Skip to content

Iceland economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland ranked 108/197 by economy size with a GDP of $33.3B and 9/197 by GDP per capita at $86,041. Iceland has $19.8B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 59.4%.

In 2024, Iceland made up 0.03% of the world's economy, compared to 0.02% in 1960.

Iceland GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $33,255,181,469 -0.97%
2023 $31,677,891,897 5.19%
2022 $29,166,102,877 8.82%
2021 $26,234,872,402 5.18%
2020 $22,034,665,041 -6.65%
2019 $24,985,687,022 1.14%
2018 $26,677,652,544 4.66%
2017 $25,060,086,488 3.49%
2016 $21,083,713,310 6.22%
2015 $17,700,486,957 3.77%
2014 $18,052,183,515 1.91%
2013 $16,244,319,959 3.6%
2012 $14,943,757,823 1.17%
2011 $15,394,005,872 1.38%
2010 $13,922,711,577 -2.22%
2009 $13,212,543,838 -8.32%
2008 $18,247,921,360 1.7%
2007 $21,960,110,030 8.74%
2006 $17,671,649,843 5.67%
2005 $17,146,410,561 7.03%
2004 $13,963,943,244 7.62%
2003 $11,564,687,742 2.28%
2002 $9,416,199,700 0.54%
2001 $8,323,401,820 3.84%
2000 $9,140,168,922 4.91%
1999 $9,107,644,691 3.9%
1998 $8,637,732,542 7.01%
1997 $7,716,781,803 4.14%
1996 $7,686,566,105 4.5%
1995 $7,372,640,169 0.12%
1994 $6,612,804,056 3.61%
1993 $6,435,952,174 1.31%
1992 $7,328,497,599 -3.37%
1991 $7,151,260,062 -0.22%
1990 $6,694,851,159 1.17%
1989 $5,870,854,233 0.26%
1988 $6,320,093,411 -0.09%
1987 $5,713,281,235 8.55%
1986 $4,129,080,094 6.27%
1985 $3,088,359,967 3.29%
1984 $2,964,568,006 4.13%
1983 $2,862,634,164 -2.15%
1982 $3,318,714,326 2.15%
1981 $3,615,094,820 4.27%
1980 $3,499,616,683 5.75%
1979 $2,953,176,971 4.86%
1978 $2,599,627,089 6.02%
1977 $2,285,707,749 8.82%
1976 $1,727,845,419 5.96%
1975 $1,456,052,700 0.65%
1974 $1,568,154,077 5.71%
1973 $1,194,794,186 6.81%
1972 $869,002,946 6.18%
1971 $693,679,545 13.1%
1970 $545,115,909 7.46%
1969 $435,659,610 2.39%
1968 $498,365,200 -5.5%
1967 $652,609,076 -1.26%
1966 $660,663,763 8.75%
1965 $550,150,988 7.3%
1964 $456,206,299 9.88%
1963 $357,240,896 10.3%
1962 $299,309,938 8.31%
1961 $266,711,460 -0.07%
1960 $260,984,499 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland | CC BY

Iceland GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $23,219 -
1988 $25,307 -
1987 $23,238 -
1986 $16,980 -
1985 $12,793 -
1984 $12,378 -
1983 $12,080 -
1982 $14,191 -
1981 $15,666 -
1980 $15,340 -
1979 $13,082 -
1978 $11,630 -
1977 $10,305 -
1976 $7,848 -
1975 $6,680 -
1974 $7,287 -
1973 $5,627 -
1972 $4,155 -
1971 $3,366 -
1970 $2,666 -
1969 $2,142 -
1968 $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/iceland | CC BY

Iceland has a GDP per capita of $86,041, ranking 9/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $84,257, ranking 13/197, and a median annual after tax income of $55,565, ranking 6/197.

Iceland GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 107 7 10
2023 106 9 11
2022 106 11 13
2021 107 10 18
2020 110 11 17
2019 107 8 13
2018 105 8 14
2017 107 7 12
2016 108 8 11
2015 114 12 17
2014 119 13 23
2013 124 19 24
2012 123 23 26
2011 122 22 26
2010 118 22 24
2009 112 21 19
2008 105 12 19
2007 92 6 19
2006 95 9 18
2005 88 6 17
2004 88 7 17
2003 91 9 17
2002 95 10 17
2001 97 10 17
2000 91 9 17
1999 90 10 15
1998 92 10 14
1997 96 11 15
1996 93 13 15
1995 94 14 14
1994 90 13 12
1993 91 11 13
1992 87 9 13
1991 88 8 13
1990 90 10 13
1989 83 9 -
1988 81 5 -
1987 83 4 -
1986 85 12 -
1985 92 11 -
1984 92 13 -
1983 92 13 -
1982 90 10 -
1981 88 9 -
1980 89 12 -
1979 87 12 -
1978 86 11 -
1977 87 11 -
1976 88 16 -
1975 90 19 -
1974 86 11 -
1973 84 12 -
1972 86 12 -
1971 87 14 -
1970 91 18 -
1969 91 18 -
1968 87 12 -
1967 83 4 -
1966 80 4 -
1965 83 5 -
1964 80 8 -
1963 84 9 -
1962 85 12 -
1961 85 12 -
1960 84 8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Iceland is ranked 107th out of 182 by GDP (down from 91st), 7th by GDP per capita (up from 9th), and 10th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 17th).

Economic indicators

Iceland Rank
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
108/197
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
180/194
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
9/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
13/197
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
101/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
80/185
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
9/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
6/197
Listed domestic companies
34
2004
80/103
Number of billionaires
1
2025
68/78
Billionaire frequency
1 in 293,296
2025
12/78
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
155/169
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
24/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
29/195
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
43/195
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
37/106
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
136/196
Population
397129
173/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 46.5% 59.4% -3.51%
2023 45% 61.5% -2.28%
2022 45.9% 66.4% -3.93%
2021 48.7% 73.6% -8.33%
2020 50.2% 76.1% -8.73%
2019 43% 65.7% -1.57%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 0.94%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 0.97%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 12.4%
2015 43% 96.3% -0.39%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 0.29%
2013 45.6% 121.1% -1.24%
2012 47.1% 132.2% -2.59%
2011 50% 136.6% -6.46%
2010 48.2% 131.5% -6.58%
2009 53.3% 128.2% -8.54%
2008 62.8% 109.3% -12%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 5.52%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 6.37%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 4.92%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 0.28%
2003 47.2% 84.1% -2.3%
2002 45% 81.3% -2.25%
2001 46.9% 82.5% -0.28%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 1.43%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 1.3%
1998 40.2% 43.3% -0.56%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 0.04%
1996 43.9% 55.6% -1.52%
1995 44.4% 58.1% -2.87%
1994 45% 54.8% -4.59%
1993 45.1% 52.3% -4.36%
1992 44.7% 45.4% -1.86%
1991 42.8% 37.6% -0.66%
1990 42.6% 35.5% -3.16%
1989 42.9% 35.3% -4.29%
1988 41.4% 30.6% -1.93%
1987 36.5% 27.3% -0.79%
1986 39.5% 29.9% -3.93%
1985 37% 32% -1.56%
1984 34.7% 32.4% 2.25%
1983 37.8% 30.8% -1.96%
1982 36% 28.9% 1.72%
1981 35.3% 22.4% 1.32%
1980 33.9% 24.8% 1.37%
1979 32.4% 21.1% -0.07%
1978 31.9% 19.8% -0.9%
1977 31.7% 18.4% -1.2%
1976 32.1% 17.2% 0.02%
1975 36.9% 16.4% -3.87%
1974 36.6% 12.5% -3.64%
1973 33.7% 11.5% -0.74%
1972 33.3% 14.5% 0.05%
1971 32.5% 11.7% -0.69%
1970 29.9% 11.4% 0.27%
1969 30.3% 14.6% -0.88%
1968 33.3% 14.2% -0.89%
1967 31.6% 8.8% 0.78%
1966 28.3% 5.56% 1.69%
1965 28.3% 7.78% 0.15%
1964 28.2% 7.97% -0.41%
1963 26.2% 7.89% 1.8%
1962 24.9% 7.47% 2.25%
1961 25.3% 8.49% 1.64%
1960 33.2% 13.6% 2.38%
1959 36% 4.96% 2.44%
1958 32.6% 5.11% 2.16%
1957 29.1% 6.65% 1.2%
1956 26.9% 6.71% -0.09%
1955 23.1% 8.56% 1.57%
1954 22.5% 9.26% 1.25%
1953 24.5% 10.7% 0.34%
1952 22% 13.6% 3.33%
1951 22.6% 14.4% 2.73%
1950 21.2% 14.6% 1.23%
1949 24.7% 12.8% -0.3%
1948 22.6% 9.39% 0.67%
1947 23.9% 5.85% -1.95%
1946 20.2% 2.81% -0.37%
1945 15% 2.51% -2.33%
1944 13.7% 4.23% -3.23%
1943 11.3% 4.38% -0.89%
1942 11.4% 5.66% -0.75%
1941 10.4% 9.39% -1.33%
1940 9.19% 15.5% -1.35%
1939 11.3% 23.9% -2.6%
1938 11.9% 22.8% -2.01%
1937 11.9% 23.2% -2.6%
1936 12.3% 25.3% -3.34%
1935 12.5% 26.3% -3.46%
1934 13.3% 24.2% -4.79%
1933 11.9% 24.4% -3.42%
1932 12.3% 28.1% -4.65%
1931 12.7% 25.3% -4.27%
1930 13% 21.3% -4.94%
1929 9.75% 16.2% -1.94%
1928 8.87% 17% -1.94%
1927 9.66% 17.8% -3.45%
1926 10.3% 16.2% -2.43%
1925 8.13% 11.9% 0.43%
1924 7.85% 16.2% -1.78%
1923 10.5% 24.8% -4.99%
1922 11% 21.6% -4.67%
1921 12% 18.7% -6.12%
1920 14% 10.6% -7.45%
1919 7.82% 10.7% -2.5%
1918 10.8% 20.4% -7.43%
1917 15.2% 21.9% -11.3%
1916 6.65% 4.9% -2.53%
1915 5.84% 5.09% -2.06%
1914 7.38% 5.63% -3.21%
1913 6.58% 6.08% -2.3%
1912 7.69% 5.64% -2.93%
1911 7.23% 4.7% -3.06%
1910 7.37% 5.13% -1.27%
1909 7.98% 5.91% -2.15%
1908 - 1.52% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1908–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland | CC BY

This chart shows Iceland's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 50 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 1.4% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $15.5B (46.5% of GDP), with a deficit of 3.51%.

The national debt reached $19.8B, ranking 101st out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 59.4%, ranking 80th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 5.86%
2023 8.74%
2022 8.31%
2021 4.44%
2020 2.85%
2019 3.01%
2018 2.68%
2017 1.76%
2016 1.7%
2015 1.63%
2014 2.04%
2013 3.87%
2012 5.19%
2011 4%
2010 5.4%
2009 12%
2008 12.7%
2007 5.05%
2006 6.69%
2005 3.99%
2004 3.16%
2003 2.06%
2002 5.2%
2001 6.41%
2000 5.14%
1999 3.23%
1998 1.66%
1997 1.82%
1996 2.26%
1995 1.65%
1994 1.55%
1993 4.04%
1992 3.95%
1991 6.81%
1990 15.5%
1989 20.8%
1988 25.7%
1987 18.3%
1986 22.1%
1985 32%
1984 30.9%
1983 84%
1982 50.2%
1981 51.8%
1980 58.5%
1979 44.4%
1978 43.7%
1977 30.3%
1976 32%
1975 49.4%
1974 42.5%
1973 21.4%
1972 9.81%
1971 6.73%
1970 13.4%
1969 21.8%
1968 15.2%
1967 3.32%
1966 10.7%
1965 7.32%
1964 19.2%
1963 12.9%
1962 11%
1961 4.71%
1960 1.99%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Iceland has had an average annual inflation rate of 5.1%. In 2024, inflation was 5.86%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Iceland Rank
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
121/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
115/190
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
110/189
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
111/189
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
90/189
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
82/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
90/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
72/193

Iceland top 10 trading partners

Iceland's biggest trading partner accounting for 15.5% of all exports and imports is the United States, with a trade balance between the two of +$1.17B: Iceland exports $2.56B worth of goods and services to the United States and imports $1.38B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Iceland.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 United States $3.94B 15.5% $2.56B $1.38B Transport & tourism services Machinery & equipment
2 Netherlands $3.47B 13.7% $2.47B $997M Metals Machinery & equipment
3 United Kingdom $2.04B 8.03% $1.21B $828M Animal & marine products Transport & tourism services
4 Germany $1.78B 7.01% $789M $992M Transport & tourism services Machinery & equipment
5 Norway $1.68B 6.61% $481M $1.2B Processed food, beverages & tobacco Raw materials & minerals
6 Denmark $1.27B 5% $382M $887M Animal & marine products Machinery & equipment
7 China $1.25B 4.91% $164M $1.08B Animal & marine products Machinery & equipment
8 France $1.03B 4.04% $698M $329M Animal & marine products Machinery & equipment
9 Spain $915M 3.6% $414M $500M Animal & marine products Transport & tourism services
10 Sweden $781M 3.07% $204M $576M IT & IP services Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

Iceland Rank
Transport & tourism services $5.22B 65/188
Metals $2.55B 57/192
Animal & marine products $2.45B 36/192
Machinery & equipment $766M 88/193
Business & finance services $720M 81/188
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $632M 92/192
IT & IP services $581M 72/183
Raw materials & minerals $249M 135/193
Chemicals & pharma $198M 100/193
Manufacturing & construction services $104M 82/164

Top 10 imports

Iceland Rank
Machinery & equipment $3.9B 96/193
Transport & tourism services $2.69B 89/188
Raw materials & minerals $2.16B 114/193
Business & finance services $1.06B 88/188
Textiles & consumer goods $869M 104/193
Chemicals & pharma $856M 118/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $809M 114/193
IT & IP services $557M 68/182
Metals $494M 123/193
Wood & paper products $296M 101/193

Economic freedom indices

Iceland Rank
Economic freedom 75 19/197
Property rights 94.9 9/182
Government integrity 85 13/182
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 12/182
Tax burden 72.2 135/182
Government spending 37 154/180
Fiscal health 76.2 90/181
Business freedom 86.8 8/182
Labor freedom 59.3 57/182
Monetary freedom 73.5 94/180
Trade freedom 79.8 28/181
Investment freedom 70 32/181
Financial freedom 70 29/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 75 95.2 72.2 37 76.2
2025 72.8 95.6 72.6 33.2 55.2
2024 70.5 95.3 73.6 26.3 10.5
2023 72.2 83.9 72.9 31.5 28.8
2022 77 94.8 72.9 36.8 76.1
2021 77.4 72.6 72.4 46.2 97.6
2020 77.1 63.2 71.7 44.1 97.5
2019 77.1 63.8 72.7 44 96.7
2018 77 72.6 72.1 44.2 94.3
2017 74.4 71.5 70.9 41.1 90.6
2016 73.3 - 73.3 42.1 -
2015 72 - 72 32.6 -
2014 72.4 - 72.9 32.9 -
2013 72.1 - 72.7 36.2 -
2012 70.9 - 73.5 21.8 -
2011 68.2 - 69.8 0 -
2010 73.7 - 75.4 45.8 -
2009 75.9 - 76.2 44 -
2008 75.8 - 73.6 46.3 -
2007 76 - 73.5 41.7 -
2006 75.8 - 73.7 32 -
2005 76.6 - 72.5 30.9 -
2004 72.1 - 58.7 37.9 -
2003 73.5 - 69 43 -
2002 73.1 - 63.1 44.5 -
2001 73.4 - 62.9 58.9 -
2000 74 - 64.8 58.9 -
1999 71.4 - 60.5 43.5 -
1998 71.2 - 61.2 42.4 -
1997 70.5 - 61.6 40.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland | CC BY

Iceland is ranked 16/174 for economic freedom with a score of 75, compared to 10/162 and a score of 75.8 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Rank
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
47/191
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
129/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
116/193
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
106/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
11/191
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
90/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
142/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
63/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
62/193
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
157/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
58/178

Compare Iceland vs other countries

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/iceland | CC BY

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1908–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.

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.