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Economy of Iceland vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iceland has a GDP of $38.6B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 105/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $21.6B in government debt (56.1% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Iceland vs Rwanda GDP by year

Iceland
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Rwanda
2025 $38,582,528,789 $16,372,132,990
2024 $33,186,621,855 $15,111,064,182
2023 $31,701,996,434 $14,806,501,437
2022 $29,176,227,825 $13,747,404,814
2021 $26,234,872,402 $11,252,894,910
2020 $22,034,665,041 $10,487,146,253
2019 $24,985,687,022 $10,519,272,170
2018 $26,677,652,544 $9,650,161,136
2017 $25,060,086,488 $9,164,345,443
2016 $21,083,713,310 $8,596,812,241
2015 $17,700,486,957 $8,447,064,079
2014 $18,052,183,515 $8,129,984,484
2013 $16,244,319,959 $7,714,276,920
2012 $14,943,757,823 $7,556,673,276
2011 $15,394,005,872 $6,802,676,034
2010 $13,922,711,577 $6,052,276,078
2009 $13,212,543,838 $5,603,399,015
2008 $18,247,921,360 $5,120,655,375
2007 $21,960,110,030 $4,017,977,507
2006 $17,671,649,843 $3,274,207,945
2005 $17,146,410,561 $2,933,819,766
2004 $13,963,943,244 $2,376,496,067
2003 $11,564,687,742 $2,138,237,279
2002 $9,416,199,700 $1,966,003,468
2001 $8,323,401,820 $1,966,600,715
2000 $9,140,168,922 $2,068,836,754
1999 $9,107,644,691 $2,157,108,263
1998 $8,637,732,542 $1,989,343,546
1997 $7,716,781,803 $1,851,558,197
1996 $7,686,566,105 $1,382,334,879
1995 $7,372,640,169 $1,293,535,193
1994 $6,612,804,056 $753,636,370
1993 $6,435,952,174 $1,971,525,712
1992 $7,328,497,599 $2,029,026,962
1991 $7,151,260,062 $1,911,600,237
1990 $6,694,851,159 $2,550,185,679
1989 $5,870,854,233 $2,405,022,593
1988 $6,320,093,411 $2,395,492,687
1987 $5,713,281,235 $2,157,432,668
1986 $4,129,080,094 $1,944,710,684
1985 $3,088,359,967 $1,715,626,331
1984 $2,964,568,006 $1,587,413,084
1983 $2,862,634,164 $1,479,687,587
1982 $3,318,714,326 $1,407,243,139
1981 $3,615,094,820 $1,407,062,527
1980 $3,499,616,683 $1,254,765,642
1979 $2,953,176,971 $1,109,346,131
1978 $2,599,627,089 $905,709,076
1977 $2,285,707,749 $746,650,613
1976 $1,727,845,419 $637,753,853
1975 $1,456,052,700 $571,863,500
1974 $1,568,154,077 $308,458,423
1973 $1,194,794,186 $290,746,157
1972 $869,002,946 $246,457,838
1971 $693,679,545 $222,952,504
1970 $545,115,909 $219,900,006
1969 $435,659,610 $188,700,037
1968 $498,365,200 $172,200,018
1967 $652,609,076 $159,560,018
1966 $660,663,763 $124,525,703
1965 $550,150,988 $148,799,980
1964 $456,206,299 $129,999,994
1963 $357,240,896 $128,000,000
1962 $299,309,938 $125,000,008
1961 $266,711,460 $122,000,016
1960 $260,984,499 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Rwanda by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,323 - $1,124 -
2024 $85,863 $84,257 $1,060 $3,711
2023 $82,201 $81,608 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $76,377 $75,333 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $843 $2,733
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $803 $2,285
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $823 $2,336
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $773 $2,125
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $751 $1,968
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $721 $1,866
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $726 $1,781
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $715 $1,678
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $695 $1,512
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $698 $1,455
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $643 $1,413
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $587 $1,314
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $557 $1,241
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $522 $1,191
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $421 $1,079
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $352 $1,002
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $324 $914
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $269.5 $832
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $249 $775
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $234 $760
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $237.3 $670
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $251.9 $609
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $264.7 $554
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $246.2 $528
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $238.7 $500
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $206 $499
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $228 $514
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $111 $311
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $247 $521
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $264.1 $575
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $254 $542
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $346 $549
1989 $23,219 - $335 -
1988 $25,307 - $344 -
1987 $23,238 - $320 -
1986 $16,980 - $297.7 -
1985 $12,793 - $271.6 -
1984 $12,378 - $259.9 -
1983 $12,080 - $250.6 -
1982 $14,191 - $246.4 -
1981 $15,666 - $254.6 -
1980 $15,340 - $234.4 -
1979 $13,082 - $213.8 -
1978 $11,630 - $179.9 -
1977 $10,305 - $152.7 -
1976 $7,848 - $134.4 -
1975 $6,680 - $124.1 -
1974 $7,287 - $68.9 -
1973 $5,627 - $66.9 -
1972 $4,155 - $58.4 -
1971 $3,366 - $54.4 -
1970 $2,666 - $55.2 -
1969 $2,142 - $48.9 -
1968 $2,473 - $46 -
1967 $3,284 - $44 -
1966 $3,378 - $35.4 -
1965 $2,861 - $43.5 -
1964 $2,414 - $39 -
1963 $1,924 - $39.3 -
1962 $1,641 - $39.2 -
1961 $1,490 - $39.3 -
1960 $1,486 - $39.4 -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $98,323, ranking 8/197, compared to $1,124 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Iceland Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$38.6B
2025
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
105/197
2025
142/197
2025
GDP growth
1.28%
2024-2025
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$98,323
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2025
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$21.6B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.1%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$55,165
2025
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2025
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,153
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.2B
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.09%
2024-2025
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2026
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
5.36%
2025
Population
398674
15062056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45% 56.1% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 47.1% 60.4% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 45.2% 61.5% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 46.2% 66.4% 28.7% 59%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 31% 66.2%
2020 50.4% 76.1% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 43% 65.7% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 43.4% 62.3% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 43% 96.3% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 45.3% 114.1% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 26.5% 27%
2012 47.2% 132.2% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 50% 136.6% 25% 18.9%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 24.1% 19%
2009 53.4% 128.2% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 44.2% 67.4% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 47.3% 84.1% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 45% 81.3% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 47% 82.5% 19.3% 85.2%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 18.5% 87.2%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 22.7% 79.5%
1998 40.3% 43.3% 16.6% 71.1%
1997 41.4% 51.1% 17.2% 73.3%
1996 42.5% 53.7% 19.8% 84.6%
1995 43% 56.1% 18.3% 102.2%
1994 43.6% 53% 13.5% -
1993 43.7% 50.6% 20.6% -
1992 43.3% 43.9% 21.8% -
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/rwanda | CC BY

In 2025, Iceland's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 45% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.1% in Iceland and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 86/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Rwanda
2025 -2.77% -4.49%
2024 -3.71% -6.19%
2023 -2.32% -4.88%
2022 -3.82% -5.56%
2021 -7.96% -6.89%
2020 -8.81% -9.26%
2019 -1.45% -5%
2018 1.04% -2.57%
2017 1.28% -2.54%
2016 12.7% -2.3%
2015 -0.14% -2.71%
2014 0.59% -3.97%
2013 -0.88% -1.29%
2012 -2.59% -2.41%
2011 -6.42% -0.87%
2010 -6.56% -0.65%
2009 -8.5% 0.26%
2008 -12% 0.84%
2007 5.57% -1.58%
2006 6.42% -0.03%
2005 4.96% 1.14%
2004 0.33% 2.31%
2003 -2.25% -1.25%
2002 -2.21% -2.06%
2001 -0.27% -1.83%
2000 1.43% -0.22%
1999 1.3% -4.48%
1998 -0.55% -2.63%
1997 0.05% -2.25%
1996 -1.46% -5.08%
1995 -2.77% -2.07%
1994 -4.44% -9.68%
1993 -4.21% -6.7%
1992 -1.8% -7.31%
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $736M, or 4.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Rwanda
2025 4.09% 5.91%
2024 5.86% 1.77%
2023 8.74% 19.8%
2022 8.31% 17.7%
2021 4.44% -0.39%
2020 2.85% 9.85%
2019 3.01% 3.35%
2018 2.68% -0.31%
2017 1.76% 8.28%
2016 1.7% 7.17%
2015 1.63% 2.53%
2014 2.04% 2.35%
2013 3.87% 5.92%
2012 5.19% 10.3%
2011 4% 3.08%
2010 5.4% -0.25%
2009 12% 12.9%
2008 12.7% 15.4%
2007 5.05% 9.08%
2006 6.69% 8.88%
2005 3.99% 9.01%
2004 3.16% 12.3%
2003 2.06% 7.45%
2002 5.2% 1.99%
2001 6.41% 3.34%
2000 5.14% 3.9%
1999 3.23% -2.41%
1998 1.66% 6.21%
1997 1.82% 12%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.64%, compared with 6.8% in Rwanda. In 2025, inflation was 4.09% in Iceland and 5.91% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $950K

Balance of trade

Iceland Rwanda
Current account balance
-$1.34B
2025
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2025
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.48%
2025
-12%
2024
Goods imports
$10.4B
2025
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$7.4B
2025
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$5.98B
2025
$991M
2024
Service exports
$8.16B
2025
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
21.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Rwanda
Economic freedom 75 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 121/197
Property rights 94.9 60.3
Government integrity 85 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 27.5
Tax burden 72.2 80.6
Government spending 37 75.7
Fiscal health 76.2 37.5
Business freedom 86.8 60.1
Labor freedom 59.3 49.1
Monetary freedom 73.5 72.3
Trade freedom 79.8 61.8
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Rwanda
2026 75 56.5
2025 72.8 54.8
2024 70.5 51.6
2023 72.2 52.2
2022 77 57.1
2021 77.4 68.3
2020 77.1 70.9
2019 77.1 71.1
2018 77 69.1
2017 74.4 67.6
2016 73.3 63.1
2015 72 64.8
2014 72.4 64.7
2013 72.1 64.1
2012 70.9 64.9
2011 68.2 62.7
2010 73.7 59.1
2009 75.9 54.2
2008 75.8 54.2
2007 76 52.4
2006 75.8 52.8
2005 76.6 51.7
2004 72.1 53.3
2003 73.5 47.8
2002 73.1 50.4
2001 73.4 45.4
2000 74 42.3
1999 71.4 39.8
1998 71.2 39.1
1997 70.5 38.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
66.2%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.65%
2025
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$35B
2025
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$83,250
2025
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.73B
2025
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2025
128/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$650M
2025
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.83B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$300M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2025
34.1%
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/rwanda | 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 (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2023, 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.