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Economy of Gabon vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Gabon has a GDP of $21.4B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 132/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $16.9B in government debt (78.9% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Gabon vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Gabon
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Vanuatu
2025 $21,427,119,323 $1,353,658,841
2024 $20,895,684,426 $1,297,956,615
2023 $19,388,372,071 $1,188,137,265
2022 $20,440,655,695 $1,151,863,790
2021 $19,444,935,097 $1,093,826,089
2020 $15,342,236,164 $1,017,403,363
2019 $16,874,405,465 $1,061,547,513
2018 $16,867,326,402 $1,034,402,941
2017 $14,929,487,485 $998,536,155
2016 $14,023,890,265 $908,725,513
2015 $14,383,107,763 $855,360,240
2014 $18,203,966,896 $879,185,478
2013 $17,595,744,798 $863,347,172
2012 $17,170,464,016 $747,839,698
2011 $18,210,307,744 $770,153,588
2010 $14,372,593,020 $670,712,980
2009 $12,113,699,068 $592,622,319
2008 $15,571,348,344 $590,748,429
2007 $12,455,409,587 $516,392,923
2006 $10,327,598,306 $439,358,587
2005 $9,582,783,991 $394,962,433
2004 $7,770,219,008 $364,996,869
2003 $6,511,903,365 $314,471,413
2002 $5,335,451,100 $262,596,536
2001 $5,023,265,413 $257,926,882
2000 $5,080,483,629 $272,014,628
1999 $4,662,992,036 $268,006,973
1998 $4,483,417,310 $262,293,411
1997 $5,326,817,115 $272,771,209
1996 $5,694,040,003 $261,370,044
1995 $4,958,845,648 $249,333,250
1994 $4,190,819,344 $233,701,301
1993 $4,378,645,081 $200,491,853
1992 $5,592,390,827 $209,088,825
1991 $5,402,919,785 $201,334,169
1990 $5,952,293,765 $168,879,207
1989 $4,186,411,464 $154,013,202
1988 $3,834,503,376 $158,351,368
1987 $3,281,797,043 $139,464,174
1986 $3,403,638,189 $126,498,935
1985 $3,339,914,757 $131,856,421
1984 $3,561,451,561 $144,482,515
1983 $3,391,275,732 $117,389,554
1982 $3,618,007,841 $114,501,913
1981 $3,862,269,121 $113,781,796
1980 $4,279,637,942 $121,185,498
1979 $3,030,251,120 $119,258,835
1978 $2,389,479,272 -
1977 $2,809,349,069 -
1976 $3,009,409,974 -
1975 $2,157,592,940 -
1974 $1,544,216,002 -
1973 $722,780,701 -
1972 $430,508,359 -
1971 $381,687,073 -
1970 $323,802,476 -
1969 $318,124,701 -
1968 $294,468,564 -
1967 $271,543,680 -
1966 $245,849,781 -
1965 $226,474,286 -
1964 $215,679,855 -
1963 $154,480,244 -
1962 $182,796,536 -
1961 $167,637,907 -
1960 $141,468,978 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Vanuatu by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,263 - $4,039 -
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $4,374 - $1,067 -
1988 $4,119 - $1,125 -
1987 $3,624 - $1,017 -
1986 $3,865 - $946 -
1985 $3,898 - $1,012 -
1984 $4,273 - $1,137 -
1983 $4,182 - $947 -
1982 $4,584 - $946 -
1981 $5,026 - $962 -
1980 $5,718 - $1,048 -
1979 $4,155 - $1,055 -
1978 $3,360 - - -
1977 $4,048 - - -
1976 $4,441 - - -
1975 $3,258 - - -
1974 $2,384 - - -
1973 $1,140 - - -
1972 $693 - - -
1971 $627 - - -
1970 $543 - - -
1969 $545 - - -
1968 $515 - - -
1967 $482 - - -
1966 $443 - - -
1965 $415 - - -
1964 $400 - - -
1963 $290.7 - - -
1962 $348 - - -
1961 $323 - - -
1960 $276.1 - - -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,263, ranking 96/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Gabon Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$21.4B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
132/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
2.47%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,263
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$16.9B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.9%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,521
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
74/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,617
2026
$2,801
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
17.4%
2024
1.41%
2025
Population
2676097
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 28.6% 78.9% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 24.8% 70.9% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 19.8% 83% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 29.4% 40%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 22.6% 26% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 18.2% 20%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 17% 34.6%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 27.8% 81% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 23% 32.6%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 29.7% 57% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 22% 19.5%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 28.8% 19%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 30% 14.4%
1990 22.6% 90% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government spending was $6.14B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.9% in Gabon and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 44/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Vanuatu
2025 -8.47% -3.88%
2024 -3.3% -2.46%
2023 1.79% -0.78%
2022 -0.89% -5.96%
2021 -1.93% 2.07%
2020 -2.19% -1.74%
2019 2.13% 2.48%
2018 -0.21% 5.53%
2017 -1.7% -1.06%
2016 -4.71% -0.64%
2015 -1.12% -8.13%
2014 5.98% 1.26%
2013 -3.07% -0.22%
2012 6.2% -1.54%
2011 1.41% -1.98%
2010 2.7% -2.38%
2009 6.77% -0.76%
2008 11% -0.04%
2007 8.06% 0.25%
2006 8.67% 0.44%
2005 7.98% 1.68%
2004 6.99% 0.72%
2003 7.75% -1.22%
2002 3.72% -3.29%
2001 4.07% -3.01%
2000 11.1% -5.67%
1999 1.11% -0.5%
1998 -13.1% -6.01%
1997 1.41% -0.46%
1996 2.12% -1.61%
1995 2.64% -2.34%
1994 -1.53% -1.35%
1993 -5.35% -3.32%
1992 -4.9% -2.1%
1991 -2.03% -2.54%
1990 -3.83% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gabon/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Vanuatu
2025 1.77% 0.66%
2024 1.17% 1.14%
2023 3.63% 11.2%
2022 4.23% 6.68%
2021 1.09% 2.34%
2020 1.35% 5.33%
2019 2.46% 2.76%
2018 4.75% 2.33%
2017 2.65% 3.08%
2016 2.11% 0.84%
2015 -0.34% 2.48%
2014 4.69% 0.8%
2013 0.51% 1.46%
2012 2.65% 1.35%
2011 1.26% 0.87%
2010 1.46% 2.76%
2009 1.89% 4.3%
2008 5.26% 4.84%
2007 5.03% 3.94%
2006 -1.41% 2.04%
2005 3.71% 1.2%
2004 0.41% 1.42%
2003 2.24% 3.02%
2002 0.04% 1.96%
2001 2.14% 3.58%
2000 0.5% 2.54%
1999 -1.94% 2%
1998 1.45% 3.28%
1997 3.97% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 1.77% in Gabon and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Gabon Vanuatu
Current account balance
$141M
2015
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2015
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$230M
2022
Service exports
$277M
2015
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.5%
2025
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Vanuatu
Economic freedom 56.6 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 92/197
Property rights 30 62.1
Government integrity 22.6 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 67.9
Tax burden 76.5 96.9
Government spending 85.5 48.1
Fiscal health 87.9 78.8
Business freedom 63.6 50.3
Labor freedom 55.4 41
Monetary freedom 80.9 72.1
Trade freedom 57.4 62
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Vanuatu
2026 56.6 61.1
2025 56.3 61.8
2024 56.9 62.2
2023 56.1 62.1
2022 55.8 62.9
2021 58.1 60.5
2020 56.7 60.7
2019 56.3 56.4
2018 58 69.5
2017 58.6 67.4
2016 59 60.8
2015 58.3 61.1
2014 57.8 59.5
2013 57.8 56.6
2012 56.4 56.6
2011 56.7 56.7
2010 55.4 56.4
2009 55 58.4
2008 54.2 -
2007 54.8 -
2006 56.1 -
2005 54.8 -
2004 57.1 -
2003 58.7 -
2002 58 -
2001 55 -
2000 58.2 -
1999 60.5 -
1998 59.2 -
1997 58.8 -
1996 55.7 -
1995 57.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gabon Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
47.2%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.75%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,660
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$639M
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
150/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
26.1%
2024

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/vanuatu | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.