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Economy of Cambodia vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cambodia has a GDP of $46.4B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 97/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cambodia has $12B in government debt (25.9% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Cambodia vs Vietnam GDP by year

Cambodia
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cambodia Vietnam
2024 $46,352,647,037 $476,388,230,307
2023 $42,335,646,896 $433,857,681,378
2022 $39,994,532,960 $413,445,230,669
2021 $36,790,163,687 $366,474,752,771
2020 $34,818,073,901 $346,615,738,538
2019 $36,685,356,408 $334,365,270,497
2018 $33,145,892,169 $310,106,478,395
2017 $29,355,665,910 $281,353,605,987
2016 $26,556,545,153 $257,096,001,178
2015 $24,174,170,369 $239,258,328,382
2014 $22,041,463,968 $233,451,469,643
2013 $19,807,135,253 $213,708,811,665
2012 $17,826,536,700 $195,590,661,129
2011 $16,032,622,024 $172,595,049,184
2010 $13,808,673,288 $147,201,173,197
2009 $12,502,901,170 $106,014,659,565
2008 $12,174,303,999 $99,130,304,099
2007 $10,127,916,460 $77,414,425,532
2006 $8,350,531,017 $66,371,664,817
2005 $7,066,296,463 $57,633,255,738
2004 $5,883,297,160 $45,427,854,693
2003 $5,046,693,484 $39,552,513,232
2002 $4,501,227,627 $35,064,105,501
2001 $4,145,665,970 $32,685,198,809
2000 $3,694,168,979 $31,172,518,403
1999 $3,517,242,477 $28,683,659,007
1998 $3,120,425,503 $27,209,602,050
1997 $3,443,413,389 $26,843,700,442
1996 $3,506,695,720 $24,657,470,575
1995 $3,441,205,693 $20,736,164,459
1994 $2,791,435,272 $16,286,433,533
1993 $2,533,727,592 $13,180,953,598
1992 $2,491,486,594 $9,866,990,236
1991 $2,054,974,089 $9,613,369,520
1990 $1,402,541,177 $6,471,740,806
1989 $1,353,137,648 $6,293,304,975
1988 $1,662,877,859 $25,423,812,649
1987 $1,036,974,910 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,167,630,318 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,102,669,184 $14,094,687,821
1984 $1,021,176,059 -
1983 $939,291,262 -
1982 $865,516,040 -
1981 $815,153,652 -
1980 $744,384,130 -
1979 $723,738,503 -
1978 $766,642,356 -
1977 $716,261,764 -
1976 $790,357,255 -
1975 $749,129,748 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cambodia vs Vietnam by year

Cambodia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cambodia Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,628 $7,967 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $2,430 $7,431 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $2,325 $6,919 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $2,167 $6,226 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $2,082 $5,942 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $2,226 $6,154 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $2,037 $5,617 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $1,826 $5,050 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $1,675 $4,748 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $1,547 $4,434 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $1,432 $4,118 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $1,306 $3,891 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $1,193 $3,583 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $1,089 $3,223 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $952 $2,989 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $876 $2,854 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $866 $2,769 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $732 $2,566 $926 $4,581
2006 $612 $2,297 $808 $4,237
2005 $526 $2,038 $711 $3,894
2004 $444 $1,770 $565 $3,543
2003 $387 $1,598 $497 $3,240
2002 $350 $1,442 $445 $3,002
2001 $328 $1,357 $419 $2,809
2000 $296.4 $1,256 $404 $2,614
1999 $286.8 $1,134 $376 $2,421
1998 $258.8 $1,009 $361 $2,308
1997 $297.6 $994 $362 $2,189
1996 $325 $1,006 $337 $2,019
1995 $343 $1,006 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $302 $972 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $294.1 $1,565 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $307 $1,560 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $267.3 $1,504 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $190.2 $1,410 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $191.3 - $98.1 -
1988 $244.1 - $405 -
1987 $158.1 - $595 -
1986 $185.8 - $436 -
1985 $182.4 - $238.6 -
1984 $174.7 - - -
1983 $166.7 - - -
1982 $159.2 - - -
1981 $154.3 - - -
1980 $143.2 - - -
1979 $142.2 - - -
1978 $147.1 - - -
1977 $126.4 - - -
1976 $128.8 - - -
1975 $113.8 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cambodia's GDP per capita is $2,628, ranking 145/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cambodia ranks 142nd at $7,967, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Cambodia Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$46.4B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
97/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
5.98%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,628
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
145/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,967
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
142/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$12B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
25.9%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$681
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
156/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,258
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.9%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
0.26%
2023
1.53%
2024
Population
18113986
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cambodia
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cambodia Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 17.3% 25.9% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 19.1% 26.3% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 18.7% 25.5% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 21% 25.9% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 20.3% 25.2% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 17.6% 20.8% 19.8% 41%
2018 16.1% 21.1% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 16.2% 22.6% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 15.2% 21.8% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 14.5% 23.3% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 16.5% 24.2% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 16.4% 24.4% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 17.1% 24.9% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 16.5% 23.8% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 17% 23.4% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 17% 23.7% 25% 36.2%
2008 13.1% 23% 21.4% 31%
2007 12.3% 25.1% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 11.3% 26.7% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 11% 31.7% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 12.6% 38.7% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 14.5% 39.8% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 16.1% 37.8% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 14.5% 33.5% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 14.9% 34.9% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 13.8% 34.6% 16.7% -
1998 13.4% 37.2% 16% -
1997 12.4% 31.4% - -
1996 15.7% 30.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cambodia's government spending was $8B, accounting for 17.3% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 25.9% in Cambodia and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 164/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cambodia

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cambodia Vietnam
2024 -2.67% -1.54%
2023 -2.83% -1.72%
2022 -0.29% 0.67%
2021 -5.18% -1.43%
2020 -2.53% -2.86%
2019 2.19% -0.4%
2018 0.28% -1.02%
2017 -0.76% -1.96%
2016 -0.29% -3.16%
2015 -0.65% -4.98%
2014 -1.24% -5.02%
2013 -2.01% -5.96%
2012 -3.57% -5.46%
2011 -3.76% -0.9%
2010 -3.09% -2.25%
2009 -3.98% -4.82%
2008 0.43% -0.45%
2007 0.62% -1.74%
2006 -0.15% 0.2%
2005 -0.34% -0.95%
2004 -3.23% -0.15%
2003 -5.69% -2.56%
2002 -6.07% -1.85%
2001 -4.95% -2.19%
2000 -4.76% -1.61%
1999 -3.79% -1.25%
1998 -5.35% -0.1%
1997 -3.7% -
1996 -7.53% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cambodia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.24B, equivalent to 2.67% of GDP. This compares to Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Cambodia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cambodia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cambodia

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cambodia Vietnam
2024 0.9% 3.6%
2023 2.1% 3.3%
2022 5.3% 3.2%
2021 2.9% 1.8%
2020 2.9% 3.2%
2019 2% 2.8%
2018 2.4% 3.5%
2017 2.9% 3.5%
2016 3% 2.7%
2015 1.2% 0.6%
2014 3.9% 4.1%
2013 2.9% 6.6%
2012 2.9% 9.1%
2011 5.5% 18.7%
2010 4% 9.1%
2009 -0.7% 6.7%
2008 25% 23.3%
2007 7.7% 8.4%
2006 6.1% 7.7%
2005 6.3% 8.3%
2004 3.9% 7.8%
2003 1% 3.1%
2002 0% 3.8%
2001 -0.1% -0.4%
2000 -0.8% -1.8%
1999 2% 4.1%
1998 12.9% 8.1%
1997 10.5% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cambodia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.24%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 0.9% in Cambodia and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Cambodia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2.49B
Raw materials & minerals $802M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $94.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $62.5M
Animal & marine products $48.1M
Machinery & equipment $39.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $38.5M
Metals $35.9M
Wood & paper products $6.09M
Chemicals & pharma $2.31M
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.16B
Raw materials & minerals $993M
Metals $984M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $467M
Chemicals & pharma $355M
Machinery & equipment $215M
Wood & paper products $196M
Raw agricultural goods $175M
Animal & marine products $151M
Miscellaneous $47.1M

Balance of trade

Cambodia Vietnam
Current account balance
$228M
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
65/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.49%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$31.2B
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$26.8B
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$3.08B
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$4.97B
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.1%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cambodia Vietnam
Economic freedom 58.7 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 108/197 73/197
Property rights 38.1 47.3
Government integrity 18.9 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 21.2 31.3
Tax burden 90.3 80.9
Government spending 89.9 89.5
Fiscal health 92.7 96.9
Business freedom 60.8 70
Labor freedom 48.3 54.7
Monetary freedom 77 73.2
Trade freedom 67.8 79.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cambodia
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cambodia Vietnam
2026 58.7 64.4
2025 58.2 65.2
2024 55.6 62.8
2023 56.5 61.8
2022 57.1 60.6
2021 57.3 61.7
2020 57.3 58.8
2019 57.8 55.3
2018 58.7 53.1
2017 59.5 52.4
2016 57.9 54
2015 57.5 51.7
2014 57.4 50.8
2013 58.5 51
2012 57.6 51.3
2011 57.9 51.6
2010 56.6 49.8
2009 56.6 51
2008 55.9 50.4
2007 55.9 49.8
2006 56.7 50.5
2005 60 48.1
2004 61.1 46.1
2003 63.7 46.2
2002 60.7 45.6
2001 59.6 44.3
2000 59.3 43.7
1999 59.9 42.7
1998 59.8 40.4
1997 52.8 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cambodia is 58.7, ranking 108/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cambodia Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
41.8%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.9B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,910
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$22.5B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.22B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.39B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.41%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.7%
2012
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.2%
2024
30.6%
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/cambodia/vietnam | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, 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. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.