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Economy of Australia vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 14/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Australia vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Australia
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Vanuatu
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $1,117,972,034
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $1,115,861,056
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $1,055,031,361
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $950,394,007
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $909,421,044
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $936,526,268
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $914,727,908
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $880,043,284
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $804,323,577
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $759,690,181
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $773,717,011
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $758,304,466
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $747,839,698
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $770,153,588
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $670,712,980
2009 $931,761,689,771 $592,622,319
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $590,748,429
2007 $856,603,595,823 $516,392,923
2006 $749,708,370,333 $439,358,587
2005 $696,811,489,613 $394,962,433
2004 $615,643,050,221 $364,996,869
2003 $468,517,181,130 $314,471,413
2002 $396,436,967,263 $262,596,536
2001 $380,360,222,861 $257,926,882
2000 $416,901,962,163 $272,014,628
1999 $390,347,787,943 $268,006,973
1998 $400,361,527,505 $262,293,411
1997 $436,321,902,767 $272,771,209
1996 $401,962,517,479 $261,370,044
1995 $368,725,126,225 $249,333,250
1994 $323,269,456,935 $233,701,301
1993 $312,568,858,910 $200,491,853
1992 $325,982,966,981 $209,088,825
1991 $326,416,407,861 $201,334,169
1990 $311,840,666,465 $168,879,207
1989 $300,264,309,002 $154,013,202
1988 $236,461,079,970 $158,351,368
1987 $189,726,707,253 $139,464,174
1986 $182,707,050,923 $126,498,935
1985 $180,861,108,959 $131,856,421
1984 $193,749,932,078 $144,482,515
1983 $177,523,719,680 $117,389,554
1982 $194,323,071,831 $114,501,913
1981 $177,151,979,566 $113,781,796
1980 $150,200,557,103 $121,185,498
1979 $135,093,718,051 $119,258,835
1978 $118,660,813,780 -
1977 $110,504,702,914 -
1976 $105,209,354,856 -
1975 $97,440,939,506 -
1974 $89,086,219,602 -
1973 $63,923,126,201 -
1972 $52,117,990,654 -
1971 $45,283,847,245 -
1970 $41,395,206,623 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Vanuatu by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $17,858 - $1,067 -
1988 $14,303 - $1,125 -
1987 $11,666 - $1,017 -
1986 $11,406 - $946 -
1985 $11,455 - $1,012 -
1984 $12,436 - $1,137 -
1983 $11,532 - $947 -
1982 $12,798 - $946 -
1981 $11,871 - $962 -
1980 $10,223 - $1,048 -
1979 $9,308 - $1,055 -
1978 $8,264 - - -
1977 $7,786 - - -
1976 $7,497 - - -
1975 $7,014 - - -
1974 $6,492 - - -
1973 $4,778 - - -
1972 $3,955 - - -
1971 $3,500 - - -
1970 $3,310 - - -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Australia Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$3,164
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
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
27799169
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 42% 42.8%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 43.4% 48%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 36.7% 34% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 36.3% 24% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 37% 20.3% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 34.9% 15% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 22.3% 37%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 27.9% 28%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 33.7% 31.1% 28% 24.1%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 34.1% 30.7% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 34.1% 27.6% 31.8% 21%
1991 33.1% 21.6% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 30.5% 16.4% - -
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 104/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Vanuatu
2024 -2.25% -2.34%
2023 -1.27% -0.95%
2022 -2.21% -6.5%
2021 -6.37% 2.38%
2020 -8.73% -1.95%
2019 -4.41% 2.81%
2018 -1.26% 6.26%
2017 -1.72% -1.2%
2016 -2.42% -0.72%
2015 -2.79% -8.66%
2014 -2.92% 1.44%
2013 -2.81% -0.25%
2012 -3.51% -1.7%
2011 -4.53% -2.19%
2010 -5.12% -2.63%
2009 -4.56% -0.85%
2008 -1.1% -0.04%
2007 1.47% 0.28%
2006 1.77% 0.49%
2005 1.71% 1.86%
2004 1.32% 0.8%
2003 1.05% -1.35%
2002 0.19% -3.63%
2001 -0.03% -3.33%
2000 1.25% -6.28%
1999 0.67% -0.55%
1998 -0.25% -6.65%
1997 -0.49% -0.51%
1996 -1.46% -1.78%
1995 -2.6% -2.59%
1994 -3.79% -1.49%
1993 -4.73% -3.67%
1992 -4.74% -2.32%
1991 -2.79% -2.81%
1990 -0.23% -
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Vanuatu
2024 3.16% -
2023 5.6% 11.2%
2022 6.59% 6.68%
2021 2.86% 2.34%
2020 0.85% 5.33%
2019 1.61% 2.76%
2018 1.91% 2.33%
2017 1.95% 3.08%
2016 1.28% 0.84%
2015 1.51% 2.48%
2014 2.49% 0.8%
2013 2.45% 1.46%
2012 1.76% 1.35%
2011 3.3% 0.87%
2010 2.92% 2.76%
2009 1.77% 4.3%
2008 4.35% 4.84%
2007 2.33% 3.94%
2006 3.56% 2.04%
2005 2.69% 1.2%
2004 2.34% 1.42%
2003 2.73% 3.02%
2002 2.98% 1.96%
2001 4.41% 3.58%
2000 4.46% 2.54%
1999 1.48% 2%
1998 0.86% 3.28%
1997 0.22% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.64%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $23.5M
Animal & marine products $14.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.8M
Raw materials & minerals $9.56M
Chemicals & pharma $4.99M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.95M
Metals $3.94M
Miscellaneous $3.68M
Raw agricultural goods $2.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $964K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.17M
Animal & marine products $1.14M
Chemicals & pharma $930K
Miscellaneous $458K
Raw agricultural goods $223K
Machinery & equipment $106K
Metals $83K
Wood & paper products $36K
Raw materials & minerals $21K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K

Balance of trade

Australia Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$109B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Vanuatu
Economic freedom 80.1 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 92/197
Property rights 88.2 62.1
Government integrity 88.1 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 67.9
Tax burden 61.8 96.9
Government spending 56.6 48.1
Fiscal health 89 78.8
Business freedom 92.3 50.3
Labor freedom 61.5 41
Monetary freedom 77.2 72.1
Trade freedom 89.8 62
Investment freedom 80 65
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Vanuatu
2026 80.1 61.1
2025 79.3 61.8
2024 76.2 62.2
2023 74.8 62.1
2022 77.7 62.9
2021 82.4 60.5
2020 82.6 60.7
2019 80.9 56.4
2018 80.9 69.5
2017 81 67.4
2016 80.3 60.8
2015 81.4 61.1
2014 82 59.5
2013 82.6 56.6
2012 83.1 56.6
2011 82.5 56.7
2010 82.6 56.4
2009 82.6 58.4
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/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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 (1901–1989, 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 (2011–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.