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Economy of Bhutan vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $484B for Norway, ranking 170/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $207B (42.7% of GDP) in Norway.

Bhutan vs Norway GDP by year

Bhutan
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Norway
2024 - $483,592,648,313
2023 $3,012,896,789 $482,949,731,777
2022 $2,898,227,744 $596,297,651,036
2021 $2,768,802,960 $503,367,986,030
2020 $2,457,604,334 $367,633,418,887
2019 $2,735,683,570 $408,742,840,909
2018 $2,583,335,722 $439,788,625,884
2017 $2,591,358,009 $401,745,275,035
2016 $2,357,504,761 $370,956,547,619
2015 $2,187,815,803 $388,159,512,246
2014 $2,089,079,571 $501,736,471,833
2013 $1,943,696,952 $526,014,468,085
2012 $1,973,387,228 $512,777,309,841
2011 $1,977,728,659 $501,360,549,669
2010 $1,708,880,730 $431,052,143,940
2009 $1,331,343,798 $387,976,400,617
2008 $1,317,517,835 $464,917,553,191
2007 $1,255,767,964 $402,643,260,488
2006 $942,879,879 $346,915,160,682
2005 $860,391,000 $309,978,579,744
2004 $735,348,490 $265,268,662,473
2003 $651,935,430 $229,385,469,337
2002 $559,345,264 $195,914,852,576
2001 $496,110,226 $174,239,354,071
2000 $460,733,418 $171,457,201,936
1999 $399,311,200 $162,383,706,021
1998 $363,458,381 $154,230,295,158
1997 $352,229,077 $161,356,631,888
1996 $303,408,346 $163,520,109,151
1995 $290,490,984 $152,029,612,325
1994 $258,954,708 $127,131,319,429
1993 $225,973,693 $120,579,213,713
1992 $240,233,531 $130,838,040,068
1991 $240,294,286 $121,872,464,483
1990 $287,765,007 $119,791,843,060
1989 $264,798,626 $102,633,934,391
1988 $272,298,067 $101,900,260,856
1987 $242,742,766 $94,229,907,236
1986 $191,218,115 $78,693,118,044
1985 $163,288,815 $65,416,879,914
1984 $160,423,494 $62,057,955,033
1983 $156,704,290 $61,627,240,831
1982 $141,439,317 $62,647,195,538
1981 $139,174,178 $63,596,654,761
1980 $128,669,201 $64,439,382,896
1979 $105,377,995 $53,132,244,624
1978 $94,086,228 $46,522,900,254
1977 $97,884,434 $41,508,030,431
1976 $88,461,263 $35,942,270,686
1975 $86,820,762 $32,877,805,200
1974 $92,901,784 $27,145,693,810
1973 $78,900,289 $22,534,253,703
1972 $70,139,867 $17,358,610,850
1971 $66,289,450 $14,583,114,840
1970 $61,812,113 $12,814,123,115
1969 - $11,136,187,440
1968 - $10,227,087,165
1967 - $9,577,383,653
1966 - $8,753,940,267
1965 - $8,111,945,661
1964 - $7,206,522,122
1963 - $6,553,269,536
1962 - $6,107,076,929
1961 - $5,669,689,210
1960 - $5,197,398,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Norway by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $86,785 $102,038
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $87,497 $103,638
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $109,270 $125,490
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $93,073 $88,984
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $68,340 $67,111
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $76,431 $70,940
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $82,793 $70,254
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $76,132 $64,590
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $70,867 $59,280
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $74,810 $60,738
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $97,667 $66,332
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $103,554 $67,378
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $102,176 $65,774
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $101,222 $62,460
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $88,163 $58,213
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $80,348 $55,648
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $97,504 $62,073
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $85,502 $56,179
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $74,434 $54,358
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $67,047 $47,967
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $57,769 $42,667
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $50,250 $38,680
2002 $896 $3,663 $43,171 $38,056
2001 $812 $3,338 $38,602 $37,829
2000 $772 $3,113 $38,178 $36,994
1999 $685 $3,017 $36,393 $30,574
1998 $638 $2,819 $34,803 $28,200
1997 $630 $2,683 $36,629 $28,610
1996 $553 $2,548 $37,322 $26,826
1995 $530 $2,374 $34,876 $24,360
1994 $467 $2,146 $29,316 $23,027
1993 $407 $2,001 $27,964 $21,584
1992 $416 $1,840 $30,524 $20,623
1991 $401 $1,657 $28,597 $19,580
1990 $488 $1,638 $28,243 $18,461
1989 $462 - $24,281 -
1988 $489 - $24,207 -
1987 $449 - $22,506 -
1986 $365 - $18,883 -
1985 $321 - $15,754 -
1984 $326 - $14,989 -
1983 $328 - $14,928 -
1982 $306 - $15,225 -
1981 $311 - $15,513 -
1980 $296.9 - $15,772 -
1979 $251.4 - $13,047 -
1978 $232.2 - $11,463 -
1977 $249.9 - $10,266 -
1976 $233.7 - $8,927 -
1975 $237.4 - $8,204 -
1974 $262.8 - $6,812 -
1973 $230.9 - $5,690 -
1972 $212.4 - $4,414 -
1971 $207.7 - $3,736 -
1970 $200.3 - $3,306 -
1969 - - $2,894 -
1968 - - $2,680 -
1967 - - $2,531 -
1966 - - $2,333 -
1965 - - $2,179 -
1964 - - $1,951 -
1963 - - $1,787 -
1962 - - $1,678 -
1961 - - $1,571 -
1960 - - $1,451 -

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

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $86,785 in Norway, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Norway
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$484B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
32/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
2.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$86,785
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
8/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
7/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$207B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
42.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$37,074
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
17/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$49,765
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
48.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
3.15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
3.98%
2024
Population
803385
5671119

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 48.5% 42.7%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 45.9% 44.1%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 37.5% 36.1%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 46.3% 41.6%
2020 30.9% 116% 56.7% 46%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 50.2% 40.5%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 47.7% 39.3%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 49.2% 38.2%
2016 30.5% 103% 50.4% 37.9%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 48.2% 34.3%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 45.2% 29.6%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 43.5% 31.4%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 42.4% 30.9%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 43.3% 29.6%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 44.5% 43%
2009 39.3% 61% 45.6% 42.5%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 39.8% 47.5%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 41% 49.5%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 40.5% 52.6%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 41.8% 42.3%
2004 31% 76% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 47.6% 43.1%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 46.1% 33.9%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 43.2% 27.2%
2000 43% 44% 41.3% 28.7%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 46.4% 25%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 47.8% 23.6%
1997 37.8% 33% 45.5% 25.8%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 47% 28.4%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 49.3% 32.7%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 49.4% 50.6%
1993 35.2% 60.2% 50.2% 53.7%
1992 34.5% 35.6% 51.3% 45%
1991 30.8% 33.5% 50% 39.2%
1990 35.8% 27.4% 48.9% 28.9%
1989 46.8% 26.4% 52.2% 30.4%
1988 45.3% 24.7% 52.6% 30.5%
1987 47.5% 17.3% 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

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/norway | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Norway spent $234B, or 48.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 42.7% in Norway, ranking 17/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Norway
2024 -0.17% 13.2%
2023 -4.73% 16.6%
2022 -6.95% 25.5%
2021 -5.76% 10.3%
2020 -1.81% -2.56%
2019 -1.49% 6.52%
2018 -1.52% 7.81%
2017 -4.49% 4.96%
2016 -2.31% 4.04%
2015 -0.49% 5.99%
2014 2.46% 8.57%
2013 -4.55% 10.6%
2012 -2.1% 13.7%
2011 -3.02% 13.3%
2010 1.92% 10.9%
2009 -0.8% 10.2%
2008 -2.57% 18.5%
2007 0.79% 17%
2006 -0.07% 17.9%
2005 -6.96% 14.7%
2004 1.8% 10.8%
2003 -10.2% 7.2%
2002 -4.33% 9.03%
2001 -12.2% 13.2%
2000 -3.39% 15%
1999 -1.28% 5.71%
1998 1.28% 3.07%
1997 -1.92% 7.35%
1996 2.55% 6.01%
1995 -0.88% 2.96%
1994 -0.13% 0.04%
1993 4.71% -1.64%
1992 -3.47% -2.07%
1991 -0.48% -0.12%
1990 -7.21% 1.95%
1989 -10.1% 1.81%
1988 1.33% 2.65%
1987 -0.56% 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/norway | 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 Norway's surplus of $80B, or 16.6% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.16% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Norway
2024 4.3% 3.15%
2023 4.5% 5.52%
2022 5.9% 5.76%
2021 8.2% 3.48%
2020 3% 1.29%
2019 2.8% 2.17%
2018 3.6% 2.76%
2017 4.3% 1.88%
2016 3.3% 3.55%
2015 6.7% 2.17%
2014 9.6% 2.04%
2013 8.1% 2.12%
2012 10.1% 0.7%
2011 8.6% 1.28%
2010 4.8% 2.42%
2009 7.1% 2.2%
2008 6.3% 3.75%
2007 5.2% 0.71%
2006 4.9% 2.33%
2005 4.8% 1.53%
2004 3.3% 0.45%
2003 2.5% 2.49%
2002 2.9% 1.29%
2001 3.7% 3%
2000 7.2% 3.09%
1999 9.1% 2.37%
1998 7.6% 2.25%
1997 8.6% 2.57%

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/norway | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 2.44% in Norway. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 3.15% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Bhutan
Export category Export value
Norway
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $698K
Machinery & equipment $528K
Metals $122K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Bhutan Norway
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$71.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
11/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+14.8%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$97.5B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$162B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$63.6B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$55.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
47.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Norway
Economic freedom 57.5 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 9/197
Property rights 69.2 99.6
Government integrity 72.2 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 96.4
Tax burden 83.4 63.3
Government spending 74.1 42
Fiscal health 25.8 96.4
Business freedom 67.8 91.2
Labor freedom 60.1 69.3
Monetary freedom 71.6 72.4
Trade freedom 63.4 85.6
Investment freedom 20 75
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Norway
2026 57.5 78.8
2025 57.5 78.3
2024 55.4 77.5
2023 59 76.9
2022 59.3 76.9
2021 58.3 73.4
2020 62.1 73.4
2019 62.9 73
2018 61.8 74.3
2017 58.4 74
2016 59.5 70.8
2015 57.4 71.8
2014 56.7 70.9
2013 55 70.5
2012 56.6 68.8
2011 57.6 70.3
2010 57 69.4
2009 57.7 70.2
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 67.9
2005 - 64.5
2004 - 66.2
2003 - 67.2
2002 - 67.4
2001 - 67.1
2000 - 70.1
1999 - 68.6
1998 - 68
1997 - 65.1
1996 - 65.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Norway
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
51.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
2.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$547B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$106,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$81.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
32/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$7.83B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$4.95B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
24.1%
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/norway | 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 (1881–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.