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Economy of Iceland vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 108/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Iceland vs South Sudan GDP by year

Iceland
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland South Sudan
2024 $33,255,181,469 -
2023 $31,677,891,897 -
2022 $29,166,102,877 -
2021 $26,234,872,402 -
2020 $22,034,665,041 -
2019 $24,985,687,022 -
2018 $26,677,652,544 -
2017 $25,060,086,488 -
2016 $21,083,713,310 -
2015 $17,700,486,957 $11,997,800,760
2014 $18,052,183,515 $13,962,212,847
2013 $16,244,319,959 $18,426,469,017
2012 $14,943,757,823 $11,931,472,169
2011 $15,394,005,872 $14,907,308,933
2010 $13,922,711,577 $14,602,072,411
2009 $13,212,543,838 $12,231,264,525
2008 $18,247,921,360 $14,586,253,383
2007 $21,960,110,030 -
2006 $17,671,649,843 -
2005 $17,146,410,561 -
2004 $13,963,943,244 -
2003 $11,564,687,742 -
2002 $9,416,199,700 -
2001 $8,323,401,820 -
2000 $9,140,168,922 -
1999 $9,107,644,691 -
1998 $8,637,732,542 -
1997 $7,716,781,803 -
1996 $7,686,566,105 -
1995 $7,372,640,169 -
1994 $6,612,804,056 -
1993 $6,435,952,174 -
1992 $7,328,497,599 -
1991 $7,151,260,062 -
1990 $6,694,851,159 -
1989 $5,870,854,233 -
1988 $6,320,093,411 -
1987 $5,713,281,235 -
1986 $4,129,080,094 -
1985 $3,088,359,967 -
1984 $2,964,568,006 -
1983 $2,862,634,164 -
1982 $3,318,714,326 -
1981 $3,615,094,820 -
1980 $3,499,616,683 -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs South Sudan by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 - -
2023 $82,139 $81,608 - -
2022 $76,350 $75,333 - -
2021 $70,425 $61,610 - -
2020 $60,128 $55,797 - -
2019 $69,296 $60,524 - -
2018 $75,634 $57,198 - -
2017 $72,976 $55,638 - -
2016 $62,854 $53,480 - -
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $70,483 $41,471 - -
2006 $58,172 $39,692 - -
2005 $57,784 $37,323 - -
2004 $47,810 $35,612 - -
2003 $39,944 $32,697 - -
2002 $32,749 $32,607 - -
2001 $29,208 $31,882 - -
2000 $32,504 $29,789 - -
1999 $32,834 $29,558 - -
1998 $31,519 $28,723 - -
1997 $28,462 $26,874 - -
1996 $28,584 $24,776 - -
1995 $27,565 $23,954 - -
1994 $24,858 $23,562 - -
1993 $24,404 $22,460 - -
1992 $28,072 $21,877 - -
1991 $27,740 $22,416 - -
1990 $26,272 $21,985 - -
1989 $23,219 - - -
1988 $25,307 - - -
1987 $23,238 - - -
1986 $16,980 - - -
1985 $12,793 - - -
1984 $12,378 - - -
1983 $12,080 - - -
1982 $14,191 - - -
1981 $15,666 - - -
1980 $15,340 - - -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Iceland South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
108/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$1,305
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
12.3%
2008
Population
397129
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 45% 61.5% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 34.1% 49%
2019 43% 65.7% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 97% 178.3%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 43% 96.3% 34% 58.6%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 50% 136.6% 20.8% -
2010 48.2% 131.5% - -
2009 53.3% 128.2% - -
2008 62.8% 109.3% - -
2007 44.1% 67.4% - -
2006 44.3% 69.8% - -
2005 44.2% 67.8% - -
2004 46.2% 80.1% - -
2003 47.2% 84.1% - -
2002 45% 81.3% - -
2001 46.9% 82.5% - -
2000 44.3% 74.8% - -
1999 44.8% 75.5% - -
1998 40.2% 43.3% - -
1997 41.3% 51.1% - -
1996 43.9% 55.6% - -
1995 44.4% 58.1% - -
1994 45% 54.8% - -
1993 45.1% 52.3% - -
1992 44.7% 45.4% - -
1991 42.8% 37.6% - -
1990 42.6% 35.5% - -
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 80/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland South Sudan
2024 -3.51% 11.7%
2023 -2.28% 8.04%
2022 -3.93% 4.48%
2021 -8.33% -9.3%
2020 -8.73% -5.5%
2019 -1.57% 0.04%
2018 0.94% -1.06%
2017 0.97% 9.56%
2016 12.4% -19.8%
2015 -0.39% -16.4%
2014 0.29% -9.07%
2013 -1.24% -3.45%
2012 -2.59% -14.8%
2011 -6.46% 4.57%
2010 -6.58% -
2009 -8.54% -
2008 -12% -
2007 5.52% -
2006 6.37% -
2005 4.92% -
2004 0.28% -
2003 -2.3% -
2002 -2.25% -
2001 -0.28% -
2000 1.43% -
1999 1.3% -
1998 -0.56% -
1997 0.04% -
1996 -1.52% -
1995 -2.87% -
1994 -4.59% -
1993 -4.36% -
1992 -1.86% -
1991 -0.66% -
1990 -3.16% -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $69.3M, equivalent to 0.39% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.08% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland South Sudan
2024 5.86% 91.4%
2023 8.74% 2.38%
2022 8.31% -6.69%
2021 4.44% 10.5%
2020 2.85% 29.7%
2019 3.01% 87.2%
2018 2.68% 83.5%
2017 1.76% 187.9%
2016 1.7% 380%
2015 1.63% 52.8%
2014 2.04% 1.67%
2013 3.87% -0.06%
2012 5.19% 45.5%
2011 4% 46.9%
2010 5.4% 1.17%
2009 12% 5.01%
2008 12.7% -
2007 5.05% -
2006 6.69% -
2005 3.99% -
2004 3.16% -
2003 2.06% -
2002 5.2% -
2001 6.41% -
2000 5.14% -
1999 3.23% -
1998 1.66% -
1997 1.82% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.59%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Iceland South Sudan
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland South Sudan
Economic freedom 75 41
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 186/197
Property rights 94.9 n/a
Government integrity 85 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 n/a
Tax burden 72.2 n/a
Government spending 37 n/a
Fiscal health 76.2 n/a
Business freedom 86.8 n/a
Labor freedom 59.3 n/a
Monetary freedom 73.5 n/a
Trade freedom 79.8 n/a
Investment freedom 70 n/a
Financial freedom 70 n/a

Other economic metrics

Iceland South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
5.75%
2015

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/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.