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Economy of Eswatini vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eswatini has a GDP of $4.86B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 162/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eswatini has $1.93B in government debt (39.8% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Eswatini vs Iceland GDP by year

Eswatini
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eswatini Iceland
2024 $4,858,885,841 $33,255,181,469
2023 $4,621,191,262 $31,677,891,897
2022 $4,746,660,274 $29,166,102,877
2021 $4,807,069,277 $26,234,872,402
2020 $4,134,677,810 $22,034,665,041
2019 $4,617,018,959 $24,985,687,022
2018 $4,643,751,059 $26,677,652,544
2017 $4,462,640,651 $25,060,086,488
2016 $3,722,306,117 $21,083,713,310
2015 $3,908,217,914 $17,700,486,957
2014 $4,285,065,665 $18,052,183,515
2013 $4,463,396,204 $16,244,319,959
2012 $4,747,813,067 $14,943,757,823
2011 $4,722,912,047 $15,394,005,872
2010 $4,360,714,359 $13,922,711,577
2009 $3,525,213,502 $13,212,543,838
2008 $3,235,921,171 $18,247,921,360
2007 $3,391,122,887 $21,960,110,030
2006 $3,215,307,901 $17,671,649,843
2005 $3,097,946,371 $17,146,410,561
2004 $2,710,331,785 $13,963,943,244
2003 $2,149,632,433 $11,564,687,742
2002 $1,393,945,031 $9,416,199,700
2001 $1,502,870,486 $8,323,401,820
2000 $1,697,161,558 $9,140,168,922
1999 $1,547,888,496 $9,107,644,691
1998 $1,576,908,856 $8,637,732,542
1997 $1,716,714,070 $7,716,781,803
1996 $1,602,741,834 $7,686,566,105
1995 $1,698,989,464 $7,372,640,169
1994 $1,419,294,254 $6,612,804,056
1993 $1,357,189,552 $6,435,952,174
1992 $1,284,759,928 $7,328,497,599
1991 $1,156,135,718 $7,151,260,062
1990 $1,114,694,041 $6,694,851,159
1989 $696,921,542 $5,870,854,233
1988 $692,026,455 $6,320,093,411
1987 $584,126,092 $5,713,281,235
1986 $449,140,318 $4,129,080,094
1985 $360,079,419 $3,088,359,967
1984 $494,483,409 $2,964,568,006
1983 $555,336,146 $2,862,634,164
1982 $537,568,059 $3,318,714,326
1981 $570,774,825 $3,615,094,820
1980 $541,976,853 $3,499,616,683
1979 $412,093,134 $2,953,176,971
1978 $340,630,085 $2,599,627,089
1977 $304,060,076 $2,285,707,749
1976 $272,550,068 $1,727,845,419
1975 $288,299,789 $1,456,052,700
1974 $264,320,941 $1,568,154,077
1973 $221,915,128 $1,194,794,186
1972 $146,736,479 $869,002,946
1971 $136,462,081 $693,679,545
1970 $112,139,955 $545,115,909
1969 $105,419,958 $435,659,610
1968 $79,799,968 $498,365,200
1967 $74,759,970 $652,609,076
1966 $76,859,969 $660,663,763
1965 $70,279,972 $550,150,988
1964 $64,980,554 $456,206,299
1963 $54,129,438 $357,240,896
1962 $45,927,962 $299,309,938
1961 $43,026,043 $266,711,460
1960 $35,076,846 $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Eswatini vs Iceland by year

Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eswatini Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,910 $11,799 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $3,756 $11,300 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $3,894 $10,635 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $3,984 $9,990 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $3,467 $9,329 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $3,913 $9,248 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $3,973 $8,535 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $3,853 $8,584 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $3,238 $8,484 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $3,420 $8,391 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $3,771 $8,366 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $3,950 $8,231 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $4,225 $7,760 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $4,225 $7,571 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $3,923 $7,324 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $3,190 $7,011 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $2,947 $6,914 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $3,109 $6,732 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $2,965 $6,319 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $2,871 $5,773 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $2,526 $5,310 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $2,015 $5,020 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $1,316 $4,742 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $1,430 $4,521 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $1,630 $4,401 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $1,502 $4,272 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $1,547 $4,137 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $1,705 $4,038 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $1,619 $3,916 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $1,751 $3,777 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $1,461 $3,526 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $1,397 $3,371 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $1,362 $3,289 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $1,273 $3,236 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $1,278 $3,202 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $832 - $23,219 -
1988 $865 - $25,307 -
1987 $765 - $23,238 -
1986 $611 - $16,980 -
1985 $510 - $12,793 -
1984 $726 - $12,378 -
1983 $843 - $12,080 -
1982 $843 - $14,191 -
1981 $925 - $15,666 -
1980 $908 - $15,340 -
1979 $714 - $13,082 -
1978 $610 - $11,630 -
1977 $563 - $10,305 -
1976 $521 - $7,848 -
1975 $568 - $6,680 -
1974 $536 - $7,287 -
1973 $463 - $5,627 -
1972 $315 - $4,155 -
1971 $301 - $3,366 -
1970 $254.2 - $2,666 -
1969 $245.2 - $2,142 -
1968 $190.4 - $2,473 -
1967 $182.8 - $3,284 -
1966 $192.7 - $3,378 -
1965 $181 - $2,861 -
1964 $171.6 - $2,414 -
1963 $146.4 - $1,924 -
1962 $127.1 - $1,641 -
1961 $121.8 - $1,490 -
1960 $101.6 - $1,486 -

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

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

Eswatini's GDP per capita is $3,910, ranking 131/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Eswatini Iceland
Gross domestic product
$4.86B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
162/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
2.97%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,910
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
131/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,799
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
126/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$1.93B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.8%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,554
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
130/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,913
2026
$55,565
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$234M
2007
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2016
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2016
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.3%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2018-2019
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
34.6%
2023
3.56%
2024
Population
1273390
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eswatini
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eswatini Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.3% 39.8% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 32% 40% 45% 61.5%
2022 29.6% 40.5% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 30.1% 38.4% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 32.7% 38.2% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 32.9% 30.7% 43% 65.7%
2018 32.2% 27% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 33.9% 21.9% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 34.7% 20.5% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 35.3% 16.4% 43% 96.3%
2014 33.3% 14.3% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 29.4% 15.5% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 27.8% 15.2% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 26% 15.1% 50% 136.6%
2010 31.6% 14.5% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 34.5% 10.8% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 34.4% 15% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 31.2% 16.6% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 28.2% 15% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 29.7% 13.9% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 32% 15.5% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 26.4% 18% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 27.2% 17.6% 45% 81.3%
2001 26.4% 22.4% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 25.3% 18.7% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 26.5% 17.2% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 22.5% 15.9% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 21.2% 13% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 23.3% 12% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 20.5% 12.9% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 24.7% 13.8% 45% 54.8%
1993 24% 15.6% 45.1% 52.3%
1992 26% 16.6% 44.7% 45.4%
1991 20.3% 20.1% 42.8% 37.6%
1990 18.7% 20.4% 42.6% 35.5%
1989 15.8% 26.8% 42.9% 35.3%
1988 15.6% 27.5% 41.4% 30.6%
1987 17% 36.1% 36.5% 27.3%
1986 19.8% 44% 39.5% 29.9%
1985 22.3% 45.5% 37% 32%
1984 22.2% 29.7% 34.7% 32.4%
1983 23.2% 28.7% 37.8% 30.8%
1982 24% 29.2% 36% 28.9%
1981 23.8% 24.3% 35.3% 22.4%
1980 19.6% 27.2% 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 (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eswatini's government spending was $1.62B, accounting for 33.3% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.8% in Eswatini and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 134/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eswatini

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eswatini Iceland
2024 -1.36% -3.51%
2023 -0.67% -2.28%
2022 -5.4% -3.93%
2021 -4.68% -8.33%
2020 -4.27% -8.73%
2019 -6.26% -1.57%
2018 -6.72% 0.94%
2017 -5.68% 0.97%
2016 -8.54% 12.4%
2015 -6.03% -0.39%
2014 -1.18% 0.29%
2013 0.59% -1.24%
2012 3.48% -2.59%
2011 -4.02% -6.46%
2010 -9.52% -6.58%
2009 -3.06% -8.54%
2008 1.63% -12%
2007 2.44% 5.52%
2006 8.88% 6.37%
2005 -1.7% 4.92%
2004 -4.1% 0.28%
2003 -2.15% -2.3%
2002 -3.78% -2.25%
2001 -2.31% -0.28%
2000 -1.22% 1.43%
1999 -1.27% 1.3%
1998 1.07% -0.56%
1997 2.11% 0.04%
1996 -1% -1.52%
1995 0.9% -2.87%
1994 -3.61% -4.59%
1993 -3.29% -4.36%
1992 -2.9% -1.86%
1991 3.4% -0.66%
1990 5.61% -3.16%
1989 5.82% -4.29%
1988 3.23% -1.93%
1987 2.03% -0.79%
1986 -2.41% -3.93%
1985 -1.33% -1.56%
1984 1.25% 2.25%
1983 -0.6% -1.96%
1982 0.11% 1.72%
1981 -4.29% 1.32%
1980 6.55% 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/eswatini/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, Eswatini's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.2M, equivalent to 1.36% of GDP. This compares to Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Eswatini recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Eswatini posted an annual deficit equal to 1.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.42% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eswatini

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eswatini Iceland
2024 - 5.86%
2023 - 8.74%
2022 - 8.31%
2021 - 4.44%
2020 - 2.85%
2019 2.6% 3.01%
2018 4.82% 2.68%
2017 6.22% 1.76%
2016 7.85% 1.7%
2015 4.95% 1.63%
2014 5.68% 2.04%
2013 5.62% 3.87%
2012 8.94% 5.19%
2011 6.11% 4%
2010 4.51% 5.4%
2009 7.45% 12%
2008 12.7% 12.7%
2007 8.08% 5.05%
2006 5.3% 6.69%
2005 4.77% 3.99%
2004 3.45% 3.16%
2003 7.29% 2.06%
2002 12% 5.2%
2001 5.94% 6.41%
2000 12.2% 5.14%
1999 6.09% 3.23%
1998 8.11% 1.66%
1997 7.13% 1.82%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Eswatini has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.86%, compared with 4.36% in Iceland. In 2019, inflation was 2.6% in Eswatini and 5.86% in Iceland.

Balance of trade

Eswatini Iceland
Current account balance
$78.3M
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
69/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.61%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$2.07B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$2.33B
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$542M
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$234M
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.8%
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.

Eswatini Iceland
Economic freedom 57.5 75
Economic freedom ranking 116/197 19/197
Property rights 42.5 94.9
Government integrity 29.7 85
Judicial effectiveness 35.5 95.2
Tax burden 78.6 72.2
Government spending 71 37
Fiscal health 87.5 76.2
Business freedom 49.9 86.8
Labor freedom 55.2 59.3
Monetary freedom 76.8 73.5
Trade freedom 73.6 79.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 40 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eswatini
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eswatini Iceland
2026 57.5 75
2025 56.4 72.8
2024 55.6 70.5
2023 54.9 72.2
2022 51.4 77
2021 55.1 77.4
2020 55.3 77.1
2019 54.7 77.1
2018 55.9 77
2017 61.1 74.4
2016 59.7 73.3
2015 59.9 72
2014 61.2 72.4
2013 57.2 72.1
2012 57.2 70.9
2011 59.1 68.2
2010 57.4 73.7
2009 59.1 75.9
2008 58.4 75.8
2007 60.1 76
2006 61.4 75.8
2005 59.4 76.6
2004 58.6 72.1
2003 59.6 73.5
2002 60.9 73.1
2001 63.6 73.4
2000 62.6 74
1999 62.1 71.4
1998 62 71.2
1997 59.4 70.5
1996 58.6 -
1995 63.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eswatini is 57.5, ranking 116/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eswatini Iceland
Services, % of GDP
51.4%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.7%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.48%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,760
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$479M
2023
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
159/177
2023
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$11.8M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$75.5M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.8M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.9%
2016
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15%
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/eswatini/iceland | 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 (1909–1992, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.