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Economy of Iceland vs Nepal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iceland has a GDP of $38.6B compared to $45.5B for Nepal, ranking 105/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $21.6B in government debt (56.1% of GDP), compared to $21.9B (48.1% of GDP) in Nepal.

Iceland vs Nepal GDP by year

Iceland
Nepal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Nepal
2025 $38,582,528,789 $45,489,810,283
2024 $33,186,621,855 $43,298,911,700
2023 $31,701,996,434 $41,049,329,851
2022 $29,176,227,825 $41,182,939,520
2021 $26,234,872,402 $36,924,841,394
2020 $22,034,665,041 $33,433,659,301
2019 $24,985,687,022 $34,186,180,699
2018 $26,677,652,544 $33,111,525,237
2017 $25,060,086,488 $28,971,588,940
2016 $21,083,713,310 $24,524,109,484
2015 $17,700,486,957 $24,360,801,287
2014 $18,052,183,515 $22,731,612,922
2013 $16,244,319,959 $22,162,204,925
2012 $14,943,757,823 $21,703,100,877
2011 $15,394,005,872 $21,573,872,421
2010 $13,922,711,577 $16,002,656,434
2009 $13,212,543,838 $12,854,985,464
2008 $18,247,921,360 $12,545,438,605
2007 $21,960,110,030 $10,325,618,017
2006 $17,671,649,843 $9,043,715,356
2005 $17,146,410,561 $8,130,258,378
2004 $13,963,943,244 $7,273,938,315
2003 $11,564,687,742 $6,330,473,097
2002 $9,416,199,700 $6,050,875,807
2001 $8,323,401,820 $6,007,055,042
2000 $9,140,168,922 $5,494,252,208
1999 $9,107,644,691 $5,033,642,384
1998 $8,637,732,542 $4,856,255,044
1997 $7,716,781,803 $4,918,691,917
1996 $7,686,566,105 $4,521,580,381
1995 $7,372,640,169 $4,401,104,418
1994 $6,612,804,056 $4,066,775,510
1993 $6,435,952,174 $3,660,041,667
1992 $7,328,497,599 $3,401,211,581
1991 $7,151,260,062 $3,921,476,085
1990 $6,694,851,159 $3,627,560,239
1989 $5,870,854,233 $3,525,225,787
1988 $6,320,093,411 $3,487,009,748
1987 $5,713,281,235 $2,957,255,380
1986 $4,129,080,094 $2,850,782,044
1985 $3,088,359,967 $2,619,913,956
1984 $2,964,568,006 $2,581,207,388
1983 $2,862,634,164 $2,447,174,803
1982 $3,318,714,326 $2,395,423,742
1981 $3,615,094,820 $2,275,583,317
1980 $3,499,616,683 $1,945,916,583
1979 $2,953,176,971 $1,851,250,008
1978 $2,599,627,089 $1,604,162,497
1977 $2,285,707,749 $1,382,400,000
1976 $1,727,845,419 $1,452,788,985
1975 $1,456,052,700 $1,575,789,254
1974 $1,568,154,077 $1,217,953,547
1973 $1,194,794,186 $972,101,725
1972 $869,002,946 $1,024,098,400
1971 $693,679,545 $882,765,472
1970 $545,115,909 $865,975,309
1969 $435,659,610 $788,641,965
1968 $498,365,200 $772,231,387
1967 $652,609,076 $841,974,025
1966 $660,663,763 $906,811,944
1965 $550,150,988 $735,267,082
1964 $456,206,299 $496,098,775
1963 $357,240,896 $496,947,904
1962 $299,309,938 $574,091,101
1961 $266,711,460 $531,959,562
1960 $260,984,499 $508,334,414

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Nepal by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Nepal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,323 - $1,536 -
2024 $85,863 $84,257 $1,460 $5,737
2023 $82,201 $81,608 $1,382 $5,395
2022 $76,377 $75,333 $1,386 $5,103
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $1,253 $4,546
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $1,154 $4,236
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $1,203 $4,261
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $1,179 $3,956
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $1,034 $3,605
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $877 $2,976
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $876 $2,957
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $821 $2,901
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $803 $2,658
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $788 $2,466
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $786 $2,248
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $585 $2,139
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $473 $2,029
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $465 $1,942
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $385 $1,809
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $340 $1,718
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $309 $1,628
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $279.6 $1,542
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $246.4 $1,453
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $238.9 $1,390
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $240.8 $1,388
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $223.8 $1,317
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $208.6 $1,234
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $205.1 $1,187
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $211.8 $1,162
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $198.8 $1,110
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $197.8 $1,058
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $187.3 $1,026
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $172.8 $952
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $165 $920
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $195.7 $889
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $185.8 $830
1989 $23,219 - $185 -
1988 $25,307 - $187.1 -
1987 $23,238 - $162 -
1986 $16,980 - $159.5 -
1985 $12,793 - $149.9 -
1984 $12,378 - $151.1 -
1983 $12,080 - $146.6 -
1982 $14,191 - $147 -
1981 $15,666 - $142.9 -
1980 $15,340 - $125.1 -
1979 $13,082 - $121.9 -
1978 $11,630 - $108.1 -
1977 $10,305 - $95.3 -
1976 $7,848 - $102.5 -
1975 $6,680 - $113.6 -
1974 $7,287 - $89.8 -
1973 $5,627 - $73.2 -
1972 $4,155 - $78.8 -
1971 $3,366 - $69.5 -
1970 $2,666 - $69.6 -
1969 $2,142 - $64.8 -
1968 $2,473 - $64.9 -
1967 $3,284 - $72.3 -
1966 $3,378 - $79.5 -
1965 $2,861 - $65.8 -
1964 $2,414 - $45.3 -
1963 $1,924 - $46.3 -
1962 $1,641 - $54.6 -
1961 $1,490 - $51.6 -
1960 $1,486 - $50.2 -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $98,323, ranking 8/197, compared to $1,536 in Nepal, ranking 165/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737.

Economic indicators

Iceland Nepal
Gross domestic product
$38.6B
2025
$45.5B
2025
GDP rank
105/197
2025
102/197
2025
GDP growth
1.28%
2024-2025
4.43%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$98,323
2025
$1,536
2025
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2025
165/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$5,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
155/197
2024
Government debt
$21.6B
2025
$21.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.1%
2025
48.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$55,165
2025
$740
2025
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2025
154/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,153
2026
$1,743
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
24.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45%
2025
21.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.09%
2024-2025
2.65%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
10.7%
2017
Population
398674
29619950

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Nepal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Nepal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45% 56.1% 21.8% 48.1%
2024 47.1% 60.4% 21.8% 48.3%
2023 45.2% 61.5% 25.1% 47%
2022 46.2% 66.4% 26.1% 42.7%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 27.2% 43.3%
2020 50.4% 76.1% 28.5% 43.3%
2019 43% 65.7% 27.1% 34%
2018 43.4% 62.3% 28% 31.1%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 23.6% 25%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 19% 25%
2015 43% 96.3% 17.7% 25.7%
2014 45.3% 114.1% 16.6% 27.6%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 15.5% 31.9%
2012 47.2% 132.2% 16.8% 34.5%
2011 50% 136.6% 16.3% 32.4%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 16.5% 35.4%
2009 53.4% 128.2% 17% 39.5%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 13.4% 36.8%
2007 44.2% 67.4% 13.1% 37.9%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 11.2% 42.9%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 12% 45.1%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 11.8% 51.3%
2003 47.3% 84.1% 12% 53%
2002 45% 81.3% 13% 51.8%
2001 47% 82.5% 12.9% 50.8%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 11.4% 50.8%
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/nepal | CC BY

In 2025, Iceland's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 45% of its GDP, while Nepal spent $9.93B, or 21.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.1% in Iceland and 48.1% in Nepal, ranking 86/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Nepal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Nepal
2025 -2.77% -1.86%
2024 -3.71% -2.46%
2023 -2.32% -5.81%
2022 -3.82% -3.12%
2021 -7.96% -3.98%
2020 -8.81% -7.47%
2019 -1.45% -4.27%
2018 1.04% -5.83%
2017 1.28% -2.69%
2016 12.7% 1.2%
2015 -0.14% 0.46%
2014 0.59% 1.36%
2013 -0.88% 1.57%
2012 -2.59% -1.18%
2011 -6.42% -0.72%
2010 -6.56% -0.67%
2009 -8.5% -2.24%
2008 -12% -0.29%
2007 5.57% -0.67%
2006 6.42% 0.24%
2005 4.96% 0.24%
2004 0.33% -0.14%
2003 -2.25% -0.34%
2002 -2.21% -2.46%
2001 -0.27% -2.35%
2000 1.43% -1.48%
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/nepal | 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 Nepal's deficit of $845M, or 1.86% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Nepal ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.73% of GDP for Nepal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Nepal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Nepal
2025 4.09% 2.65%
2024 5.86% 4.69%
2023 8.74% 7.12%
2022 8.31% 7.67%
2021 4.44% 4.13%
2020 2.85% 5.06%
2019 3.01% 5.57%
2018 2.68% 4.41%
2017 1.76% 2.78%
2016 1.7% 8.79%
2015 1.63% 7.87%
2014 2.04% 8.36%
2013 3.87% 9.04%
2012 5.19% 9.46%
2011 4% 9.23%
2010 5.4% 9.33%
2009 12% 11.1%
2008 12.7% 9.91%
2007 5.05% 2.27%
2006 6.69% 6.92%
2005 3.99% 6.84%
2004 3.16% 2.84%
2003 2.06% 5.71%
2002 5.2% 3.03%
2001 6.41% 2.69%
2000 5.14% 2.48%
1999 3.23% 7.45%
1998 1.66% 11.2%
1997 1.82% 4.01%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.64%, compared with 6.3% in Nepal. In 2025, inflation was 4.09% in Iceland and 2.65% in Nepal.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Nepal
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $30K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Iceland Nepal
Current account balance
-$1.34B
2025
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2025
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.48%
2025
+3.88%
2024
Goods imports
$10.4B
2025
$12.1B
2024
Goods exports
$7.4B
2025
$1.54B
2024
Service imports
$5.98B
2025
$2.27B
2024
Service exports
$8.16B
2025
$1.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
8.83%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Nepal
Economic freedom 75 52.9
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 144/197
Property rights 94.9 38.8
Government integrity 85 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 42.9
Tax burden 72.2 84.3
Government spending 37 82.1
Fiscal health 76.2 71
Business freedom 86.8 60.8
Labor freedom 59.3 48.2
Monetary freedom 73.5 69.4
Trade freedom 79.8 58.6
Investment freedom 70 10
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Nepal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Nepal
2026 75 52.9
2025 72.8 52.5
2024 70.5 52.1
2023 72.2 51.4
2022 77 49.7
2021 77.4 50.7
2020 77.1 54.2
2019 77.1 53.8
2018 77 54.1
2017 74.4 55.1
2016 73.3 50.9
2015 72 51.3
2014 72.4 50.1
2013 72.1 50.4
2012 70.9 50.2
2011 68.2 50.1
2010 73.7 52.7
2009 75.9 53.2
2008 75.8 54.1
2007 76 54.4
2006 75.8 53.7
2005 76.6 51.4
2004 72.1 51.2
2003 73.5 51.5
2002 73.1 52.3
2001 73.4 51.6
2000 74 51.3
1999 71.4 53.1
1998 71.2 53.5
1997 70.5 53.6
1996 - 50.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 52.9 for Nepal, ranking 144/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Nepal
Services, % of GDP
66.2%
2025
54.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
12.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.65%
2025
21.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$35B
2025
$46.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$83,250
2025
$6,250
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.73B
2025
$21.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2025
65/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$650M
2025
-$56.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.83B
2024
$56.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$300M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
20.3%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2025
29.4%
2025

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/nepal | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2022, 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.