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Economy of Eswatini vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eswatini has a GDP of $4.86B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 162/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eswatini has $1.93B in government debt (39.8% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Eswatini vs Iraq GDP by year

Eswatini
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eswatini Iraq
2024 $4,858,885,841 $279,641,257,615
2023 $4,621,191,262 $268,881,051,644
2022 $4,746,660,274 $287,372,232,138
2021 $4,807,069,277 $209,691,945,713
2020 $4,134,677,810 $180,898,797,517
2019 $4,617,018,959 $233,636,097,800
2018 $4,643,751,059 $227,367,469,034
2017 $4,462,640,651 $187,217,660,051
2016 $3,722,306,117 $166,743,557,748
2015 $3,908,217,914 $166,774,104,959
2014 $4,285,065,665 $228,415,656,175
2013 $4,463,396,204 $234,637,675,129
2012 $4,747,813,067 $218,002,476,129
2011 $4,722,912,047 $185,749,664,444
2010 $4,360,714,359 $138,516,722,650
2009 $3,525,213,502 $111,657,580,326
2008 $3,235,921,171 $131,614,434,154
2007 $3,391,122,887 $88,837,057,320
2006 $3,215,307,901 $65,147,051,918
2005 $3,097,946,371 $50,065,104,668
2004 $2,710,331,785 $36,633,669,269
2003 $2,149,632,433 $21,921,569,479
2002 $1,393,945,031 $32,928,454,672
2001 $1,502,870,486 $36,176,430,129
2000 $1,697,161,558 $48,364,250,944
1999 $1,547,888,496 $36,881,601,584
1998 $1,576,908,856 $20,617,405,044
1997 $1,716,714,070 $20,764,857,056
1996 $1,602,741,834 $10,433,698,621
1995 $1,698,989,464 $12,894,029,888
1994 $1,419,294,254 $3,991,349,283
1993 $1,357,189,552 $1,031,944,881
1992 $1,284,759,928 $553,671,958
1991 $1,156,135,718 $407,796,350
1990 $1,114,694,041 $180,408,064,516
1989 $696,921,542 $65,831,935,484
1988 $692,026,455 $62,684,516,129
1987 $584,126,092 $56,774,193,548
1986 $449,140,318 $47,264,516,129
1985 $360,079,419 $48,425,161,290
1984 $494,483,409 $46,938,387,097
1983 $555,336,146 $40,712,903,226
1982 $537,568,059 $42,382,333,333
1981 $570,774,825 $37,823,000,000
1980 $541,976,853 $52,569,000,000
1979 $412,093,134 $37,816,457,839
1978 $340,630,085 $23,762,275,652
1977 $304,060,076 $19,838,130,715
1976 $272,550,068 $17,754,825,601
1975 $288,299,789 $13,458,516,763
1974 $264,320,941 $11,516,762,614
1973 $221,915,128 $5,134,367,778
1972 $146,736,479 $4,113,848,002
1971 $136,462,081 $3,865,346,535
1970 $112,139,955 $3,281,318,687
1969 $105,419,958 $3,007,758,797
1968 $79,799,968 $2,896,598,841
1967 $74,759,970 $2,551,522,656
1966 $76,859,969 $2,530,306,096
1965 $70,279,972 $2,335,785,506
1964 $64,980,554 $2,136,408,198
1963 $54,129,438 $1,805,901,510
1962 $45,927,962 $1,784,174,541
1961 $43,026,043 $1,671,960,965
1960 $35,076,846 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in Eswatini vs Iraq by year

Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eswatini Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,910 $11,799 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $3,756 $11,300 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $3,894 $10,635 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $3,984 $9,990 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $3,467 $9,329 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $3,913 $9,248 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $3,973 $8,535 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $3,853 $8,584 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $3,238 $8,484 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $3,420 $8,391 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $3,771 $8,366 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $3,950 $8,231 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $4,225 $7,760 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $4,225 $7,571 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $3,923 $7,324 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $3,190 $7,011 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $2,947 $6,914 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $3,109 $6,732 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $2,965 $6,319 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $2,871 $5,773 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $2,526 $5,310 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $2,015 $5,020 $818 $6,068
2002 $1,316 $4,742 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $1,430 $4,521 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $1,630 $4,401 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $1,502 $4,272 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $1,547 $4,137 $901 $7,964
1997 $1,705 $4,038 $936 $6,020
1996 $1,619 $3,916 $485 $5,034
1995 $1,751 $3,777 $619 $4,598
1994 $1,461 $3,526 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $1,397 $3,371 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $1,362 $3,289 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $1,273 $3,236 $23 $2,694
1990 $1,278 $3,202 $10,261 -
1989 $832 - $3,791 -
1988 $865 - $3,707 -
1987 $765 - $3,436 -
1986 $611 - $2,940 -
1985 $510 - $3,088 -
1984 $726 - $3,066 -
1983 $843 - $2,743 -
1982 $843 - $2,942 -
1981 $925 - $2,700 -
1980 $908 - $3,868 -
1979 $714 - $2,871 -
1978 $610 - $1,863 -
1977 $563 - $1,609 -
1976 $521 - $1,489 -
1975 $568 - $1,166 -
1974 $536 - $1,031 -
1973 $463 - $476 -
1972 $315 - $394 -
1971 $301 - $384 -
1970 $254.2 - $337 -
1969 $245.2 - $320 -
1968 $190.4 - $319 -
1967 $182.8 - $290.6 -
1966 $192.7 - $298.2 -
1965 $181 - $284.8 -
1964 $171.6 - $269.4 -
1963 $146.4 - $235.5 -
1962 $127.1 - $240.7 -
1961 $121.8 - $232.4 -
1960 $101.6 - $218.9 -

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

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

Eswatini's GDP per capita is $3,910, ranking 131/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Eswatini Iraq
Gross domestic product
$4.86B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
162/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
2.97%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,910
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
131/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,799
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
126/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$1.93B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.8%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,554
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
130/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,913
2026
$5,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$234M
2007
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2016
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2016
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.3%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2018-2019
-12.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
34.6%
2023
16.2%
2021
Population
1273390
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eswatini
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eswatini Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.3% 39.8% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 32% 40% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 29.6% 40.5% 33.9% 39%
2021 30.1% 38.4% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 32.7% 38.2% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 32.9% 30.7% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 32.2% 27% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 33.9% 21.9% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 34.7% 20.5% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 35.3% 16.4% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 33.3% 14.3% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 29.4% 15.5% 48.2% 32%
2012 27.8% 15.2% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 26% 15.1% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 31.6% 14.5% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 34.5% 10.8% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 34.4% 15% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 31.2% 16.6% 44% 117.1%
2006 28.2% 15% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 29.7% 13.9% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 32% 15.5% 91.5% 344%
2003 26.4% 18% - -
2002 27.2% 17.6% - -
2001 26.4% 22.4% - -
2000 25.3% 18.7% - -
1999 26.5% 17.2% - -
1998 22.5% 15.9% - -
1997 21.2% 13% - -
1996 23.3% 12% - -
1995 20.5% 12.9% - -
1994 24.7% 13.8% - -
1993 24% 15.6% - -
1992 26% 16.6% - -
1991 20.3% 20.1% - -
1990 18.7% 20.4% - -
1989 15.8% 26.8% - -
1988 15.6% 27.5% - -
1987 17% 36.1% - -
1986 19.8% 44% - -
1985 22.3% 45.5% - -
1984 22.2% 29.7% - -
1983 23.2% 28.7% - -
1982 24% 29.2% - -
1981 23.8% 24.3% - -
1980 19.6% 27.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eswatini's government spending was $1.62B, accounting for 33.3% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.8% in Eswatini and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 134/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eswatini

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eswatini Iraq
2024 -1.36% -4.14%
2023 -0.67% -1.14%
2022 -5.4% 8.1%
2021 -4.68% -0.38%
2020 -4.27% -12.8%
2019 -6.26% 0.83%
2018 -6.72% 7.69%
2017 -5.68% -1.52%
2016 -8.54% -14.4%
2015 -6.03% -12.8%
2014 -1.18% -5.63%
2013 0.59% -6.06%
2012 3.48% 4.09%
2011 -4.02% 4.74%
2010 -9.52% -4.18%
2009 -3.06% -14.9%
2008 1.63% -0.86%
2007 2.44% 9.98%
2006 8.88% 10.7%
2005 -1.7% 4.07%
2004 -4.1% -35.4%
2003 -2.15% -
2002 -3.78% -
2001 -2.31% -
2000 -1.22% -
1999 -1.27% -
1998 1.07% -
1997 2.11% -
1996 -1% -
1995 0.9% -
1994 -3.61% -
1993 -3.29% -
1992 -2.9% -
1991 3.4% -
1990 5.61% -
1989 5.82% -
1988 3.23% -
1987 2.03% -
1986 -2.41% -
1985 -1.33% -
1984 1.25% -
1983 -0.6% -
1982 0.11% -
1981 -4.29% -
1980 6.55% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/iraq | 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 Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Eswatini recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Eswatini posted an annual deficit equal to 2.68% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eswatini

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eswatini Iraq
2024 - -12.3%
2023 - 4.36%
2022 - 4.99%
2021 - 6.04%
2020 - 0.57%
2019 2.6% -0.2%
2018 4.82% 0.37%
2017 6.22% 0.18%
2016 7.85% 0.56%
2015 4.95% 1.39%
2014 5.68% 2.24%
2013 5.62% 1.88%
2012 8.94% 6.09%
2011 6.11% 5.8%
2010 4.51% 2.88%
2009 7.45% 6.87%
2008 12.7% 12.7%
2007 8.08% -10.1%
2006 5.3% 53.2%
2005 4.77% 37%
2004 3.45% 27%
2003 7.29% 33.6%
2002 12% 19.3%
2001 5.94% 16.4%
2000 12.2% 4.98%
1999 6.09% 12.6%
1998 8.11% 14.8%
1997 7.13% 23.1%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Eswatini has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.86%, compared with 11.8% in Iraq. In 2019, inflation was 2.6% in Eswatini and -12.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Eswatini
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Eswatini Iraq
Current account balance
$78.3M
2024
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
69/190
2024
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.61%
2024
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$2.07B
2024
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$2.33B
2024
$101B
2024
Service imports
$542M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$234M
2024
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.8%
2024
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eswatini Iraq
Economic freedom 57.5 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 116/197 196/197
Property rights 42.5 8.3
Government integrity 29.7 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 35.5 5.8
Tax burden 78.6 85.5
Government spending 71 65.3
Fiscal health 87.5 95.7
Business freedom 49.9 42.8
Labor freedom 55.2 60.6
Monetary freedom 76.8 68.6
Trade freedom 73.6 40
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 40 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eswatini
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eswatini Iraq
2026 57.5 -
2025 56.4 -
2024 55.6 -
2023 54.9 -
2022 51.4 -
2021 55.1 -
2020 55.3 -
2019 54.7 -
2018 55.9 -
2017 61.1 -
2016 59.7 -
2015 59.9 -
2014 61.2 -
2013 57.2 -
2012 57.2 -
2011 59.1 -
2010 57.4 -
2009 59.1 -
2008 58.4 -
2007 60.1 -
2006 61.4 -
2005 59.4 -
2004 58.6 -
2003 59.6 -
2002 60.9 15.6
2001 63.6 17.2
2000 62.6 17.2
1999 62.1 17.2
1998 62 17.2
1997 59.4 17.2
1996 58.6 17.2
1995 63.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eswatini is 57.5, ranking 116/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eswatini Iraq
Services, % of GDP
51.4%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.7%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.48%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,760
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$479M
2023
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
159/177
2023
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$11.8M
2024
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$75.5M
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.8M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.68%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.9%
2016
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15%
2024
28.2%
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/iraq | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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)
  8. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.