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Economy of Iceland vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 108/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Iceland vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Iceland
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Papua New Guinea
2024 $33,255,181,469 $31,800,428,266
2023 $31,677,891,897 $30,816,367,067
2022 $29,166,102,877 $31,653,185,953
2021 $26,234,872,402 $26,109,413,521
2020 $22,034,665,041 $23,848,447,850
2019 $24,985,687,022 $24,750,626,030
2018 $26,677,652,544 $24,109,780,708
2017 $25,060,086,488 $22,742,699,138
2016 $21,083,713,310 $20,758,876,953
2015 $17,700,486,957 $21,723,437,010
2014 $18,052,183,515 $23,210,823,987
2013 $16,244,319,959 $21,261,338,065
2012 $14,943,757,823 $21,295,168,666
2011 $15,394,005,872 $17,985,138,066
2010 $13,922,711,577 $14,250,786,675
2009 $13,212,543,838 $11,619,456,449
2008 $18,247,921,360 $11,670,892,801
2007 $21,960,110,030 $9,545,028,944
2006 $17,671,649,843 $8,354,911,041
2005 $17,146,410,561 $4,865,892,972
2004 $13,963,943,244 $3,927,157,867
2003 $11,564,687,742 $3,536,411,824
2002 $9,416,199,700 $2,999,511,040
2001 $8,323,401,820 $3,081,024,212
2000 $9,140,168,922 $3,521,339,699
1999 $9,107,644,691 $3,477,038,204
1998 $8,637,732,542 $3,789,443,015
1997 $7,716,781,803 $4,936,615,299
1996 $7,686,566,105 $5,155,311,077
1995 $7,372,640,169 $4,636,057,476
1994 $6,612,804,056 $5,502,786,070
1993 $6,435,952,174 $4,974,550,286
1992 $7,328,497,599 $4,377,980,510
1991 $7,151,260,062 $3,787,394,958
1990 $6,694,851,159 $3,219,729,083
1989 $5,870,854,233 $3,546,472,566
1988 $6,320,093,411 $3,656,177,881
1987 $5,713,281,235 $3,143,851,794
1986 $4,129,080,094 $2,647,995,602
1985 $3,088,359,967 $2,423,339,172
1984 $2,964,568,006 $2,552,662,617
1983 $2,862,634,164 $2,562,351,551
1982 $3,318,714,326 $2,368,719,683
1981 $3,615,094,820 $2,498,190,847
1980 $3,499,616,683 $2,545,808,456
1979 $2,953,176,971 $2,293,760,511
1978 $2,599,627,089 $1,947,878,831
1977 $2,285,707,749 $1,640,746,619
1976 $1,727,845,419 $1,511,843,235
1975 $1,456,052,700 $1,356,603,608
1974 $1,568,154,077 $1,467,417,672
1973 $1,194,794,186 $1,299,079,410
1972 $869,002,946 $858,761,926
1971 $693,679,545 $717,750,278
1970 $545,115,909 $645,568,215
1969 $435,659,610 $551,263,864
1968 $498,365,200 $485,184,190
1967 $652,609,076 $441,728,183
1966 $660,663,763 $390,992,063
1965 $550,150,988 $344,176,055
1964 $456,206,299 $305,312,049
1963 $357,240,896 $275,968,044
1962 $299,309,938 $261,184,042
1961 $266,711,460 $244,832,039
1960 $260,984,499 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Papua New Guinea by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $744 $2,322
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $621 $2,187
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $577 $2,142
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $506 $2,125
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $538 $2,168
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $636 $2,196
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $650 $2,280
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $733 $2,285
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $990 $2,432
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $998 $2,436
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $942 $1,869
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $826 $1,703
1989 $23,219 - $934 -
1988 $25,307 - $985 -
1987 $23,238 - $865 -
1986 $16,980 - $745 -
1985 $12,793 - $697 -
1984 $12,378 - $750 -
1983 $12,080 - $769 -
1982 $14,191 - $726 -
1981 $15,666 - $781 -
1980 $15,340 - $813 -
1979 $13,082 - $748 -
1978 $11,630 - $648 -
1977 $10,305 - $558 -
1976 $7,848 - $525 -
1975 $6,680 - $482 -
1974 $7,287 - $533 -
1973 $5,627 - $483 -
1972 $4,155 - $327 -
1971 $3,366 - $279.7 -
1970 $2,666 - $257.6 -
1969 $2,142 - $225.3 -
1968 $2,473 - $202.9 -
1967 $3,284 - $189 -
1966 $3,378 - $171.1 -
1965 $2,861 - $153.9 -
1964 $2,414 - $139.5 -
1963 $1,924 - $128.9 -
1962 $1,641 - $124.7 -
1961 $1,490 - $119.7 -
1960 $1,486 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Iceland Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
2.69%
2022
Population
397129
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 45% 61.5% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 22% 52.6%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 43% 65.7% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 43% 96.3% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 50% 136.6% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 18% 22.2%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 19.4% 26%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 45% 81.3% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 20% 45.7%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 45% 54.8% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 23.5% 30%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 22.4% -
1990 42.6% 35.5% 24.5% -
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 (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 80/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Papua New Guinea
2024 -3.51% -3.23%
2023 -2.28% -4.34%
2022 -3.93% -5.25%
2021 -8.33% -6.84%
2020 -8.73% -8.85%
2019 -1.57% -4.98%
2018 0.94% -2.58%
2017 0.97% -2.47%
2016 12.4% -4.75%
2015 -0.39% -4.55%
2014 0.29% -6.27%
2013 -1.24% -6.87%
2012 -2.59% -1.19%
2011 -6.46% 2.22%
2010 -6.58% 3.06%
2009 -8.54% -5.48%
2008 -12% 2.73%
2007 5.52% 6.9%
2006 6.37% 5.34%
2005 4.92% 2.85%
2004 0.28% 2.03%
2003 -2.3% 0.19%
2002 -2.25% -1.75%
2001 -0.28% -1.33%
2000 1.43% 0.3%
1999 1.3% -1.94%
1998 -0.56% -0.16%
1997 0.04% 0.67%
1996 -1.52% 2.05%
1995 -2.87% 1.08%
1994 -4.59% -1.01%
1993 -4.36% -4.9%
1992 -1.86% -4.33%
1991 -0.66% -0.62%
1990 -3.16% -2.04%
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/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Papua New Guinea
2024 5.86% 0.6%
2023 8.74% 2.3%
2022 8.31% 5.25%
2021 4.44% 4.48%
2020 2.85% 4.87%
2019 3.01% 3.93%
2018 2.68% 4.37%
2017 1.76% 5.42%
2016 1.7% 6.67%
2015 1.63% 6%
2014 2.04% 5.22%
2013 3.87% 4.96%
2012 5.19% 4.54%
2011 4% 4.44%
2010 5.4% 6.01%
2009 12% 6.92%
2008 12.7% 10.8%
2007 5.05% 0.91%
2006 6.69% 2.37%
2005 3.99% 1.78%
2004 3.16% 2.16%
2003 2.06% 14.7%
2002 5.2% 11.8%
2001 6.41% 9.3%
2000 5.14% 15.6%
1999 3.23% 14.9%
1998 1.66% 13.6%
1997 1.82% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $61K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Metals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Iceland Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 75 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 134/197
Property rights 94.9 45
Government integrity 85 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 41.1
Tax burden 72.2 70.9
Government spending 37 86.1
Fiscal health 76.2 65.3
Business freedom 86.8 34.2
Labor freedom 59.3 65.1
Monetary freedom 73.5 77.4
Trade freedom 79.8 80.2
Investment freedom 70 25
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Papua New Guinea
2026 75 54.3
2025 72.8 52.5
2024 70.5 49.4
2023 72.2 51.7
2022 77 54.6
2021 77.4 58.9
2020 77.1 58.4
2019 77.1 58.4
2018 77 55.7
2017 74.4 50.9
2016 73.3 53.2
2015 72 53.1
2014 72.4 53.9
2013 72.1 53.6
2012 70.9 53.8
2011 68.2 52.6
2010 73.7 53.5
2009 75.9 54.8
2008 75.8 -
2007 76 -
2006 75.8 -
2005 76.6 -
2004 72.1 -
2003 73.5 -
2002 73.1 -
2001 73.4 57.2
2000 74 55.8
1999 71.4 56.3
1998 71.2 55.2
1997 70.5 56.7
1996 - 58.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | 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 (1909–1993, 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 (2022–2024, 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.