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Economy of Guinea-Bissau vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guinea-Bissau has a GDP of $2.53B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 176/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea-Bissau has $1.9B in government debt (75.3% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Guinea-Bissau vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Guinea-Bissau
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
2025 $2,527,930,273 $1,353,658,841
2024 $2,197,777,210 $1,297,956,615
2023 $2,076,748,678 $1,188,137,265
2022 $1,856,239,955 $1,151,863,790
2021 $1,907,611,288 $1,093,826,089
2020 $1,705,062,170 $1,017,403,363
2019 $1,596,214,680 $1,061,547,513
2018 $1,554,133,594 $1,034,402,941
2017 $1,469,978,606 $998,536,155
2016 $1,245,074,264 $908,725,513
2015 $1,152,384,167 $855,360,240
2014 $1,135,250,721 $879,185,478
2013 $1,109,682,824 $863,347,172
2012 $1,049,412,177 $747,839,698
2011 $1,157,074,319 $770,153,588
2010 $940,112,539 $670,712,980
2009 $890,167,833 $592,622,319
2008 $952,667,544 $590,748,429
2007 $753,162,998 $516,392,923
2006 $634,781,901 $439,358,587
2005 $639,776,041 $394,962,433
2004 $582,169,841 $364,996,869
2003 $553,614,800 $314,471,413
2002 $466,773,711 $262,596,536
2001 $412,610,872 $257,926,882
2000 $391,345,597 $272,014,628
1999 $579,365,780 $268,006,973
1998 $591,034,143 $262,293,411
1997 $698,107,222 $272,771,209
1996 $702,965,148 $261,370,044
1995 $660,195,402 $249,333,250
1994 $612,502,085 $233,701,301
1993 $615,779,519 $200,491,853
1992 $588,309,271 $209,088,825
1991 $668,470,891 $201,334,169
1990 $634,187,269 $168,879,207
1989 $554,072,303 $154,013,202
1988 $427,514,322 $158,351,368
1987 $451,893,375 $139,464,174
1986 $338,524,233 $126,498,935
1985 $373,959,151 $131,856,421
1984 $359,980,491 $144,482,515
1983 $425,225,177 $117,389,554
1982 $430,284,022 $114,501,913
1981 $402,230,865 $113,781,796
1980 $287,648,258 $121,185,498
1979 $308,143,183 $119,258,835
1978 $318,876,550 -
1977 $298,871,675 -
1976 $292,152,321 -
1975 $283,311,997 -
1974 $256,769,730 -
1973 $232,331,281 -
1972 $227,986,203 -
1971 $204,167,297 -
1970 $204,670,551 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guinea-Bissau vs Vanuatu by year

Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,124 - $4,039 -
2024 $998 $3,119 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $964 $2,990 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $882 $2,789 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $927 $2,523 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $847 $2,340 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $811 $2,247 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $809 $2,058 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $783 $2,082 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $680 $1,824 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $645 $1,730 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $652 $1,456 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $654 $1,416 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $635 $1,402 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $720 $1,472 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $600 $1,370 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $583 $1,315 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $640 $1,309 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $519 $1,260 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $449 $1,226 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $463 $1,187 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $431 $1,105 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $420 $1,089 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $362 $1,095 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $327 $1,064 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $317 $1,014 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $479 $1,001 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $498 $861 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $599 $1,118 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $615 $1,052 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $589 $945 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $561 $909 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $582 $890 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $574 $880 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $672 $877 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $651 $824 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $578 - $1,067 -
1988 $454 - $1,125 -
1987 $488 - $1,017 -
1986 $371 - $946 -
1985 $417 - $1,012 -
1984 $407 - $1,137 -
1983 $489 - $947 -
1982 $503 - $946 -
1981 $477 - $962 -
1980 $347 - $1,048 -
1979 $376 - $1,055 -
1978 $403 - - -
1977 $403 - - -
1976 $421 - - -
1975 $435 - - -
1974 $419 - - -
1973 $392 - - -
1972 $389 - - -
1971 $348 - - -
1970 $350 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/vanuatu | CC BY

Guinea-Bissau's GDP per capita is $1,124, ranking 177/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea-Bissau ranks 179th at $3,119, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$2.53B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
176/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
5.82%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,124
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
177/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,119
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
179/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
75.3%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$846
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
149/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,483
2026
$2,801
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.1%
2021
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2021
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.9%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
2.67%
2022
1.41%
2025
Population
2323460
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea-Bissau
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.9% 75.3% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 20.4% 82.4% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 21.9% 79.4% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 21.3% 80.7% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 25% 78.8% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 25% 77.6% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 18.8% 65.1% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 19.5% 59.1% 29.4% 40%
2017 18.1% 51.8% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 20.5% 59.1% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 21.5% 56.3% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 23% 60.1% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 12.4% 49.6% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 13% 47.4% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 17.3% 45.6% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 18.5% 61.7% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 20.6% 148.3% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 21.8% 148.8% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 23.7% 164% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 19.8% 190.4% 18.2% 20%
2005 20.2% 203.7% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 23% 202% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 17% 183.4% 17% 34.6%
2002 14.1% 197.5% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 19.1% 204.4% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 23.5% 217.1% 23% 32.6%
1999 12.1% 109.9% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 8.72% 109.1% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 12.7% 94.3% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 8.93% 117.3% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 8.14% 103.3% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 18.4% 105.5% 22% 19.5%
1993 13.1% 112.4% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 10.1% 85.3% 28.8% 19%
1991 9.19% 88.9% 30% 14.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, Guinea-Bissau's government spending was $502M, accounting for 19.9% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 75.3% in Guinea-Bissau and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 49/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea-Bissau

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
2025 -6.69% -3.88%
2024 -7.26% -2.46%
2023 -8.15% -0.78%
2022 -6.06% -5.96%
2021 -5.88% 2.07%
2020 -9.64% -1.74%
2019 -3.86% 2.48%
2018 -4.76% 5.53%
2017 -1.32% -1.06%
2016 -5.34% -0.64%
2015 -3.16% -8.13%
2014 -2.44% 1.26%
2013 -1.67% -0.22%
2012 -2.12% -1.54%
2011 -1.35% -1.98%
2010 -0.23% -2.38%
2009 2.68% -0.76%
2008 -0.73% -0.04%
2007 -8.77% 0.25%
2006 -4.57% 0.44%
2005 -4.96% 1.68%
2004 -5.92% 0.72%
2003 -5.63% -1.22%
2002 -3.7% -3.29%
2001 -1.83% -3.01%
2000 -2.8% -5.67%
1999 -4.06% -0.5%
1998 -5.95% -6.01%
1997 -2.56% -0.46%
1996 3.48% -1.61%
1995 2.45% -2.34%
1994 -5.54% -1.35%
1993 -0.34% -3.32%
1992 -0.25% -2.1%
1991 1.61% -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, Guinea-Bissau's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $169M, equivalent to 6.69% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Guinea-Bissau recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Guinea-Bissau posted an annual deficit equal to 3.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea-Bissau

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
2025 0.9% 0.66%
2024 3.7% 1.14%
2023 7.2% 11.2%
2022 7.9% 6.68%
2021 3.3% 2.34%
2020 1.5% 5.33%
2019 0.3% 2.76%
2018 0.4% 2.33%
2017 -0.2% 3.08%
2016 2.7% 0.84%
2015 1.5% 2.48%
2014 -1% 0.8%
2013 0.8% 1.46%
2012 2.1% 1.35%
2011 5.1% 0.87%
2010 1.1% 2.76%
2009 -1.6% 4.3%
2008 10.4% 4.84%
2007 4.6% 3.94%
2006 2% 2.04%
2005 3.4% 1.2%
2004 0.8% 1.42%
2003 -3.5% 3.02%
2002 3.3% 1.96%
2001 3.3% 3.58%
2000 8.6% 2.54%
1999 -2.1% 2%
1998 8.1% 3.28%
1997 49.1% 2.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Guinea-Bissau has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.27%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 0.9% in Guinea-Bissau and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$162M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
87/190
2024
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.36%
2024
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$414M
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$229M
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$198M
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$51M
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.9%
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.

Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
Economic freedom 43.2 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 181/197 92/197
Property rights 28.4 62.1
Government integrity 21 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 13.2 67.9
Tax burden 89 96.9
Government spending 86.5 48.1
Fiscal health 6.5 78.8
Business freedom 34.6 50.3
Labor freedom 55.9 41
Monetary freedom 75.9 72.1
Trade freedom 47 62
Investment freedom 30 65
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea-Bissau
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
2026 43.2 61.1
2025 43.6 61.8
2024 42.7 62.2
2023 44.6 62.1
2022 46 62.9
2021 54.9 60.5
2020 53.3 60.7
2019 54 56.4
2018 56.9 69.5
2017 56.1 67.4
2016 51.8 60.8
2015 52 61.1
2014 51.3 59.5
2013 51.1 56.6
2012 50.1 56.6
2011 46.5 56.7
2010 43.6 56.4
2009 45.4 58.4
2008 44.4 -
2007 46.1 -
2006 46.5 -
2005 46 -
2004 42.6 -
2003 43.1 -
2002 42.3 -
2001 42.5 -
2000 34.7 -
1999 33.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea-Bissau is 43.2, ranking 181/197, 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

Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
39.1%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.7%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
40.6%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.45B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,320
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$26.3M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.7M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$389K
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.77%
2024
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.5%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
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/guinea-bissau/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.