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Economy of Australia vs Bhutan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $3.01B for Bhutan, ranking 14/197 and 170/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $3.53B (110.4% of GDP) in Bhutan.

Australia vs Bhutan GDP by year

Australia
Bhutan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Bhutan
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 -
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $3,012,896,789
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $2,898,227,744
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $2,768,802,960
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $2,457,604,334
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $2,735,683,570
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $2,583,335,722
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $2,591,358,009
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $2,357,504,761
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $2,187,815,803
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $2,089,079,571
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $1,943,696,952
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $1,973,387,228
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $1,977,728,659
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $1,708,880,730
2009 $931,761,689,771 $1,331,343,798
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $1,317,517,835
2007 $856,603,595,823 $1,255,767,964
2006 $749,708,370,333 $942,879,879
2005 $696,811,489,613 $860,391,000
2004 $615,643,050,221 $735,348,490
2003 $468,517,181,130 $651,935,430
2002 $396,436,967,263 $559,345,264
2001 $380,360,222,861 $496,110,226
2000 $416,901,962,163 $460,733,418
1999 $390,347,787,943 $399,311,200
1998 $400,361,527,505 $363,458,381
1997 $436,321,902,767 $352,229,077
1996 $401,962,517,479 $303,408,346
1995 $368,725,126,225 $290,490,984
1994 $323,269,456,935 $258,954,708
1993 $312,568,858,910 $225,973,693
1992 $325,982,966,981 $240,233,531
1991 $326,416,407,861 $240,294,286
1990 $311,840,666,465 $287,765,007
1989 $300,264,309,002 $264,798,626
1988 $236,461,079,970 $272,298,067
1987 $189,726,707,253 $242,742,766
1986 $182,707,050,923 $191,218,115
1985 $180,861,108,959 $163,288,815
1984 $193,749,932,078 $160,423,494
1983 $177,523,719,680 $156,704,290
1982 $194,323,071,831 $141,439,317
1981 $177,151,979,566 $139,174,178
1980 $150,200,557,103 $128,669,201
1979 $135,093,718,051 $105,377,995
1978 $118,660,813,780 $94,086,228
1977 $110,504,702,914 $97,884,434
1976 $105,209,354,856 $88,461,263
1975 $97,440,939,506 $86,820,762
1974 $89,086,219,602 $92,901,784
1973 $63,923,126,201 $78,900,289
1972 $52,117,990,654 $70,139,867
1971 $45,283,847,245 $66,289,450
1970 $41,395,206,623 $61,812,113
1969 $36,738,245,878 -
1968 $32,763,365,242 -
1967 $30,487,524,878 -
1966 $27,349,284,376 -
1965 $26,014,244,162 -
1964 $23,835,843,814 -
1963 $21,573,443,452 -
1962 $19,953,923,193 -
1961 $19,713,123,154 -
1960 $18,635,682,982 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/bhutan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Bhutan by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Bhutan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 - -
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $3,831 $16,215
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $3,711 $15,064
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $3,571 $13,459
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $3,192 $12,475
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $3,577 $12,909
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $3,400 $11,970
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $3,435 $11,677
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $3,152 $11,273
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $2,954 $10,214
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $2,849 $9,323
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $2,680 $8,667
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $2,751 $8,577
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $2,788 $7,935
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $2,436 $7,246
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $1,918 $6,466
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $1,920 $6,035
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $1,850 $5,729
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $1,406 $4,860
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $1,300 $4,523
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $1,130 $4,173
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $1,022 $3,942
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $896 $3,663
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $812 $3,338
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $772 $3,113
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $685 $3,017
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $638 $2,819
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $630 $2,683
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $553 $2,548
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $530 $2,374
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $467 $2,146
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $407 $2,001
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $416 $1,840
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $401 $1,657
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $488 $1,638
1989 $17,858 - $462 -
1988 $14,303 - $489 -
1987 $11,666 - $449 -
1986 $11,406 - $365 -
1985 $11,455 - $321 -
1984 $12,436 - $326 -
1983 $11,532 - $328 -
1982 $12,798 - $306 -
1981 $11,871 - $311 -
1980 $10,223 - $296.9 -
1979 $9,308 - $251.4 -
1978 $8,264 - $232.2 -
1977 $7,786 - $249.9 -
1976 $7,497 - $233.7 -
1975 $7,014 - $237.4 -
1974 $6,492 - $262.8 -
1973 $4,778 - $230.9 -
1972 $3,955 - $212.4 -
1971 $3,500 - $207.7 -
1970 $3,310 - $200.3 -
1969 $2,996 - - -
1968 $2,728 - - -
1967 $2,584 - - -
1966 $2,347 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,134 - - -
1963 $1,970 - - -
1962 $1,858 - - -
1961 $1,880 - - -
1960 $1,813 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/bhutan | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $3,831 in Bhutan, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215.

Economic indicators

Australia Bhutan
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$3.01B
2023
GDP rank
14/197
2024
170/197
2023
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
4.63%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$3,831
2023
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
132/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$16,215
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
109/197
2023
Government debt
$891B
2024
$3.53B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
110.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$4,485
2023
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
87/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$5,506
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
22.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
3.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
4.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
3.28%
2024
Population
27799169
803385

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Bhutan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Bhutan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 27.1% 110.4%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 28.8% 117.1%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 32.1% 119.9%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 36.6% 124.5%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 30.9% 116%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 24.2% 100.8%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 31.7% 103.4%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 30.6% 104.1%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 30.5% 103%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 27.5% 90.2%
2014 36.7% 34% 28.9% 89.8%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 32.5% 87.4%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 35.1% 71.5%
2011 36.3% 24% 36.1% 62.3%
2010 37% 20.3% 41.5% 55.8%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 39.3% 61%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 36.1% 60.6%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 33.2% 67.3%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 33.4% 80.1%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 36.4% 80.8%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 31% 76%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 34.7% 68.5%
2002 34.9% 15% 39.3% 57.7%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 50.3% 52.4%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 43% 44%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 40.2% 39.2%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 31.1% 36.4%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 37.8% 33%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 37.9% 36.8%
1995 33.7% 31.1% 38.6% 38.7%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 37.9% 53.2%
1993 34.1% 30.7% 35.2% 60.2%
1992 34.1% 27.6% 34.5% 35.6%
1991 33.1% 21.6% 30.8% 33.5%
1990 30.5% 16.4% 35.8% 27.4%
1989 34.5% 17% 46.8% 26.4%
1988 34.6% 20.5% 45.3% 24.7%
1987 36% 25.2% 47.5% 17.3%
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/bhutan | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Bhutan spent $869M, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 110.4% in Bhutan, ranking 104/185 and 17/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Bhutan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Bhutan
2024 -2.25% -0.17%
2023 -1.27% -4.73%
2022 -2.21% -6.95%
2021 -6.37% -5.76%
2020 -8.73% -1.81%
2019 -4.41% -1.49%
2018 -1.26% -1.52%
2017 -1.72% -4.49%
2016 -2.42% -2.31%
2015 -2.79% -0.49%
2014 -2.92% 2.46%
2013 -2.81% -4.55%
2012 -3.51% -2.1%
2011 -4.53% -3.02%
2010 -5.12% 1.92%
2009 -4.56% -0.8%
2008 -1.1% -2.57%
2007 1.47% 0.79%
2006 1.77% -0.07%
2005 1.71% -6.96%
2004 1.32% 1.8%
2003 1.05% -10.2%
2002 0.19% -4.33%
2001 -0.03% -12.2%
2000 1.25% -3.39%
1999 0.67% -1.28%
1998 -0.25% 1.28%
1997 -0.49% -1.92%
1996 -1.46% 2.55%
1995 -2.6% -0.88%
1994 -3.79% -0.13%
1993 -4.73% 4.71%
1992 -4.74% -3.47%
1991 -2.79% -0.48%
1990 -0.23% -7.21%
1989 -1.29% -10.1%
1988 -0.77% 1.33%
1987 -1.66% -0.56%
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/bhutan | CC BY

In 2023, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $22B, equivalent to 1.27% of GDP. This compares to Bhutan's deficit of $142M, or 4.73% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Bhutan ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.4% of GDP for Bhutan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Bhutan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Bhutan
2024 3.16% 4.3%
2023 5.6% 4.5%
2022 6.59% 5.9%
2021 2.86% 8.2%
2020 0.85% 3%
2019 1.61% 2.8%
2018 1.91% 3.6%
2017 1.95% 4.3%
2016 1.28% 3.3%
2015 1.51% 6.7%
2014 2.49% 9.6%
2013 2.45% 8.1%
2012 1.76% 10.1%
2011 3.3% 8.6%
2010 2.92% 4.8%
2009 1.77% 7.1%
2008 4.35% 6.3%
2007 2.33% 5.2%
2006 3.56% 4.9%
2005 2.69% 4.8%
2004 2.34% 3.3%
2003 2.73% 2.5%
2002 2.98% 2.9%
2001 4.41% 3.7%
2000 4.46% 7.2%
1999 1.48% 9.1%
1998 0.86% 7.6%
1997 0.22% 8.6%

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/australia/bhutan | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 5.75% in Bhutan. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 4.3% in Bhutan.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $695K
Chemicals & pharma $41K
Animal & marine products $40K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Miscellaneous $22K
Metals $15K
Raw agricultural goods $14K
Wood & paper products $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Bhutan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $28K
Raw agricultural goods $15K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Metals $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Australia Bhutan
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
-$670M
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
114/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-32%
2023
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$656M
2024
Service imports
$109B
2024
$228M
2024
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$288M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
53.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
28.4%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Bhutan
Economic freedom 80.1 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 115/197
Property rights 88.2 69.2
Government integrity 88.1 72.2
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 61.8
Tax burden 61.8 83.4
Government spending 56.6 74.1
Fiscal health 89 25.8
Business freedom 92.3 67.8
Labor freedom 61.5 60.1
Monetary freedom 77.2 71.6
Trade freedom 89.8 63.4
Investment freedom 80 20
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Bhutan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Bhutan
2026 80.1 57.5
2025 79.3 57.5
2024 76.2 55.4
2023 74.8 59
2022 77.7 59.3
2021 82.4 58.3
2020 82.6 62.1
2019 80.9 62.9
2018 80.9 61.8
2017 81 58.4
2016 80.3 59.5
2015 81.4 57.4
2014 82 56.7
2013 82.6 55
2012 83.1 56.6
2011 82.5 57.6
2010 82.6 57
2009 82.6 57.7
2008 82.2 -
2007 81.1 -
2006 79.9 -
2005 79 -
2004 77.9 -
2003 77.4 -
2002 77.3 -
2001 77.4 -
2000 77.1 -
1999 76.4 -
1998 75.6 -
1997 75.5 -
1996 74 -
1995 74.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/bhutan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 57.5 for Bhutan, ranking 115/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Bhutan
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
52.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
29.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
15%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$2.93B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$15,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$941M
2024
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
143/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
-$22.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$2.82M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.96%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
12.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
45.3%
2023

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/australia/bhutan | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.