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

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea-Bissau has a GDP of $2.22B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 176/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea-Bissau has $1.82B in government debt (82.2% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Guinea-Bissau vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Guinea-Bissau
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
2024 $2,218,393,805 $1,117,972,034
2023 $2,127,688,181 $1,115,861,056
2022 $1,859,601,384 $1,055,031,361
2021 $1,908,094,558 $950,394,007
2020 $1,705,057,581 $909,421,044
2019 $1,596,227,316 $936,526,268
2018 $1,554,133,594 $914,727,908
2017 $1,469,978,606 $880,043,284
2016 $1,245,074,264 $804,323,577
2015 $1,152,384,167 $759,690,181
2014 $1,135,250,721 $773,717,011
2013 $1,109,682,824 $758,304,466
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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $1,008 $3,119 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $988 $2,990 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $883 $2,789 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $927 $2,523 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $847 $2,340 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $811 $2,247 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $809 $2,058 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $783 $2,082 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $680 $1,824 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $645 $1,730 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $652 $1,456 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $654 $1,416 $2,980 $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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Guinea-Bissau's GDP per capita is $1,008, ranking 177/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. 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
$2.22B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
176/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
4.15%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,008
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
177/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,119
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
179/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$1.82B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
82.2%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$828
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
146/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,711
2026
$3,164
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
20.4%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
2.67%
2022
4.05%
2020
Population
2311915
344750

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
2024 20.4% 82.2% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 21.9% 79.4% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 21.3% 80.7% 42% 42.8%
2021 25% 78.8% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 25% 77.6% 43.4% 48%
2019 18.8% 65.1% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 19.5% 59.1% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 18.1% 51.8% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 20.5% 59.1% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 21.5% 56.3% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 23% 60.1% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 12.4% 49.6% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 13% 47.4% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 17.3% 45.6% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 18.5% 61.7% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 20.6% 148.3% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 21.8% 148.8% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 23.7% 164% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 19.8% 190.4% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 20.2% 203.7% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 23% 202% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 17% 183.4% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 14.1% 197.5% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 19.1% 204.4% 22.3% 37%
2000 23.5% 217.1% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 12.1% 109.9% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 8.72% 109.1% 27.9% 28%
1997 12.7% 94.3% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 8.93% 117.3% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 8.14% 103.3% 28% 24.1%
1994 18.4% 105.5% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 13.1% 112.4% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 10.1% 85.3% 31.8% 21%
1991 9.19% 88.9% 33.2% 15.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guinea-Bissau's government spending was $452M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 82.2% in Guinea-Bissau and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 41/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea-Bissau

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
2024 -7.26% -2.34%
2023 -8.15% -0.95%
2022 -6.06% -6.5%
2021 -5.88% 2.38%
2020 -9.64% -1.95%
2019 -3.86% 2.81%
2018 -4.76% 6.26%
2017 -1.32% -1.2%
2016 -5.34% -0.72%
2015 -3.16% -8.66%
2014 -2.44% 1.44%
2013 -1.67% -0.25%
2012 -2.12% -1.7%
2011 -1.35% -2.19%
2010 -0.23% -2.63%
2009 2.68% -0.85%
2008 -0.73% -0.04%
2007 -8.77% 0.28%
2006 -4.57% 0.49%
2005 -4.96% 1.86%
2004 -5.92% 0.8%
2003 -5.63% -1.35%
2002 -3.7% -3.63%
2001 -1.83% -3.33%
2000 -2.8% -6.28%
1999 -4.06% -0.55%
1998 -5.95% -6.65%
1997 -2.56% -0.51%
1996 3.48% -1.78%
1995 2.45% -2.59%
1994 -5.54% -1.49%
1993 -0.34% -3.67%
1992 -0.25% -2.32%
1991 1.61% -2.81%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guinea-Bissau's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $161M, equivalent to 7.26% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Guinea-Bissau recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Guinea-Bissau posted an annual deficit equal to 3.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea-Bissau

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
2024 3.7% -
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Guinea-Bissau has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.41%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 3.7% in Guinea-Bissau and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Guinea-Bissau Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$160M
2023
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
95/190
2023
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.53%
2023
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$403M
2023
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$240M
2023
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$189M
2023
$230M
2022
Service exports
$44.8M
2023
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
9.43%
2022

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 2026-03-09).

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
37.9%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
42.2%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$2.18B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,140
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2023
-$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
1.75%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.5%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.9%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/guinea-bissau/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.