland

Economy
Total output (GDP), 2019 |
£46 billion |
GDP per head |
£25,981 |
Businesses
Number of businesses, 2020 |
77,640 |
Annual % change in businesses, 2020 |
2.0% |
Import (2020)
- Value goods from the world: 6.735 million
- Value goods from the Netherlands: £6.735 million (1,6% of total UK import)
- Main partners: Ireland, China, Netherlands, United States
- Main products: machinery & transport equipment, animal stock and food
Export (2020)
- Value goods from the world: £7.838 million
- Value goods from the Netherlands: £7.838 million (2,7% of overall UK exports)
- Main partners: Ireland, United States, Canada
- Main products: machinery & transport equipment, chemicals, animal stock and food
