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Economy of Estonia vs Italy compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Estonia has a GDP of $43.1B compared to $2.38T for Italy, ranking 100/197 and 8/197 by economy size, respectively.

Estonia has $10.1B in government debt (23.4% of GDP), compared to $3.22T (135.3% of GDP) in Italy.

Estonia vs Italy GDP by year

Estonia
Italy
1x
Year GDP, current $
Estonia Italy
2024 $43,130,419,829 $2,380,825,077,244
2023 $41,470,344,395 $2,316,727,999,333
2022 $38,226,641,740 $2,104,067,630,319
2021 $37,201,101,171 $2,179,207,773,596
2020 $31,820,771,494 $1,907,481,094,079
2019 $31,873,748,770 $2,019,606,796,584
2018 $31,222,632,741 $2,099,435,266,459
2017 $27,469,461,919 $1,970,720,904,585
2016 $24,561,027,788 $1,887,111,188,177
2015 $23,311,847,751 $1,845,428,048,839
2014 $27,055,689,003 $2,173,255,507,986
2013 $25,451,032,781 $2,153,225,581,941
2012 $23,237,406,116 $2,097,929,495,122
2011 $23,303,915,795 $2,306,974,020,278
2010 $19,524,355,419 $2,144,936,254,535
2009 $19,633,984,440 $2,209,484,319,013
2008 $24,342,935,404 $2,417,508,414,187
2007 $22,450,264,166 $2,222,524,108,128
2006 $17,025,671,810 $1,958,563,654,386
2005 $14,109,491,357 $1,864,982,261,287
2004 $12,148,595,031 $1,812,808,753,295
2003 $9,876,595,528 $1,582,930,016,539
2002 $7,370,119,619 $1,281,746,271,196
2001 $6,250,218,423 $1,172,041,488,806
2000 $5,686,579,748 $1,149,661,363,439
1999 $5,756,912,266 $1,255,004,736,464
1998 $5,674,080,543 $1,272,729,786,997
1997 $5,154,420,649 $1,244,988,176,444
1996 $4,786,018,988 $1,314,776,508,972
1995 $4,502,970,889 $1,177,369,428,266
1994 $4,123,011,420 $1,101,750,159,702
1993 $4,013,091,682 $1,067,412,587,671
1992 - $1,323,204,350,354
1991 - $1,249,092,439,519
1990 - $1,183,945,130,899
1989 - $930,801,709,004
1988 - $893,663,934,841
1987 - $807,570,134,449
1986 - $641,862,313,287
1985 - $453,259,761,687
1984 - $438,896,930,791
1983 - $444,063,496,940
1982 - $428,257,421,618
1981 - $431,695,533,981
1980 - $478,356,755,596
1979 - $394,584,507,108
1978 - $315,784,469,541
1977 - $258,190,019,750
1976 - $225,235,205,862
1975 - $228,220,643,535
1974 - $200,024,444,775
1973 - $175,896,529,392
1972 - $145,594,833,997
1971 - $124,959,712,859
1970 - $113,656,669,765
1969 - $100,996,667,239
1968 - $91,485,448,148
1967 - $84,401,995,573
1966 - $76,622,444,787
1965 - $70,717,012,186
1964 - $65,720,771,779
1963 - $60,035,924,618
1962 - $52,413,872,628
1961 - $46,649,487,320
1960 - $42,012,422,612

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

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

GDP per capita in Estonia vs Italy by year

Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Estonia Italy
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $31,428 $49,969 $40,385 $62,014
2023 $30,264 $48,637 $39,277 $60,030
2022 $28,340 $48,218 $35,654 $57,261
2021 $27,951 $44,252 $36,853 $49,825
2020 $23,934 $40,672 $32,091 $44,436
2019 $24,021 $40,586 $33,813 $46,662
2018 $23,618 $37,121 $34,904 $43,387
2017 $20,852 $34,507 $32,844 $42,142
2016 $18,666 $31,948 $31,392 $40,483
2015 $17,722 $29,713 $30,640 $37,384
2014 $20,582 $29,404 $36,028 $36,666
2013 $19,310 $27,831 $35,702 $36,459
2012 $17,568 $26,243 $34,854 $36,281
2011 $17,556 $24,652 $38,432 $36,392
2010 $14,664 $21,614 $35,857 $34,974
2009 $14,712 $20,489 $37,100 $34,502
2008 $18,206 $22,804 $40,829 $35,422
2007 $16,745 $22,201 $37,826 $34,108
2006 $12,641 $19,344 $33,537 $32,454
2005 $10,415 $16,638 $32,063 $30,138
2004 $8,916 $14,538 $31,348 $29,581
2003 $7,205 $13,135 $27,578 $29,249
2002 $5,343 $11,667 $22,451 $28,833
2001 $4,503 $10,309 $20,570 $28,134
2000 $4,071 $9,425 $20,190 $27,152
1999 $4,141 $8,412 $22,050 $25,655
1998 $4,093 $8,451 $22,365 $25,075
1997 $3,683 $7,980 $21,884 $23,937
1996 $3,381 $6,892 $23,123 $23,101
1995 $3,134 $6,480 $20,712 $22,446
1994 $2,819 $5,967 $19,382 $21,369
1993 $2,686 $5,814 $18,782 $20,485
1992 - $5,872 $23,297 $20,196
1991 - $7,151 $22,007 $19,596
1990 - $7,481 $20,874 $18,680
1989 - - $16,424 -
1988 - - $15,781 -
1987 - - $14,268 -
1986 - - $11,341 -
1985 - - $8,009 -
1984 - - $7,758 -
1983 - - $7,851 -
1982 - - $7,574 -
1981 - - $7,640 -
1980 - - $8,476 -
1979 - - $7,006 -
1978 - - $5,623 -
1977 - - $4,614 -
1976 - - $4,042 -
1975 - - $4,116 -
1974 - - $3,629 -
1973 - - $3,213 -
1972 - - $2,677 -
1971 - - $2,311 -
1970 - - $2,112 -
1969 - - $1,886 -
1968 - - $1,718 -
1967 - - $1,595 -
1966 - - $1,459 -
1965 - - $1,357 -
1964 - - $1,272 -
1963 - - $1,171 -
1962 - - $1,030 -
1961 - - $923 -
1960 - - $837 -

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

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

Estonia's GDP per capita is $31,428, ranking 40/197, compared to $40,385 in Italy, ranking 29/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969, while Italy ranks 31st at $62,014.

Economic indicators

Estonia Italy
Gross domestic product
$43.1B
2024
$2.38T
2024
GDP rank
100/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.09%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$31,428
2024
$40,385
2024
GDP per capita rank
40/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,969
2024
$62,014
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
45/197
2024
31/197
2024
Government debt
$10.1B
2024
$3.22T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
23.4%
2024
135.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,356
2024
$54,652
2024
Government debt per person rank
65/185
2024
6/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,740
2026
$23,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$587B
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
1,344,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
74
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.7%
2023
25.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.6%
2024
50.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.52%
2023-2024
0.98%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
7.5%
2024
6.5%
2024
Population
1339590
58562681

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Estonia
Spending

Debt
Italy
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Estonia Italy
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.6% 23.4% 50.6% 135.3%
2023 43.5% 20.1% 54% 134.6%
2022 40.1% 19.2% 54.9% 138.3%
2021 42.1% 18.4% 56% 145.8%
2020 44.7% 19.1% 56.8% 154.4%
2019 39.1% 9.05% 48.4% 133.9%
2018 38.8% 8.51% 48.3% 134.2%
2017 38.9% 9.43% 48.8% 133.7%
2016 38.9% 10.2% 49% 134.2%
2015 39.3% 10.8% 50.2% 134.8%
2014 37.6% 11.6% 50.7% 134.8%
2013 38.3% 11.4% 50.9% 131.9%
2012 39.4% 11.1% 50.5% 125.9%
2011 37.6% 7.6% 49% 119.1%
2010 40.7% 7.99% 49.8% 118.8%
2009 46.1% 7.98% 51.1% 116.1%
2008 39.5% 4.67% 47.8% 105.8%
2007 33.8% 3.91% 46.6% 103.5%
2006 33.5% 4.72% 47.6% 106.3%
2005 33.7% 4.73% 47.1% 106.2%
2004 34.1% 5.16% 46.7% 104.7%
2003 35% 5.6% 47% 105.1%
2002 35.9% 5.66% 46.5% 105.9%
2001 35.3% 4.93% 47.1% 108.5%
2000 36.4% 5.11% 46.4% 108.7%
1999 40.7% 5.93% 47.1% 113.1%
1998 38.9% 5.4% 48% 113.9%
1997 35.8% 6.03% 49.3% 116.5%
1996 38.6% 7.3% 51.3% 118.9%
1995 39.5% 8.66% 51.4% 119.1%
1994 - - 55.1% 130.8%
1993 - - 57.8% 124.1%
1992 - - 56.8% 113%
1991 - - 55.3% 105.3%
1990 - - 54.2% 101.7%
1989 - - 51.6% 91.8%
1988 - - 50.4% 89.2%
1987 - - 49.8% 87.4%
1986 - - 50.5% 83.4%
1985 - - 49.8% 79.1%
1984 - - 49.1% 73.1%
1983 - - 48.9% 67.8%
1982 - - 46.7% 61.8%
1981 - - 44.6% 57.3%
1980 - - 40.8% 55.1%
1979 - - 40.1% 58.9%
1978 - - 40.9% 59.9%
1977 - - 38.5% 56%
1976 - - 38.1% 57.3%
1975 - - 39.1% 57.9%
1974 - - 34.8% 50.8%
1973 - - 35.3% 51.1%
1972 - - 36.4% 48.2%
1971 - - 34.4% 42.4%
1970 - - 32.3% 37.8%
1969 - - 32.1% 37%
1968 - - 32.6% 36.4%
1967 - - 17.9% 33.3%
1966 - - 19.1% 33.4%
1965 - - 18.6% 28.4%
1964 - - 18.2% 27.2%
1963 - - 16.7% 27.2%
1962 - - 17.5% 29%
1961 - - 17.3% 30%
1960 - - 16.5% 31.4%

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/italy | CC BY

In 2024, Estonia's government spending was $18.8B, accounting for 43.6% of its GDP, while Italy spent $1.2T, or 50.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 23.4% in Estonia and 135.3% in Italy, ranking 171/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Estonia

Italy
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Estonia Italy
2024 -1.51% -3.45%
2023 -3.13% -7.24%
2022 -1.08% -8.11%
2021 -2.57% -8.88%
2020 -5.42% -9.38%
2019 -0.11% -1.45%
2018 -1.15% -2.19%
2017 -1.07% -2.51%
2016 -0.62% -2.4%
2015 -0.24% -2.46%
2014 0.42% -2.82%
2013 -0.66% -2.87%
2012 -0.86% -2.99%
2011 0.09% -3.52%
2010 -1.09% -4.16%
2009 -3.43% -5.06%
2008 -2.92% -2.58%
2007 2.5% -1.33%
2006 2.71% -3.61%
2005 1.07% -4.1%
2004 2.29% -3.46%
2003 1.67% -3.23%
2002 0.29% -2.88%
2001 0.4% -3.18%
2000 -0.11% -2.42%
1999 -3.42% -1.77%
1998 0.65% -2.99%
1997 2.98% -2.98%
1996 -0.93% -6.61%
1995 -0.26% -7.2%
1994 - -8.84%
1993 - -9.76%
1992 - -10.1%
1991 - -11.1%
1990 - -11.1%
1989 - -11.4%
1988 - -11%
1987 - -11.5%
1986 - -12%
1985 - -12.4%
1984 - -11.5%
1983 - -10.1%
1982 - -10%
1981 - -10.9%
1980 - -6.97%
1979 - -8.23%
1978 - -8.47%
1977 - -6.96%
1976 - -7.88%
1975 - -10.3%
1974 - -6.24%
1973 - -6.36%
1972 - -6.84%
1971 - -4.71%
1970 - -3.22%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.55%
1967 - -0.97%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.67%
1964 - -2.35%
1963 - -0.3%
1962 - -0.95%
1961 - -0.57%
1960 - -0.28%
1959 - -1%
1958 - -0.98%
1957 - -1.09%
1956 - -1.46%
1955 - -2.03%
1954 - -1.84%
1953 - -2.33%
1952 - -4.08%
1951 - -3.86%
1950 - -2.42%
1949 - -2.82%
1948 - -4.58%
1947 - -6.62%
1946 - -9.82%
1945 - -16.9%
1944 - -35.1%
1943 - -16.1%
1942 - -26.9%
1941 - -25.1%
1940 - -24.3%
1939 - -9.49%
1938 - -5.97%
1937 - -5.78%
1936 - -7.93%
1935 - -9.83%
1934 - -2.5%
1933 - -4.85%
1932 - -3.06%
1931 - -2.14%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -0.59%
1928 - -2.09%
1927 - -1.71%
1926 - -0.09%
1925 - 1.7%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - -3.21%
1922 - -11%
1921 - -7.77%
1920 - -5.89%
1919 - -11.2%
1918 - -22.7%
1917 - -27.6%
1916 - -28.2%
1915 - -25.8%
1914 - -12.4%
1913 - -0.86%
1912 - -1.86%
1911 - -0.63%
1910 - -0.32%
1909 - -0.69%
1908 - -1.31%
1907 - -0.51%
1906 - -0.69%
1905 - -1.57%
1904 - 0.58%
1903 - 0.32%
1902 - 0.48%
1901 - 0.36%
1900 - 0.28%
1899 - -0.11%
1898 - -0.21%
1897 - 0.009%
1896 - -0.43%
1895 - -0.69%
1894 - -0.23%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.25%
1891 - -1.41%
1890 - -0.32%
1889 - -1.32%
1888 - -2.11%
1887 - -1.94%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - 0.2%
1884 - -1.46%
1883 - -0.51%
1882 - -0.5%
1881 - -0.04%
1880 - 0.38%
1879 - 0.73%
1878 - 0.09%
1877 - -0.009%
1876 - -0.05%
1875 - 0.58%
1874 - -0.08%
1873 - 0.21%
1872 - 0%
1871 - -0.13%
1870 - -0.82%
1869 - 0.33%
1868 - -0.79%
1867 - -1.45%
1866 - -3.1%
1865 - -2.72%
1864 - -3.06%
1863 - -4.16%
1862 - -3.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/italy | 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 Italy's deficit of $82B, or 3.45% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Estonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Italy ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Estonia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.93% of GDP for Italy.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Estonia

Italy
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Estonia Italy
2024 3.52% 0.98%
2023 9.16% 5.62%
2022 19.4% 8.2%
2021 4.65% 1.87%
2020 -0.44% -0.14%
2019 2.28% 0.61%
2018 3.44% 1.14%
2017 3.42% 1.23%
2016 0.15% -0.09%
2015 -0.49% 0.04%
2014 -0.11% 0.24%
2013 2.78% 1.22%
2012 3.93% 3.04%
2011 4.98% 2.78%
2010 2.97% 1.53%
2009 -0.08% 0.77%
2008 10.4% 3.35%
2007 6.6% 1.83%
2006 4.44% 2.09%
2005 4.08% 1.99%
2004 3.05% 2.21%
2003 1.33% 2.67%
2002 3.57% 2.47%
2001 5.75% 2.79%
2000 4.02% 2.54%
1999 3.3% 1.66%
1998 8.21% 1.96%
1997 10.6% 2.04%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Estonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.46%, compared with 2.02% in Italy. In 2024, inflation was 3.52% in Estonia and 0.98% in Italy.

Top exports between countries

Estonia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $90.2M
Animal & marine products $63.1M
Wood & paper products $53.7M
Business & finance services $48.2M
Transport & tourism services $47.1M
IT & IP services $35.8M
Chemicals & pharma $28.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $20.4M
Manufacturing & construction services $6.38M
Raw materials & minerals $5.87M
Italy
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $309M
Textiles & consumer goods $124M
Chemicals & pharma $82.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $81.4M
Transport & tourism services $72.6M
Metals $60.9M
IT & IP services $28.1M
Raw materials & minerals $26.8M
Wood & paper products $19.7M
Raw agricultural goods $15.5M

Balance of trade

Estonia Italy
Current account balance
-$543M
2024
$25.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
107/190
2024
19/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.26%
2024
+1.08%
2024
Goods imports
$22.1B
2024
$562B
2024
Goods exports
$19B
2024
$621B
2024
Service imports
$10.4B
2024
$160B
2024
Service exports
$13.6B
2024
$155B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
2024
30.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.7%
2024
32.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Estonia Italy
Economic freedom 78.7 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 10/197 80/197
Property rights 93.6 84.8
Government integrity 86.3 60.8
Judicial effectiveness 92.4 80.9
Tax burden 77.9 57.5
Government spending 46 15.3
Fiscal health 93.1 17.2
Business freedom 82.8 74.5
Labor freedom 59 70.6
Monetary freedom 73.9 79.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 90 80
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Estonia
Italy
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Estonia Italy
2026 78.7 63.3
2025 78.9 60.9
2024 77.8 60.1
2023 78.6 62.3
2022 80 65.4
2021 78.2 64.9
2020 77.7 63.8
2019 76.6 62.2
2018 78.8 62.5
2017 79.1 62.5
2016 77.2 61.2
2015 76.8 61.7
2014 75.9 60.9
2013 75.3 60.6
2012 73.2 58.8
2011 75.2 60.3
2010 74.7 62.7
2009 76.4 61.4
2008 77.9 62.6
2007 78 62.8
2006 74.9 62
2005 75.2 64.9
2004 77.4 64.2
2003 77.7 64.3
2002 77.6 63.6
2001 76.1 63
2000 69.9 61.9
1999 73.8 61.6
1998 72.5 59.1
1997 69.1 58.1
1996 65.4 60.8
1995 65.2 61.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Estonia is 78.7, ranking 10/197, compared to 63.3 for Italy, ranking 80/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Estonia Italy
Services, % of GDP
65.7%
2024
65%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
22.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.77%
2024
2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$39.6B
2024
$2.28T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$48,880
2024
$61,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.07B
2024
$291B
2024
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
12/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$285M
2024
$19B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.44B
2024
$26.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.72B
2024
$45.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
20.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
22.6%
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/estonia/italy | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.