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Economy of Iceland vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 108/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Iceland vs Namibia GDP by year

Iceland
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Namibia
2024 $33,255,181,469 $13,372,354,512
2023 $31,677,891,897 $12,408,271,449
2022 $29,166,102,877 $12,569,449,123
2021 $26,234,872,402 $12,402,486,184
2020 $22,034,665,041 $10,583,748,542
2019 $24,985,687,022 $12,541,928,303
2018 $26,677,652,544 $13,682,019,076
2017 $25,060,086,488 $12,895,153,371
2016 $21,083,713,310 $10,722,018,732
2015 $17,700,486,957 $11,335,161,084
2014 $18,052,183,515 $12,435,430,970
2013 $16,244,319,959 $12,043,307,277
2012 $14,943,757,823 $13,042,053,592
2011 $15,394,005,872 $12,523,359,441
2010 $13,922,711,577 $11,431,412,421
2009 $13,212,543,838 $8,938,847,189
2008 $18,247,921,360 $8,607,431,497
2007 $21,960,110,030 $8,839,536,476
2006 $17,671,649,843 $8,001,779,551
2005 $17,146,410,561 $7,248,374,838
2004 $13,963,943,244 $6,609,205,995
2003 $11,564,687,742 $4,926,439,384
2002 $9,416,199,700 $3,349,169,826
2001 $8,323,401,820 $3,557,341,215
2000 $9,140,168,922 $3,922,232,165
1999 $9,107,644,691 $3,868,551,730
1998 $8,637,732,542 $3,873,109,866
1997 $7,716,781,803 $4,154,989,950
1996 $7,686,566,105 $3,989,163,197
1995 $7,372,640,169 $3,978,514,206
1994 $6,612,804,056 $3,666,503,530
1993 $6,435,952,174 $3,251,188,833
1992 $7,328,497,599 $3,429,521,699
1991 $7,151,260,062 $2,996,869,281
1990 $6,694,851,159 $2,789,921,854
1989 $5,870,854,233 $2,535,135,798
1988 $6,320,093,411 $2,495,094,746
1987 $5,713,281,235 $2,300,068,217
1986 $4,129,080,094 $1,809,048,527
1985 $3,088,359,967 $1,608,237,350
1984 $2,964,568,006 $1,951,260,038
1983 $2,862,634,164 $2,297,400,688
1982 $3,318,714,326 $2,118,710,248
1981 $3,615,094,820 $2,249,908,578
1980 $3,499,616,683 $2,421,990,338
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Namibia by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $23,219 - $1,967 -
1988 $25,307 - $2,063 -
1987 $23,238 - $1,969 -
1986 $16,980 - $1,599 -
1985 $12,793 - $1,466 -
1984 $12,378 - $1,830 -
1983 $12,080 - $2,214 -
1982 $14,191 - $2,097 -
1981 $15,666 - $2,267 -
1980 $15,340 - $2,468 -
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/namibia | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Iceland Namibia
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
19.9%
2018
Population
397129
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 45% 61.5% 37% 67.2%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 43% 65.7% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 43% 96.3% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 35% 24.6%
2011 50% 136.6% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 32% 15.9%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 45% 81.3% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 29.6% 18%
1994 45% 54.8% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 33% 11.8%
1990 42.6% 35.5% 30.2% 12.9%
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 (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 80/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Namibia
2024 -3.51% -3.59%
2023 -2.28% -3.14%
2022 -3.93% -6.33%
2021 -8.33% -8.68%
2020 -8.73% -8.07%
2019 -1.57% -5.49%
2018 0.94% -5.09%
2017 0.97% -4.99%
2016 12.4% -9.3%
2015 -0.39% -8.3%
2014 0.29% -6.44%
2013 -1.24% -4.69%
2012 -2.59% -3.1%
2011 -6.46% -7.09%
2010 -6.58% -4.98%
2009 -8.54% -0.4%
2008 -12% 3.48%
2007 5.52% 6.01%
2006 6.37% 3.41%
2005 4.92% -0.31%
2004 0.28% -2.67%
2003 -2.3% -4.47%
2002 -2.25% -1.38%
2001 -0.28% -2.01%
2000 1.43% -0.79%
1999 1.3% -1.88%
1998 -0.56% -2.76%
1997 0.04% -2.38%
1996 -1.52% -3.7%
1995 -2.87% -1.74%
1994 -4.59% -0.57%
1993 -4.36% -2.73%
1992 -1.86% -2.55%
1991 -0.66% -1.59%
1990 -3.16% 1.08%
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/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Namibia
2024 5.86% 4.2%
2023 8.74% 5.9%
2022 8.31% 6.1%
2021 4.44% 3.6%
2020 2.85% 2.2%
2019 3.01% 3.7%
2018 2.68% 4.3%
2017 1.76% 6.1%
2016 1.7% 6.7%
2015 1.63% 3.4%
2014 2.04% 5.3%
2013 3.87% 5.6%
2012 5.19% 6.7%
2011 4% 5%
2010 5.4% 4.9%
2009 12% 9.5%
2008 12.7% 9.1%
2007 5.05% 6.5%
2006 6.69% 5%
2005 3.99% 2.3%
2004 3.16% 4.1%
2003 2.06% 7.2%
2002 5.2% 12.7%
2001 6.41% 10.2%
2000 5.14% 10.2%
1999 3.23% 9.4%
1998 1.66% 6.6%
1997 1.82% 9.7%

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/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $292K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $59K
Textiles & consumer goods $57K
Chemicals & pharma $35K
Metals $27K
Miscellaneous $13K
Animal & marine products $12K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $12K
Miscellaneous $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Iceland Namibia
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Namibia
Economic freedom 75 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 95/197
Property rights 94.9 63.1
Government integrity 85 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 67.2
Tax burden 72.2 66.4
Government spending 37 57.1
Fiscal health 76.2 60.5
Business freedom 86.8 58
Labor freedom 59.3 62.7
Monetary freedom 73.5 76.1
Trade freedom 79.8 69.8
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Namibia
2026 75 60.2
2025 72.8 58.7
2024 70.5 57.5
2023 72.2 57.7
2022 77 59.2
2021 77.4 62.6
2020 77.1 60.9
2019 77.1 58.7
2018 77 58.5
2017 74.4 62.5
2016 73.3 61.9
2015 72 59.6
2014 72.4 59.4
2013 72.1 60.3
2012 70.9 61.9
2011 68.2 62.7
2010 73.7 62.2
2009 75.9 62.4
2008 75.8 61.4
2007 76 63.5
2006 75.8 60.7
2005 76.6 61.4
2004 72.1 62.4
2003 73.5 67.3
2002 73.1 65.1
2001 73.4 64.8
2000 74 66.7
1999 71.4 66.1
1998 71.2 66.1
1997 70.5 61.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Namibia
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (1909–1992, 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)

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.