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Economy of Iceland vs Maldives compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $7.06B for Maldives, ranking 108/197 and 159/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $9.41B (133.3% of GDP) in Maldives.

Iceland vs Maldives GDP by year

Iceland
Maldives
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Maldives
2024 $33,255,181,469 $7,061,608,267
2023 $31,677,891,897 $6,621,008,704
2022 $29,166,102,877 $6,177,123,352
2021 $26,234,872,402 $5,252,457,370
2020 $22,034,665,041 $3,712,604,583
2019 $24,985,687,022 $5,726,094,799
2018 $26,677,652,544 $5,404,344,163
2017 $25,060,086,488 $4,816,426,257
2016 $21,083,713,310 $4,409,942,624
2015 $17,700,486,957 $4,129,505,319
2014 $18,052,183,515 $3,697,353,039
2013 $16,244,319,959 $3,295,009,238
2012 $14,943,757,823 $2,886,163,997
2011 $15,394,005,872 $2,774,350,240
2010 $13,922,711,577 $2,588,176,055
2009 $13,212,543,838 $2,345,294,875
2008 $18,247,921,360 $2,271,646,188
2007 $21,960,110,030 $1,868,383,461
2006 $17,671,649,843 $1,575,200,391
2005 $17,146,410,561 $1,163,362,438
2004 $13,963,943,244 $1,226,829,563
2003 $11,564,687,742 $1,052,121,055
2002 $9,416,199,700 $897,031,250
2001 $8,323,401,820 $870,031,677
2000 $9,140,168,922 $624,337,145
1999 $9,107,644,691 $589,239,754
1998 $8,637,732,542 $540,096,398
1997 $7,716,781,803 $508,223,602
1996 $7,686,566,105 $450,382,328
1995 $7,372,640,169 $398,988,955
1994 $6,612,804,056 $356,014,932
1993 $6,435,952,174 $322,417,837
1992 $7,328,497,599 $284,875,809
1991 $7,151,260,062 $244,396,762
1990 $6,694,851,159 $215,043,970
1989 $5,870,854,233 $189,514,434
1988 $6,320,093,411 $168,514,513
1987 $5,713,281,235 $141,223,029
1986 $4,129,080,094 $141,882,254
1985 $3,088,359,967 $127,190,758
1984 $2,964,568,006 $109,503,546
1983 $2,862,634,164 $57,829,787
1982 $3,318,714,326 $47,911,340
1981 $3,615,094,820 $44,781,457
1980 $3,499,616,683 $42,463,576
1979 $2,953,176,971 $38,523,364
1978 $2,599,627,089 $24,369,109
1977 $2,285,707,749 $20,853,789
1976 $1,727,845,419 $22,399,467
1975 $1,456,052,700 $24,540,878
1974 $1,568,154,077 $39,120,171
1973 $1,194,794,186 $30,862,042
1972 $869,002,946 $25,177,138
1971 $693,679,545 $21,566,404
1970 $545,115,909 $19,328,038
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/maldives | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Maldives by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Maldives
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $13,379 $26,183
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $12,588 $24,786
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $11,786 $22,881
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $10,176 $19,053
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $7,394 $13,425
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $11,740 $23,077
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $11,423 $21,899
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $10,510 $19,768
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $9,948 $18,770
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $9,645 $17,875
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $8,939 $16,723
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $8,236 $15,264
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $7,461 $13,989
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $7,425 $13,726
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $7,174 $12,797
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $6,734 $12,266
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $6,757 $13,779
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $5,758 $12,852
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $5,019 $12,075
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $3,797 $9,704
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $4,070 $10,770
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $3,549 $10,065
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $3,076 $8,823
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $3,034 $8,236
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $2,214 $8,526
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $2,124 $8,162
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $1,980 $7,710
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $1,898 $7,226
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $1,717 $6,687
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $1,555 $6,223
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $1,419 $5,520
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $1,317 $5,138
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $1,194 $4,881
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $1,054 $4,604
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $957 $4,528
1989 $23,219 - $870 -
1988 $25,307 - $799 -
1987 $23,238 - $692 -
1986 $16,980 - $720 -
1985 $12,793 - $669 -
1984 $12,378 - $594 -
1983 $12,080 - $323 -
1982 $14,191 - $274.8 -
1981 $15,666 - $264.1 -
1980 $15,340 - $257.6 -
1979 $13,082 - $240.2 -
1978 $11,630 - $156.1 -
1977 $10,305 - $137.3 -
1976 $7,848 - $151.8 -
1975 $6,680 - $171.4 -
1974 $7,287 - $281.5 -
1973 $5,627 - $228.7 -
1972 $4,155 - $192.2 -
1971 $3,366 - $169.8 -
1970 $2,666 - $156.9 -
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/maldives | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $13,379 in Maldives, ranking 75/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183.

Economic indicators

Iceland Maldives
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$7.06B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
3.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$13,379
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
75/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$26,183
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
81/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$9.41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
133.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$17,837
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
35/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$9,909
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
23.3%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
46.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
1.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
4.56%
2019
Population
397129
532057

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Maldives
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Maldives
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 46.1% 133.3%
2023 45% 61.5% 46.7% 122.4%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 42% 111.6%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 40.6% 123.4%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 50.4% 155.7%
2019 43% 65.7% 32.9% 77.2%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 31.9% 70.7%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 30.4% 63.8%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 37.3% 61.9%
2015 43% 96.3% 33.8% 54.8%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 29.1% 55.1%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 27% 55.9%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 29.8% 57.1%
2011 50% 136.6% 31.3% 51.9%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 33.2% 52.7%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 37% 48.4%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 35.6% 39%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 34.8% 35.8%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 35% 36.8%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 38.8% 43.2%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 24.1% 34.7%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 26.4% 37.6%
2002 45% 81.3% 29.6% 44.3%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 29.6% 41.8%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 29% 39%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 28% 38.9%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 25.9% 39.3%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 25.2% 38.1%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 27.3% 46.9%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 31.3% 52.2%
1994 45% 54.8% 30.7% 54.6%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 34.7% 55.7%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 36.1% 49%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 37.7% 46.7%
1990 42.6% 35.5% 33.3% 42.4%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Maldives spent $3.25B, or 46.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 133.3% in Maldives, ranking 80/185 and 10/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Maldives
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Maldives
2024 -3.51% -13.9%
2023 -2.28% -13.2%
2022 -3.93% -11.2%
2021 -8.33% -14.2%
2020 -8.73% -23.7%
2019 -1.57% -6.54%
2018 0.94% -5.17%
2017 0.97% -3.02%
2016 12.4% -9.93%
2015 -0.39% -6.52%
2014 0.29% -2.42%
2013 -1.24% -3.49%
2012 -2.59% -6.91%
2011 -6.46% -8.13%
2010 -6.58% -13.6%
2009 -8.54% -17.9%
2008 -12% -9.92%
2007 5.52% -3.16%
2006 6.37% -4.52%
2005 4.92% -7.81%
2004 0.28% -2.26%
2003 -2.3% -3.45%
2002 -2.25% -3.97%
2001 -0.28% -3.97%
2000 1.43% -3.89%
1999 1.3% -3.03%
1998 -0.56% -2.25%
1997 0.04% -1.46%
1996 -1.52% -2.01%
1995 -2.87% -5.66%
1994 -4.59% -4.82%
1993 -4.36% -13.9%
1992 -1.86% -12.6%
1991 -0.66% -10.2%
1990 -3.16% -12.8%
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/maldives | 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 Maldives' deficit of $982M, or 13.9% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Maldives ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.75% of GDP for Maldives.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Maldives
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Maldives
2024 5.86% 1.4%
2023 8.74% 2.6%
2022 8.31% 2.6%
2021 4.44% 0.2%
2020 2.85% -1.6%
2019 3.01% 1.3%
2018 2.68% 1.4%
2017 1.76% 2.3%
2016 1.7% 0.8%
2015 1.63% 1.4%
2014 2.04% 2.4%
2013 3.87% 4%
2012 5.19% 10.9%
2011 4% 11.3%
2010 5.4% 6.1%
2009 12% 4.5%
2008 12.7% 12%
2007 5.05% 6.8%
2006 6.69% 3.5%
2005 3.99% 2.5%
2004 3.16% 6.3%
2003 2.06% -2.8%
2002 5.2% 0.9%
2001 6.41% 0.7%
2000 5.14% -1.2%
1999 3.23% 3%
1998 1.66% -1.4%
1997 1.82% 7.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 3.2% in Maldives. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 1.4% in Maldives.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $33K
Machinery & equipment $16K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Maldives
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iceland Maldives
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-18.7%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$3.46B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$383M
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$1.89B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$5.03B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
78.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
78.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Maldives
Economic freedom 75 47.6
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 174/197
Property rights 94.9 52.2
Government integrity 85 41.9
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 39.3
Tax burden 72.2 89.9
Government spending 37 39.5
Fiscal health 76.2 0
Business freedom 86.8 49.7
Labor freedom 59.3 54.1
Monetary freedom 73.5 76.4
Trade freedom 79.8 62.8
Investment freedom 70 35
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Maldives
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Maldives
2026 75 47.6
2025 72.8 48.3
2024 70.5 47.8
2023 72.2 46.6
2022 77 47.3
2021 77.4 55.2
2020 77.1 56.5
2019 77.1 53.2
2018 77 51.1
2017 74.4 50.3
2016 73.3 53.9
2015 72 53.4
2014 72.4 51
2013 72.1 49
2012 70.9 49.2
2011 68.2 48.3
2010 73.7 49
2009 75.9 51.3
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 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 47.6 for Maldives, ranking 174/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Maldives
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
72.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
9.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
3.84%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$6.15B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$23,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$674M
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
150/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$806M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$806M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.95%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
15%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
30.8%
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/maldives | 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 (1909–1996, 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.