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Economy of Belize vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 168/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Belize vs Iceland GDP by year

Belize
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize Iceland
2024 $3,203,631,800 $33,255,181,469
2023 $3,052,362,650 $31,677,891,897
2022 $2,846,604,350 $29,166,102,877
2021 $2,428,606,250 $26,234,872,402
2020 $2,047,284,600 $22,034,665,041
2019 $2,381,187,850 $24,985,687,022
2018 $2,285,915,050 $26,677,652,544
2017 $2,266,028,250 $25,060,086,488
2016 $2,239,604,950 $21,083,713,310
2015 $2,193,095,150 $17,700,486,957
2014 $2,138,242,200 $18,052,183,515
2013 $2,035,191,450 $16,244,319,959
2012 $1,917,083,500 $14,943,757,823
2011 $1,831,576,700 $15,394,005,872
2010 $1,748,988,400 $13,922,711,577
2009 $1,688,012,750 $13,212,543,838
2008 $1,738,453,600 $18,247,921,360
2007 $1,706,190,450 $21,960,110,030
2006 $1,590,463,100 $17,671,649,843
2005 $1,474,298,400 $17,146,410,561
2004 $1,400,202,000 $13,963,943,244
2003 $1,308,280,250 $11,564,687,742
2002 $1,243,912,050 $9,416,199,700
2001 $1,172,045,150 $8,323,401,820
2000 $1,138,138,100 $9,140,168,922
1999 $999,713,050 $9,107,644,691
1998 $929,047,000 $8,637,732,542
1997 $872,916,050 $7,716,781,803
1996 $850,339,100 $7,686,566,105
1995 $818,590,250 $7,372,640,169
1994 $771,838,000 $6,612,804,056
1993 $752,255,150 $6,435,952,174
1992 $695,741,150 $7,328,497,599
1991 $596,682,100 $7,151,260,062
1990 $546,750,912 $6,694,851,159
1989 $491,100,000 $5,870,854,233
1988 $421,450,000 $6,320,093,411
1987 $371,100,000 $5,713,281,235
1986 $311,500,000 $4,129,080,094
1985 $287,300,000 $3,088,359,967
1984 $290,350,000 $2,964,568,006
1983 $262,150,000 $2,862,634,164
1982 $248,550,000 $3,318,714,326
1981 $260,750,000 $3,615,094,820
1980 $257,400,000 $3,499,616,683
1979 $151,800,000 $2,953,176,971
1978 $136,300,000 $2,599,627,089
1977 $117,650,000 $2,285,707,749
1976 $97,094,227 $1,727,845,419
1975 $118,194,026 $1,456,052,700
1974 $103,160,450 $1,568,154,077
1973 $78,214,768 $1,194,794,186
1972 $65,998,069 $869,002,946
1971 $59,074,687 $693,679,545
1970 $53,339,893 $545,115,909
1969 $47,399,905 $435,659,610
1968 $44,999,910 $498,365,200
1967 $47,431,256 $652,609,076
1966 $44,450,044 $660,663,763
1965 $40,110,040 $550,150,988
1964 $36,194,586 $456,206,299
1963 $33,750,114 $357,240,896
1962 $31,857,592 $299,309,938
1961 $29,965,000 $266,711,460
1960 $28,072,478 $260,984,499

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/iceland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belize vs Iceland by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $2,742 - $23,219 -
1988 $2,406 - $25,307 -
1987 $2,166 - $23,238 -
1986 $1,859 - $16,980 -
1985 $1,754 - $12,793 -
1984 $1,814 - $12,378 -
1983 $1,677 - $12,080 -
1982 $1,629 - $14,191 -
1981 $1,753 - $15,666 -
1980 $1,774 - $15,340 -
1979 $1,071 - $13,082 -
1978 $983 - $11,630 -
1977 $866 - $10,305 -
1976 $729 - $7,848 -
1975 $906 - $6,680 -
1974 $805 - $7,287 -
1973 $619 - $5,627 -
1972 $529 - $4,155 -
1971 $481 - $3,366 -
1970 $442 - $2,666 -
1969 $402 - $2,142 -
1968 $392 - $2,473 -
1967 $426 - $3,284 -
1966 $412 - $3,378 -
1965 $383 - $2,861 -
1964 $356 - $2,414 -
1963 $342 - $1,924 -
1962 $332 - $1,641 -
1961 $320 - $1,490 -
1960 $307 - $1,486 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/iceland | CC BY

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Belize Iceland
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
3.56%
2024
Population
430409
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 45% 61.5%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 33.2% 103% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 43% 65.7%
2018 26.9% 79% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 43% 96.3%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 50% 136.6%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 45% 81.3%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 23.2% 79% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 19.9% 38.4% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 - - 44.4% 58.1%
1994 - - 45% 54.8%
1993 - - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 67/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Iceland
2024 -1.23% -3.51%
2023 -2.42% -2.28%
2022 -1.04% -3.93%
2021 -3.29% -8.33%
2020 -8.57% -8.73%
2019 -2.9% -1.57%
2018 -1.37% 0.94%
2017 -3.48% 0.97%
2016 -4.47% 12.4%
2015 -5.14% -0.39%
2014 -1.72% 0.29%
2013 -1.21% -1.24%
2012 -0.22% -2.59%
2011 -1.06% -6.46%
2010 -1.9% -6.58%
2009 -2.46% -8.54%
2008 1.25% -12%
2007 -0.19% 5.52%
2006 -2.27% 6.37%
2005 -3.7% 4.92%
2004 -4.52% 0.28%
2003 -8.41% -2.3%
2002 -5.41% -2.25%
2001 -7.23% -0.28%
2000 -6.68% 1.43%
1999 -6.51% 1.3%
1998 -2.69% -0.56%
1997 -1.81% 0.04%
1996 -1.76% -1.52%
1995 - -2.87%
1994 - -4.59%
1993 - -4.36%
1992 - -1.86%
1991 - -0.66%
1990 - -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.4M, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.33% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize Iceland
2024 3.3% 5.86%
2023 4.4% 8.74%
2022 6.3% 8.31%
2021 3.2% 4.44%
2020 0.1% 2.85%
2019 0.2% 3.01%
2018 0.3% 2.68%
2017 1.1% 1.76%
2016 0.7% 1.7%
2015 -0.9% 1.63%
2014 1.2% 2.04%
2013 0.5% 3.87%
2012 1.2% 5.19%
2011 1.7% 4%
2010 0.9% 5.4%
2009 -1.1% 12%
2008 6.4% 12.7%
2007 2.3% 5.05%
2006 4.2% 6.69%
2005 3.7% 3.99%
2004 3.1% 3.16%
2003 2.6% 2.06%
2002 2.2% 5.2%
2001 1.1% 6.41%
2000 0.6% 5.14%
1999 -1.2% 3.23%
1998 -0.8% 1.66%
1997 1% 1.82%

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/belize/iceland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Belize
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Iceland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $438K

Balance of trade

Belize Iceland
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$362M
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belize Iceland
Economic freedom 64.7 75
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 19/197
Property rights 46.3 94.9
Government integrity 46.2 85
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 95.2
Tax burden 81.8 72.2
Government spending 81 37
Fiscal health 87.5 76.2
Business freedom 67.2 86.8
Labor freedom 57.6 59.3
Monetary freedom 72.6 73.5
Trade freedom 57.8 79.8
Investment freedom 55 70
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Iceland
2026 64.7 75
2025 64.2 72.8
2024 61.2 70.5
2023 59.8 72.2
2022 56.6 77
2021 57.5 77.4
2020 57.4 77.1
2019 55.4 77.1
2018 57.1 77
2017 58.6 74.4
2016 57.4 73.3
2015 56.8 72
2014 56.7 72.4
2013 57.3 72.1
2012 61.9 70.9
2011 63.8 68.2
2010 61.5 73.7
2009 63 75.9
2008 63 75.8
2007 63.3 76
2006 64.7 75.8
2005 64.5 76.6
2004 62.8 72.1
2003 63.5 73.5
2002 65.6 73.1
2001 65.9 73.4
2000 63.3 74
1999 60.7 71.4
1998 59.1 71.2
1997 64.3 70.5
1996 61.6 -
1995 62.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/iceland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belize Iceland
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
26.1%
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/belize/iceland | 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 (1909–2000, 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 (2022–2024, 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.