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Economy of Gabon vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Gabon has a GDP of $21.4B compared to $38.6B for Iceland, ranking 132/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $16.9B in government debt (78.9% of GDP), compared to $21.6B (56.1% of GDP) in Iceland.

Gabon vs Iceland GDP by year

Gabon
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Iceland
2025 $21,427,119,323 $38,582,528,789
2024 $20,895,684,426 $33,186,621,855
2023 $19,388,372,071 $31,701,996,434
2022 $20,440,655,695 $29,176,227,825
2021 $19,444,935,097 $26,234,872,402
2020 $15,342,236,164 $22,034,665,041
2019 $16,874,405,465 $24,985,687,022
2018 $16,867,326,402 $26,677,652,544
2017 $14,929,487,485 $25,060,086,488
2016 $14,023,890,265 $21,083,713,310
2015 $14,383,107,763 $17,700,486,957
2014 $18,203,966,896 $18,052,183,515
2013 $17,595,744,798 $16,244,319,959
2012 $17,170,464,016 $14,943,757,823
2011 $18,210,307,744 $15,394,005,872
2010 $14,372,593,020 $13,922,711,577
2009 $12,113,699,068 $13,212,543,838
2008 $15,571,348,344 $18,247,921,360
2007 $12,455,409,587 $21,960,110,030
2006 $10,327,598,306 $17,671,649,843
2005 $9,582,783,991 $17,146,410,561
2004 $7,770,219,008 $13,963,943,244
2003 $6,511,903,365 $11,564,687,742
2002 $5,335,451,100 $9,416,199,700
2001 $5,023,265,413 $8,323,401,820
2000 $5,080,483,629 $9,140,168,922
1999 $4,662,992,036 $9,107,644,691
1998 $4,483,417,310 $8,637,732,542
1997 $5,326,817,115 $7,716,781,803
1996 $5,694,040,003 $7,686,566,105
1995 $4,958,845,648 $7,372,640,169
1994 $4,190,819,344 $6,612,804,056
1993 $4,378,645,081 $6,435,952,174
1992 $5,592,390,827 $7,328,497,599
1991 $5,402,919,785 $7,151,260,062
1990 $5,952,293,765 $6,694,851,159
1989 $4,186,411,464 $5,870,854,233
1988 $3,834,503,376 $6,320,093,411
1987 $3,281,797,043 $5,713,281,235
1986 $3,403,638,189 $4,129,080,094
1985 $3,339,914,757 $3,088,359,967
1984 $3,561,451,561 $2,964,568,006
1983 $3,391,275,732 $2,862,634,164
1982 $3,618,007,841 $3,318,714,326
1981 $3,862,269,121 $3,615,094,820
1980 $4,279,637,942 $3,499,616,683
1979 $3,030,251,120 $2,953,176,971
1978 $2,389,479,272 $2,599,627,089
1977 $2,809,349,069 $2,285,707,749
1976 $3,009,409,974 $1,727,845,419
1975 $2,157,592,940 $1,456,052,700
1974 $1,544,216,002 $1,568,154,077
1973 $722,780,701 $1,194,794,186
1972 $430,508,359 $869,002,946
1971 $381,687,073 $693,679,545
1970 $323,802,476 $545,115,909
1969 $318,124,701 $435,659,610
1968 $294,468,564 $498,365,200
1967 $271,543,680 $652,609,076
1966 $245,849,781 $660,663,763
1965 $226,474,286 $550,150,988
1964 $215,679,855 $456,206,299
1963 $154,480,244 $357,240,896
1962 $182,796,536 $299,309,938
1961 $167,637,907 $266,711,460
1960 $141,468,978 $260,984,499

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Iceland by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,263 - $98,323 -
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $85,863 $84,257
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $82,201 $81,608
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $76,377 $75,333
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $4,374 - $23,219 -
1988 $4,119 - $25,307 -
1987 $3,624 - $23,238 -
1986 $3,865 - $16,980 -
1985 $3,898 - $12,793 -
1984 $4,273 - $12,378 -
1983 $4,182 - $12,080 -
1982 $4,584 - $14,191 -
1981 $5,026 - $15,666 -
1980 $5,718 - $15,340 -
1979 $4,155 - $13,082 -
1978 $3,360 - $11,630 -
1977 $4,048 - $10,305 -
1976 $4,441 - $7,848 -
1975 $3,258 - $6,680 -
1974 $2,384 - $7,287 -
1973 $1,140 - $5,627 -
1972 $693 - $4,155 -
1971 $627 - $3,366 -
1970 $543 - $2,666 -
1969 $545 - $2,142 -
1968 $515 - $2,473 -
1967 $482 - $3,284 -
1966 $443 - $3,378 -
1965 $415 - $2,861 -
1964 $400 - $2,414 -
1963 $290.7 - $1,924 -
1962 $348 - $1,641 -
1961 $323 - $1,490 -
1960 $276.1 - $1,486 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,263, ranking 96/197, compared to $98,323 in Iceland, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Gabon Iceland
Gross domestic product
$21.4B
2025
$38.6B
2025
GDP rank
132/197
2025
105/197
2025
GDP growth
2.47%
2024-2025
1.28%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,263
2025
$98,323
2025
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2025
8/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$16.9B
2025
$21.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.9%
2025
56.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,521
2025
$55,165
2025
Government debt per person rank
74/185
2025
9/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,617
2026
$54,153
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2025
45%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2024-2025
4.09%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
17.4%
2024
4.5%
2025
Population
2676097
398674

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 28.6% 78.9% 45% 56.1%
2024 24.8% 70.9% 47.1% 60.4%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 45.2% 61.5%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 46.2% 66.4%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 19.8% 83% 50.4% 76.1%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 43% 65.7%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 43.4% 62.3%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 43% 96.3%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 45.3% 114.1%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 47.2% 132.2%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 50% 136.6%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 22.6% 26% 53.4% 128.2%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 44.2% 67.4%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 47.3% 84.1%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 45% 81.3%
2001 27.8% 81% 47% 82.5%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 40.3% 43.3%
1997 29.7% 57% 41.4% 51.1%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 42.5% 53.7%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 43% 56.1%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 43.6% 53%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 43.7% 50.6%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 43.3% 43.9%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 41.6% 36.4%
1990 22.6% 90% 41.4% 34.4%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government spending was $6.14B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $17.4B, or 45% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.9% in Gabon and 56.1% in Iceland, ranking 44/185 and 86/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Iceland
2025 -8.47% -2.77%
2024 -3.3% -3.71%
2023 1.79% -2.32%
2022 -0.89% -3.82%
2021 -1.93% -7.96%
2020 -2.19% -8.81%
2019 2.13% -1.45%
2018 -0.21% 1.04%
2017 -1.7% 1.28%
2016 -4.71% 12.7%
2015 -1.12% -0.14%
2014 5.98% 0.59%
2013 -3.07% -0.88%
2012 6.2% -2.59%
2011 1.41% -6.42%
2010 2.7% -6.56%
2009 6.77% -8.5%
2008 11% -12%
2007 8.06% 5.57%
2006 8.67% 6.42%
2005 7.98% 4.96%
2004 6.99% 0.33%
2003 7.75% -2.25%
2002 3.72% -2.21%
2001 4.07% -0.27%
2000 11.1% 1.43%
1999 1.11% 1.3%
1998 -13.1% -0.55%
1997 1.41% 0.05%
1996 2.12% -1.46%
1995 2.64% -2.77%
1994 -1.53% -4.44%
1993 -5.35% -4.21%
1992 -4.9% -1.8%
1991 -2.03% -0.63%
1990 -3.83% -3.06%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.82B, equivalent to 8.47% of GDP. This compares to Iceland's deficit of $1.07B, or 2.77% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.55% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Iceland
2025 1.77% 4.09%
2024 1.17% 5.86%
2023 3.63% 8.74%
2022 4.23% 8.31%
2021 1.09% 4.44%
2020 1.35% 2.85%
2019 2.46% 3.01%
2018 4.75% 2.68%
2017 2.65% 1.76%
2016 2.11% 1.7%
2015 -0.34% 1.63%
2014 4.69% 2.04%
2013 0.51% 3.87%
2012 2.65% 5.19%
2011 1.26% 4%
2010 1.46% 5.4%
2009 1.89% 12%
2008 5.26% 12.7%
2007 5.03% 5.05%
2006 -1.41% 6.69%
2005 3.71% 3.99%
2004 0.41% 3.16%
2003 2.24% 2.06%
2002 0.04% 5.2%
2001 2.14% 6.41%
2000 0.5% 5.14%
1999 -1.94% 3.23%
1998 1.45% 1.66%
1997 3.97% 1.82%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 4.64% in Iceland. In 2025, inflation was 1.77% in Gabon and 4.09% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4K
Iceland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $143K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $133K
Machinery & equipment $15K

Balance of trade

Gabon Iceland
Current account balance
$141M
2015
-$1.34B
2025
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2015
127/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
-3.48%
2025
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$10.4B
2025
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$7.4B
2025
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$5.98B
2025
Service exports
$277M
2015
$8.16B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
42.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.5%
2025
40.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Iceland
Economic freedom 56.6 75
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 19/197
Property rights 30 94.9
Government integrity 22.6 85
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 95.2
Tax burden 76.5 72.2
Government spending 85.5 37
Fiscal health 87.9 76.2
Business freedom 63.6 86.8
Labor freedom 55.4 59.3
Monetary freedom 80.9 73.5
Trade freedom 57.4 79.8
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 40 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Iceland
2026 56.6 75
2025 56.3 72.8
2024 56.9 70.5
2023 56.1 72.2
2022 55.8 77
2021 58.1 77.4
2020 56.7 77.1
2019 56.3 77.1
2018 58 77
2017 58.6 74.4
2016 59 73.3
2015 58.3 72
2014 57.8 72.4
2013 57.8 72.1
2012 56.4 70.9
2011 56.7 68.2
2010 55.4 73.7
2009 55 75.9
2008 54.2 75.8
2007 54.8 76
2006 56.1 75.8
2005 54.8 76.6
2004 57.1 72.1
2003 58.7 73.5
2002 58 73.1
2001 55 73.4
2000 58.2 74
1999 60.5 71.4
1998 59.2 71.2
1997 58.8 70.5
1996 55.7 -
1995 57.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gabon Iceland
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2025
66.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
47.2%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.75%
2025
3.65%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$21B
2025
$35B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,660
2025
$83,250
2025
Total reserves including gold
$639M
2024
$7.73B
2025
Total reserves ranking
150/177
2024
88/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$650M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$2.83B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$300M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
26.6%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.