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Economy of Bhutan vs Cambodia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $46.4B for Cambodia, ranking 170/197 and 97/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $12B (25.9% of GDP) in Cambodia.

Bhutan vs Cambodia GDP by year

Bhutan
Cambodia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Cambodia
2024 - $46,352,647,037
2023 $3,012,896,789 $42,335,646,896
2022 $2,898,227,744 $39,994,532,960
2021 $2,768,802,960 $36,790,163,687
2020 $2,457,604,334 $34,818,073,901
2019 $2,735,683,570 $36,685,356,408
2018 $2,583,335,722 $33,145,892,169
2017 $2,591,358,009 $29,355,665,910
2016 $2,357,504,761 $26,556,545,153
2015 $2,187,815,803 $24,174,170,369
2014 $2,089,079,571 $22,041,463,968
2013 $1,943,696,952 $19,807,135,253
2012 $1,973,387,228 $17,826,536,700
2011 $1,977,728,659 $16,032,622,024
2010 $1,708,880,730 $13,808,673,288
2009 $1,331,343,798 $12,502,901,170
2008 $1,317,517,835 $12,174,303,999
2007 $1,255,767,964 $10,127,916,460
2006 $942,879,879 $8,350,531,017
2005 $860,391,000 $7,066,296,463
2004 $735,348,490 $5,883,297,160
2003 $651,935,430 $5,046,693,484
2002 $559,345,264 $4,501,227,627
2001 $496,110,226 $4,145,665,970
2000 $460,733,418 $3,694,168,979
1999 $399,311,200 $3,517,242,477
1998 $363,458,381 $3,120,425,503
1997 $352,229,077 $3,443,413,389
1996 $303,408,346 $3,506,695,720
1995 $290,490,984 $3,441,205,693
1994 $258,954,708 $2,791,435,272
1993 $225,973,693 $2,533,727,592
1992 $240,233,531 $2,491,486,594
1991 $240,294,286 $2,054,974,089
1990 $287,765,007 $1,402,541,177
1989 $264,798,626 $1,353,137,648
1988 $272,298,067 $1,662,877,859
1987 $242,742,766 $1,036,974,910
1986 $191,218,115 $1,167,630,318
1985 $163,288,815 $1,102,669,184
1984 $160,423,494 $1,021,176,059
1983 $156,704,290 $939,291,262
1982 $141,439,317 $865,516,040
1981 $139,174,178 $815,153,652
1980 $128,669,201 $744,384,130
1979 $105,377,995 $723,738,503
1978 $94,086,228 $766,642,356
1977 $97,884,434 $716,261,764
1976 $88,461,263 $790,357,255
1975 $86,820,762 $749,129,748
1974 $92,901,784 -
1973 $78,900,289 -
1972 $70,139,867 -
1971 $66,289,450 -
1970 $61,812,113 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Cambodia by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cambodia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Cambodia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $2,628 $7,967
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $2,430 $7,431
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $2,325 $6,919
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $2,167 $6,226
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $2,082 $5,942
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $2,226 $6,154
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $2,037 $5,617
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $1,826 $5,050
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $1,675 $4,748
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $1,547 $4,434
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $1,432 $4,118
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $1,306 $3,891
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $1,193 $3,583
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $1,089 $3,223
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $952 $2,989
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $876 $2,854
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $866 $2,769
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $732 $2,566
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $612 $2,297
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $526 $2,038
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $444 $1,770
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $387 $1,598
2002 $896 $3,663 $350 $1,442
2001 $812 $3,338 $328 $1,357
2000 $772 $3,113 $296.4 $1,256
1999 $685 $3,017 $286.8 $1,134
1998 $638 $2,819 $258.8 $1,009
1997 $630 $2,683 $297.6 $994
1996 $553 $2,548 $325 $1,006
1995 $530 $2,374 $343 $1,006
1994 $467 $2,146 $302 $972
1993 $407 $2,001 $294.1 $1,565
1992 $416 $1,840 $307 $1,560
1991 $401 $1,657 $267.3 $1,504
1990 $488 $1,638 $190.2 $1,410
1989 $462 - $191.3 -
1988 $489 - $244.1 -
1987 $449 - $158.1 -
1986 $365 - $185.8 -
1985 $321 - $182.4 -
1984 $326 - $174.7 -
1983 $328 - $166.7 -
1982 $306 - $159.2 -
1981 $311 - $154.3 -
1980 $296.9 - $143.2 -
1979 $251.4 - $142.2 -
1978 $232.2 - $147.1 -
1977 $249.9 - $126.4 -
1976 $233.7 - $128.8 -
1975 $237.4 - $113.8 -
1974 $262.8 - - -
1973 $230.9 - - -
1972 $212.4 - - -
1971 $207.7 - - -
1970 $200.3 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $2,628 in Cambodia, ranking 145/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Cambodia ranks 142nd at $7,967.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Cambodia
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$46.4B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
97/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
5.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$2,628
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
145/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$7,967
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
142/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$12B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
25.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$681
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
156/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$2,258
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
17.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
0.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
0.26%
2023
Population
803385
18113986

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Cambodia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Cambodia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 17.3% 25.9%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 19.1% 26.3%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 18.7% 25.5%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 21% 25.9%
2020 30.9% 116% 20.3% 25.2%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 17.6% 20.8%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 16.1% 21.1%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 16.2% 22.6%
2016 30.5% 103% 15.2% 21.8%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 14.5% 23.3%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 16.5% 24.2%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 16.4% 24.4%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 17.1% 24.9%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 16.5% 23.8%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 17% 23.4%
2009 39.3% 61% 17% 23.7%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 13.1% 23%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 12.3% 25.1%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 11.3% 26.7%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 11% 31.7%
2004 31% 76% 12.6% 38.7%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 14.5% 39.8%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 16.1% 37.8%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 14.5% 33.5%
2000 43% 44% 14.9% 34.9%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 13.8% 34.6%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 13.4% 37.2%
1997 37.8% 33% 12.4% 31.4%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 15.7% 30.1%
1995 38.6% 38.7% - -
1994 37.9% 53.2% - -
1993 35.2% 60.2% - -
1992 34.5% 35.6% - -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 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 (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Cambodia spent $8B, or 17.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 25.9% in Cambodia, ranking 17/185 and 164/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Cambodia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Cambodia
2024 -0.17% -2.67%
2023 -4.73% -2.83%
2022 -6.95% -0.29%
2021 -5.76% -5.18%
2020 -1.81% -2.53%
2019 -1.49% 2.19%
2018 -1.52% 0.28%
2017 -4.49% -0.76%
2016 -2.31% -0.29%
2015 -0.49% -0.65%
2014 2.46% -1.24%
2013 -4.55% -2.01%
2012 -2.1% -3.57%
2011 -3.02% -3.76%
2010 1.92% -3.09%
2009 -0.8% -3.98%
2008 -2.57% 0.43%
2007 0.79% 0.62%
2006 -0.07% -0.15%
2005 -6.96% -0.34%
2004 1.8% -3.23%
2003 -10.2% -5.69%
2002 -4.33% -6.07%
2001 -12.2% -4.95%
2000 -3.39% -4.76%
1999 -1.28% -3.79%
1998 1.28% -5.35%
1997 -1.92% -3.7%
1996 2.55% -7.53%
1995 -0.88% -
1994 -0.13% -
1993 4.71% -
1992 -3.47% -
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -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/bhutan/cambodia | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Cambodia's deficit of $1.2B, or 2.83% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Cambodia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Cambodia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Cambodia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Cambodia
2024 4.3% 0.9%
2023 4.5% 2.1%
2022 5.9% 5.3%
2021 8.2% 2.9%
2020 3% 2.9%
2019 2.8% 2%
2018 3.6% 2.4%
2017 4.3% 2.9%
2016 3.3% 3%
2015 6.7% 1.2%
2014 9.6% 3.9%
2013 8.1% 2.9%
2012 10.1% 2.9%
2011 8.6% 5.5%
2010 4.8% 4%
2009 7.1% -0.7%
2008 6.3% 25%
2007 5.2% 7.7%
2006 4.9% 6.1%
2005 4.8% 6.3%
2004 3.3% 3.9%
2003 2.5% 1%
2002 2.9% 0%
2001 3.7% -0.1%
2000 7.2% -0.8%
1999 9.1% 2%
1998 7.6% 12.9%
1997 8.6% 10.5%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 4.24% in Cambodia. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 0.9% in Cambodia.

Top exports between countries

Bhutan
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $128K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Cambodia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Bhutan Cambodia
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$228M
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
65/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+0.49%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$31.2B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$26.8B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$3.08B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$4.97B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
72.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
71.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Cambodia
Economic freedom 57.5 58.7
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 108/197
Property rights 69.2 38.1
Government integrity 72.2 18.9
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 21.2
Tax burden 83.4 90.3
Government spending 74.1 89.9
Fiscal health 25.8 92.7
Business freedom 67.8 60.8
Labor freedom 60.1 48.3
Monetary freedom 71.6 77
Trade freedom 63.4 67.8
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Cambodia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Cambodia
2026 57.5 58.7
2025 57.5 58.2
2024 55.4 55.6
2023 59 56.5
2022 59.3 57.1
2021 58.3 57.3
2020 62.1 57.3
2019 62.9 57.8
2018 61.8 58.7
2017 58.4 59.5
2016 59.5 57.9
2015 57.4 57.5
2014 56.7 57.4
2013 55 58.5
2012 56.6 57.6
2011 57.6 57.9
2010 57 56.6
2009 57.7 56.6
2008 - 55.9
2007 - 55.9
2006 - 56.7
2005 - 60
2004 - 61.1
2003 - 63.7
2002 - 60.7
2001 - 59.6
2000 - 59.3
1999 - 59.9
1998 - 59.8
1997 - 52.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 58.7 for Cambodia, ranking 108/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Cambodia
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
35.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
41.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$44.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$7,910
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$22.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
58/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$4.22B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$4.39B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$172M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
7.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
17.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
32.2%
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/bhutan/cambodia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, 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 (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (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.