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Economy of Bangladesh vs Bhutan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bangladesh has a GDP of $450B compared to $3.01B for Bhutan, ranking 36/197 and 170/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $184B in government debt (41% of GDP), compared to $3.53B (110.4% of GDP) in Bhutan.

Bangladesh vs Bhutan GDP by year

Bangladesh
Bhutan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh Bhutan
2024 $450,119,432,069 -
2023 $437,415,333,018 $3,012,896,789
2022 $460,131,689,083 $2,898,227,744
2021 $416,271,647,911 $2,768,802,960
2020 $373,979,442,362 $2,457,604,334
2019 $351,231,654,604 $2,735,683,570
2018 $321,362,752,442 $2,583,335,722
2017 $293,732,446,625 $2,591,358,009
2016 $265,224,515,675 $2,357,504,761
2015 $195,146,608,978 $2,187,815,803
2014 $172,886,611,654 $2,089,079,571
2013 $149,998,957,434 $1,943,696,952
2012 $133,310,747,603 $1,973,387,228
2011 $128,607,482,310 $1,977,728,659
2010 $115,275,540,051 $1,708,880,730
2009 $102,475,158,191 $1,331,343,798
2008 $91,636,997,371 $1,317,517,835
2007 $79,611,644,975 $1,255,767,964
2006 $71,795,736,172 $942,879,879
2005 $69,476,001,239 $860,391,000
2004 $65,108,544,250 $735,348,490
2003 $60,158,929,188 $651,935,430
2002 $54,724,081,491 $559,345,264
2001 $53,991,289,844 $496,110,226
2000 $53,369,787,319 $460,733,418
1999 $51,270,569,884 $399,311,200
1998 $49,984,559,471 $363,458,381
1997 $48,244,309,133 $352,229,077
1996 $46,438,484,108 $303,408,346
1995 $37,939,748,769 $290,490,984
1994 $33,768,660,883 $258,954,708
1993 $33,166,519,418 $225,973,693
1992 $31,708,874,594 $240,233,531
1991 $30,957,483,950 $240,294,286
1990 $31,598,340,778 $287,765,007
1989 $28,781,715,189 $264,798,626
1988 $26,579,005,558 $272,298,067
1987 $24,298,032,258 $242,742,766
1986 $21,774,033,333 $191,218,115
1985 $22,278,423,077 $163,288,815
1984 $18,920,840,000 $160,423,494
1983 $17,609,048,822 $156,704,290
1982 $18,525,399,202 $141,439,317
1981 $20,249,694,002 $139,174,178
1980 $18,138,049,096 $128,669,201
1979 $15,565,480,322 $105,377,995
1978 $13,281,767,143 $94,086,228
1977 $9,651,149,302 $97,884,434
1976 $10,117,113,333 $88,461,263
1975 $19,448,348,073 $86,820,762
1974 $12,512,460,520 $92,901,784
1973 $8,086,725,729 $78,900,289
1972 $6,288,245,867 $70,139,867
1971 $8,751,843,188 $66,289,450
1970 $8,992,722,167 $61,812,113
1969 $8,471,006,438 -
1968 $7,483,685,771 -
1967 $7,253,575,688 -
1966 $6,439,687,854 -
1965 $5,906,636,792 -
1964 $5,386,054,833 -
1963 $5,319,458,563 -
1962 $5,081,413,542 -
1961 $4,817,580,375 -
1960 $4,274,894,083 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Bangladesh vs Bhutan by year

Bangladesh
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bangladesh Bhutan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,593 $9,647 - -
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $3,831 $16,215
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $3,711 $15,064
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $3,571 $13,459
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $3,192 $12,475
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $3,577 $12,909
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $3,400 $11,970
2017 $1,811 $4,883 $3,435 $11,677
2016 $1,649 $4,579 $3,152 $11,273
2015 $1,224 $4,212 $2,954 $10,214
2014 $1,094 $3,973 $2,849 $9,323
2013 $958 $3,691 $2,680 $8,667
2012 $860 $3,434 $2,751 $8,577
2011 $837 $3,051 $2,788 $7,935
2010 $757 $2,834 $2,436 $7,246
2009 $679 $2,675 $1,918 $6,466
2008 $613 $2,555 $1,920 $6,035
2007 $538 $2,388 $1,850 $5,729
2006 $490 $2,195 $1,406 $4,860
2005 $480 $2,020 $1,300 $4,523
2004 $456 $1,862 $1,130 $4,173
2003 $427 $1,746 $1,022 $3,942
2002 $394 $1,659 $896 $3,663
2001 $395 $1,598 $812 $3,338
2000 $397 $1,512 $772 $3,113
1999 $388 $1,430 $685 $3,017
1998 $386 $1,373 $638 $2,819
1997 $379 $1,315 $630 $2,683
1996 $372 $1,261 $553 $2,548
1995 $309 $1,206 $530 $2,374
1994 $280.6 $1,145 $467 $2,146
1993 $280.8 $1,099 $407 $2,001
1992 $273.5 $1,045 $416 $1,840
1991 $272.1 $987 $401 $1,657
1990 $283.1 $941 $488 $1,638
1989 $263 - $462 -
1988 $247.9 - $489 -
1987 $231.5 - $449 -
1986 $212.1 - $365 -
1985 $222.2 - $321 -
1984 $193.4 - $326 -
1983 $184.7 - $328 -
1982 $199.6 - $306 -
1981 $224.2 - $311 -
1980 $206.1 - $296.9 -
1979 $181.1 - $251.4 -
1978 $158.3 - $232.2 -
1977 $117.9 - $249.9 -
1976 $126.7 - $233.7 -
1975 $249.8 - $237.4 -
1974 $165 - $262.8 -
1973 $109.7 - $230.9 -
1972 $87.8 - $212.4 -
1971 $124.5 - $207.7 -
1970 $130.2 - $200.3 -
1969 $125.9 - - -
1968 $114.4 - - -
1967 $114.2 - - -
1966 $104.4 - - -
1965 $98.6 - - -
1964 $92.6 - - -
1963 $94.1 - - -
1962 $92.6 - - -
1961 $90.4 - - -
1960 $82.5 - - -

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

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

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,593, ranking 146/197, compared to $3,831 in Bhutan, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bangladesh ranks 135th at $9,647, while Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215.

Economic indicators

Bangladesh Bhutan
Gross domestic product
$450B
2024
$3.01B
2023
GDP rank
36/197
2024
170/197
2023
GDP growth
4.22%
2023-2024
4.63%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$2,593
2024
$3,831
2023
GDP per capita rank
146/197
2024
132/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$16,215
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
109/197
2023
Government debt
$184B
2024
$3.53B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41%
2024
110.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,063
2024
$4,485
2023
Government debt per person rank
139/185
2024
87/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,222
2026
$5,506
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$87.9B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
22.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
3.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.7%
2023-2024
4.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
3.28%
2024
Population
178415186
803385

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bangladesh
Spending

Debt
Bhutan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bangladesh Bhutan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12% 41% 27.1% 110.4%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 28.8% 117.1%
2022 13% 37.9% 32.1% 119.9%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 36.6% 124.5%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 30.9% 116%
2019 13.6% 32% 24.2% 100.8%
2018 13% 29.6% 31.7% 103.4%
2017 12.2% 28.3% 30.6% 104.1%
2016 11.6% 27.7% 30.5% 103%
2015 11.5% 28.2% 27.5% 90.2%
2014 11.7% 28.7% 28.9% 89.8%
2013 12.1% 28.3% 32.5% 87.4%
2012 11.7% 29.1% 35.1% 71.5%
2011 11.5% 29.4% 36.1% 62.3%
2010 10.6% 29.6% 41.5% 55.8%
2009 10.6% 33% 39.3% 61%
2008 11.5% 33.9% 36.1% 60.6%
2007 9.63% 35% 33.2% 67.3%
2006 10.1% 35.3% 33.4% 80.1%
2005 10.3% 35.6% 36.4% 80.8%
2004 9.88% 36.6% 31% 76%
2003 10.2% 37% 34.7% 68.5%
2002 10.4% 38.9% 39.3% 57.7%
2001 10.7% 37.1% 50.3% 52.4%
2000 9.76% 31.2% 43% 44%
1999 8.66% 32.7% 40.2% 39.2%
1998 9.82% 31.1% 31.1% 36.4%
1997 9.89% 29.1% 37.8% 33%
1996 9.79% 31% 37.9% 36.8%
1995 10.5% 32.9% 38.6% 38.7%
1994 10% 35.5% 37.9% 53.2%
1993 9.74% 34.1% 35.2% 60.2%
1992 8.8% 33.1% 34.5% 35.6%
1991 8.86% 31.8% 30.8% 33.5%
1990 9.14% 31.5% 35.8% 27.4%
1989 - - 46.8% 26.4%
1988 - - 45.3% 24.7%
1987 - - 47.5% 17.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–2002, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bangladesh's government spending was $54.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Bhutan spent $869M, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41% in Bangladesh and 110.4% in Bhutan, ranking 131/185 and 17/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

Bhutan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh Bhutan
2024 -3.69% -0.17%
2023 -4.39% -4.73%
2022 -4.53% -6.95%
2021 -3.56% -5.76%
2020 -4.84% -1.81%
2019 -5.41% -1.49%
2018 -4.07% -1.52%
2017 -4.17% -4.49%
2016 -3.16% -2.31%
2015 -3.29% -0.49%
2014 -2.62% 2.46%
2013 -2.86% -4.55%
2012 -2.56% -2.1%
2011 -2.96% -3.02%
2010 -2.23% 1.92%
2009 -2.68% -0.8%
2008 -3.36% -2.57%
2007 -1.86% 0.79%
2006 -2.15% -0.07%
2005 -2.4% -6.96%
2004 -2.21% 1.8%
2003 -1.96% -10.2%
2002 -2.3% -4.33%
2001 -3.44% -12.2%
2000 -2.5% -3.39%
1999 -1.35% -1.28%
1998 -2.2% 1.28%
1997 -1.94% -1.92%
1996 -2.01% 2.55%
1995 -0.38% -0.88%
1994 0.03% -0.13%
1993 0.43% 4.71%
1992 0.36% -3.47%
1991 0.44% -0.48%
1990 -0.15% -7.21%
1989 - -10.1%
1988 - 1.33%
1987 - -0.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $19.2B, equivalent to 4.39% of GDP. This compares to Bhutan's deficit of $142M, or 4.73% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Bhutan ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 2.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.34% of GDP for Bhutan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

Bhutan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh Bhutan
2024 9.7% 4.3%
2023 9% 4.5%
2022 6.1% 5.9%
2021 5.6% 8.2%
2020 5.6% 3%
2019 5.5% 2.8%
2018 5.8% 3.6%
2017 5.4% 4.3%
2016 5.9% 3.3%
2015 6.4% 6.7%
2014 7.3% 9.6%
2013 6.8% 8.1%
2012 8.9% 10.1%
2011 8.8% 8.6%
2010 7.3% 4.8%
2009 6.7% 7.1%
2008 9.9% 6.3%
2007 7.2% 5.2%
2006 7.2% 4.9%
2005 6.5% 4.8%
2004 8.1% 3.3%
2003 3.9% 2.5%
2002 2.4% 2.9%
2001 1.8% 3.7%
2000 3.6% 7.2%
1999 8.9% 9.1%
1998 6.7% 7.6%
1997 2.7% 8.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 5.75% in Bhutan. In 2024, inflation was 9.7% in Bangladesh and 4.3% in Bhutan.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.02M
Textiles & consumer goods $669K
Chemicals & pharma $562K
Metals $174K
Machinery & equipment $15K
Bhutan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $42.7M
Raw agricultural goods $16.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.66M
Wood & paper products $11K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Animal & marine products $4K

Balance of trade

Bangladesh Bhutan
Current account balance
$1.43B
2024
-$670M
2024
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
114/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.32%
2024
-32%
2023
Goods imports
$63.8B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$656M
2024
Service imports
$12.3B
2024
$228M
2024
Service exports
$7.47B
2024
$288M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.3%
2024
53.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.5%
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.

Bangladesh Bhutan
Economic freedom 54.8 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 131/197 115/197
Property rights 32.1 69.2
Government integrity 22.7 72.2
Judicial effectiveness 36.7 61.8
Tax burden 79.9 83.4
Government spending 95.3 74.1
Fiscal health 68.4 25.8
Business freedom 52.7 67.8
Labor freedom 50.5 60.1
Monetary freedom 65.8 71.6
Trade freedom 63 63.4
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bangladesh
Bhutan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bangladesh Bhutan
2026 54.8 57.5
2025 54.7 57.5
2024 54.4 55.4
2023 54.4 59
2022 52.7 59.3
2021 56.5 58.3
2020 56.4 62.1
2019 55.6 62.9
2018 55.1 61.8
2017 55 58.4
2016 53.3 59.5
2015 53.9 57.4
2014 54.1 56.7
2013 52.6 55
2012 53.2 56.6
2011 53 57.6
2010 51.1 57
2009 47.5 57.7
2008 44.2 -
2007 46.7 -
2006 52.9 -
2005 47.5 -
2004 50 -
2003 49.3 -
2002 51.9 -
2001 51.2 -
2000 48.9 -
1999 50 -
1998 52 -
1997 49.9 -
1996 51.1 -
1995 40.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bangladesh is 54.8, ranking 131/197, 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

Bangladesh Bhutan
Services, % of GDP
51.4%
2024
52.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
34.1%
2024
29.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.2%
2024
15%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$490B
2024
$2.93B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,060
2024
$15,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$21.4B
2024
$941M
2024
Total reserves ranking
61/177
2024
143/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.49B
2024
-$22.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.31B
2024
$2.82M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.1M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.83%
2024
4.96%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2022
12.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.7%
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/bangladesh/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–2002, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2015–2023, 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.