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Economy of Denmark vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Denmark has a GDP of $425B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 37/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Denmark has $134B in government debt (31.5% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Denmark vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Denmark
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Denmark Vanuatu
2024 $424,524,722,037 $1,117,972,034
2023 $404,651,706,118 $1,115,861,056
2022 $400,114,306,337 $1,055,031,361
2021 $406,110,162,088 $950,394,007
2020 $355,631,021,932 $909,421,044
2019 $345,401,473,013 $936,526,268
2018 $355,293,374,912 $914,727,908
2017 $331,610,593,962 $880,043,284
2016 $312,181,849,372 $804,323,577
2015 $301,758,922,338 $759,690,181
2014 $352,832,602,064 $773,717,011
2013 $344,631,016,965 $758,304,466
2012 $326,792,574,245 $747,839,698
2011 $344,315,595,263 $770,153,588
2010 $322,345,594,075 $670,712,980
2009 $322,619,152,195 $592,622,319
2008 $354,979,471,960 $590,748,429
2007 $320,213,157,595 $516,392,923
2006 $283,386,151,544 $439,358,587
2005 $265,150,087,712 $394,962,433
2004 $251,986,155,631 $364,996,869
2003 $218,421,193,436 $314,471,413
2002 $178,788,209,558 $262,596,536
2001 $164,881,594,415 $257,926,882
2000 $164,043,817,224 $272,014,628
1999 $177,887,720,536 $268,006,973
1998 $176,877,077,513 $262,293,411
1997 $173,241,365,735 $272,771,209
1996 $187,481,157,846 $261,370,044
1995 $184,848,481,008 $249,333,250
1994 $156,017,919,221 $233,701,301
1993 $143,111,306,004 $200,491,853
1992 $152,966,494,260 $209,088,825
1991 $139,180,507,778 $201,334,169
1990 $138,217,740,684 $168,879,207
1989 $112,312,200,761 $154,013,202
1988 $115,540,189,705 $158,351,368
1987 $109,183,446,340 $139,464,174
1986 $87,748,695,217 $126,498,935
1985 $62,452,421,011 $131,856,421
1984 $58,868,891,335 $144,482,515
1983 $60,331,158,447 $117,389,554
1982 $60,084,214,872 $114,501,913
1981 $61,459,941,461 $113,781,796
1980 $70,811,287,816 $121,185,498
1979 $70,393,030,603 $119,258,835
1978 $60,320,089,218 -
1977 $49,711,709,588 -
1976 $44,503,607,444 -
1975 $40,418,967,666 -
1974 $34,125,712,481 -
1973 $30,718,181,337 -
1972 $23,230,667,549 -
1971 $19,086,192,720 -
1970 $17,075,457,733 -
1969 $15,414,902,667 -
1968 $13,505,574,133 -
1967 $13,059,064,806 -
1966 $11,931,740,293 -
1965 $10,870,670,865 -
1964 $9,677,401,337 -
1963 $8,466,044,980 -
1962 $7,953,274,741 -
1961 $7,058,361,229 -
1960 $6,361,166,545 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Denmark vs Vanuatu by year

Denmark
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Denmark Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $71,026 $81,878 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $68,044 $77,892 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $67,781 $78,914 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $69,341 $69,715 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $60,985 $62,682 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $59,404 $60,595 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $61,325 $57,234 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $57,522 $55,272 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $54,501 $51,821 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $53,094 $48,897 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $62,520 $47,880 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $61,378 $46,869 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $58,444 $44,755 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $61,810 $44,444 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $58,105 $43,038 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $58,413 $40,524 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $64,617 $41,467 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $58,632 $39,110 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $52,119 $37,392 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $48,926 $34,238 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $46,625 $33,016 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $40,519 $30,864 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $33,257 $30,667 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $30,768 $29,459 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $30,722 $28,648 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $33,426 $26,642 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $33,346 $25,799 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $32,780 $24,887 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $35,622 $23,723 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $35,321 $22,677 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $29,968 $21,669 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $27,582 $20,217 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $29,579 $19,830 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $27,003 $19,067 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $26,886 $18,225 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $21,882 - $1,067 -
1988 $22,525 - $1,125 -
1987 $21,296 - $1,017 -
1986 $17,137 - $946 -
1985 $12,213 - $1,012 -
1984 $11,517 - $1,137 -
1983 $11,797 - $947 -
1982 $11,740 - $946 -
1981 $12,000 - $962 -
1980 $13,822 - $1,048 -
1979 $13,757 - $1,055 -
1978 $11,818 - - -
1977 $9,770 - - -
1976 $8,773 - - -
1975 $7,988 - - -
1974 $6,764 - - -
1973 $6,117 - - -
1972 $4,654 - - -
1971 $3,846 - - -
1970 $3,464 - - -
1969 $3,151 - - -
1968 $2,776 - - -
1967 $2,701 - - -
1966 $2,487 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,049 - - -
1963 $1,807 - - -
1962 $1,711 - - -
1961 $1,531 - - -
1960 $1,389 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/vanuatu | CC BY

Denmark's GDP per capita is $71,026, ranking 12/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Denmark ranks 14th at $81,878, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Denmark Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$425B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
37/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
3.48%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$71,026
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
12/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$81,878
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
14/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$134B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.5%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$22,340
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$53,468
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$151B
2004
n/a
Number of millionaires
376,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
9
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2023
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.3%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.37%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
1.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.15%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
6032403
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Denmark
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Denmark Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 47.3% 31.5% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 47.4% 33.8% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 45.1% 34.2% 42% 42.8%
2021 49.7% 40.7% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 53.3% 46.3% 43.4% 48%
2019 49.8% 38.3% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 50.8% 38.5% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 50.6% 40.2% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 52.4% 41.7% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 54.4% 44.6% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 55.1% 48.7% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 55.6% 47.8% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 57.9% 48.7% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 56.3% 50% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 56.5% 46.1% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 56.3% 43% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 50.3% 35.5% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 49.5% 29.5% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 49.7% 33.2% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 51.1% 39.4% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 52.8% 46.2% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 53.5% 48.2% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 53.1% 50.3% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 53% 50.1% 22.3% 37%
2000 52.9% 53.6% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 54.7% 56.8% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 55.6% 60.3% 27.9% 28%
1997 56.2% 64.4% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 58.2% 68.3% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 58.7% 71.5% 28% 24.1%
1994 59.5% 75.3% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 59.5% 78.7% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 56.4% 66.7% 31.8% 21%
1991 55.5% 63.2% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 55.1% 62.4% - -
1989 56.2% 62.2% - -
1988 56.1% 64.7% - -
1987 54% 62.5% - -
1986 52.3% 66.8% - -
1985 55.5% 74.7% - -
1984 56.6% 77.7% - -
1983 57.9% 74.2% - -
1982 57.7% 64.5% - -
1981 56.3% 51.7% - -
1980 52.7% 39.2% - -
1979 49.6% 31.8% - -
1978 47.2% 25.5% - -
1977 45.6% 15.2% - -
1976 45% 11.4% - -
1975 45.3% 7.01% - -
1974 43.6% 6.2% - -
1973 39.5% 8.94% - -
1972 42.1% 11.5% - -
1971 42.2% 12.9% - -
1970 24.4% 7.62% - -
1969 25.3% 8.36% - -
1968 24.3% 9.36% - -
1967 22.2% 10.1% - -
1966 21.1% 11.2% - -
1965 17.1% 12.9% - -
1964 17.6% 14.5% - -
1963 18.2% 13.7% - -
1962 17% 15.3% - -
1961 15.6% 16.4% - -
1960 16.4% 20.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Denmark's government spending was $201B, accounting for 47.3% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.5% in Denmark and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 155/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Denmark

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Denmark Vanuatu
2024 4.46% -2.34%
2023 3.43% -0.95%
2022 3.39% -6.5%
2021 4.12% 2.38%
2020 0.36% -1.95%
2019 4.28% 2.81%
2018 0.81% 6.26%
2017 1.69% -1.2%
2016 0.3% -0.72%
2015 -0.9% -8.66%
2014 1.43% 1.44%
2013 -0.94% -0.25%
2012 -3.2% -1.7%
2011 -1.77% -2.19%
2010 -2.52% -2.63%
2009 -2.75% -0.85%
2008 3.46% -0.04%
2007 5.31% 0.28%
2006 5.29% 0.49%
2005 5.2% 1.86%
2004 2.23% 0.8%
2003 0.14% -1.35%
2002 0.25% -3.63%
2001 1.13% -3.33%
2000 1.79% -6.28%
1999 1.06% -0.55%
1998 -0.28% -6.65%
1997 -1.22% -0.51%
1996 -2.4% -1.78%
1995 -3.5% -2.59%
1994 -3.85% -1.49%
1993 -3.73% -3.67%
1992 -2.6% -2.32%
1991 -3.15% -2.81%
1990 -1.78% -
1989 0.3% -
1988 1.46% -
1987 2.46% -
1986 3.23% -
1985 -1.38% -
1984 -3.58% -
1983 -6.29% -
1982 -8.22% -
1981 -5.84% -
1980 -2.32% -
1979 -0.69% -
1978 0.41% -
1977 0.37% -
1976 0.19% -
1975 -1.23% -
1974 3.7% -
1973 4.97% -
1972 5.01% -
1971 4.96% -
1970 0.7% -
1969 0.3% -
1968 -0.06% -
1967 1.49% -
1966 0.99% -
1965 2.13% -
1964 1.79% -
1963 1.2% -
1962 -0.09% -
1961 1.73% -
1960 1.25% -
1959 0.79% -
1958 0.25% -
1957 0.26% -
1956 -0.01% -
1955 -1.17% -
1954 -0.84% -
1953 1.75% -
1952 1.18% -
1951 0.79% -
1950 1.08% -
1949 0.63% -
1948 1.07% -
1947 0.84% -
1946 2.69% -
1945 -1.03% -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 0% -
1941 0% -
1940 0% -
1939 0% -
1938 0.03% -
1937 0.22% -
1936 -1.36% -
1935 -0.97% -
1934 0.03% -
1933 1.69% -
1932 -3.22% -
1931 -1.67% -
1930 0.03% -
1929 0.13% -
1928 -4.99% -
1927 -2.33% -
1926 -0.48% -
1925 -3.1% -
1924 -0.8% -
1923 -0.56% -
1922 -1.33% -
1921 -2.41% -
1920 -0.46% -
1919 -0.38% -
1918 1.95% -
1917 3.1% -
1916 1.51% -
1915 -0.48% -
1914 0.43% -
1913 0.07% -
1912 0.13% -
1911 -1.02% -
1910 -1.72% -
1909 -2.49% -
1908 -0.82% -
1907 0.26% -
1906 -0.42% -
1905 0.22% -
1904 -0.1% -
1903 0.03% -
1902 -0.06% -
1901 -0.71% -
1900 -0.84% -
1899 -0.59% -
1898 -0.43% -
1897 -0.61% -
1896 -0.07% -
1895 -0.17% -
1894 -0.26% -
1893 -0.42% -
1892 -0.73% -
1891 -0.76% -
1890 -0.97% -
1889 -0.55% -
1888 -0.49% -
1887 -0.68% -
1886 -0.39% -
1885 0.48% -
1884 1.2% -
1883 0.73% -
1882 0.35% -
1881 0.42% -
1880 -2.65% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Denmark's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $18.9B, equivalent to 4.46% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Denmark recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Denmark posted an annual surplus equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Denmark

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Denmark Vanuatu
2024 1.37% -
2023 3.31% 11.2%
2022 7.7% 6.68%
2021 1.85% 2.34%
2020 0.42% 5.33%
2019 0.76% 2.76%
2018 0.81% 2.33%
2017 1.15% 3.08%
2016 0.25% 0.84%
2015 0.45% 2.48%
2014 0.56% 0.8%
2013 0.79% 1.46%
2012 2.4% 1.35%
2011 2.76% 0.87%
2010 2.31% 2.76%
2009 1.3% 4.3%
2008 3.42% 4.84%
2007 1.69% 3.94%
2006 1.92% 2.04%
2005 1.82% 1.2%
2004 1.15% 1.42%
2003 2.08% 3.02%
2002 2.42% 1.96%
2001 2.34% 3.58%
2000 2.9% 2.54%
1999 2.5% 2%
1998 1.85% 3.28%
1997 2.18% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Denmark has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.97%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 1.37% in Denmark and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Denmark
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $59K
Miscellaneous $49K
Machinery & equipment $38K
Chemicals & pharma $12K
Metals $3K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Wood & paper products $3K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Denmark Vanuatu
Current account balance
$52.1B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
14/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+12.3%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$132B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$172B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$125B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$129B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Denmark Vanuatu
Economic freedom 79 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 8/197 92/197
Property rights 99.9 62.1
Government integrity 98 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 89.3 67.9
Tax burden 43.4 96.9
Government spending 34.8 48.1
Fiscal health 98 78.8
Business freedom 90.4 50.3
Labor freedom 65 41
Monetary freedom 80.1 72.1
Trade freedom 79.4 62
Investment freedom 90 65
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Denmark
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Denmark Vanuatu
2026 79 61.1
2025 79.1 61.8
2024 77.8 62.2
2023 77.6 62.1
2022 78 62.9
2021 77.8 60.5
2020 78.3 60.7
2019 76.7 56.4
2018 76.6 69.5
2017 75.1 67.4
2016 75.3 60.8
2015 76.3 61.1
2014 76.1 59.5
2013 76.1 56.6
2012 76.2 56.6
2011 78.6 56.7
2010 77.9 56.4
2009 79.6 58.4
2008 79.2 -
2007 77 -
2006 75.4 -
2005 75.3 -
2004 72.4 -
2003 73.2 -
2002 71.1 -
2001 68.3 -
2000 68.3 -
1999 68.1 -
1998 67.5 -
1997 67.5 -
1996 67.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Denmark is 79, ranking 8/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Denmark Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.93%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$434B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,680
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$108B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$11.9B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.5B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30.7B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/denmark/vanuatu | 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 (1880–1991, 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 (2021–2024, 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.