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Economy of Iceland vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 108/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Iceland vs Nigeria GDP by year

Iceland
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Nigeria
2024 $33,255,181,469 $252,261,880,141
2023 $31,677,891,897 $487,387,801,881
2022 $29,166,102,877 $646,950,257,578
2021 $26,234,872,402 $609,147,716,973
2020 $22,034,665,041 $598,586,817,819
2019 $24,985,687,022 $668,219,992,691
2018 $26,677,652,544 $421,739,251,509
2017 $25,060,086,488 $375,745,731,053
2016 $21,083,713,310 $404,649,125,252
2015 $17,700,486,957 $493,026,682,801
2014 $18,052,183,515 $574,183,763,412
2013 $16,244,319,959 $520,117,180,314
2012 $14,943,757,823 $463,971,018,239
2011 $15,394,005,872 $414,466,676,831
2010 $13,922,711,577 $366,990,417,129
2009 $13,212,543,838 $295,008,835,381
2008 $18,247,921,360 $339,476,276,258
2007 $21,960,110,030 $278,260,846,800
2006 $17,671,649,843 $238,454,997,161
2005 $17,146,410,561 $175,670,569,969
2004 $13,963,943,244 $135,764,731,646
2003 $11,564,687,742 $104,738,954,264
2002 $9,416,199,700 $95,054,059,303
2001 $8,323,401,820 $73,557,840,064
2000 $9,140,168,922 $69,171,451,627
1999 $9,107,644,691 $59,145,077,039
1998 $8,637,732,542 $218,416,200,673
1997 $7,716,781,803 $200,850,397,618
1996 $7,686,566,105 $185,730,236,700
1995 $7,372,640,169 $140,919,776,986
1994 $6,612,804,056 $80,399,613,064
1993 $6,435,952,174 $56,721,051,402
1992 $7,328,497,599 $52,058,181,854
1991 $7,151,260,062 $59,526,833,412
1990 $6,694,851,159 $54,035,795,388
1989 $5,870,854,233 $44,003,061,108
1988 $6,320,093,411 $49,648,470,440
1987 $5,713,281,235 $52,676,041,931
1986 $4,129,080,094 $54,805,852,581
1985 $3,088,359,967 $73,745,821,158
1984 $2,964,568,006 $73,484,359,521
1983 $2,862,634,164 $97,094,911,792
1982 $3,318,714,326 $142,769,363,314
1981 $3,615,094,820 $164,475,209,516
1980 $3,499,616,683 $64,201,788,123
1979 $2,953,176,971 $47,259,911,894
1978 $2,599,627,089 $36,527,862,209
1977 $2,285,707,749 $36,035,407,725
1976 $1,727,845,419 $36,308,883,249
1975 $1,456,052,700 $27,778,934,625
1974 $1,568,154,077 $24,846,641,318
1973 $1,194,794,186 $15,162,871,287
1972 $869,002,946 $12,274,416,018
1971 $693,679,545 $9,181,769,912
1970 $545,115,909 $12,546,094,982
1969 $435,659,610 $6,634,317,346
1968 $498,365,200 $5,200,997,920
1967 $652,609,076 $5,203,237,919
1966 $660,663,763 $6,366,917,453
1965 $550,150,988 $5,874,537,650
1964 $456,206,299 $5,552,931,319
1963 $357,240,896 $5,165,590,254
1962 $299,309,938 $4,909,399,176
1961 $266,711,460 $4,467,287,893
1960 $260,984,499 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Nigeria by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $962 $4,381
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $763 $4,015
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $712 $3,770
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $566 $3,309
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $547 $3,139
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $481 $3,002
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $745 $2,853
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $540 $2,921
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $509 $2,991
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $597 $2,870
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $556 $2,840
1989 $23,219 - $465 -
1988 $25,307 - $540 -
1987 $23,238 - $588 -
1986 $16,980 - $628 -
1985 $12,793 - $869 -
1984 $12,378 - $890 -
1983 $12,080 - $1,207 -
1982 $14,191 - $1,822 -
1981 $15,666 - $2,162 -
1980 $15,340 - $870 -
1979 $13,082 - $661 -
1978 $11,630 - $527 -
1977 $10,305 - $536 -
1976 $7,848 - $556 -
1975 $6,680 - $438 -
1974 $7,287 - $403 -
1973 $5,627 - $252.4 -
1972 $4,155 - $209.5 -
1971 $3,366 - $160.5 -
1970 $2,666 - $224.5 -
1969 $2,142 - $121.4 -
1968 $2,473 - $97.3 -
1967 $3,284 - $99.5 -
1966 $3,378 - $124.4 -
1965 $2,861 - $117.3 -
1964 $2,414 - $113.3 -
1963 $1,924 - $107.7 -
1962 $1,641 - $104.5 -
1961 $1,490 - $97.1 -
1960 $1,486 - $93.1 -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Iceland Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
3.45%
2024
Population
397129
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 45% 61.5% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 43% 65.7% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 8.51% 18%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 43% 96.3% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 10% 13%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 50% 136.6% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 11% 6.12%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 13% 25.2%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 45% 81.3% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 45% 54.8% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 20% 50.4%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 42.6% 35.5% 14.2% 50.9%
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 80/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Nigeria
2024 -3.51% -1.57%
2023 -2.28% -3.12%
2022 -3.93% -4%
2021 -8.33% -3.97%
2020 -8.73% -4.03%
2019 -1.57% -3.31%
2018 0.94% -3.06%
2017 0.97% -3.85%
2016 12.4% -3.3%
2015 -0.39% -2.7%
2014 0.29% -1.72%
2013 -1.24% -1.89%
2012 -2.59% -0.09%
2011 -6.46% 0.31%
2010 -6.58% -2.96%
2009 -8.54% -3.78%
2008 -12% 4.05%
2007 5.52% -0.79%
2006 6.37% 6.22%
2005 4.92% 3.49%
2004 0.28% 3.9%
2003 -2.3% -1.56%
2002 -2.25% 0.95%
2001 -0.28% -2.29%
2000 1.43% 2.89%
1999 1.3% -1.39%
1998 -0.56% -3.47%
1997 0.04% 1.14%
1996 -1.52% 3.37%
1995 -2.87% 2.52%
1994 -4.59% -2.96%
1993 -4.36% -6.07%
1992 -1.86% 0.94%
1991 -0.66% -1.18%
1990 -3.16% -0.48%
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/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Nigeria
2024 5.86% 33.2%
2023 8.74% 24.7%
2022 8.31% 18.8%
2021 4.44% 17%
2020 2.85% 13.2%
2019 3.01% 11.4%
2018 2.68% 12.1%
2017 1.76% 16.5%
2016 1.7% 15.7%
2015 1.63% 9.01%
2014 2.04% 8.05%
2013 3.87% 8.5%
2012 5.19% 12.2%
2011 4% 10.8%
2010 5.4% 13.7%
2009 12% 12.5%
2008 12.7% 11.6%
2007 5.05% 5.39%
2006 6.69% 8.23%
2005 3.99% 17.9%
2004 3.16% 15%
2003 2.06% 14%
2002 5.2% 12.9%
2001 6.41% 18.9%
2000 5.14% 6.93%
1999 3.23% 6.62%
1998 1.66% 10%
1997 1.82% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $49.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.9M
Transport & tourism services $355K
Business & finance services $355K
Textiles & consumer goods $121K
Precious metals & jewellery $24K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Nigeria
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iceland Nigeria
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Nigeria
Economic freedom 75 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 132/197
Property rights 94.9 29.7
Government integrity 85 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 34.4
Tax burden 72.2 84.6
Government spending 37 96.3
Fiscal health 76.2 83.5
Business freedom 86.8 50.3
Labor freedom 59.3 75.4
Monetary freedom 73.5 56.1
Trade freedom 79.8 64.4
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Nigeria
2026 75 54.8
2025 72.8 53.4
2024 70.5 53.1
2023 72.2 53.9
2022 77 54.4
2021 77.4 58.7
2020 77.1 57.2
2019 77.1 57.3
2018 77 58.5
2017 74.4 57.1
2016 73.3 57.5
2015 72 55.6
2014 72.4 54.3
2013 72.1 55.1
2012 70.9 56.3
2011 68.2 56.7
2010 73.7 56.8
2009 75.9 55.1
2008 75.8 55.1
2007 76 55.6
2006 75.8 48.7
2005 76.6 48.4
2004 72.1 49.2
2003 73.5 49.5
2002 73.1 50.9
2001 73.4 49.6
2000 74 53.1
1999 71.4 55.7
1998 71.2 52.3
1997 70.5 52.8
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
n/a

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/nigeria | 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 (1995–2026, 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.

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.