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Economy of Iceland vs Sweden compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $604B for Sweden, ranking 108/197 and 26/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $199B (33% of GDP) in Sweden.

Iceland vs Sweden GDP by year

Iceland
Sweden
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Sweden
2024 $33,255,181,469 $603,715,224,266
2023 $31,677,891,897 $578,990,915,246
2022 $29,166,102,877 $575,071,237,641
2021 $26,234,872,402 $631,693,331,301
2020 $22,034,665,041 $544,265,668,452
2019 $24,985,687,022 $530,894,124,494
2018 $26,677,652,544 $549,649,344,043
2017 $25,060,086,488 $535,172,356,785
2016 $21,083,713,310 $513,058,312,951
2015 $17,700,486,957 $501,602,351,912
2014 $18,052,183,515 $577,727,767,304
2013 $16,244,319,959 $584,125,353,119
2012 $14,943,757,823 $549,739,674,655
2011 $15,394,005,872 $570,538,581,144
2010 $13,922,711,577 $492,750,897,239
2009 $13,212,543,838 $434,311,714,442
2008 $18,247,921,360 $514,614,100,833
2007 $21,960,110,030 $490,047,789,548
2006 $17,671,649,843 $422,528,394,459
2005 $17,146,410,561 $391,688,455,929
2004 $13,963,943,244 $384,545,442,175
2003 $11,564,687,742 $334,072,443,516
2002 $9,416,199,700 $267,371,907,447
2001 $8,323,401,820 $242,497,797,485
2000 $9,140,168,922 $262,903,560,280
1999 $9,107,644,691 $274,318,357,862
1998 $8,637,732,542 $270,887,306,759
1997 $7,716,781,803 $268,249,616,891
1996 $7,686,566,105 $291,949,597,375
1995 $7,372,640,169 $267,050,453,507
1994 $6,612,804,056 $228,699,066,874
1993 $6,435,952,174 $212,644,602,616
1992 $7,328,497,599 $283,908,914,454
1991 $7,151,260,062 $273,831,464,572
1990 $6,694,851,159 $261,466,577,009
1989 $5,870,854,233 $217,632,340,195
1988 $6,320,093,411 $206,686,590,776
1987 $5,713,281,235 $182,744,315,974
1986 $4,129,080,094 $150,279,869,729
1985 $3,088,359,967 $113,958,084,357
1984 $2,964,568,006 $109,043,045,407
1983 $2,862,634,164 $104,862,109,663
1982 $3,318,714,326 $114,214,731,799
1981 $3,615,094,820 $129,498,921,476
1980 $3,499,616,683 $141,886,067,004
1979 $2,953,176,971 $123,207,527,699
1978 $2,599,627,089 $104,290,933,496
1977 $2,285,707,749 $94,331,782,622
1976 $1,727,845,419 $89,232,517,046
1975 $1,456,052,700 $82,765,232,648
1974 $1,568,154,077 $65,917,634,590
1973 $1,194,794,186 $59,318,842,992
1972 $869,002,946 $48,883,173,400
1971 $693,679,545 $41,506,151,115
1970 $545,115,909 $38,037,226,668
1969 $435,659,610 $33,967,301,561
1968 $498,365,200 $31,277,871,669
1967 $652,609,076 $29,474,881,506
1966 $660,663,763 $27,154,716,721
1965 $550,150,988 $24,963,947,415
1964 $456,206,299 $22,685,490,195
1963 $357,240,896 $20,342,131,882
1962 $299,309,938 $18,794,066,990
1961 $266,711,460 $17,329,620,585
1960 $260,984,499 $15,930,075,467

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Sweden by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sweden
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Sweden
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $57,117 $71,845
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $54,950 $69,226
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $54,837 $67,076
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $60,648 $62,732
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $52,569 $57,489
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $51,649 $57,046
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $54,018 $53,122
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $53,210 $51,474
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $51,704 $50,290
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $51,188 $48,772
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $59,583 $46,841
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $60,844 $46,098
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $57,750 $45,207
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $60,379 $44,333
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $52,543 $41,951
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $46,708 $40,094
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $55,817 $41,907
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $53,568 $40,813
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $46,531 $37,672
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $43,378 $34,198
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $42,758 $33,805
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $37,292 $31,788
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $29,958 $30,987
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $27,259 $29,946
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $29,633 $29,636
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $30,969 $27,496
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $30,605 $25,897
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $30,324 $24,817
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $33,022 $23,952
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $30,254 $23,084
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $26,046 $21,835
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $24,390 $20,700
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $32,753 $20,767
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $31,777 $20,663
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $30,549 $20,357
1989 $23,219 - $25,625 -
1988 $25,307 - $24,499 -
1987 $23,238 - $21,761 -
1986 $16,980 - $17,955 -
1985 $12,793 - $13,647 -
1984 $12,378 - $13,080 -
1983 $12,080 - $12,590 -
1982 $14,191 - $13,719 -
1981 $15,666 - $15,564 -
1980 $15,340 - $17,073 -
1979 $13,082 - $14,856 -
1978 $11,630 - $12,602 -
1977 $10,305 - $11,432 -
1976 $7,848 - $10,853 -
1975 $6,680 - $10,103 -
1974 $7,287 - $8,078 -
1973 $5,627 - $7,291 -
1972 $4,155 - $6,018 -
1971 $3,366 - $5,125 -
1970 $2,666 - $4,729 -
1969 $2,142 - $4,263 -
1968 $2,473 - $3,953 -
1967 $3,284 - $3,746 -
1966 $3,378 - $3,478 -
1965 $2,861 - $3,228 -
1964 $2,414 - $2,961 -
1963 $1,924 - $2,675 -
1962 $1,641 - $2,485 -
1961 $1,490 - $2,304 -
1960 $1,486 - $2,128 -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $57,117 in Sweden, ranking 17/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Sweden ranks 23rd at $71,845.

Economic indicators

Iceland Sweden
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$604B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
26/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
0.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$57,117
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
17/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$71,845
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
23/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$199B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
33%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$18,842
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
32/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$42,066
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$290B
2003
Number of millionaires n/a
490,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
45
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
22.3%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
49.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
2.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
1.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
8.31%
2024
Population
397129
10680056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Sweden
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Sweden
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 49.3% 33%
2023 45% 61.5% 48.9% 31.8%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 48.3% 33.9%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 49.3% 37%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 52% 40.2%
2019 43% 65.7% 48.8% 35.8%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 49.8% 39.9%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 49.2% 41.6%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 49.5% 42.9%
2015 43% 96.3% 49.4% 44.5%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 50.7% 45.7%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 51.4% 40.8%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 50.2% 38%
2011 50% 136.6% 49.1% 37.7%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 49.7% 38.6%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 51.7% 41.2%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 49.4% 38%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 48.5% 39.2%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 50.1% 43.8%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 51.2% 48.9%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 51.7% 48.7%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 53% 49.4%
2002 45% 81.3% 52.7% 49.8%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 51.7% 52%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 52.2% 50.4%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 55.2% 60.3%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 55.6% 65.4%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 57.9% 67.7%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 60% 68.9%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 62.1% 68.7%
1994 45% 54.8% 65.3% 68.6%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 67.9% 66.1%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 66.5% 45.7%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 61.2% 40.2%
1990 42.6% 35.5% 57.5% 40.3%
1989 42.9% 35.3% 35.8% 44.8%
1988 41.4% 30.6% 37.9% 50.3%
1987 36.5% 27.3% 40.9% 56%
1986 39.5% 29.9% 42.1% 59.5%
1985 37% 32% 47.6% 61.2%
1984 34.7% 32.4% 46.7% 57.5%
1983 37.8% 30.8% 48.6% 54.5%
1982 36% 28.9% 46.4% 47.9%
1981 35.3% 22.4% 46.1% 41.5%
1980 33.9% 24.8% 41% 34.4%
1979 32.4% 21.1% 39.9% 28.3%
1978 31.9% 19.8% 39.1% 24%
1977 31.7% 18.4% 35.7% 21%
1976 32.1% 17.2% 32.3% 19%
1975 36.9% 16.4% 30.6% 19.9%
1974 36.6% 12.5% 30.1% 19.4%
1973 33.7% 11.5% 31.1% 18%
1972 33.3% 14.5% 31.9% 17.2%
1971 32.5% 11.7% 29.8% 16.9%
1970 29.9% 11.4% 29.5% 16.9%
1969 30.3% 14.6% 28.7% 17.6%
1968 33.3% 14.2% 28.3% 17.6%
1967 31.6% 8.8% 27.7% 16.1%
1966 28.3% 5.56% 26.5% 15.3%
1965 28.3% 7.78% 24.6% 17%
1964 28.2% 7.97% 23.4% 18.7%
1963 26.2% 7.89% 24.4% 20.7%
1962 24.9% 7.47% 23.4% 23%
1961 25.3% 8.49% 23.7% 26%
1960 33.2% 13.6% 24.4% 28.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Sweden spent $298B, or 49.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 33% in Sweden, ranking 80/185 and 148/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Sweden
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Sweden
2024 -3.51% -1.72%
2023 -2.28% -0.63%
2022 -3.93% 1%
2021 -8.33% -0.15%
2020 -8.73% -3.18%
2019 -1.57% 0.44%
2018 0.94% 0.67%
2017 0.97% 1.29%
2016 12.4% 0.86%
2015 -0.39% -0.27%
2014 0.29% -1.84%
2013 -1.24% -1.63%
2012 -2.59% -1.19%
2011 -6.46% -0.41%
2010 -6.58% -0.14%
2009 -8.54% -0.89%
2008 -12% 1.87%
2007 5.52% 3.37%
2006 6.37% 2.2%
2005 4.92% 2.08%
2004 0.28% 0.17%
2003 -2.3% -1.25%
2002 -2.25% -1.46%
2001 -0.28% 1.37%
2000 1.43% 3.11%
1999 1.3% 0.6%
1998 -0.56% 0.82%
1997 0.04% -1.57%
1996 -1.52% -3.11%
1995 -2.87% -7.01%
1994 -4.59% -8.77%
1993 -4.36% -10.9%
1992 -1.86% -8.51%
1991 -0.66% 0.28%
1990 -3.16% 3.7%
1989 -4.29% 1.5%
1988 -1.93% -0.64%
1987 -0.79% -2%
1986 -3.93% -6.21%
1985 -1.56% -9.91%
1984 2.25% -12.1%
1983 -1.96% -15.1%
1982 1.72% -13.4%
1981 1.32% -12.8%
1980 1.37% -11.5%
1979 -0.07% -9.95%
1978 -0.9% -7.32%
1977 -1.2% -3.32%
1976 0.02% -1.27%
1975 -3.87% -4.05%
1974 -3.64% -4.12%
1973 -0.74% -3.28%
1972 0.05% -2.17%
1971 -0.69% -1.67%
1970 0.27% -2.64%
1969 -0.88% -2.03%
1968 -0.89% -2.37%
1967 0.78% -1.41%
1966 1.69% -0.33%
1965 0.15% -0.17%
1964 -0.41% -0.1%
1963 1.8% 0.41%
1962 2.25% 0.7%
1961 1.64% 0.56%
1960 2.38% -2.67%
1959 2.44% -2.53%
1958 2.16% -2.31%
1957 1.2% -2.1%
1956 -0.09% -1.21%
1955 1.57% -1.72%
1954 1.25% -1.52%
1953 0.34% -2.47%
1952 3.33% -0.16%
1951 2.73% -0.9%
1950 1.23% -1.64%
1949 -0.3% -0.74%
1948 0.67% 0.29%
1947 -1.95% -1.08%
1946 -0.37% -0.61%
1945 -2.33% -8.04%
1944 -3.23% -8.66%
1943 -0.89% -10.7%
1942 -0.75% -11.8%
1941 -1.33% -13.1%
1940 -1.35% -8.16%
1939 -2.6% -1.13%
1938 -2.01% -0.07%
1937 -2.6% 0.46%
1936 -3.34% -0.64%
1935 -3.46% -2.19%
1934 -4.79% -1.88%
1933 -3.42% -4.1%
1932 -4.65% -1.56%
1931 -4.27% -0.05%
1930 -4.94% 0.09%
1929 -1.94% -0.39%
1928 -1.94% -0.06%
1927 -3.45% -1.14%
1926 -2.43% -1.11%
1925 0.43% -1.44%
1924 -1.78% -0.99%
1923 -4.99% -1.65%
1922 -4.67% -3.17%
1921 -6.12% -3.55%
1920 -7.45% -0.6%
1919 -2.5% 0.17%
1918 -7.43% -8.59%
1917 -11.3% -0.26%
1916 -2.53% -0.23%
1915 -2.06% -0.94%
1914 -3.21% -0.55%
1913 -2.3% -0.17%
1912 -2.93% -0.51%
1911 -3.06% -0.87%
1910 -1.27% -0.81%
1909 -2.15% -2.08%
1908 - -2.27%
1907 - -0.68%
1906 - -0.66%
1905 - -0.34%
1904 - -0.56%
1903 - 0.08%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - -1.34%
1900 - -0.32%
1899 - 0.57%
1898 - 0.91%
1897 - 1.09%
1896 - -0.59%
1895 - 1%
1894 - 0.47%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.68%
1891 - -0.6%
1890 - 0.33%
1889 - 0.19%
1888 - -0.05%
1887 - -1.5%
1886 - -0.98%
1885 - -0.08%
1884 - 0.24%
1883 - 0.16%
1882 - 0.36%
1881 - -0.17%
1880 - -0.47%
1879 - -1.89%
1878 - -2.04%
1877 - -1.21%
1876 - -1.07%
1875 - -1.26%
1874 - -1.05%
1873 - 0.06%
1872 - -0.15%
1871 - 0.22%
1870 - -0.42%
1869 - -1.52%
1868 - -1.67%
1867 - -1.17%
1866 - -3.01%
1865 - -2.02%
1864 - -2.3%
1863 - -1.58%
1862 - -1.35%
1861 - -1.11%
1860 - -2.03%
1859 - -2.17%
1858 - -2.36%
1857 - -0.62%
1856 - -0.08%
1855 - -0.09%
1854 - -0.19%
1853 - 0.17%
1852 - -0.31%
1851 - -0.07%
1850 - 0.004%
1849 - 0.09%
1848 - 0.12%
1847 - 0.08%
1846 - 0.13%
1845 - 0.04%
1844 - 0.009%
1843 - 0.05%
1842 - -0.12%
1841 - 0.06%
1840 - -0.01%
1839 - -0.006%
1838 - 0.09%
1837 - -0.38%
1836 - -0.08%
1835 - 0.08%
1834 - -0.12%
1833 - 0.09%
1832 - 0.01%
1831 - -0.1%
1830 - -0.45%
1829 - 2.7%
1828 - 0.03%
1827 - -0.16%
1826 - 0.37%
1825 - 0.18%
1824 - -0.23%
1823 - 0.37%
1822 - -0.03%
1821 - -0.49%
1820 - 0.26%
1819 - 0.09%
1818 - 0.35%
1817 - 0.35%
1816 - 0.16%
1815 - 2.34%
1814 - -0.45%
1813 - -0.37%
1812 - 3.47%
1811 - -0.48%
1810 - -3.05%
1809 - -7.65%
1808 - -5.04%
1807 - 0.1%
1806 - 0.55%
1805 - 0.52%
1804 - -0.25%
1803 - 11.6%
1802 - 2.17%
1801 - 0.01%
1800 - -0.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/sweden | 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 Sweden's deficit of $10.4B, or 1.72% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 40 of those years, while Sweden ran a deficit in 45 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.46% of GDP for Sweden.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Sweden
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Sweden
2024 5.86% 2.84%
2023 8.74% 8.55%
2022 8.31% 8.37%
2021 4.44% 2.16%
2020 2.85% 0.5%
2019 3.01% 1.78%
2018 2.68% 1.95%
2017 1.76% 1.79%
2016 1.7% 0.98%
2015 1.63% -0.05%
2014 2.04% -0.18%
2013 3.87% -0.04%
2012 5.19% 0.89%
2011 4% 2.96%
2010 5.4% 1.16%
2009 12% -0.49%
2008 12.7% 3.44%
2007 5.05% 2.21%
2006 6.69% 1.36%
2005 3.99% 0.45%
2004 3.16% 0.37%
2003 2.06% 1.93%
2002 5.2% 2.16%
2001 6.41% 2.41%
2000 5.14% 0.9%
1999 3.23% 0.46%
1998 1.66% -0.27%
1997 1.82% 0.66%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 1.76% in Sweden. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 2.84% in Sweden.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $124M
Transport & tourism services $41.6M
Metals $34.9M
Animal & marine products $21M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.3M
Business & finance services $8.63M
Chemicals & pharma $4.62M
Miscellaneous $3.37M
Raw materials & minerals $2.6M
Machinery & equipment $2.1M
Sweden
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $207M
Transport & tourism services $96.8M
Chemicals & pharma $84.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $62.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $60.6M
Metals $36.2M
Wood & paper products $24.3M
Raw materials & minerals $23.5M
Business & finance services $18.2M
IT & IP services $18M

Balance of trade

Iceland Sweden
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
$35.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
17/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
+5.92%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$188B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$218B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$126B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$116B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
51.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
54.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Sweden
Economic freedom 75 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 14/197
Property rights 94.9 96.2
Government integrity 85 91.6
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 95.6
Tax burden 72.2 51.6
Government spending 37 28.4
Fiscal health 76.2 97.5
Business freedom 86.8 84.8
Labor freedom 59.3 65.8
Monetary freedom 73.5 78.1
Trade freedom 79.8 79.4
Investment freedom 70 85
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Sweden
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Sweden
2026 75 77.8
2025 72.8 77.9
2024 70.5 77.5
2023 72.2 77.5
2022 77 77.9
2021 77.4 74.7
2020 77.1 74.9
2019 77.1 75.2
2018 77 76.3
2017 74.4 74.9
2016 73.3 72
2015 72 72.7
2014 72.4 73.1
2013 72.1 72.9
2012 70.9 71.7
2011 68.2 71.9
2010 73.7 72.4
2009 75.9 70.5
2008 75.8 70.8
2007 76 69.3
2006 75.8 70.9
2005 76.6 69.8
2004 72.1 70.1
2003 73.5 70
2002 73.1 70.8
2001 73.4 66.6
2000 74 65.1
1999 71.4 64.2
1998 71.2 64
1997 70.5 63.3
1996 - 61.8
1995 - 61.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 77.8 for Sweden, ranking 14/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Sweden
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
66.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
21.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
1.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$615B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$75,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$62.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
37/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
$2.08B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$27B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$29.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
16.1%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
25.4%
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/sweden | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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.

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.