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Economy of Iceland vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 108/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Iceland vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Iceland
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Sri Lanka
2024 $33,255,181,469 $98,963,185,510
2023 $31,677,891,897 $83,716,142,582
2022 $29,166,102,877 $74,143,020,263
2021 $26,234,872,402 $88,556,698,938
2020 $22,034,665,041 $84,335,574,582
2019 $24,985,687,022 $88,998,706,297
2018 $26,677,652,544 $94,450,015,983
2017 $25,060,086,488 $94,369,350,286
2016 $21,083,713,310 $88,000,211,172
2015 $17,700,486,957 $85,090,301,052
2014 $18,052,183,515 $82,531,125,191
2013 $16,244,319,959 $76,976,203,829
2012 $14,943,757,823 $70,447,217,164
2011 $15,394,005,872 $67,753,285,897
2010 $13,922,711,577 $58,636,049,434
2009 $13,212,543,838 $42,066,224,093
2008 $18,247,921,360 $40,713,826,215
2007 $21,960,110,030 $32,350,238,760
2006 $17,671,649,843 $28,267,410,543
2005 $17,146,410,561 $24,405,791,045
2004 $13,963,943,244 $20,662,525,941
2003 $11,564,687,742 $18,881,765,437
2002 $9,416,199,700 $16,536,535,647
2001 $8,323,401,820 $15,749,753,805
2000 $9,140,168,922 $16,595,882,819
1999 $9,107,644,691 $15,711,933,513
1998 $8,637,732,542 $15,760,736,956
1997 $7,716,781,803 $15,091,913,884
1996 $7,686,566,105 $13,897,738,375
1995 $7,372,640,169 $13,029,697,561
1994 $6,612,804,056 $11,717,604,209
1993 $6,435,952,174 $10,338,679,636
1992 $7,328,497,599 $9,703,011,636
1991 $7,151,260,062 $9,000,362,582
1990 $6,694,851,159 $8,032,551,173
1989 $5,870,854,233 $6,987,267,684
1988 $6,320,093,411 $6,978,371,581
1987 $5,713,281,235 $6,682,167,120
1986 $4,129,080,094 $6,405,210,564
1985 $3,088,359,967 $5,978,460,972
1984 $2,964,568,006 $6,043,474,843
1983 $2,862,634,164 $5,167,913,302
1982 $3,318,714,326 $4,768,765,017
1981 $3,615,094,820 $4,415,844,156
1980 $3,499,616,683 $4,024,621,900
1979 $2,953,176,971 $3,364,611,432
1978 $2,599,627,089 $2,733,183,857
1977 $2,285,707,749 $4,104,509,583
1976 $1,727,845,419 $3,591,319,857
1975 $1,456,052,700 $3,791,298,146
1974 $1,568,154,077 $3,574,586,466
1973 $1,194,794,186 $2,875,625,000
1972 $869,002,946 $2,553,936,348
1971 $693,679,545 $2,369,308,600
1970 $545,115,909 $2,296,470,588
1969 $435,659,610 $1,965,546,218
1968 $498,365,200 $1,801,344,538
1967 $652,609,076 $1,859,465,021
1966 $660,663,763 $1,751,470,588
1965 $550,150,988 $1,698,319,328
1964 $456,206,299 $1,309,747,899
1963 $357,240,896 $1,240,672,269
1962 $299,309,938 $1,434,156,379
1961 $266,711,460 $1,444,327,731
1960 $260,984,499 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Sri Lanka by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $946 $4,850
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $835 $4,522
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $804 $4,328
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $860 $4,368
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $829 $4,103
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $848 $3,952
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $827 $3,804
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $776 $3,582
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $742 $3,454
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $678 $3,260
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $607 $3,067
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $580 $2,851
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $546 $2,713
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $491 $2,527
1989 $23,219 - $430 -
1988 $25,307 - $434 -
1987 $23,238 - $420 -
1986 $16,980 - $407 -
1985 $12,793 - $385 -
1984 $12,378 - $391 -
1983 $12,080 - $336 -
1982 $14,191 - $312 -
1981 $15,666 - $292.5 -
1980 $15,340 - $271.1 -
1979 $13,082 - $230.8 -
1978 $11,630 - $191 -
1977 $10,305 - $292.1 -
1976 $7,848 - $260.3 -
1975 $6,680 - $279.8 -
1974 $7,287 - $268.7 -
1973 $5,627 - $220.2 -
1972 $4,155 - $199.4 -
1971 $3,366 - $188.8 -
1970 $2,666 - $186.9 -
1969 $2,142 - $163.6 -
1968 $2,473 - $153.5 -
1967 $3,284 - $162.3 -
1966 $3,378 - $156.6 -
1965 $2,861 - $155.6 -
1964 $2,414 - $122.9 -
1963 $1,924 - $119.4 -
1962 $1,641 - $141.4 -
1961 $1,490 - $145.9 -
1960 $1,486 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/sri-lanka | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Iceland Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$19.5B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
4.67%
2023
Population
397129
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 45% 61.5% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 20% 102.7%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 43% 65.7% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 18.2% 75%
2015 43% 96.3% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 50% 136.6% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 21% 72.8%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 45% 81.3% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 45% 54.8% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 23% 77.9%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 42.6% 35.5% 25.4% 78.9%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 80/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Sri Lanka
2024 -3.51% -5.64%
2023 -2.28% -8.32%
2022 -3.93% -10.2%
2021 -8.33% -11.7%
2020 -8.73% -13.4%
2019 -1.57% -7.52%
2018 0.94% -4.96%
2017 0.97% -5.1%
2016 12.4% -5%
2015 -0.39% -6.64%
2014 0.29% -5.99%
2013 -1.24% -5%
2012 -2.59% -5.44%
2011 -6.46% -6.01%
2010 -6.58% -6.73%
2009 -8.54% -8.33%
2008 -12% -5.93%
2007 5.52% -5.81%
2006 6.37% -5.91%
2005 4.92% -5.93%
2004 0.28% -6.32%
2003 -2.3% -6.15%
2002 -2.25% -6.9%
2001 -0.28% -8.48%
2000 1.43% -7.78%
1999 1.3% -5.58%
1998 -0.56% -6.79%
1997 0.04% -5.71%
1996 -1.52% -6.89%
1995 -2.87% -7.11%
1994 -4.59% -7.41%
1993 -4.36% -5.77%
1992 -1.86% -4.95%
1991 -0.66% -7.97%
1990 -3.16% -6.39%
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/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Sri Lanka
2024 5.86% -0.43%
2023 8.74% 16.5%
2022 8.31% 49.7%
2021 4.44% 7.01%
2020 2.85% 6.15%
2019 3.01% 3.53%
2018 2.68% 2.14%
2017 1.76% 7.7%
2016 1.7% 3.96%
2015 1.63% 3.77%
2014 2.04% 3.18%
2013 3.87% 6.91%
2012 5.19% 7.54%
2011 4% 6.72%
2010 5.4% 6.22%
2009 12% 3.46%
2008 12.7% 22.6%
2007 5.05% 15.8%
2006 6.69% 10%
2005 3.99% 11.6%
2004 3.16% 7.58%
2003 2.06% 6.31%
2002 5.2% 9.55%
2001 6.41% 14.2%
2000 5.14% 6.18%
1999 3.23% 4.69%
1998 1.66% 9.36%
1997 1.82% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $25K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Animal & marine products $2K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $250K
Textiles & consumer goods $219K
Raw agricultural goods $91K
Raw materials & minerals $67K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49K
Wood & paper products $2K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Iceland Sri Lanka
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 75 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 162/197
Property rights 94.9 47.3
Government integrity 85 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 47.2
Tax burden 72.2 77
Government spending 37 89
Fiscal health 76.2 0
Business freedom 86.8 60.1
Labor freedom 59.3 54.3
Monetary freedom 73.5 65.9
Trade freedom 79.8 65.6
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Sri Lanka
2026 75 50.3
2025 72.8 49.4
2024 70.5 49.2
2023 72.2 52.2
2022 77 53.3
2021 77.4 55.7
2020 77.1 57.4
2019 77.1 56.4
2018 77 57.8
2017 74.4 57.4
2016 73.3 59.9
2015 72 58.6
2014 72.4 60
2013 72.1 60.7
2012 70.9 58.3
2011 68.2 57.1
2010 73.7 54.6
2009 75.9 56
2008 75.8 58.4
2007 76 59.4
2006 75.8 58.7
2005 76.6 61
2004 72.1 61.6
2003 73.5 62.5
2002 73.1 64
2001 73.4 66
2000 74 63.2
1999 71.4 64
1998 71.2 64.6
1997 70.5 65.5
1996 - 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
27%
2024

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/sri-lanka | 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)

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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.