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Economy of Iceland vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iceland has a GDP of $38.6B compared to $4.44T for Japan, ranking 105/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $21.6B in government debt (56.1% of GDP), compared to $9.16T (206.5% of GDP) in Japan.

Iceland vs Japan GDP by year

Iceland
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Japan
2025 $38,582,528,789 $4,435,162,999,977
2024 $33,186,621,855 $4,190,008,188,359
2023 $31,701,996,434 $4,384,854,269,962
2022 $29,176,227,825 $4,447,976,207,315
2021 $26,234,872,402 $5,225,933,520,753
2020 $22,034,665,041 $5,189,197,543,645
2019 $24,985,687,022 $5,245,755,000,479
2018 $26,677,652,544 $5,154,293,721,630
2017 $25,060,086,488 $5,038,231,631,661
2016 $21,083,713,310 $5,110,357,383,254
2015 $17,700,486,957 $4,534,438,580,495
2014 $18,052,183,515 $4,985,763,289,561
2013 $16,244,319,959 $5,272,297,037,397
2012 $14,943,757,823 $6,333,803,928,788
2011 $15,394,005,872 $6,279,422,550,219
2010 $13,922,711,577 $5,811,578,109,447
2009 $13,212,543,838 $5,336,765,697,589
2008 $18,247,921,360 $5,160,197,175,876
2007 $21,960,110,030 $4,624,670,179,655
2006 $17,671,649,843 $4,648,058,930,707
2005 $17,146,410,561 $4,875,648,486,366
2004 $13,963,943,244 $4,941,485,123,807
2003 $11,564,687,742 $4,573,413,206,709
2002 $9,416,199,700 $4,245,946,980,572
2001 $8,323,401,820 $4,438,792,748,062
2000 $9,140,168,922 $5,042,381,838,343
1999 $9,107,644,691 $4,688,983,449,627
1998 $8,637,732,542 $4,150,359,076,370
1997 $7,716,781,803 $4,579,780,793,432
1996 $7,686,566,105 $5,021,441,618,840
1995 $7,372,640,169 $5,639,649,753,986
1994 $6,612,804,056 $5,104,063,486,348
1993 $6,435,952,174 $4,632,480,515,091
1992 $7,328,497,599 $4,064,529,567,505
1991 $7,151,260,062 $3,724,887,648,862
1990 $6,694,851,159 $3,252,994,239,867
1989 $5,870,854,233 $3,174,934,735,896
1988 $6,320,093,411 $3,191,546,727,316
1987 $5,713,281,235 $2,635,094,473,494
1986 $4,129,080,094 $2,164,729,071,349
1985 $3,088,359,967 $1,457,070,301,468
1984 $2,964,568,006 $1,374,165,212,365
1983 $2,862,634,164 $1,297,622,008,229
1982 $3,318,714,326 $1,183,132,285,328
1981 $3,615,094,820 $1,271,443,597,067
1980 $3,499,616,683 $1,153,159,955,513
1979 $2,953,176,971 $1,100,608,979,757
1978 $2,599,627,089 $1,057,419,758,047
1977 $2,285,707,749 $752,590,681,822
1976 $1,727,845,419 $611,495,350,304
1975 $1,456,052,700 $544,082,569,364
1974 $1,568,154,077 $500,355,087,138
1973 $1,194,794,186 $450,756,970,744
1972 $869,002,946 $331,776,379,992
1971 $693,679,545 $250,530,994,765
1970 $545,115,909 $221,798,003,144
1969 $435,659,610 $188,179,852,753
1968 $498,365,200 $160,201,483,788
1967 $652,609,076 $135,265,319,098
1966 $660,663,763 $115,427,351,851
1965 $550,150,988 $99,387,878,008
1964 $456,206,299 $89,332,989,729
1963 $357,240,896 $75,945,582,324
1962 $299,309,938 $66,356,388,224
1961 $266,711,460 $58,472,696,006
1960 $260,984,499 $48,417,804,545

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Japan by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,323 - $35,951 -
2024 $85,863 $84,257 $33,797 $52,039
2023 $82,201 $81,608 $35,215 $50,662
2022 $76,377 $75,333 $35,548 $47,192
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $41,581 $44,355
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $41,099 $42,426
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $41,425 $42,678
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $40,645 $42,142
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $39,680 $41,444
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $40,215 $40,597
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $35,665 $40,899
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $39,173 $39,555
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $41,369 $39,402
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $49,627 $37,606
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $49,122 $36,214
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $45,378 $35,336
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $41,678 $33,543
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $40,294 $35,274
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $36,130 $35,015
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $36,354 $33,632
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $38,159 $32,170
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $38,678 $30,832
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $35,809 $29,392
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $33,316 $28,624
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $34,910 $27,943
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $39,753 $27,288
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $37,029 $25,736
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $32,835 $25,508
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $36,331 $25,619
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $39,930 $24,999
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $44,947 $23,858
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $40,774 $22,823
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $37,111 $22,168
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $32,667 $21,825
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $30,048 $21,227
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $26,345 $19,912
1989 $23,219 - $25,798 -
1988 $25,307 - $26,037 -
1987 $23,238 - $21,587 -
1986 $16,980 - $17,819 -
1985 $12,793 - $12,058 -
1984 $12,378 - $11,443 -
1983 $12,080 - $10,876 -
1982 $14,191 - $9,986 -
1981 $15,666 - $10,806 -
1980 $15,340 - $9,872 -
1979 $13,082 - $9,497 -
1978 $11,630 - $9,202 -
1977 $10,305 - $6,609 -
1976 $7,848 - $5,422 -
1975 $6,680 - $4,876 -
1974 $7,287 - $4,542 -
1973 $5,627 - $4,147 -
1972 $4,155 - $3,095 -
1971 $3,366 - $2,370 -
1970 $2,666 - $2,145 -
1969 $2,142 - $1,841 -
1968 $2,473 - $1,586 -
1967 $3,284 - $1,354 -
1966 $3,378 - $1,168 -
1965 $2,861 - $1,015 -
1964 $2,414 - $922 -
1963 $1,924 - $792 -
1962 $1,641 - $699 -
1961 $1,490 - $622 -
1960 $1,486 - $519 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $98,323, ranking 8/197, compared to $35,951 in Japan, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

Iceland Japan
Gross domestic product
$38.6B
2025
$4.44T
2025
GDP rank
105/197
2025
4/197
2025
GDP growth
1.28%
2024-2025
1.19%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$98,323
2025
$35,951
2025
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2025
34/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
41/197
2024
Government debt
$21.6B
2025
$9.16T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.1%
2025
206.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$55,165
2025
$74,248
2025
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2025
3/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,153
2026
$22,962
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.61T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,902,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
41
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
24.3%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45%
2025
36.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.09%
2024-2025
3.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2026
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
2.5%
2025
Population
398674
122704252

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Japan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Japan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45% 56.1% 36.9% 206.5%
2024 47.1% 60.4% 37.3% 214.5%
2023 45.2% 61.5% 37.8% 220.3%
2022 46.2% 66.4% 40.2% 227.8%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 41.3% 222.7%
2020 50.4% 76.1% 43.6% 228.8%
2019 43% 65.7% 36.4% 206.3%
2018 43.4% 62.3% 36% 203.7%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 35.9% 203.1%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 36.5% 202.1%
2015 43% 96.3% 36.6% 200.1%
2014 45.3% 114.1% 37.8% 203.6%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 38.4% 201.2%
2012 47.2% 132.2% 38.4% 197.1%
2011 50% 136.6% 38.4% 190.6%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 37.4% 178.6%
2009 53.4% 128.2% 38.3% 172.9%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 33.7% 153.6%
2007 44.2% 67.4% 32.8% 150.4%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 32.7% 152.1%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 33.2% 153.4%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 33.3% 148.8%
2003 47.3% 84.1% 34.6% 140.2%
2002 45% 81.3% 34.9% 134.6%
2001 47% 82.5% 34.7% 126.8%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 35.4% 118.5%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 35.2% 113.5%
1998 40.3% 43.3% 38.1% 101.6%
1997 41.4% 51.1% 32.4% 91.3%
1996 42.5% 53.7% 33.1% 85.3%
1995 43% 56.1% 32.8% 80.7%
1994 43.6% 53% 32.1% 73.3%
1993 43.7% 50.6% 31.4% 63.2%
1992 43.3% 43.9% 29.6% 57.9%
1991 41.6% 36.4% 28.6% 54.1%
1990 41.4% 34.4% 28.8% 54.8%
1989 42.9% 35.3% 29.2% 65.7%
1988 41.4% 30.6% 29.9% 71.9%
1987 36.5% 27.3% 30.6% 75.8%
1986 39.5% 29.9% 30.4% 74.1%
1985 37% 32% 30.4% 68.3%
1984 34.7% 32.4% 31.2% 65.6%
1983 37.8% 30.8% 31.8% 63.5%
1982 36% 28.9% 31.7% 57.7%
1981 35.3% 22.4% 31.5% 52.8%
1980 33.9% 24.8% 33.5% 47.8%
1979 32.4% 21.1% 33.2% 43.8%
1978 31.9% 19.8% 32.1% 39%
1977 31.7% 18.4% 30.4% 31.1%
1976 32.1% 17.2% 29.1% 26.1%
1975 36.9% 16.4% 28.5% 20.9%
1974 36.6% 12.5% 25.5% 16.7%
1973 33.7% 11.5% 23.3% 15.9%
1972 33.3% 14.5% 23.1% 16.3%
1971 32.5% 11.7% 21.8% 12.6%
1970 29.9% 11.4% 20.2% 11.2%
1969 30.3% 14.6% 19.8% 11.4%
1968 33.3% 14.2% 20.1% 11.8%
1967 31.6% 8.8% 19.9% 11.4%
1966 28.3% 5.56% 20.8% 11.2%
1965 28.3% 7.78% 20.4% 9.78%
1964 28.2% 7.97% 19.8% 8.53%
1963 26.2% 7.89% 20% 8.66%
1962 24.9% 7.47% 19.4% 9.01%
1961 25.3% 8.49% 18.2% 8.44%
1960 33.2% 13.6% 18.4% 10.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iceland's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 45% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.63T, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.1% in Iceland and 206.5% in Japan, ranking 86/185 and 3/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Japan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Japan
2025 -2.77% -1.05%
2024 -3.71% -1.67%
2023 -2.32% -2.39%
2022 -3.82% -4.23%
2021 -7.96% -6.32%
2020 -8.81% -9.04%
2019 -1.45% -3.05%
2018 1.04% -2.44%
2017 1.28% -3.05%
2016 12.7% -3.58%
2015 -0.14% -3.64%
2014 0.59% -5.58%
2013 -0.88% -7.62%
2012 -2.59% -8.22%
2011 -6.42% -9.02%
2010 -6.56% -9.05%
2009 -8.5% -9.62%
2008 -12% -4.07%
2007 5.57% -2.86%
2006 6.42% -3%
2005 4.96% -4.39%
2004 0.33% -5.26%
2003 -2.25% -7.35%
2002 -2.21% -7.22%
2001 -0.27% -6.11%
2000 1.43% -7.17%
1999 1.3% -6.68%
1998 -0.55% -9.91%
1997 0.05% -3.44%
1996 -1.46% -4.75%
1995 -2.77% -4.22%
1994 -4.44% -3.7%
1993 -4.21% -2.34%
1992 -1.8% 0.56%
1991 -0.63% 1.64%
1990 -3.06% 1.91%
1989 -4.29% 1.23%
1988 -1.93% 0.49%
1987 -0.79% -0.36%
1986 -3.93% -1.36%
1985 -1.56% -1.37%
1984 2.25% -2.62%
1983 -1.96% -3.95%
1982 1.72% -3.81%
1981 1.32% -3.85%
1980 1.37% -4.66%
1979 -0.07% -5%
1978 -0.9% -5.79%
1977 -1.2% -4.02%
1976 0.02% -3.89%
1975 -3.87% -2.92%
1974 -3.64% 0.38%
1973 -0.74% 0.56%
1972 0.05% -0.13%
1971 -0.69% 1.21%
1970 0.27% 1.74%
1969 -0.88% 1.26%
1968 -0.89% 0.88%
1967 0.78% 0.8%
1966 1.69% -0.34%
1965 0.15% 0.48%
1964 -0.41% 0.85%
1963 1.8% 1.08%
1962 2.25% 1.49%
1961 1.64% 2.58%
1960 2.38% 1.85%
1959 2.44% 0.97%
1958 2.16% -0.1%
1957 1.2% 1.27%
1956 -0.09% 1.39%
1955 1.57% -0.67%
1954 1.25% 0.7%
1953 0.34% 1.65%
1952 3.33% 2.22%
1951 2.73% 5.06%
1950 1.23% 6.99%
1949 -0.3% 12.5%
1948 0.67% 7.53%
1947 -1.95% 6.09%
1946 -0.37% -
1945 -2.33% -
1944 -3.23% -
1943 -0.89% 0.32%
1942 -0.75% -0.13%
1941 -1.33% -0.19%
1940 -1.35% 0.31%
1939 -2.6% 0.11%
1938 -2.01% 0.45%
1937 -2.6% 0.71%
1936 -3.34% 0.34%
1935 -3.46% 0.26%
1934 -4.79% 0.34%
1933 -3.42% 0.28%
1932 -4.65% 0.31%
1931 -4.27% 0.23%
1930 -4.94% 0.19%
1929 -1.94% 0.5%
1928 -1.94% 0.42%
1927 -3.45% 0.58%
1926 -2.43% 0.65%
1925 0.43% 0.75%
1924 -1.78% 0.84%
1923 -4.99% 0.87%
1922 -4.67% 0.89%
1921 -6.12% 1.43%
1920 -7.45% 1.19%
1919 -2.5% 1.21%
1918 -7.43% 1.58%
1917 -11.3% 1.54%
1916 -2.53% 1.37%
1915 -2.06% 1.41%
1914 -3.21% 1.31%
1913 -2.3% 1.21%
1912 -2.93% 1.27%
1911 -3.06% 1.21%
1910 -1.27% 1.57%
1909 -2.15% 1.51%
1908 - 1.63%
1907 - 1.77%
1906 - 0.46%
1905 - -0.68%
1904 - -0.81%
1903 - 0.19%
1902 - 0.44%
1901 - 0.21%
1900 - 0.53%
1899 - 0.2%
1898 - 0.6%
1897 - 0.33%
1896 - 0.88%
1895 - 0.28%
1894 - -0.24%
1893 - 0.6%
1892 - 0.63%
1891 - 0.61%
1890 - 0.74%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - 0.13%
1887 - 0.11%
1886 - 0.03%
1885 - 0.01%
1884 - 0.001%
1883 - 0.03%
1882 - 0.001%
1881 - 0.001%
1880 - 0.004%
1879 - 0.02%
1878 - 0.02%
1877 - -0.29%
1876 - -0.42%
1875 - 0.005%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.07B, equivalent to 2.77% of GDP. This compares to Japan's deficit of $46.7B, or 1.05% of GDP.

Over the past 66 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 41 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 48 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.96% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Japan
2025 4.09% 3.17%
2024 5.86% 2.74%
2023 8.74% 3.27%
2022 8.31% 2.5%
2021 4.44% -0.23%
2020 2.85% -0.02%
2019 3.01% 0.47%
2018 2.68% 0.99%
2017 1.76% 0.48%
2016 1.7% -0.13%
2015 1.63% 0.8%
2014 2.04% 2.76%
2013 3.87% 0.34%
2012 5.19% -0.04%
2011 4% -0.27%
2010 5.4% -0.73%
2009 12% -1.35%
2008 12.7% 1.38%
2007 5.05% 0.06%
2006 6.69% 0.25%
2005 3.99% -0.28%
2004 3.16% -0.009%
2003 2.06% -0.26%
2002 5.2% -0.92%
2001 6.41% -0.74%
2000 5.14% -0.68%
1999 3.23% -0.34%
1998 1.66% 0.66%
1997 1.82% 1.75%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.64%, compared with 0.54% in Japan. In 2025, inflation was 4.09% in Iceland and 3.17% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Metals $41.1M
Animal & marine products $26.3M
Transport & tourism services $15.6M
IT & IP services $11.7M
Business & finance services $5.84M
Government & miscellaneous services $2.05M
Machinery & equipment $1.38M
Raw materials & minerals $1.36M
Chemicals & pharma $1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $920K
Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $49.3M
Miscellaneous $1.15M
Raw materials & minerals $1.13M
Chemicals & pharma $218K
Textiles & consumer goods $197K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $179K
Metals $167K
Precious metals & jewellery $69K
Wood & paper products $17K
Raw agricultural goods $15K

Balance of trade

Iceland Japan
Current account balance
-$1.34B
2025
$216B
2025
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2025
3/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.48%
2025
+4.86%
2025
Goods imports
$10.4B
2025
$729B
2025
Goods exports
$7.4B
2025
$725B
2025
Service imports
$5.98B
2025
$269B
2025
Service exports
$8.16B
2025
$246B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
22.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
22%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Iceland Japan
Economic freedom 75 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 36/197
Property rights 94.9 94.2
Government integrity 85 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 97.9
Tax burden 72.2 63
Government spending 37 52
Fiscal health 76.2 41.7
Business freedom 86.8 77.8
Labor freedom 59.3 65.9
Monetary freedom 73.5 74.3
Trade freedom 79.8 76.2
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Japan
2026 75 70.3
2025 72.8 70.2
2024 70.5 67.5
2023 72.2 69.3
2022 77 69.9
2021 77.4 74.1
2020 77.1 73.3
2019 77.1 72.1
2018 77 72.3
2017 74.4 69.6
2016 73.3 73.1
2015 72 73.3
2014 72.4 72.4
2013 72.1 71.8
2012 70.9 71.6
2011 68.2 72.8
2010 73.7 72.9
2009 75.9 72.8
2008 75.8 73
2007 76 72.7
2006 75.8 73.3
2005 76.6 67.3
2004 72.1 64.3
2003 73.5 67.6
2002 73.1 66.7
2001 73.4 70.9
2000 74 70.7
1999 71.4 69.1
1998 71.2 70.2
1997 70.5 70.3
1996 - 72.6
1995 - 75

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Japan
Services, % of GDP
66.2%
2025
71.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
26.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.65%
2025
0.96%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$35B
2025
$4.73T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$83,250
2025
$58,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.73B
2025
$1.37T
2025
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2025
3/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$650M
2025
$172B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.83B
2024
$18.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$300M
2024
$207B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2025
27.7%
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/iceland/japan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.

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.