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Economy of Cuba vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cuba has a GDP of $107B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 69/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cuba vs Vietnam GDP by year

Cuba
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cuba Vietnam
2024 - $476,388,230,307
2023 - $433,857,681,378
2022 - $413,445,230,669
2021 - $366,474,752,771
2020 $107,352,000,000 $346,615,738,538
2019 $103,427,600,000 $334,365,270,497
2018 $100,050,036,100 $310,106,478,395
2017 $96,850,649,700 $281,353,605,987
2016 $91,370,407,900 $257,096,001,178
2015 $87,132,800,000 $239,258,328,382
2014 $80,656,100,000 $233,451,469,643
2013 $77,148,000,000 $213,708,811,665
2012 $73,141,000,000 $195,590,661,129
2011 $68,990,000,000 $172,595,049,184
2010 $59,562,962,963 $147,201,173,197
2009 $57,481,481,481 $106,014,659,565
2008 $56,302,129,630 $99,130,304,099
2007 $54,262,870,370 $77,414,425,532
2006 $48,835,925,926 $66,371,664,817
2005 $42,643,836,100 $57,633,255,738
2004 $38,203,000,000 $45,427,854,693
2003 $35,901,200,000 $39,552,513,232
2002 $33,590,500,000 $35,064,105,501
2001 $31,682,400,000 $32,685,198,809
2000 $30,565,400,000 $31,172,518,403
1999 $28,364,615,200 $28,683,659,007
1998 $25,736,331,200 $27,209,602,050
1997 $25,365,908,100 $26,843,700,442
1996 $25,017,368,700 $24,657,470,575
1995 $30,429,803,651 $20,736,164,459
1994 $28,448,326,757 $16,286,433,533
1993 $22,367,254,865 $13,180,953,598
1992 $22,085,858,243 $9,866,990,236
1991 $24,316,556,026 $9,613,369,520
1990 $28,645,436,569 $6,471,740,806
1989 $27,023,468,666 $6,293,304,975
1988 $27,458,999,472 $25,423,812,649
1987 $25,213,935,012 $36,658,108,850
1986 $24,226,574,634 $26,336,616,250
1985 $22,920,490,774 $14,094,687,821
1984 $24,039,383,608 -
1983 $22,204,940,512 -
1982 $20,953,510,235 -
1981 $20,150,254,096 -
1980 $19,912,889,861 -
1979 $19,584,443,288 -
1978 $17,844,705,325 -
1977 $14,206,158,675 -
1976 $13,789,579,903 -
1975 $13,027,415,244 -
1974 $11,405,957,317 -
1973 $9,987,709,650 -
1972 $8,135,150,892 -
1971 $6,914,658,400 -
1970 $5,693,005,200 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Cuba vs Vietnam by year

Cuba
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cuba Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,717 $16,386
2023 - - $4,323 $15,034
2022 - - $4,148 $13,905
2021 - - $3,704 $12,049
2020 $9,605 - $3,534 $11,609
2019 $9,232 - $3,441 $11,029
2018 $8,911 - $3,222 $10,010
2017 $8,611 - $2,956 $9,170
2016 $8,111 $12,300 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $7,728 - $2,578 $7,672
2014 $7,147 - $2,546 $7,297
2013 $6,828 - $2,360 $6,758
2012 $6,471 - $2,185 $6,377
2011 $6,104 - $1,951 $5,786
2010 $5,272 $10,200 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $5,089 $9,700 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $4,986 $9,500 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $4,807 $11,000 $926 $4,581
2006 $4,330 $4,000 $808 $4,237
2005 $3,786 $3,500 $711 $3,894
2004 $3,399 $3,000 $565 $3,543
2003 $3,203 $2,900 $497 $3,240
2002 $3,005 $2,300 $445 $3,002
2001 $2,843 - $419 $2,809
2000 $2,751 $1,700 $404 $2,614
1999 $2,562 $1,700 $376 $2,421
1998 $2,332 - $361 $2,308
1997 $2,306 - $362 $2,189
1996 $2,282 - $337 $2,019
1995 $2,785 - $287.8 $1,841
1994 $2,613 - $229.9 $1,674
1993 $2,063 - $189.4 $1,534
1992 $2,048 - $144.5 $1,413
1991 $2,269 - $143.7 $1,298
1990 $2,694 - $98.8 $1,210
1989 $2,566 - $98.1 -
1988 $2,632 - $405 -
1987 $2,440 - $595 -
1986 $2,365 - $436 -
1985 $2,257 - $238.6 -
1984 $2,386 - - -
1983 $2,222 - - -
1982 $2,114 - - -
1981 $2,046 - - -
1980 $2,031 - - -
1979 $2,006 - - -
1978 $1,837 - - -
1977 $1,472 - - -
1976 $1,441 - - -
1975 $1,374 - - -
1974 $1,217 - - -
1973 $1,079 - - -
1972 $892 - - -
1971 $770 - - -
1970 $645 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2016, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Cuba's GDP per capita is $9,605, ranking 86/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cuba ranks 124th at $12,300, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Cuba Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$107B
2020
$476B
2024
GDP rank
69/197
2020
33/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.06%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$9,605
2020
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
86/197
2020
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,300
2016
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
124/197
2016
108/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,075
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
49%
2025
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.5%
2019-2020
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.7%
2018
1.53%
2024
Population
10894785
102365351

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cuba

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cuba Vietnam
2024 - 3.6%
2023 - 3.3%
2022 - 3.2%
2021 - 1.8%
2020 5.5% 3.2%
2019 5.5% 2.8%
2018 5.5% 3.5%
2017 - 3.5%
2016 4.5% 2.7%
2015 4.4% 0.6%
2014 - 4.1%
2013 6% 6.6%
2012 5.5% 9.1%
2011 4.7% 18.7%
2010 0.7% 9.1%
2009 -0.5% 6.7%
2008 3.4% 23.3%
2007 3.1% 8.4%
2006 5% 7.7%
2005 7% 8.3%
2004 3.1% 7.8%
2003 4.1% 3.1%
2002 7.1% 3.8%
2001 - -0.4%
2000 - -1.8%
1999 0.3% 4.1%
1998 - 8.1%
1997 - 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 22 years, Cuba has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.16%, compared with 6.13% in Vietnam. In 2020, inflation was 5.5% in Cuba and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Cuba
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $36M
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Cuba Vietnam
Current account balance n/a
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking n/a
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP n/a
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports n/a
$362B
2024
Goods exports n/a
$406B
2024
Service imports n/a
$36.2B
2024
Service exports n/a
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
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.

Cuba Vietnam
Economic freedom 25.2 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 195/197 73/197
Property rights 27.7 47.3
Government integrity 33 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 16 31.3
Tax burden 51.9 80.9
Government spending 0 89.5
Fiscal health 0 96.9
Business freedom 41.4 70
Labor freedom 20 54.7
Monetary freedom 20 73.2
Trade freedom 72.8 79.8
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cuba
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cuba Vietnam
2026 25.2 64.4
2025 25.4 65.2
2024 25.7 62.8
2023 24.3 61.8
2022 29.5 60.6
2021 28.1 61.7
2020 26.9 58.8
2019 27.8 55.3
2018 31.9 53.1
2017 33.9 52.4
2016 29.8 54
2015 29.6 51.7
2014 28.7 50.8
2013 28.5 51
2012 28.3 51.3
2011 27.7 51.6
2010 26.7 49.8
2009 27.9 51
2008 27.5 50.4
2007 28.6 49.8
2006 29.3 50.5
2005 35.5 48.1
2004 34.4 46.1
2003 35.1 46.2
2002 32.4 45.6
2001 31.6 44.3
2000 31.3 43.7
1999 29.7 42.7
1998 28.2 40.4
1997 27.8 38.6
1996 27.8 40.2
1995 27.8 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cuba is 25.2, ranking 195/197, 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

Cuba Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
73.4%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.8%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.24%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$101B
2019
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP n/a
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$144M
1960
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
173/177
1960
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment n/a
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.87%
2020
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/cuba/vietnam | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2021, 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.