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Economy of Albania vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Albania has a GDP of $27B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 112/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Albania has $15.2B in government debt (56% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Albania vs Iraq GDP by year

Albania
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Albania Iraq
2024 $27,046,429,297 $279,641,257,615
2023 $23,491,242,727 $268,881,051,644
2022 $19,017,247,014 $287,372,232,138
2021 $18,031,989,573 $209,691,945,713
2020 $15,241,458,745 $180,898,797,517
2019 $15,585,111,614 $233,636,097,800
2018 $15,379,508,330 $227,367,469,034
2017 $13,258,268,436 $187,217,660,051
2016 $11,988,668,785 $166,743,557,748
2015 $11,470,171,827 $166,774,104,959
2014 $13,296,322,588 $228,415,656,175
2013 $12,796,985,886 $234,637,675,129
2012 $12,246,499,748 $218,002,476,129
2011 $12,973,755,875 $185,749,664,444
2010 $12,086,545,641 $138,516,722,650
2009 $12,335,540,656 $111,657,580,326
2008 $13,258,506,375 $131,614,434,154
2007 $11,116,937,870 $88,837,057,320
2006 $9,150,528,132 $65,147,051,918
2005 $8,256,658,250 $50,065,104,668
2004 $7,406,645,793 $36,633,669,269
2003 $5,801,712,040 $21,921,569,479
2002 $4,515,003,117 $32,928,454,672
2001 $4,059,064,033 $36,176,430,129
2000 $3,584,570,165 $48,364,250,944
1999 $3,283,941,510 $36,881,601,584
1998 $2,600,356,999 $20,617,405,044
1997 $2,293,666,030 $20,764,857,056
1996 $3,234,486,232 $10,433,698,621
1995 $2,905,092,799 $12,894,029,888
1994 $1,880,950,864 $3,991,349,283
1993 $1,185,315,468 $1,031,944,881
1992 $652,174,991 $553,671,958
1991 $1,099,559,028 $407,796,350
1990 $2,028,553,750 $180,408,064,516
1989 $2,253,090,000 $65,831,935,484
1988 $2,051,236,250 $62,684,516,129
1987 $2,080,796,250 $56,774,193,548
1986 $2,097,326,250 $47,264,516,129
1985 $1,897,050,117 $48,425,161,290
1984 $1,857,337,995 $46,938,387,097
1983 $1,881,412,587 $40,712,903,226
1982 $1,861,163,170 $42,382,333,333
1981 $1,808,177,156 $37,823,000,000
1980 $1,578,102,105 $52,569,000,000
1979 - $37,816,457,839
1978 - $23,762,275,652
1977 - $19,838,130,715
1976 - $17,754,825,601
1975 - $13,458,516,763
1974 - $11,516,762,614
1973 - $5,134,367,778
1972 - $4,113,848,002
1971 - $3,865,346,535
1970 - $3,281,318,687
1969 - $3,007,758,797
1968 - $2,896,598,841
1967 - $2,551,522,656
1966 - $2,530,306,096
1965 - $2,335,785,506
1964 - $2,136,408,198
1963 - $1,805,901,510
1962 - $1,784,174,541
1961 - $1,671,960,965
1960 - $1,537,252,193

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/iraq | CC BY

GDP per capita in Albania vs Iraq by year

Albania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Albania Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,378 $26,702 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $9,731 $24,822 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $7,757 $22,138 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $7,242 $18,213 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $6,028 $16,288 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $6,069 $16,442 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $5,898 $15,055 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $5,006 $14,111 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $4,458 $13,056 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $4,200 $12,387 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $4,794 $11,788 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $4,543 $10,882 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $4,281 $10,609 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $4,466 $10,273 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $4,149 $9,755 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $4,214 $9,031 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $4,499 $8,469 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $3,743 $7,585 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $3,058 $6,753 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $2,742 $6,014 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $2,447 $5,595 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $1,909 $5,169 $818 $6,068
2002 $1,480 $4,840 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $1,326 $4,451 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $1,160 $3,978 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $1,056 $3,549 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $831 $3,086 $901 $7,964
1997 $729 $2,760 $936 $6,020
1996 $1,021 $3,054 $485 $5,034
1995 $911 $2,777 $619 $4,598
1994 $586 $2,385 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $367 $2,143 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $200.9 $1,899 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $337 $1,989 $23 $2,694
1990 $617 $2,656 $10,261 -
1989 $698 - $3,791 -
1988 $653 - $3,707 -
1987 $675 - $3,436 -
1986 $694 - $2,940 -
1985 $640 - $3,088 -
1984 $639 - $3,066 -
1983 $662 - $2,743 -
1982 $668 - $2,942 -
1981 $663 - $2,700 -
1980 $591 - $3,868 -
1979 - - $2,871 -
1978 - - $1,863 -
1977 - - $1,609 -
1976 - - $1,489 -
1975 - - $1,166 -
1974 - - $1,031 -
1973 - - $476 -
1972 - - $394 -
1971 - - $384 -
1970 - - $337 -
1969 - - $320 -
1968 - - $319 -
1967 - - $290.6 -
1966 - - $298.2 -
1965 - - $284.8 -
1964 - - $269.4 -
1963 - - $235.5 -
1962 - - $240.7 -
1961 - - $232.4 -
1960 - - $218.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/iraq | CC BY

Albania's GDP per capita is $11,378, ranking 82/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Albania ranks 79th at $26,702, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Albania Iraq
Gross domestic product
$27B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
112/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,378
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
82/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,702
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
79/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,375
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
72/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,075
2026
$5,928
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2020
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2020
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2023-2024
-12.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2023
16.2%
2021
Population
2342753
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Albania
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Albania Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.9% 56% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 28.5% 58% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 30.3% 65.2% 33.9% 39%
2021 31.9% 74.8% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 32.4% 75.4% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 28.8% 66.6% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 28.7% 68.5% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 29.2% 71.9% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 29.1% 73.3% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 30.8% 73.7% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 31.7% 72% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 29.2% 70.4% 48.2% 32%
2012 28.2% 62.1% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 28.9% 59.4% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 29.4% 57.7% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 32.7% 59.7% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 31.7% 55.1% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 29.3% 53.6% 44% 117.1%
2006 29.2% 56.7% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 28.9% 58.2% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 30.2% 57.5% 91.5% 344%
2003 29.7% 60.2% - -
2002 31.5% 64.1% - -
2001 32.7% 60.6% - -
2000 33.8% 63.8% - -
1999 37.1% 68.2% - -
1998 36.8% 71.2% - -
1997 30.3% 72.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/iraq | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government spending was $7.83B, accounting for 28.9% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56% in Albania and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 94/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Albania

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Albania Iraq
2024 -0.72% -4.14%
2023 -1.32% -1.14%
2022 -3.64% 8.1%
2021 -4.57% -0.38%
2020 -6.67% -12.8%
2019 -1.92% 0.83%
2018 -1.6% 7.69%
2017 -1.41% -1.52%
2016 -1.5% -14.4%
2015 -4.32% -12.8%
2014 -5.46% -5.63%
2013 -5.22% -6.06%
2012 -3.44% 4.09%
2011 -3.52% 4.74%
2010 -3.52% -4.18%
2009 -6.59% -14.9%
2008 -4.88% -0.86%
2007 -3.18% 9.98%
2006 -3.26% 10.7%
2005 -3.46% 4.07%
2004 -5.16% -35.4%
2003 -5.01% -
2002 -6.21% -
2001 -6.84% -
2000 -7.77% -
1999 -8.84% -
1998 -9.93% -
1997 -11.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/iraq | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $196M, equivalent to 0.72% of GDP. This compares to Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Albania recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Albania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Albania

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Albania Iraq
2024 2.2% -12.3%
2023 4.8% 4.36%
2022 6.7% 4.99%
2021 2% 6.04%
2020 1.6% 0.57%
2019 1.4% -0.2%
2018 2% 0.37%
2017 2% 0.18%
2016 1.3% 0.56%
2015 1.9% 1.39%
2014 1.6% 2.24%
2013 1.9% 1.88%
2012 2% 6.09%
2011 3.4% 5.8%
2010 3.6% 2.88%
2009 2.2% 6.87%
2008 3.3% 12.7%
2007 3% -10.1%
2006 2.4% 53.2%
2005 2.4% 37%
2004 2.9% 27%
2003 2.4% 33.6%
2002 5.2% 19.3%
2001 3.1% 16.4%
2000 0% 4.98%
1999 0.4% 12.6%
1998 20.6% 14.8%
1997 33.2% 23.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/iraq | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Albania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.27%, compared with 9.86% in Iraq. In 2024, inflation was 2.2% in Albania and -12.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Albania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.71M
Metals $341K
Raw agricultural goods $209K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $86K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Albania Iraq
Current account balance
-$648M
2024
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
112/190
2024
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.4%
2024
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$7.87B
2024
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$1.82B
2024
$101B
2024
Service imports
$3.83B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$8.03B
2024
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Albania Iraq
Economic freedom 68 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 50/197 196/197
Property rights 57.6 8.3
Government integrity 41.9 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 59.9 5.8
Tax burden 89.3 85.5
Government spending 74.3 65.3
Fiscal health 88 95.7
Business freedom 76.6 42.8
Labor freedom 46.2 60.6
Monetary freedom 78.6 68.6
Trade freedom 83 40
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Albania
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Albania Iraq
2026 68 -
2025 66.6 -
2024 64.8 -
2023 65.3 -
2022 66.6 -
2021 65.2 -
2020 66.9 -
2019 66.5 -
2018 64.5 -
2017 64.4 -
2016 65.9 -
2015 65.7 -
2014 66.9 -
2013 65.2 -
2012 65.1 -
2011 64 -
2010 66 -
2009 63.7 -
2008 62.4 -
2007 61.4 -
2006 60.3 -
2005 57.8 -
2004 58.5 -
2003 56.8 -
2002 56.8 15.6
2001 56.6 17.2
2000 53.6 17.2
1999 53.4 17.2
1998 53.9 17.2
1997 54.8 17.2
1996 53.8 17.2
1995 49.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/iraq | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Albania is 68, ranking 50/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Albania Iraq
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.5%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$23.6B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,500
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.52B
2024
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
89/177
2024
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.45B
2024
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.71B
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$261M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.7%
2022
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
28.2%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/iraq | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.