Skip to content

Economy of Estonia vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Estonia has a GDP of $43.1B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 100/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Estonia has $10.1B in government debt (23.4% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Estonia vs Iceland GDP by year

Estonia
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Estonia Iceland
2024 $43,130,419,829 $33,255,181,469
2023 $41,470,344,395 $31,677,891,897
2022 $38,226,641,740 $29,166,102,877
2021 $37,201,101,171 $26,234,872,402
2020 $31,820,771,494 $22,034,665,041
2019 $31,873,748,770 $24,985,687,022
2018 $31,222,632,741 $26,677,652,544
2017 $27,469,461,919 $25,060,086,488
2016 $24,561,027,788 $21,083,713,310
2015 $23,311,847,751 $17,700,486,957
2014 $27,055,689,003 $18,052,183,515
2013 $25,451,032,781 $16,244,319,959
2012 $23,237,406,116 $14,943,757,823
2011 $23,303,915,795 $15,394,005,872
2010 $19,524,355,419 $13,922,711,577
2009 $19,633,984,440 $13,212,543,838
2008 $24,342,935,404 $18,247,921,360
2007 $22,450,264,166 $21,960,110,030
2006 $17,025,671,810 $17,671,649,843
2005 $14,109,491,357 $17,146,410,561
2004 $12,148,595,031 $13,963,943,244
2003 $9,876,595,528 $11,564,687,742
2002 $7,370,119,619 $9,416,199,700
2001 $6,250,218,423 $8,323,401,820
2000 $5,686,579,748 $9,140,168,922
1999 $5,756,912,266 $9,107,644,691
1998 $5,674,080,543 $8,637,732,542
1997 $5,154,420,649 $7,716,781,803
1996 $4,786,018,988 $7,686,566,105
1995 $4,502,970,889 $7,372,640,169
1994 $4,123,011,420 $6,612,804,056
1993 $4,013,091,682 $6,435,952,174
1992 - $7,328,497,599
1991 - $7,151,260,062
1990 - $6,694,851,159
1989 - $5,870,854,233
1988 - $6,320,093,411
1987 - $5,713,281,235
1986 - $4,129,080,094
1985 - $3,088,359,967
1984 - $2,964,568,006
1983 - $2,862,634,164
1982 - $3,318,714,326
1981 - $3,615,094,820
1980 - $3,499,616,683
1979 - $2,953,176,971
1978 - $2,599,627,089
1977 - $2,285,707,749
1976 - $1,727,845,419
1975 - $1,456,052,700
1974 - $1,568,154,077
1973 - $1,194,794,186
1972 - $869,002,946
1971 - $693,679,545
1970 - $545,115,909
1969 - $435,659,610
1968 - $498,365,200
1967 - $652,609,076
1966 - $660,663,763
1965 - $550,150,988
1964 - $456,206,299
1963 - $357,240,896
1962 - $299,309,938
1961 - $266,711,460
1960 - $260,984,499

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

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/iceland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Estonia vs Iceland by year

Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Estonia Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $31,428 $49,969 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $30,264 $48,637 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $28,340 $48,218 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $27,951 $44,252 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $23,934 $40,672 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $24,021 $40,586 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $23,618 $37,121 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $20,852 $34,507 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $18,666 $31,948 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $17,722 $29,713 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $20,582 $29,404 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $19,310 $27,831 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $17,568 $26,243 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $17,556 $24,652 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $14,664 $21,614 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $14,712 $20,489 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $18,206 $22,804 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $16,745 $22,201 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $12,641 $19,344 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $10,415 $16,638 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $8,916 $14,538 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $7,205 $13,135 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $5,343 $11,667 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $4,503 $10,309 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $4,071 $9,425 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $4,141 $8,412 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $4,093 $8,451 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $3,683 $7,980 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $3,381 $6,892 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $3,134 $6,480 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $2,819 $5,967 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $2,686 $5,814 $24,404 $22,460
1992 - $5,872 $28,072 $21,877
1991 - $7,151 $27,740 $22,416
1990 - $7,481 $26,272 $21,985
1989 - - $23,219 -
1988 - - $25,307 -
1987 - - $23,238 -
1986 - - $16,980 -
1985 - - $12,793 -
1984 - - $12,378 -
1983 - - $12,080 -
1982 - - $14,191 -
1981 - - $15,666 -
1980 - - $15,340 -
1979 - - $13,082 -
1978 - - $11,630 -
1977 - - $10,305 -
1976 - - $7,848 -
1975 - - $6,680 -
1974 - - $7,287 -
1973 - - $5,627 -
1972 - - $4,155 -
1971 - - $3,366 -
1970 - - $2,666 -
1969 - - $2,142 -
1968 - - $2,473 -
1967 - - $3,284 -
1966 - - $3,378 -
1965 - - $2,861 -
1964 - - $2,414 -
1963 - - $1,924 -
1962 - - $1,641 -
1961 - - $1,490 -
1960 - - $1,486 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/iceland | CC BY

Estonia's GDP per capita is $31,428, ranking 40/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Estonia Iceland
Gross domestic product
$43.1B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
100/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.09%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$31,428
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
40/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,969
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
45/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$10.1B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
23.4%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,356
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
65/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,740
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires
2
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.7%
2023
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.6%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.52%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.5%
2024
3.56%
2024
Population
1339590
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Estonia
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Estonia Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.6% 23.4% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 43.5% 20.1% 45% 61.5%
2022 40.1% 19.2% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 42.1% 18.4% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 44.7% 19.1% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 39.1% 9.05% 43% 65.7%
2018 38.8% 8.51% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 38.9% 9.43% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 38.9% 10.2% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 39.3% 10.8% 43% 96.3%
2014 37.6% 11.6% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 38.3% 11.4% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 39.4% 11.1% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 37.6% 7.6% 50% 136.6%
2010 40.7% 7.99% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 46.1% 7.98% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 39.5% 4.67% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 33.8% 3.91% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 33.5% 4.72% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 33.7% 4.73% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 34.1% 5.16% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 35% 5.6% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 35.9% 5.66% 45% 81.3%
2001 35.3% 4.93% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 36.4% 5.11% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 40.7% 5.93% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 38.9% 5.4% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 35.8% 6.03% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 38.6% 7.3% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 39.5% 8.66% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 - - 45% 54.8%
1993 - - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, Estonia's government spending was $18.8B, accounting for 43.6% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 23.4% in Estonia and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 171/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Estonia

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Estonia Iceland
2024 -1.51% -3.51%
2023 -3.13% -2.28%
2022 -1.08% -3.93%
2021 -2.57% -8.33%
2020 -5.42% -8.73%
2019 -0.11% -1.57%
2018 -1.15% 0.94%
2017 -1.07% 0.97%
2016 -0.62% 12.4%
2015 -0.24% -0.39%
2014 0.42% 0.29%
2013 -0.66% -1.24%
2012 -0.86% -2.59%
2011 0.09% -6.46%
2010 -1.09% -6.58%
2009 -3.43% -8.54%
2008 -2.92% -12%
2007 2.5% 5.52%
2006 2.71% 6.37%
2005 1.07% 4.92%
2004 2.29% 0.28%
2003 1.67% -2.3%
2002 0.29% -2.25%
2001 0.4% -0.28%
2000 -0.11% 1.43%
1999 -3.42% 1.3%
1998 0.65% -0.56%
1997 2.98% 0.04%
1996 -0.93% -1.52%
1995 -0.26% -2.87%
1994 - -4.59%
1993 - -4.36%
1992 - -1.86%
1991 - -0.66%
1990 - -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, Estonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $651M, equivalent to 1.51% of GDP. This compares to Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Estonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Estonia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.38% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Estonia

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Estonia Iceland
2024 3.52% 5.86%
2023 9.16% 8.74%
2022 19.4% 8.31%
2021 4.65% 4.44%
2020 -0.44% 2.85%
2019 2.28% 3.01%
2018 3.44% 2.68%
2017 3.42% 1.76%
2016 0.15% 1.7%
2015 -0.49% 1.63%
2014 -0.11% 2.04%
2013 2.78% 3.87%
2012 3.93% 5.19%
2011 4.98% 4%
2010 2.97% 5.4%
2009 -0.08% 12%
2008 10.4% 12.7%
2007 6.6% 5.05%
2006 4.44% 6.69%
2005 4.08% 3.99%
2004 3.05% 3.16%
2003 1.33% 2.06%
2002 3.57% 5.2%
2001 5.75% 6.41%
2000 4.02% 5.14%
1999 3.3% 3.23%
1998 8.21% 1.66%
1997 10.6% 1.82%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/iceland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Estonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.46%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 3.52% in Estonia and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Estonia
Export category Export value
Metals $11.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $10.1M
Wood & paper products $8.25M
Machinery & equipment $7.6M
Animal & marine products $6.76M
Raw materials & minerals $6.72M
Transport & tourism services $3.05M
Business & finance services $2.74M
IT & IP services $2.11M
Chemicals & pharma $1.78M
Iceland
Export category Export value
Manufacturing & construction services $11M
Transport & tourism services $3.08M
Business & finance services $2.84M
Machinery & equipment $2.55M
Raw materials & minerals $1.86M
IT & IP services $355K
Animal & marine products $259K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $105K
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Chemicals & pharma $20K

Balance of trade

Estonia Iceland
Current account balance
-$543M
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
107/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.26%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$22.1B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$19B
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$10.4B
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$13.6B
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.7%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Estonia Iceland
Economic freedom 78.7 75
Economic freedom ranking 10/197 19/197
Property rights 93.6 94.9
Government integrity 86.3 85
Judicial effectiveness 92.4 95.2
Tax burden 77.9 72.2
Government spending 46 37
Fiscal health 93.1 76.2
Business freedom 82.8 86.8
Labor freedom 59 59.3
Monetary freedom 73.9 73.5
Trade freedom 79.4 79.8
Investment freedom 90 70
Financial freedom 70 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Estonia
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Estonia Iceland
2026 78.7 75
2025 78.9 72.8
2024 77.8 70.5
2023 78.6 72.2
2022 80 77
2021 78.2 77.4
2020 77.7 77.1
2019 76.6 77.1
2018 78.8 77
2017 79.1 74.4
2016 77.2 73.3
2015 76.8 72
2014 75.9 72.4
2013 75.3 72.1
2012 73.2 70.9
2011 75.2 68.2
2010 74.7 73.7
2009 76.4 75.9
2008 77.9 75.8
2007 78 76
2006 74.9 75.8
2005 75.2 76.6
2004 77.4 72.1
2003 77.7 73.5
2002 77.6 73.1
2001 76.1 73.4
2000 69.9 74
1999 73.8 71.4
1998 72.5 71.2
1997 69.1 70.5
1996 65.4 -
1995 65.2 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/iceland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Estonia is 78.7, ranking 10/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Estonia Iceland
Services, % of GDP
65.7%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.77%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$39.6B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$48,880
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.07B
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$285M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.44B
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.72B
2024
$461M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
26.1%
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/estonia/iceland | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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.

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.