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Economy of Iceland vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iceland has a GDP of $38.6B compared to $5.25B for Liberia, ranking 105/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $21.6B in government debt (56.1% of GDP), compared to $2.88B (54.9% of GDP) in Liberia.

Iceland vs Liberia GDP by year

Iceland
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Liberia
2025 $38,582,528,789 $5,245,938,900
2024 $33,186,621,855 $4,779,300,900
2023 $31,701,996,434 $4,390,000,000
2022 $29,176,227,825 $4,001,047,000
2021 $26,234,872,402 $3,513,049,500
2020 $22,034,665,041 $3,176,126,300
2019 $24,985,687,022 $3,319,596,500
2018 $26,677,652,544 $3,422,754,800
2017 $25,060,086,488 $3,390,703,400
2016 $21,083,713,310 $3,398,419,600
2015 $17,700,486,957 $3,227,075,700
2014 $18,052,183,515 $3,225,652,000
2013 $16,244,319,959 $3,177,198,100
2012 $14,943,757,823 $2,791,614,000
2011 $15,394,005,872 $2,398,000,000
2010 $13,922,711,577 $1,998,000,000
2009 $13,212,543,838 $1,768,000,000
2008 $18,247,921,360 $1,726,000,000
2007 $21,960,110,030 $1,373,000,000
2006 $17,671,649,843 $1,119,000,000
2005 $17,146,410,561 $949,000,000
2004 $13,963,943,244 $897,000,000
2003 $11,564,687,742 $748,000,000
2002 $9,416,199,700 $927,000,000
2001 $8,323,401,820 $906,000,000
2000 $9,140,168,922 $874,000,000
1999 $9,107,644,691 $441,800,000
1998 $8,637,732,542 $359,600,000
1997 $7,716,781,803 $295,900,000
1996 $7,686,566,105 $159,400,000
1995 $7,372,640,169 $134,800,000
1994 $6,612,804,056 $132,200,000
1993 $6,435,952,174 $160,400,000
1992 $7,328,497,599 $223,500,000
1991 $7,151,260,062 $348,000,000
1990 $6,694,851,159 $384,400,000
1989 $5,870,854,233 $786,300,000
1988 $6,320,093,411 $1,038,300,000
1987 $5,713,281,235 $972,800,000
1986 $4,129,080,094 $840,964,400
1985 $3,088,359,967 $851,296,100
1984 $2,964,568,006 $848,478,300
1983 $2,862,634,164 $823,374,900
1982 $3,318,714,326 $863,933,200
1981 $3,615,094,820 $846,514,500
1980 $3,499,616,683 $854,711,500
1979 $2,953,176,971 $814,067,900
1978 $2,599,627,089 $717,240,400
1977 $2,285,707,749 $673,010,600
1976 $1,727,845,419 $596,675,700
1975 $1,456,052,700 $577,549,300
1974 $1,568,154,077 $486,955,000
1973 $1,194,794,186 $386,968,300
1972 $869,002,946 $368,098,000
1971 $693,679,545 $341,543,100
1970 $545,115,909 $323,099,700
1969 $435,659,610 $306,961,800
1968 $498,365,200 $276,820,700
1967 $652,609,076 $261,024,300
1966 $660,663,763 $244,459,500
1965 $550,150,988 $229,260,800
1964 $456,206,299 $218,929,100
1963 $357,240,896 $200,229,600
1962 $299,309,938 $191,861,800
1961 $266,711,460 $183,920,900
1960 $260,984,499 $190,495,600

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Liberia by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,323 - $915 -
2024 $85,863 $84,257 $851 $1,871
2023 $82,201 $81,608 $799 $1,795
2022 $76,377 $75,333 $745 $1,692
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $668 $1,539
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $617 $1,660
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $658 $1,900
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $692 $1,800
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $699 $1,665
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $715 $1,490
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $693 $1,340
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $707 $1,419
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $711 $1,360
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $638 $1,157
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $568 $1,041
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $492 $980
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $448 $939
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $452 $915
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $374 $873
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $321 $815
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $287.5 $774
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $284.1 $745
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $239.8 $716
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $300 $987
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $298.5 $965
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $156.6 $762
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $134.7 $652
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $122.6 $548
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $74.4 $328
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $107.8 $497
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $177.9 $793
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $172.9 $787
1989 $23,219 - $312 -
1988 $25,307 - $424 -
1987 $23,238 - $409 -
1986 $16,980 - $364 -
1985 $12,793 - $380 -
1984 $12,378 - $390 -
1983 $12,080 - $391 -
1982 $14,191 - $422 -
1981 $15,666 - $426 -
1980 $15,340 - $443 -
1979 $13,082 - $435 -
1978 $11,630 - $394 -
1977 $10,305 - $381 -
1976 $7,848 - $347 -
1975 $6,680 - $346 -
1974 $7,287 - $299.4 -
1973 $5,627 - $244.4 -
1972 $4,155 - $238.6 -
1971 $3,366 - $227.1 -
1970 $2,666 - $220.3 -
1969 $2,142 - $214.7 -
1968 $2,473 - $198.6 -
1967 $3,284 - $192.2 -
1966 $3,378 - $184.6 -
1965 $2,861 - $177.6 -
1964 $2,414 - $173.9 -
1963 $1,924 - $163.1 -
1962 $1,641 - $160.3 -
1961 $1,490 - $157.5 -
1960 $1,486 - $167.2 -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $98,323, ranking 8/197, compared to $915 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Iceland Liberia
Gross domestic product
$38.6B
2025
$5.25B
2025
GDP rank
105/197
2025
162/197
2025
GDP growth
1.28%
2024-2025
5.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$98,323
2025
$915
2025
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2025
184/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$21.6B
2025
$2.88B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.1%
2025
54.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$55,165
2025
$502
2025
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2025
167/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,153
2026
$1,467
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45%
2025
22.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.09%
2024-2025
8.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
5.93%
2017
Population
398674
5916561

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45% 56.1% 22.4% 54.9%
2024 47.1% 60.4% 24.1% 56.4%
2023 45.2% 61.5% 28.6% 57.2%
2022 46.2% 66.4% 27.4% 54.4%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 29.8% 53.5%
2020 50.4% 76.1% 35.3% 58.5%
2019 43% 65.7% 32.3% 48.1%
2018 43.4% 62.3% 32.7% 36.2%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 35.8% 28%
2015 43% 96.3% 37.1% 24.4%
2014 45.3% 114.1% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 47.2% 132.2% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 50% 136.6% 29.8% 22.5%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 25.1% 25.4%
2009 53.4% 128.2% 24% 132.2%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 21.8% 235.3%
2007 44.2% 67.4% 16.1% 367%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 10.6% 451%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 11.7% 488%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 12.1% 543%
2003 47.3% 84.1% 8.98% 600%
2002 45% 81.3% 12.7% 464%
2001 47% 82.5% 12.1% 465%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 14.5% 468%
1999 44.8% 75.5% - -
1998 40.3% 43.3% - -
1997 41.4% 51.1% - -
1996 42.5% 53.7% - -
1995 43% 56.1% - -
1994 43.6% 53% - -
1993 43.7% 50.6% - -
1992 43.3% 43.9% - -
1991 41.6% 36.4% - -
1990 41.4% 34.4% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iceland's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 45% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.18B, or 22.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.1% in Iceland and 54.9% in Liberia, ranking 86/185 and 90/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Liberia
2025 -2.77% -1.41%
2024 -3.71% -1.8%
2023 -2.32% -8.55%
2022 -3.82% -5.82%
2021 -7.96% -2.5%
2020 -8.81% -4.02%
2019 -1.45% -4.92%
2018 1.04% -4.7%
2017 1.28% -7.14%
2016 12.7% -3.83%
2015 -0.14% -3.74%
2014 0.59% -4.92%
2013 -0.88% 1.29%
2012 -2.59% -2.86%
2011 -6.42% -4.39%
2010 -6.56% 1.16%
2009 -8.5% -1.4%
2008 -12% -2.7%
2007 5.57% 2.28%
2006 6.42% 4.23%
2005 4.96% -0.51%
2004 0.33% -0.56%
2003 -2.25% 0.36%
2002 -2.21% -1.57%
2001 -0.27% -0.94%
2000 1.43% -0.08%
1999 1.3% -
1998 -0.55% -
1997 0.05% -
1996 -1.46% -
1995 -2.77% -
1994 -4.44% -
1993 -4.21% -
1992 -1.8% -
1991 -0.63% -
1990 -3.06% -
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/liberia | 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 Liberia's deficit of $74.2M, or 1.41% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.27% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Liberia
2025 4.09% 8.3%
2024 5.86% 8.2%
2023 8.74% 10.1%
2022 8.31% 7.6%
2021 4.44% 7.8%
2020 2.85% 17%
2019 3.01% 27%
2018 2.68% 23.5%
2017 1.76% 12.4%
2016 1.7% 8.8%
2015 1.63% 7.7%
2014 2.04% 9.9%
2013 3.87% 7.6%
2012 5.19% 6.8%
2011 4% 8.5%
2010 5.4% 7.3%
2009 12% 7.4%
2008 12.7% 17.5%
2007 5.05% 11.4%
2006 6.69% 9.5%
2005 3.99% 6.9%
2004 3.16% 3.6%
2003 2.06% 10.3%
2002 5.2% 14.2%
2001 6.41% 12.1%
2000 5.14% 5.3%
1999 3.23% 2%
1998 1.66% -
1997 1.82% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 27 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.86%, compared with 10.3% in Liberia. In 2025, inflation was 4.09% in Iceland and 8.3% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $800K
Animal & marine products $70K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Liberia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iceland Liberia
Current account balance
-$1.34B
2025
$120M
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2025
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.48%
2025
+2.51%
2024
Goods imports
$10.4B
2025
$1.51B
2024
Goods exports
$7.4B
2025
$1.31B
2024
Service imports
$5.98B
2025
$253M
2024
Service exports
$8.16B
2025
$42.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
28.5%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Liberia
Economic freedom 75 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 163/197
Property rights 94.9 40.4
Government integrity 85 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 23.4
Tax burden 72.2 86.1
Government spending 37 79.5
Fiscal health 76.2 56.9
Business freedom 86.8 38
Labor freedom 59.3 43.4
Monetary freedom 73.5 71.4
Trade freedom 79.8 57.4
Investment freedom 70 55
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Liberia
2026 75 49.8
2025 72.8 48.5
2024 70.5 49.9
2023 72.2 49.6
2022 77 47.9
2021 77.4 49.2
2020 77.1 49
2019 77.1 49.7
2018 77 50.9
2017 74.4 49.1
2016 73.3 52.2
2015 72 52.7
2014 72.4 52.4
2013 72.1 49.3
2012 70.9 48.6
2011 68.2 46.5
2010 73.7 46.2
2009 75.9 48.1
2008 75.8 -
2007 76 -
2006 75.8 -
2005 76.6 -
2004 72.1 -
2003 73.5 -
2002 73.1 -
2001 73.4 -
2000 74 -
1999 71.4 -
1998 71.2 -
1997 70.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Liberia
Services, % of GDP
66.2%
2025
40%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
24.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.65%
2025
32.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$35B
2025
$4.76B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$83,250
2025
$1,840
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.73B
2025
$339M
2025
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2025
166/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$650M
2025
-$397M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.83B
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$300M
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.12%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2025
n/a

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/liberia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, 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)

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.