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Economy of Iceland vs Taiwan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $802B for Taiwan, ranking 108/197 and 22/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $211B (26.3% of GDP) in Taiwan.

Iceland vs Taiwan GDP by year

Iceland
Taiwan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Taiwan
2024 $33,255,181,469 $801,529,000,000
2023 $31,677,891,897 $757,328,000,000
2022 $29,166,102,877 $765,529,000,000
2021 $26,234,872,402 $777,062,000,000
2020 $22,034,665,041 $676,935,000,000
2019 $24,985,687,022 $613,453,000,000
2018 $26,677,652,544 $610,744,000,000
2017 $25,060,086,488 $591,734,000,000
2016 $21,083,713,310 $543,002,000,000
2015 $17,700,486,957 $534,474,000,000
2014 $18,052,183,515 $535,332,000,000
2013 $16,244,319,959 $512,957,000,000
2012 $14,943,757,823 $495,536,000,000
2011 $15,394,005,872 $483,957,000,000
2010 $13,922,711,577 $444,245,000,000
2009 $13,212,543,838 $390,788,000,000
2008 $18,247,921,360 $415,824,000,000
2007 $21,960,110,030 $406,940,000,000
2006 $17,671,649,843 $386,492,000,000
2005 $17,146,410,561 $374,042,000,000
2004 $13,963,943,244 $346,881,000,000
2003 $11,564,687,742 $317,374,000,000
2002 $9,416,199,700 $307,429,000,000
2001 $8,323,401,820 $299,303,000,000
2000 $9,140,168,922 $330,725,000,000
1999 $9,107,644,691 $303,827,000,000
1998 $8,637,732,542 $279,926,000,000
1997 $7,716,781,803 $303,315,000,000
1996 $7,686,566,105 $292,473,000,000
1995 $7,372,640,169 $279,013,000,000
1994 $6,612,804,056 $256,213,000,000
1993 $6,435,952,174 $234,943,000,000
1992 $7,328,497,599 $222,947,000,000
1991 $7,151,260,062 $187,100,000,000
1990 $6,694,851,159 $166,392,000,000
1989 $5,870,854,233 $152,687,000,000
1988 $6,320,093,411 $126,378,000,000
1987 $5,713,281,235 $104,956,000,000
1986 $4,129,080,094 $78,347,000,000
1985 $3,088,359,967 $63,599,000,000
1984 $2,964,568,006 $61,036,000,000
1983 $2,862,634,164 $54,155,000,000
1982 $3,318,714,326 $49,540,000,000
1981 $3,615,094,820 $49,047,000,000
1980 $3,499,616,683 $42,292,000,000
1979 $2,953,176,971 $33,875,000,000
1978 $2,599,627,089 $27,373,000,000
1977 $2,285,707,749 $22,252,000,000
1976 $1,727,845,419 $18,988,000,000
1975 $1,456,052,700 $15,836,000,000
1974 $1,568,154,077 $14,739,000,000
1973 $1,194,794,186 $10,940,000,000
1972 $869,002,946 $8,063,000,000
1971 $693,679,545 $6,727,000,000
1970 $545,115,909 $5,785,000,000
1969 $435,659,610 $5,017,000,000
1968 $498,365,200 $4,325,000,000
1967 $652,609,076 $3,709,000,000
1966 $660,663,763 $3,207,000,000
1965 $550,150,988 $2,869,000,000
1964 $456,206,299 $2,592,000,000
1963 $357,240,896 $2,218,000,000
1962 $299,309,938 $1,960,000,000
1961 $266,711,460 $1,778,000,000
1960 $260,984,499 $1,743,000,000
1959 - $1,444,000,000
1958 - $1,836,000,000
1957 - $1,636,000,000
1956 - $1,399,000,000
1955 - $1,940,000,000
1954 - $1,628,000,000
1953 - $1,481,000,000
1952 - $1,677,000,000
1951 - $1,197,000,000

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Taiwan by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Taiwan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Taiwan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $34,238 -
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $32,444 -
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $32,827 -
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $33,111 -
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $28,705 -
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $25,998 -
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $25,901 -
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $25,121 $50,500
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $23,091 -
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $22,780 $46,800
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $22,874 -
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $21,973 $39,600
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $21,295 $39,400
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $20,866 $38,200
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $19,197 $35,700
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $16,933 $32,000
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $18,081 $31,100
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $17,757 $30,100
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $16,934 $29,500
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $16,456 $27,500
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $15,317 $25,300
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $14,066 $23,400
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $13,686 $18,000
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $13,397 $17,200
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $14,908 $17,400
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $13,804 $16,100
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $12,820 -
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $14,020 -
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $13,641 -
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $13,119 -
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $12,150 -
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $11,242 -
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $10,768 -
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $9,125 -
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $8,205 -
1989 $23,219 - $7,613 -
1988 $25,307 - $6,370 -
1987 $23,238 - $5,350 -
1986 $16,980 - $4,036 -
1985 $12,793 - $3,314 -
1984 $12,378 - $3,224 -
1983 $12,080 - $2,903 -
1982 $14,191 - $2,699 -
1981 $15,666 - $2,720 -
1980 $15,340 - $2,389 -
1979 $13,082 - $1,950 -
1978 $11,630 - $1,606 -
1977 $10,305 - $1,330 -
1976 $7,848 - $1,158 -
1975 $6,680 - $985 -
1974 $7,287 - $934 -
1973 $5,627 - $706 -
1972 $4,155 - $530 -
1971 $3,366 - $451 -
1970 $2,666 - $397 -
1969 $2,142 - $357 -
1968 $2,473 - $319 -
1967 $3,284 - $280.8 -
1966 $3,378 - $249.1 -
1965 $2,861 - $229.3 -
1964 $2,414 - $213.6 -
1963 $1,924 - $188.6 -
1962 $1,641 - $172 -
1961 $1,490 - $161.2 -
1960 $1,486 - $163.4 -
1959 - - $140.4 -
1958 - - $185.1 -
1957 - - $170.5 -
1956 - - $150.6 -
1955 - - $216.3 -
1954 - - $188.3 -
1953 - - $177.7 -
1952 - - $208.4 -
1951 - - $154.3 -

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2017, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $34,238 in Taiwan, ranking 35/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Taiwan ranks 44th at $50,500.

Economic indicators

Iceland Taiwan
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$802B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
22/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
2.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$34,238
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
35/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$50,500
2017
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
44/197
2017
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$211B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$9,020
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
59/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$18,163
2026
Number of millionaires n/a
759,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
54
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
15.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
2.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
2%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
3.35%
2025
Population
397129
23229461

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Taiwan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Taiwan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 15.8% 26.3%
2023 45% 61.5% 17.1% 29%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 16% 29.5%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 15.4% 30.1%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 16.2% 32%
2019 43% 65.7% 15.3% 32.6%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 15.4% 33.8%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 15.4% 34.5%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 15.6% 35.4%
2015 43% 96.3% 15.5% 35.9%
2014 45.4% 114.1% - 37.5%
2013 45.6% 121.1% - 38.9%
2012 47.1% 132.2% - 39.2%
2011 50% 136.6% 18.3% 38.3%
2010 48.2% 131.5% - 36.9%
2009 53.3% 128.2% - 36.7%
2008 62.8% 109.3% - 33.4%
2007 44.1% 67.4% - 32.2%
2006 44.3% 69.8% - 33.3%
2005 44.2% 67.8% - 34.1%
2004 46.2% 80.1% - 33.4%
2003 47.2% 84.1% - 32.1%
2002 45% 81.3% - 29.8%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 22.5% 30.1%
2000 44.3% 74.8% - 26.2%
1999 44.8% 75.5% - 23.7%
1998 40.2% 43.3% - 23.7%
1997 41.3% 51.1% - 25%
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% 25.4% -
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% 23.6% -
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% 21.4% -
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); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Taiwan spent $127B, or 15.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 26.3% in Taiwan, ranking 80/185 and 160/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Taiwan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Taiwan
2024 -3.51% 0.43%
2023 -2.28% -0.61%
2022 -3.93% 0.17%
2021 -8.33% -0.18%
2020 -8.73% -1.03%
2019 -1.57% 0.11%
2018 0.94% 0.02%
2017 0.97% -0.14%
2016 12.4% -0.31%
2015 -0.39% 0.1%
2014 0.29% -
2013 -1.24% -
2012 -2.59% -
2011 -6.46% -2.15%
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% -3.71%
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% -4.5%
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% -0.78%
1980 1.37% -
1979 -0.07% -
1978 -0.9% -
1977 -1.2% -
1976 0.02% 1.39%
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); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/taiwan | 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 Taiwan's surplus of $3.45B, or 0.43% of GDP.

Over the past 49 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Taiwan ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.75% of GDP for Taiwan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Taiwan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Taiwan
2024 5.86% 2.2%
2023 8.74% 2.5%
2022 8.31% 2.9%
2021 4.44% 2%
2020 2.85% -0.2%
2019 3.01% 0.6%
2018 2.68% 1.4%
2017 1.76% 0.6%
2016 1.7% 1.4%
2015 1.63% -0.3%
2014 2.04% 1.2%
2013 3.87% 0.8%
2012 5.19% 1.9%
2011 4% 1.4%
2010 5.4% 1%
2009 12% -0.9%
2008 12.7% 3.5%
2007 5.05% 1.8%
2006 6.69% 0.6%
2005 3.99% 2.3%
2004 3.16% 1.6%
2003 2.06% -0.3%
2002 5.2% -0.2%
2001 6.41% 0%
2000 5.14% 1.2%
1999 3.23% 0.2%
1998 1.66% 1.7%
1997 1.82% 0.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 1.14% in Taiwan. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 2.2% in Taiwan.

Balance of trade

Iceland Taiwan
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
$113B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
4/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
+14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
n/a
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
n/a
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
n/a
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
n/a
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
50.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
63.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Taiwan
Economic freedom 75 79.8
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 6/197
Property rights 94.9 83.4
Government integrity 85 74.3
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 94.3
Tax burden 72.2 78.9
Government spending 37 90
Fiscal health 76.2 92.9
Business freedom 86.8 78.6
Labor freedom 59.3 69
Monetary freedom 73.5 80.3
Trade freedom 79.8 86
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Taiwan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Taiwan
2026 75 79.8
2025 72.8 79.7
2024 70.5 80
2023 72.2 80.7
2022 77 80.1
2021 77.4 78.6
2020 77.1 77.1
2019 77.1 77.3
2018 77 76.6
2017 74.4 76.5
2016 73.3 74.7
2015 72 75.1
2014 72.4 73.9
2013 72.1 72.7
2012 70.9 71.9
2011 68.2 70.8
2010 73.7 70.4
2009 75.9 69.5
2008 75.8 70.3
2007 76 69.4
2006 75.8 69.7
2005 76.6 71.3
2004 72.1 69.6
2003 73.5 71.7
2002 73.1 71.3
2001 73.4 72.8
2000 74 72.5
1999 71.4 71.5
1998 71.2 70.4
1997 70.5 70
1996 - 74.1
1995 - 74.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 79.8 for Taiwan, ranking 6/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Taiwan
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
39.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
1.47%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$832B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
n/a
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
n/a
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
1.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
26.7%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); National Statistics, Taiwan (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2025, retrieved 2026-02-09)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.