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Economy of Djibouti vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.15B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 165/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.36B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Djibouti vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Djibouti
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti Vanuatu
2024 $4,152,145,940 $1,117,972,034
2023 $3,898,447,007 $1,115,861,056
2022 $3,562,814,909 $1,055,031,361
2021 $3,392,796,953 $950,394,007
2020 $3,144,136,197 $909,421,044
2019 $3,088,851,450 $936,526,268
2018 $2,913,464,658 $914,727,908
2017 $2,762,581,334 $880,043,284
2016 $2,604,955,229 $804,323,577
2015 $2,424,391,785 $759,690,181
2014 $2,220,637,966 $773,717,011
2013 $2,044,440,443 $758,304,466
2012 $1,353,632,942 $747,839,698
2011 $1,239,144,502 $770,153,588
2010 $1,128,611,700 $670,712,980
2009 $1,049,110,685 $592,622,319
2008 $999,105,339 $590,748,429
2007 $847,918,929 $516,392,923
2006 $768,873,684 $439,358,587
2005 $708,633,195 $394,962,433
2004 $666,072,102 $364,996,869
2003 $622,044,666 $314,471,413
2002 $591,122,040 $262,596,536
2001 $572,417,441 $257,926,882
2000 $551,230,862 $272,014,628
1999 $536,080,148 $268,006,973
1998 $514,267,869 $262,293,411
1997 $502,675,542 $272,771,209
1996 $494,004,648 $261,370,044
1995 $497,723,961 $249,333,250
1994 $491,689,221 $233,701,301
1993 $466,048,469 $200,491,853
1992 $478,058,305 $209,088,825
1991 $462,421,999 $201,334,169
1990 $452,328,087 $168,879,207
1989 $409,220,087 $154,013,202
1988 $395,794,539 $158,351,368
1987 $373,371,738 $139,464,174
1986 - $126,498,935
1985 $340,989,528 $131,856,421
1984 - $144,482,515
1983 - $117,389,554
1982 - $114,501,913
1981 - $113,781,796
1980 - $121,185,498
1979 - $119,258,835

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs Vanuatu by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,553 $7,810 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $1,400 - $3,005 $2,834
2011 $1,306 - $3,163 $2,816
2010 $1,213 - $2,815 $2,733
2009 $1,151 - $2,546 $2,730
2008 $1,119 - $2,604 $2,701
2007 $970 - $2,334 $2,573
2006 $898 - $2,035 $2,496
2005 $844 - $1,874 $2,287
2004 $806 - $1,774 $2,157
2003 $765 - $1,567 $2,070
2002 $743 - $1,341 $1,995
2001 $742 - $1,350 $2,125
2000 $738 - $1,460 $2,206
1999 $740 - $1,472 $2,084
1998 $735 - $1,471 $2,091
1997 $748 - $1,562 $2,087
1996 $762 - $1,529 $1,998
1995 $786 - $1,492 $1,961
1994 $785 - $1,431 $1,946
1993 $759 - $1,257 $1,789
1992 $764 - $1,344 $1,777
1991 $733 - $1,326 $1,737
1990 $780 - $1,141 $1,670
1989 $782 - $1,067 -
1988 $817 - $1,125 -
1987 $822 - $1,017 -
1986 - - $946 -
1985 $847 - $1,012 -
1984 - - $1,137 -
1983 - - $947 -
1982 - - $946 -
1981 - - $962 -
1980 - - $1,048 -
1979 - - $1,055 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,553, ranking 133/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Djibouti Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$4.15B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
165/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
6.98%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,553
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$1.36B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,167
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,690
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
40%
2017
4.05%
2020
Population
1203929
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 32.9% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 21.5% 35.4% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 21% 38.3% 42% 42.8%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 43.4% 48%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 23.9% 48% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 42% 40.3% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 29% 26.9% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 26.5% 25% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 26.6% 27.9% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 31% 29.5% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 21% 58.1% 22.3% 37%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 24% 55.2% 27.9% 28%
1997 25% 56% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 23.7% 53.1% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 27% 50.9% 28% 24.1%
1994 30.9% - 24.4% 21.6%
1993 35.3% - 26.2% 20.3%
1992 34.9% - 31.8% 21%
1991 27.7% - 33.2% 15.9%
1990 30.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Djibouti's government spending was $856M, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Djibouti and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 149/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti Vanuatu
2024 -2.6% -2.34%
2023 -3.46% -0.95%
2022 -1.48% -6.5%
2021 -3.05% 2.38%
2020 -2.58% -1.95%
2019 -0.98% 2.81%
2018 -1.98% 6.26%
2017 -0.21% -1.2%
2016 -0.76% -0.72%
2015 -15.5% -8.66%
2014 -6.92% 1.44%
2013 -0.34% -0.25%
2012 -2.04% -1.7%
2011 -1.18% -2.19%
2010 -1.04% -2.63%
2009 -3.88% -0.85%
2008 0.62% -0.04%
2007 -1.88% 0.28%
2006 0.26% 0.49%
2005 -1.18% 1.86%
2004 -3.67% 0.8%
2003 -4.13% -1.35%
2002 -4.56% -3.63%
2001 -3.61% -3.33%
2000 -3.97% -6.28%
1999 -5.2% -0.55%
1998 -3.59% -6.65%
1997 -2.86% -0.51%
1996 -1.77% -1.78%
1995 -5.13% -2.59%
1994 -4.97% -1.49%
1993 -7.1% -3.67%
1992 -6.13% -2.32%
1991 -0.86% -2.81%
1990 -3.25% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $108M, equivalent to 2.6% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti Vanuatu
2024 2.1% -
2023 1.4% 11.2%
2022 5.2% 6.68%
2021 1.2% 2.34%
2020 1.8% 5.33%
2019 3.3% 2.76%
2018 0.1% 2.33%
2017 0.6% 3.08%
2016 2.4% 0.84%
2015 -0.5% 2.48%
2014 1.3% 0.8%
2013 1.1% 1.46%
2012 4.2% 1.35%
2011 5.2% 0.87%
2010 2.5% 2.76%
2009 5.6% 4.3%
2008 8.7% 4.84%
2007 5.9% 3.94%
2006 3.5% 2.04%
2005 3.3% 1.2%
2004 2.4% 1.42%
2003 1.6% 3.02%
2002 1.4% 1.96%
2001 1.9% 3.58%
2000 1.2% 2.54%
1999 -0.4% 2%
1998 2.2% 3.28%
1997 2.5% 2.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.58%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 2.1% in Djibouti and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Djibouti Vanuatu
Current account balance
$610M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
59/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$730M
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
114.8%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
126.4%
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.

Djibouti Vanuatu
Economic freedom 56.3 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 92/197
Property rights 30.4 62.1
Government integrity 27.9 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 67.9
Tax burden 83.5 96.9
Government spending 86.7 48.1
Fiscal health 87.7 78.8
Business freedom 52.9 50.3
Labor freedom 57.5 41
Monetary freedom 70.6 72.1
Trade freedom 49.8 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti Vanuatu
2026 56.3 61.1
2025 55.7 61.8
2024 55.8 62.2
2023 56.1 62.1
2022 55.3 62.9
2021 56.2 60.5
2020 52.9 60.7
2019 47.1 56.4
2018 45.1 69.5
2017 46.7 67.4
2016 56 60.8
2015 57.5 61.1
2014 55.9 59.5
2013 53.9 56.6
2012 53.9 56.6
2011 54.5 56.7
2010 51 56.4
2009 51.3 58.4
2008 51.2 -
2007 52.4 -
2006 53.2 -
2005 55.2 -
2004 55.6 -
2003 55.7 -
2002 57.8 -
2001 58.3 -
2000 55.1 -
1999 57.1 -
1998 55.9 -
1997 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, 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

Djibouti Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
76.1%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.51%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$4.25B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,030
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$349M
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
165/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.25%
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/djibouti/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.