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Economy of Iceland vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 108/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

Iceland vs Latvia GDP by year

Iceland
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Latvia
2024 $33,255,181,469 $43,684,254,432
2023 $31,677,891,897 $42,779,550,937
2022 $29,166,102,877 $38,003,198,509
2021 $26,234,872,402 $38,183,326,785
2020 $22,034,665,041 $33,379,927,435
2019 $24,985,687,022 $33,099,503,951
2018 $26,677,652,544 $33,247,935,477
2017 $25,060,086,488 $29,391,059,767
2016 $21,083,713,310 $27,117,105,060
2015 $17,700,486,957 $26,344,565,877
2014 $18,052,183,515 $30,277,203,767
2013 $16,244,319,959 $29,152,128,168
2012 $14,943,757,823 $27,116,149,949
2011 $15,394,005,872 $26,575,547,901
2010 $13,922,711,577 $23,468,324,572
2009 $13,212,543,838 $25,691,530,442
2008 $18,247,921,360 $34,135,200,994
2007 $21,960,110,030 $29,420,499,248
2006 $17,671,649,843 $20,434,922,247
2005 $17,146,410,561 $16,306,935,905
2004 $13,963,943,244 $13,827,070,379
2003 $11,564,687,742 $11,244,337,720
2002 $9,416,199,700 $9,249,030,241
2001 $8,323,401,820 $8,190,888,740
2000 $9,140,168,922 $7,761,252,607
1999 $9,107,644,691 $7,324,192,890
1998 $8,637,732,542 $6,974,112,951
1997 $7,716,781,803 $6,349,481,007
1996 $7,686,566,105 $5,799,465,288
1995 $7,372,640,169 $5,608,208,785
1994 $6,612,804,056 -
1993 $6,435,952,174 -
1992 $7,328,497,599 -
1991 $7,151,260,062 -
1990 $6,694,851,159 -
1989 $5,870,854,233 -
1988 $6,320,093,411 -
1987 $5,713,281,235 -
1986 $4,129,080,094 -
1985 $3,088,359,967 -
1984 $2,964,568,006 -
1983 $2,862,634,164 -
1982 $3,318,714,326 -
1981 $3,615,094,820 -
1980 $3,499,616,683 -
1979 $2,953,176,971 -
1978 $2,599,627,089 -
1977 $2,285,707,749 -
1976 $1,727,845,419 -
1975 $1,456,052,700 -
1974 $1,568,154,077 -
1973 $1,194,794,186 -
1972 $869,002,946 -
1971 $693,679,545 -
1970 $545,115,909 -
1969 $435,659,610 -
1968 $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/iceland/latvia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Latvia by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $23,409 $43,394
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $24,858 $23,562 - $5,012
1993 $24,404 $22,460 - $4,722
1992 $28,072 $21,877 - $4,760
1991 $27,740 $22,416 - $6,762
1990 $26,272 $21,985 - $7,448
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/latvia | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Iceland Latvia
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
99/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$17,033
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
6.88%
2024
Population
397129
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 44.5% 46.8%
2023 45% 61.5% 43.1% 44.6%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 43.5% 44.4%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 42.6% 44%
2019 43% 65.7% 39% 37.9%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 43% 96.3% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 50% 136.6% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 34.8% 9%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 45% 81.3% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 35% 17.8%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 37% 15.1%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 38.1% 9.81%
1997 41.3% 51.1% - -
1996 43.9% 55.6% - -
1995 44.4% 58.1% - -
1994 45% 54.8% - -
1993 45.1% 52.3% - -
1992 44.7% 45.4% - -
1991 42.8% 37.6% - -
1990 42.6% 35.5% - -
1989 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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 80/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Latvia
2024 -3.51% -1.82%
2023 -2.28% -3.38%
2022 -3.93% -3.94%
2021 -8.33% -5.71%
2020 -8.73% -3.85%
2019 -1.57% -0.39%
2018 0.94% -0.77%
2017 0.97% -0.85%
2016 12.4% -0.41%
2015 -0.39% -1.57%
2014 0.29% -1.74%
2013 -1.24% -0.58%
2012 -2.59% 0.18%
2011 -6.46% -3.38%
2010 -6.58% -6.56%
2009 -8.54% -7.14%
2008 -12% -3.29%
2007 5.52% 0.63%
2006 6.37% -0.48%
2005 4.92% -1.06%
2004 0.28% -1.04%
2003 -2.3% -1.67%
2002 -2.25% -2.59%
2001 -0.28% -2.03%
2000 1.43% -2.57%
1999 1.3% -3.54%
1998 -0.56% -0.66%
1997 0.04% -
1996 -1.52% -
1995 -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 -0.89% -
1942 -0.75% -
1941 -1.33% -
1940 -1.35% -
1939 -2.6% -
1938 -2.01% -
1937 -2.6% -
1936 -3.34% -
1935 -3.46% -
1934 -4.79% -
1933 -3.42% -
1932 -4.65% -
1931 -4.27% -
1930 -4.94% -
1929 -1.94% -
1928 -1.94% -
1927 -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/iceland/latvia | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.17B, equivalent to 3.51% of GDP. This compares to Latvia's deficit of $797M, or 1.82% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Latvia
2024 5.86% 1.27%
2023 8.74% 8.94%
2022 8.31% 17.3%
2021 4.44% 3.28%
2020 2.85% 0.22%
2019 3.01% 2.81%
2018 2.68% 2.53%
2017 1.76% 2.93%
2016 1.7% 0.14%
2015 1.63% 0.17%
2014 2.04% 0.62%
2013 3.87% -0.03%
2012 5.19% 2.26%
2011 4% 4.37%
2010 5.4% -1.08%
2009 12% 3.53%
2008 12.7% 15.4%
2007 5.05% 10.1%
2006 6.69% 6.54%
2005 3.99% 6.75%
2004 3.16% 6.19%
2003 2.06% 2.94%
2002 5.2% 1.94%
2001 6.41% 2.49%
2000 5.14% 2.65%
1999 3.23% 2.36%
1998 1.66% 4.64%
1997 1.82% 8.45%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 4.28% in Latvia. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 1.27% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $6.34M
Metals $6.19M
Transport & tourism services $4.61M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.24M
IT & IP services $1.53M
Machinery & equipment $786K
Chemicals & pharma $610K
Business & finance services $355K
Raw materials & minerals $273K
Manufacturing & construction services $118K
Latvia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $22.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $17.9M
Transport & tourism services $8.42M
Metals $7.44M
Manufacturing & construction services $3.16M
Business & finance services $3.16M
Machinery & equipment $1.96M
Chemicals & pharma $1.74M
Raw materials & minerals $1.57M
IT & IP services $1.18M

Balance of trade

Iceland Latvia
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Latvia
Economic freedom 75 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 31/197
Property rights 94.9 88.8
Government integrity 85 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 70.9
Tax burden 72.2 70.9
Government spending 37 42.7
Fiscal health 76.2 80.8
Business freedom 86.8 80.7
Labor freedom 59.3 60.5
Monetary freedom 73.5 76.3
Trade freedom 79.8 79.4
Investment freedom 70 80
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Latvia
2026 75 71.6
2025 72.8 71.4
2024 70.5 71.5
2023 72.2 72.8
2022 77 74.8
2021 77.4 72.3
2020 77.1 71.9
2019 77.1 70.4
2018 77 73.6
2017 74.4 74.8
2016 73.3 70.4
2015 72 69.7
2014 72.4 68.7
2013 72.1 66.5
2012 70.9 65.2
2011 68.2 65.8
2010 73.7 66.2
2009 75.9 66.6
2008 75.8 68.3
2007 76 67.9
2006 75.8 66.9
2005 76.6 66.3
2004 72.1 67.4
2003 73.5 66
2002 73.1 65
2001 73.4 66.4
2000 74 63.4
1999 71.4 64.2
1998 71.2 63.4
1997 70.5 62.4
1996 - 55

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Latvia
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$257M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
20.9%
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/iceland/latvia | 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 (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.