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Economy of Bhutan vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 170/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Bhutan vs Iceland GDP by year

Bhutan
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Iceland
2024 - $33,255,181,469
2023 $3,012,896,789 $31,677,891,897
2022 $2,898,227,744 $29,166,102,877
2021 $2,768,802,960 $26,234,872,402
2020 $2,457,604,334 $22,034,665,041
2019 $2,735,683,570 $24,985,687,022
2018 $2,583,335,722 $26,677,652,544
2017 $2,591,358,009 $25,060,086,488
2016 $2,357,504,761 $21,083,713,310
2015 $2,187,815,803 $17,700,486,957
2014 $2,089,079,571 $18,052,183,515
2013 $1,943,696,952 $16,244,319,959
2012 $1,973,387,228 $14,943,757,823
2011 $1,977,728,659 $15,394,005,872
2010 $1,708,880,730 $13,922,711,577
2009 $1,331,343,798 $13,212,543,838
2008 $1,317,517,835 $18,247,921,360
2007 $1,255,767,964 $21,960,110,030
2006 $942,879,879 $17,671,649,843
2005 $860,391,000 $17,146,410,561
2004 $735,348,490 $13,963,943,244
2003 $651,935,430 $11,564,687,742
2002 $559,345,264 $9,416,199,700
2001 $496,110,226 $8,323,401,820
2000 $460,733,418 $9,140,168,922
1999 $399,311,200 $9,107,644,691
1998 $363,458,381 $8,637,732,542
1997 $352,229,077 $7,716,781,803
1996 $303,408,346 $7,686,566,105
1995 $290,490,984 $7,372,640,169
1994 $258,954,708 $6,612,804,056
1993 $225,973,693 $6,435,952,174
1992 $240,233,531 $7,328,497,599
1991 $240,294,286 $7,151,260,062
1990 $287,765,007 $6,694,851,159
1989 $264,798,626 $5,870,854,233
1988 $272,298,067 $6,320,093,411
1987 $242,742,766 $5,713,281,235
1986 $191,218,115 $4,129,080,094
1985 $163,288,815 $3,088,359,967
1984 $160,423,494 $2,964,568,006
1983 $156,704,290 $2,862,634,164
1982 $141,439,317 $3,318,714,326
1981 $139,174,178 $3,615,094,820
1980 $128,669,201 $3,499,616,683
1979 $105,377,995 $2,953,176,971
1978 $94,086,228 $2,599,627,089
1977 $97,884,434 $2,285,707,749
1976 $88,461,263 $1,727,845,419
1975 $86,820,762 $1,456,052,700
1974 $92,901,784 $1,568,154,077
1973 $78,900,289 $1,194,794,186
1972 $70,139,867 $869,002,946
1971 $66,289,450 $693,679,545
1970 $61,812,113 $545,115,909
1969 - $435,659,610
1968 - $498,365,200
1967 - $652,609,076
1966 - $660,663,763
1965 - $550,150,988
1964 - $456,206,299
1963 - $357,240,896
1962 - $299,309,938
1961 - $266,711,460
1960 - $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Iceland by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $86,041 $84,257
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $896 $3,663 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $812 $3,338 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $772 $3,113 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $685 $3,017 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $638 $2,819 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $630 $2,683 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $553 $2,548 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $530 $2,374 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $467 $2,146 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $407 $2,001 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $416 $1,840 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $401 $1,657 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $488 $1,638 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $462 - $23,219 -
1988 $489 - $25,307 -
1987 $449 - $23,238 -
1986 $365 - $16,980 -
1985 $321 - $12,793 -
1984 $326 - $12,378 -
1983 $328 - $12,080 -
1982 $306 - $14,191 -
1981 $311 - $15,666 -
1980 $296.9 - $15,340 -
1979 $251.4 - $13,082 -
1978 $232.2 - $11,630 -
1977 $249.9 - $10,305 -
1976 $233.7 - $7,848 -
1975 $237.4 - $6,680 -
1974 $262.8 - $7,287 -
1973 $230.9 - $5,627 -
1972 $212.4 - $4,155 -
1971 $207.7 - $3,366 -
1970 $200.3 - $2,666 -
1969 - - $2,142 -
1968 - - $2,473 -
1967 - - $3,284 -
1966 - - $3,378 -
1965 - - $2,861 -
1964 - - $2,414 -
1963 - - $1,924 -
1962 - - $1,641 -
1961 - - $1,490 -
1960 - - $1,486 -

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

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Iceland
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
108/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
13/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
3.56%
2024
Population
803385
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 45% 61.5%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 30.9% 116% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 43% 65.7%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 30.5% 103% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 43% 96.3%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 50% 136.6%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 39.3% 61% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 31% 76% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 45% 81.3%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 43% 44% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 37.8% 33% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 45% 54.8%
1993 35.2% 60.2% 45.1% 52.3%
1992 34.5% 35.6% 44.7% 45.4%
1991 30.8% 33.5% 42.8% 37.6%
1990 35.8% 27.4% 42.6% 35.5%
1989 46.8% 26.4% 42.9% 35.3%
1988 45.3% 24.7% 41.4% 30.6%
1987 47.5% 17.3% 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 (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 17/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Iceland
2024 -0.17% -3.51%
2023 -4.73% -2.28%
2022 -6.95% -3.93%
2021 -5.76% -8.33%
2020 -1.81% -8.73%
2019 -1.49% -1.57%
2018 -1.52% 0.94%
2017 -4.49% 0.97%
2016 -2.31% 12.4%
2015 -0.49% -0.39%
2014 2.46% 0.29%
2013 -4.55% -1.24%
2012 -2.1% -2.59%
2011 -3.02% -6.46%
2010 1.92% -6.58%
2009 -0.8% -8.54%
2008 -2.57% -12%
2007 0.79% 5.52%
2006 -0.07% 6.37%
2005 -6.96% 4.92%
2004 1.8% 0.28%
2003 -10.2% -2.3%
2002 -4.33% -2.25%
2001 -12.2% -0.28%
2000 -3.39% 1.43%
1999 -1.28% 1.3%
1998 1.28% -0.56%
1997 -1.92% 0.04%
1996 2.55% -1.52%
1995 -0.88% -2.87%
1994 -0.13% -4.59%
1993 4.71% -4.36%
1992 -3.47% -1.86%
1991 -0.48% -0.66%
1990 -7.21% -3.16%
1989 -10.1% -4.29%
1988 1.33% -1.93%
1987 -0.56% -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/bhutan/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $721M, or 2.28% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Iceland
2024 4.3% 5.86%
2023 4.5% 8.74%
2022 5.9% 8.31%
2021 8.2% 4.44%
2020 3% 2.85%
2019 2.8% 3.01%
2018 3.6% 2.68%
2017 4.3% 1.76%
2016 3.3% 1.7%
2015 6.7% 1.63%
2014 9.6% 2.04%
2013 8.1% 3.87%
2012 10.1% 5.19%
2011 8.6% 4%
2010 4.8% 5.4%
2009 7.1% 12%
2008 6.3% 12.7%
2007 5.2% 5.05%
2006 4.9% 6.69%
2005 4.8% 3.99%
2004 3.3% 3.16%
2003 2.5% 2.06%
2002 2.9% 5.2%
2001 3.7% 6.41%
2000 7.2% 5.14%
1999 9.1% 3.23%
1998 7.6% 1.66%
1997 8.6% 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/bhutan/iceland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Bhutan
Export category Export value
Iceland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $550K

Balance of trade

Bhutan Iceland
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Iceland
Economic freedom 57.5 75
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 19/197
Property rights 69.2 94.9
Government integrity 72.2 85
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 95.2
Tax burden 83.4 72.2
Government spending 74.1 37
Fiscal health 25.8 76.2
Business freedom 67.8 86.8
Labor freedom 60.1 59.3
Monetary freedom 71.6 73.5
Trade freedom 63.4 79.8
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Iceland
2026 57.5 75
2025 57.5 72.8
2024 55.4 70.5
2023 59 72.2
2022 59.3 77
2021 58.3 77.4
2020 62.1 77.1
2019 62.9 77.1
2018 61.8 77
2017 58.4 74.4
2016 59.5 73.3
2015 57.4 72
2014 56.7 72.4
2013 55 72.1
2012 56.6 70.9
2011 57.6 68.2
2010 57 73.7
2009 57.7 75.9
2008 - 75.8
2007 - 76
2006 - 75.8
2005 - 76.6
2004 - 72.1
2003 - 73.5
2002 - 73.1
2001 - 73.4
2000 - 74
1999 - 71.4
1998 - 71.2
1997 - 70.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Iceland
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
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/bhutan/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 (1909–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.