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Economy of Hungary vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Hungary has a GDP of $223B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 55/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $164B in government debt (73.5% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Hungary vs Iceland GDP by year

Hungary
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Iceland
2024 $222,722,738,926 $33,255,181,469
2023 $213,240,316,635 $31,677,891,897
2022 $177,002,580,544 $29,166,102,877
2021 $183,282,685,440 $26,234,872,402
2020 $158,468,487,754 $22,034,665,041
2019 $164,936,682,034 $24,985,687,022
2018 $161,184,691,014 $26,677,652,544
2017 $143,335,098,992 $25,060,086,488
2016 $128,983,560,865 $21,083,713,310
2015 $125,244,126,623 $17,700,486,957
2014 $141,128,696,412 $18,052,183,515
2013 $135,646,053,779 $16,244,319,959
2012 $128,470,269,690 $14,943,757,823
2011 $141,712,804,954 $15,394,005,872
2010 $131,898,737,241 $13,922,711,577
2009 $130,807,441,076 $13,212,543,838
2008 $158,228,265,916 $18,247,921,360
2007 $140,123,326,896 $21,960,110,030
2006 $115,604,111,412 $17,671,649,843
2005 $113,098,237,571 $17,146,410,561
2004 $104,015,363,080 $13,963,943,244
2003 $85,190,469,121 $11,564,687,742
2002 $67,636,468,625 $9,416,199,700
2001 $53,800,068,066 $8,323,401,820
2000 $47,275,954,429 $9,140,168,922
1999 $49,160,204,397 $9,107,644,691
1998 $48,784,412,624 $8,637,732,542
1997 $47,398,564,799 $7,716,781,803
1996 $46,833,767,124 $7,686,566,105
1995 $46,577,614,589 $7,372,640,169
1994 $43,307,949,890 $6,612,804,056
1993 $40,256,233,360 $6,435,952,174
1992 $38,857,339,125 $7,328,497,599
1991 $34,867,307,353 $7,151,260,062
1990 $34,478,360,679 $6,694,851,159
1989 $30,422,508,938 $5,870,854,233
1988 $29,799,838,597 $6,320,093,411
1987 $27,232,016,527 $5,713,281,235
1986 $24,778,163,812 $4,129,080,094
1985 $21,510,643,750 $3,088,359,967
1984 $21,242,726,264 $2,964,568,006
1983 $21,910,365,258 $2,862,634,164
1982 $24,141,667,188 $3,318,714,326
1981 $23,705,883,892 $3,615,094,820
1980 $23,116,977,148 $3,499,616,683
1979 $19,959,731,325 $2,953,176,971
1978 $17,286,744,154 $2,599,627,089
1977 $14,783,674,055 $2,285,707,749
1976 $13,235,612,079 $1,727,845,419
1975 $11,420,392,515 $1,456,052,700
1974 $10,016,338,179 $1,568,154,077
1973 $9,138,292,402 $1,194,794,186
1972 $7,379,313,742 $869,002,946
1971 $6,291,568,221 $693,679,545
1970 $5,780,929,203 $545,115,909
1969 $5,429,812,387 $435,659,610
1968 $4,886,222,555 $498,365,200
1967 - $652,609,076
1966 - $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/hungary/iceland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Iceland by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,292 $48,552 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $22,231 $46,592 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $2,902 - $23,219 -
1988 $2,812 - $25,307 -
1987 $2,566 - $23,238 -
1986 $2,331 - $16,980 -
1985 $2,020 - $12,793 -
1984 $1,991 - $12,378 -
1983 $2,050 - $12,080 -
1982 $2,255 - $14,191 -
1981 $2,213 - $15,666 -
1980 $2,158 - $15,340 -
1979 $1,865 - $13,082 -
1978 $1,618 - $11,630 -
1977 $1,388 - $10,305 -
1976 $1,249 - $7,848 -
1975 $1,083 - $6,680 -
1974 $956 - $7,287 -
1973 $876 - $5,627 -
1972 $710 - $4,155 -
1971 $607 - $3,366 -
1970 $559 - $2,666 -
1969 $527 - $2,142 -
1968 $476 - $2,473 -
1967 - - $3,284 -
1966 - - $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/hungary/iceland | CC BY

Hungary's GDP per capita is $23,292, ranking 55/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Hungary Iceland
Gross domestic product
$223B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
55/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
0.56%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,292
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
55/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$164B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.5%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,109
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,996
2026
$55,565
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$41.5B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
24,692
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.47%
2024
3.56%
2024
Population
9475525
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.9% 73.5% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 49.2% 73% 45% 61.5%
2022 48.7% 73.9% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 51% 78.7% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 45.8% 65% 43% 65.7%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 46.6% 72% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 43% 96.3%
2014 50% 76.5% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 50% 136.6%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 51% 55.6% 45% 81.3%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 48.9% 60.3% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 50.7% 60.4% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 49.5% 62.2% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 50.9% 71.2% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 55% 83.9% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 - 86.2% 45% 54.8%
1993 - 87.2% 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - 76.5% 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - 74.2% 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - 63.7% 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - 70.7% 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Hungary's government spending was $104B, accounting for 46.9% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.5% in Hungary and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 49/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Iceland
2024 -4.92% -3.51%
2023 -6.75% -2.28%
2022 -6.17% -3.93%
2021 -7.11% -8.33%
2020 -7.49% -8.73%
2019 -2.02% -1.57%
2018 -2.05% 0.94%
2017 -2.45% 0.97%
2016 -1.79% 12.4%
2015 -2% -0.39%
2014 -2.77% 0.29%
2013 -2.6% -1.24%
2012 -2.33% -2.59%
2011 -5.22% -6.46%
2010 -4.44% -6.58%
2009 -4.76% -8.54%
2008 -3.78% -12%
2007 -5.09% 5.52%
2006 -9.27% 6.37%
2005 -7.79% 4.92%
2004 -6.6% 0.28%
2003 -7.19% -2.3%
2002 -8.79% -2.25%
2001 -4% -0.28%
2000 -3.04% 1.43%
1999 -5.27% 1.3%
1998 -7.41% -0.56%
1997 -5.54% 0.04%
1996 -4.36% -1.52%
1995 -8.57% -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 -0.17% -0.89%
1942 0.31% -0.75%
1941 0.2% -1.33%
1940 -0.07% -1.35%
1939 0.19% -2.6%
1938 -0.11% -2.01%
1937 -0.01% -2.6%
1936 0.08% -3.34%
1935 0.03% -3.46%
1934 0.04% -4.79%
1933 -0.03% -3.42%
1932 -0.22% -4.65%
1931 -0.32% -4.27%
1930 -0.26% -4.94%
1929 0.02% -1.94%
1928 0.12% -1.94%
1927 0.15% -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/hungary/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.9B, equivalent to 4.92% of GDP. This compares to Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 5.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.38% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Iceland
2024 3.7% 5.86%
2023 17.1% 8.74%
2022 14.6% 8.31%
2021 5.11% 4.44%
2020 3.33% 2.85%
2019 3.34% 3.01%
2018 2.85% 2.68%
2017 2.35% 1.76%
2016 0.39% 1.7%
2015 -0.06% 1.63%
2014 -0.23% 2.04%
2013 1.73% 3.87%
2012 5.65% 5.19%
2011 3.93% 4%
2010 4.86% 5.4%
2009 4.21% 12%
2008 6.04% 12.7%
2007 7.96% 5.05%
2006 3.93% 6.69%
2005 3.56% 3.99%
2004 6.74% 3.16%
2003 4.66% 2.06%
2002 5.27% 5.2%
2001 9.12% 6.41%
2000 9.8% 5.14%
1999 10% 3.23%
1998 14.2% 1.66%
1997 18.3% 1.82%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.16%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 3.7% in Hungary and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $22.5M
Machinery & equipment $13.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.22M
Chemicals & pharma $2.02M
Raw materials & minerals $1.86M
IT & IP services $1.37M
Metals $1.36M
Business & finance services $948K
Textiles & consumer goods $720K
Manufacturing & construction services $676K
Iceland
Export category Export value
Metals $26.8M
Transport & tourism services $7.62M
Business & finance services $1.77M
IT & IP services $355K
Machinery & equipment $250K
Precious metals & jewellery $129K
Manufacturing & construction services $118K
Miscellaneous $111K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $89K
Animal & marine products $50K

Balance of trade

Hungary Iceland
Current account balance
$3.52B
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.58%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$130B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$129B
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$38.9B
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.1%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
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.

Hungary Iceland
Economic freedom 62.5 75
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 19/197
Property rights 67.3 94.9
Government integrity 44 85
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 95.2
Tax burden 85.1 72.2
Government spending 30.2 37
Fiscal health 32.7 76.2
Business freedom 70.8 86.8
Labor freedom 56.5 59.3
Monetary freedom 72.1 73.5
Trade freedom 79.4 79.8
Investment freedom 80 70
Financial freedom 70 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Iceland
2026 62.5 75
2025 61.4 72.8
2024 61.2 70.5
2023 64.1 72.2
2022 66.9 77
2021 67.2 77.4
2020 66.4 77.1
2019 65 77.1
2018 66.7 77
2017 65.8 74.4
2016 66 73.3
2015 66.8 72
2014 67 72.4
2013 67.3 72.1
2012 67.1 70.9
2011 66.6 68.2
2010 66.1 73.7
2009 66.8 75.9
2008 67.6 75.8
2007 64.8 76
2006 65 75.8
2005 63.5 76.6
2004 62.7 72.1
2003 63 73.5
2002 64.5 73.1
2001 65.6 73.4
2000 64.4 74
1999 59.6 71.4
1998 56.9 71.2
1997 55.3 70.5
1996 56.8 -
1995 55.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Hungary Iceland
Services, % of GDP
59.5%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.71%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$199B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,290
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.4B
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$15.8B
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$62.2B
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$78B
2024
$461M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.5%
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/hungary/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 (1909–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2017–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.

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.