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Economy of Gambia vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 174/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Gambia vs Iceland GDP by year

Gambia
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Iceland
2024 $2,404,888,749 $33,255,181,469
2023 $2,382,262,185 $31,677,891,897
2022 $2,204,734,528 $29,166,102,877
2021 $2,014,158,842 $26,234,872,402
2020 $1,812,170,891 $22,034,665,041
2019 $1,813,609,692 $24,985,687,022
2018 $1,670,671,328 $26,677,652,544
2017 $1,504,909,463 $25,060,086,488
2016 $1,484,578,886 $21,083,713,310
2015 $1,378,176,609 $17,700,486,957
2014 $1,229,461,721 $18,052,183,515
2013 $1,375,609,453 $16,244,319,959
2012 $1,415,004,738 $14,943,757,823
2011 $1,409,693,597 $15,394,005,872
2010 $1,543,294,927 $13,922,711,577
2009 $1,450,142,509 $13,212,543,838
2008 $1,561,766,956 $18,247,921,360
2007 $1,279,703,047 $21,960,110,030
2006 $1,054,112,488 $17,671,649,843
2005 $1,027,701,068 $17,146,410,561
2004 $961,900,651 $13,963,943,244
2003 $487,038,685 $11,564,687,742
2002 $578,235,309 $9,416,199,700
2001 $687,410,645 $8,323,401,820
2000 $782,913,872 $9,140,168,922
1999 $814,724,032 $9,107,644,691
1998 $840,285,265 $8,637,732,542
1997 $803,633,342 $7,716,781,803
1996 $848,239,446 $7,686,566,105
1995 $785,999,865 $7,372,640,169
1994 $746,493,952 $6,612,804,056
1993 $755,040,974 $6,435,952,174
1992 $714,254,256 $7,328,497,599
1991 $690,311,081 $7,151,260,062
1990 $317,083,695 $6,694,851,159
1989 $284,120,329 $5,870,854,233
1988 $266,672,212 $6,320,093,411
1987 $220,626,484 $5,713,281,235
1986 $185,646,987 $4,129,080,094
1985 $225,726,359 $3,088,359,967
1984 $177,340,880 $2,964,568,006
1983 $213,448,585 $2,862,634,164
1982 $216,050,552 $3,318,714,326
1981 $218,767,743 $3,615,094,820
1980 $241,083,090 $3,499,616,683
1979 $207,112,628 $2,953,176,971
1978 $171,833,086 $2,599,627,089
1977 $138,093,099 $2,285,707,749
1976 $112,190,829 $1,727,845,419
1975 $115,179,719 $1,456,052,700
1974 $95,796,022 $1,568,154,077
1973 $75,187,749 $1,194,794,186
1972 $59,160,569 $869,002,946
1971 $55,728,663 $693,679,545
1970 $52,296,084 $545,115,909
1969 $45,168,072 $435,659,610
1968 $41,160,066 $498,365,200
1967 $46,695,007 $652,609,076
1966 $44,212,081 $660,663,763
1965 - $550,150,988
1964 - $456,206,299
1963 - $357,240,896
1962 - $299,309,938
1961 - $266,711,460
1960 - $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Iceland by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $883 $3,289 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $836 $3,067 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $782 $2,778 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $720 $2,531 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $738 $2,422 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $696 $2,277 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $643 $2,039 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $650 $2,013 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $620 $1,990 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $568 $1,934 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $654 $2,007 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $693 $2,065 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $711 $2,064 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $801 $2,267 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $775 $2,177 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $859 $2,088 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $725 $1,985 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $615 $1,931 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $616 $1,938 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $593 $1,979 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $309 $1,850 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $377 $1,744 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $460 $1,823 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $538 $1,731 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $575 $1,649 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $610 $1,572 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $600 $1,544 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $652 $1,489 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $622 $1,472 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $608 $1,473 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $635 $1,487 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $623 $1,462 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $628 $1,440 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $301 $1,409 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $280.9 - $23,219 -
1988 $274.9 - $25,307 -
1987 $237 - $23,238 -
1986 $207.7 - $16,980 -
1985 $262.8 - $12,793 -
1984 $214.8 - $12,378 -
1983 $268.6 - $12,080 -
1982 $282.1 - $14,191 -
1981 $296 - $15,666 -
1980 $338 - $15,340 -
1979 $300 - $13,082 -
1978 $257.6 - $11,630 -
1977 $213.8 - $10,305 -
1976 $179.3 - $7,848 -
1975 $189.8 - $6,680 -
1974 $162.6 - $7,287 -
1973 $131.4 - $5,627 -
1972 $106.5 - $4,155 -
1971 $103.3 - $3,366 -
1970 $99.8 - $2,666 -
1969 $88.7 - $2,142 -
1968 $83.1 - $2,473 -
1967 $97 - $3,284 -
1966 $94.4 - $3,378 -
1965 - - $2,861 -
1964 - - $2,414 -
1963 - - $1,924 -
1962 - - $1,641 -
1961 - - $1,490 -
1960 - - $1,486 -

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

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Gambia Iceland
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
3.56%
2024
Population
2902554
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 45% 61.5%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 23.9% 83% 43% 65.7%
2018 19% 83.6% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 23.6% 87% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 43% 96.3%
2014 19% 71.1% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 50% 136.6%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 11.2% 38% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 14% 87.3% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 45% 81.3%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 - - 44.8% 75.5%
1998 - - 40.2% 43.3%
1997 - - 41.3% 51.1%
1996 - - 43.9% 55.6%
1995 - - 44.4% 58.1%
1994 - - 45% 54.8%
1993 - - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - - 42.6% 35.5%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 45/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Iceland
2024 -4.08% -3.51%
2023 -3.69% -2.28%
2022 -5.72% -3.93%
2021 -4.77% -8.33%
2020 -2.37% -8.73%
2019 -2.75% -1.57%
2018 -3.92% 0.94%
2017 -4.35% 0.97%
2016 -6.22% 12.4%
2015 -5.38% -0.39%
2014 -3.94% 0.29%
2013 -5.11% -1.24%
2012 -2.85% -2.59%
2011 -3.03% -6.46%
2010 -2.93% -6.58%
2009 -1.65% -8.54%
2008 -0.45% -12%
2007 0.27% 5.52%
2006 -3.19% 6.37%
2005 -3.33% 4.92%
2004 -1.77% 0.28%
2003 -1.73% -2.3%
2002 0.06% -2.25%
2001 -2.52% -0.28%
2000 -0.09% 1.43%
1999 - 1.3%
1998 - -0.56%
1997 - 0.04%
1996 - -1.52%
1995 - -2.87%
1994 - -4.59%
1993 - -4.36%
1992 - -1.86%
1991 - -0.66%
1990 - -3.16%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $98.2M, equivalent to 4.08% of GDP. This compares to Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.52% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Iceland
2024 11.6% 5.86%
2023 17% 8.74%
2022 11.5% 8.31%
2021 7.37% 4.44%
2020 5.93% 2.85%
2019 7.12% 3.01%
2018 6.52% 2.68%
2017 8.03% 1.76%
2016 7.23% 1.7%
2015 6.81% 1.63%
2014 5.95% 2.04%
2013 5.7% 3.87%
2012 4.25% 5.19%
2011 4.8% 4%
2010 5.05% 5.4%
2009 4.56% 12%
2008 4.44% 12.7%
2007 5.37% 5.05%
2006 2.06% 6.69%
2005 4.84% 3.99%
2004 14.2% 3.16%
2003 17% 2.06%
2002 8.61% 5.2%
2001 4.49% 6.41%
2000 0.84% 5.14%
1999 3.81% 3.23%
1998 1.11% 1.66%
1997 2.78% 1.82%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 5.86% in Iceland.

Balance of trade

Gambia Iceland
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
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.

Gambia Iceland
Economic freedom 56.3 75
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 19/197
Property rights 55.4 94.9
Government integrity 40.5 85
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 95.2
Tax burden 79.2 72.2
Government spending 81.1 37
Fiscal health 54.8 76.2
Business freedom 50.1 86.8
Labor freedom 46.4 59.3
Monetary freedom 57.3 73.5
Trade freedom 64.8 79.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Iceland
2026 56.3 75
2025 56.8 72.8
2024 58.2 70.5
2023 57.9 72.2
2022 58 77
2021 58.8 77.4
2020 56.3 77.1
2019 52.4 77.1
2018 52.3 77
2017 53.4 74.4
2016 57.1 73.3
2015 57.5 72
2014 59.5 72.4
2013 58.8 72.1
2012 58.8 70.9
2011 57.4 68.2
2010 55.1 73.7
2009 55.8 75.9
2008 56.9 75.8
2007 57.7 76
2006 57.3 75.8
2005 56.5 76.6
2004 55.3 72.1
2003 56.3 73.5
2002 57.7 73.1
2001 56.6 73.4
2000 52.7 74
1999 52.1 71.4
1998 53.4 71.2
1997 52.9 70.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gambia Iceland
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
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/gambia/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 (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, 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.