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Economy of Iceland vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 108/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Iceland vs Mauritania GDP by year

Iceland
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Mauritania
2024 $33,255,181,469 $10,908,045,687
2023 $31,677,891,897 $10,726,838,461
2022 $29,166,102,877 $9,557,966,698
2021 $26,234,872,402 $9,222,536,364
2020 $22,034,665,041 $8,260,752,385
2019 $24,985,687,022 $7,894,764,886
2018 $26,677,652,544 $7,473,550,557
2017 $25,060,086,488 $6,800,135,898
2016 $21,083,713,310 $6,398,747,592
2015 $17,700,486,957 $6,166,863,897
2014 $18,052,183,515 $6,592,537,782
2013 $16,244,319,959 $7,223,071,097
2012 $14,943,757,823 $6,728,208,836
2011 $15,394,005,872 $6,764,627,746
2010 $13,922,711,577 $5,628,878,798
2009 $13,212,543,838 $4,714,595,548
2008 $18,247,921,360 $5,206,437,194
2007 $21,960,110,030 $4,346,212,355
2006 $17,671,649,843 $3,919,577,286
2005 $17,146,410,561 $2,936,019,526
2004 $13,963,943,244 $2,362,501,023
2003 $11,564,687,742 $2,051,147,607
2002 $9,416,199,700 $1,777,057,481
2001 $8,323,401,820 $1,746,063,558
2000 $9,140,168,922 $1,779,520,886
1999 $9,107,644,691 $1,985,922,776
1998 $8,637,732,542 $2,032,347,665
1997 $7,716,781,803 $2,071,996,564
1996 $7,686,566,105 $2,132,087,009
1995 $7,372,640,169 $2,091,726,101
1994 $6,612,804,056 $1,944,876,755
1993 $6,435,952,174 $1,847,353,211
1992 $7,328,497,599 $2,164,298,425
1991 $7,151,260,062 $2,133,692,697
1990 $6,694,851,159 $1,506,914,408
1989 $5,870,854,233 $1,450,647,019
1988 $6,320,093,411 $1,414,951,290
1987 $5,713,281,235 $1,344,664,725
1986 $4,129,080,094 $1,186,628,778
1985 $3,088,359,967 $1,009,723,326
1984 $2,964,568,006 $1,074,373,230
1983 $2,862,634,164 $1,165,171,263
1982 $3,318,714,326 $1,108,776,653
1981 $3,615,094,820 $1,105,494,682
1980 $3,499,616,683 $1,047,925,106
1979 $2,953,176,971 $951,900,945
1978 $2,599,627,089 $804,629,877
1977 $2,285,707,749 $799,030,017
1976 $1,727,845,419 $775,045,517
1975 $1,456,052,700 $703,377,837
1974 $1,568,154,077 $613,010,553
1973 $1,194,794,186 $493,237,876
1972 $869,002,946 $391,669,449
1971 $693,679,545 $335,568,907
1970 $545,115,909 $309,405,316
1969 $435,659,610 $295,062,308
1968 $498,365,200 $311,395,937
1967 $652,609,076 $282,615,310
1966 $660,663,763 $266,533,605
1965 $550,150,988 $255,340,475
1964 $456,206,299 $224,495,744
1963 $357,240,896 $168,186,297
1962 $299,309,938 $164,271,558
1961 $266,711,460 $159,213,430
1960 $260,984,499 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Mauritania by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $999 $2,809
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $824 $2,570
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $732 $2,447
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $649 $2,296
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $652 $2,280
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $681 $2,304
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $781 $2,411
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $821 $2,355
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $859 $2,325
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $904 $2,436
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $905 $2,306
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $865 $2,114
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $850 $2,209
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $772 $2,070
1989 $23,219 - $762 -
1988 $25,307 - $762 -
1987 $23,238 - $746 -
1986 $16,980 - $677 -
1985 $12,793 - $593 -
1984 $12,378 - $650 -
1983 $12,080 - $725 -
1982 $14,191 - $710 -
1981 $15,666 - $729 -
1980 $15,340 - $711 -
1979 $13,082 - $664 -
1978 $11,630 - $578 -
1977 $10,305 - $590 -
1976 $7,848 - $589 -
1975 $6,680 - $551 -
1974 $7,287 - $494 -
1973 $5,627 - $410 -
1972 $4,155 - $335 -
1971 $3,366 - $296 -
1970 $2,666 - $281.3 -
1969 $2,142 - $276.6 -
1968 $2,473 - $301 -
1967 $3,284 - $281.5 -
1966 $3,378 - $273.6 -
1965 $2,861 - $270 -
1964 $2,414 - $244.3 -
1963 $1,924 - $188.2 -
1962 $1,641 - $189 -
1961 $1,490 - $188.2 -
1960 $1,486 - - -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Iceland Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$2,078
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
10.4%
2019
Population
397129
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 45% 61.5% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 43% 65.7% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 19% 59.2%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 43% 96.3% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 50% 136.6% 17% 38.8%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 19% 38%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 23.9% 22%
2003 47.2% 84.1% - 22.9%
2002 45% 81.3% - 59.5%
2001 46.9% 82.5% - 63.5%
2000 44.3% 74.8% - 55.5%
1999 44.8% 75.5% - -
1998 40.2% 43.3% - -
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/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 80/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Mauritania
2024 -3.51% -1.35%
2023 -2.28% -2.45%
2022 -3.93% -3.09%
2021 -8.33% 2.6%
2020 -8.73% 2.78%
2019 -1.57% 2.65%
2018 0.94% 3.23%
2017 0.97% 0.53%
2016 12.4% 0.13%
2015 -0.39% -2.44%
2014 0.29% -2.64%
2013 -1.24% -0.66%
2012 -2.59% 1.67%
2011 -6.46% 0.07%
2010 -6.58% -0.45%
2009 -8.54% -3.59%
2008 -12% -3.32%
2007 5.52% -1.38%
2006 6.37% 2.05%
2005 4.92% -3.16%
2004 0.28% -3.06%
2003 -2.3% -
2002 -2.25% -
2001 -0.28% -
2000 1.43% -
1999 1.3% -
1998 -0.56% -
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/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Mauritania
2024 5.86% 2.49%
2023 8.74% 4.95%
2022 8.31% 9.53%
2021 4.44% 3.57%
2020 2.85% 2.39%
2019 3.01% 2.3%
2018 2.68% 3.07%
2017 1.76% 2.25%
2016 1.7% 1.47%
2015 1.63% 3.25%
2014 2.04% 3.53%
2013 3.87% 4.13%
2012 5.19% 4.9%
2011 4% 5.69%
2010 5.4% 6.28%
2009 12% 2.22%
2008 12.7% 7.35%
2007 5.05% 7.25%
2006 6.69% 6.24%
2005 3.99% 12.1%
2004 3.16% 10.4%
2003 2.06% 5.15%
2002 5.2% 3.9%
2001 6.41% 4.71%
2000 5.14% 3.25%
1999 3.23% 4.07%
1998 1.66% 8.03%
1997 1.82% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Mauritania
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iceland Mauritania
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Mauritania
Economic freedom 75 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 136/197
Property rights 94.9 32.6
Government integrity 85 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 26.4
Tax burden 72.2 75.5
Government spending 37 80.2
Fiscal health 76.2 87.9
Business freedom 86.8 38.7
Labor freedom 59.3 53.6
Monetary freedom 73.5 77.8
Trade freedom 79.8 59.6
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Mauritania
2026 75 53.9
2025 72.8 54.9
2024 70.5 55.3
2023 72.2 55.3
2022 77 55.3
2021 77.4 56.1
2020 77.1 55.3
2019 77.1 55.7
2018 77 54
2017 74.4 54.4
2016 73.3 54.8
2015 72 53.3
2014 72.4 53.2
2013 72.1 52.3
2012 70.9 53
2011 68.2 52.1
2010 73.7 52
2009 75.9 53.9
2008 75.8 55.2
2007 76 53.6
2006 75.8 55.7
2005 76.6 59.4
2004 72.1 61.8
2003 73.5 59
2002 73.1 52.5
2001 73.4 48.5
2000 74 46
1999 71.4 42.8
1998 71.2 43.7
1997 70.5 47
1996 - 45.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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 (2020–2024, 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.

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.