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Economy of Iceland vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 108/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Iceland vs Tanzania GDP by year

Iceland
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Tanzania
2024 $33,255,181,469 $78,844,405,385
2023 $31,677,891,897 $79,030,935,627
2022 $29,166,102,877 $75,749,121,843
2021 $26,234,872,402 $70,655,628,148
2020 $22,034,665,041 $66,068,737,786
2019 $24,985,687,022 $61,026,731,926
2018 $26,677,652,544 $57,003,712,892
2017 $25,060,086,488 $53,274,884,533
2016 $21,083,713,310 $49,774,409,374
2015 $17,700,486,957 $47,413,919,817
2014 $18,052,183,515 $49,986,726,461
2013 $16,244,319,959 $45,648,857,242
2012 $14,943,757,823 $39,650,394,363
2011 $15,394,005,872 $34,657,140,096
2010 $13,922,711,577 $32,012,892,919
2009 $13,212,543,838 $29,400,573,554
2008 $18,247,921,360 $27,947,821,398
2007 $21,960,110,030 $21,860,434,823
2006 $17,671,649,843 $18,619,859,795
2005 $17,146,410,561 $18,395,383,647
2004 $13,963,943,244 $16,673,062,473
2003 $11,564,687,742 $15,211,487,709
2002 $9,416,199,700 $14,129,651,896
2001 $8,323,401,820 $13,563,990,022
2000 $9,140,168,922 $13,371,767,082
1999 $9,107,644,691 $12,704,334,196
1998 $8,637,732,542 $12,172,790,056
1997 $7,716,781,803 $11,158,197,942
1996 $7,686,566,105 $9,433,528,150
1995 $7,372,640,169 $7,631,431,840
1994 $6,612,804,056 $6,550,480,484
1993 $6,435,952,174 $6,182,872,708
1992 $7,328,497,599 $6,681,997,469
1991 $7,151,260,062 $7,197,768,159
1990 $6,694,851,159 $6,184,384,225
1989 $5,870,854,233 $6,418,799,007
1988 $6,320,093,411 $7,406,614,407
1987 $5,713,281,235 $7,824,193,222
1986 $4,129,080,094 $10,840,864,521
1985 $3,088,359,967 $15,328,295,175
1984 $2,964,568,006 $12,906,635,133
1983 $2,862,634,164 $14,049,883,809
1982 $3,318,714,326 $13,927,383,240
1981 $3,615,094,820 $13,161,540,378
1980 $3,499,616,683 $11,409,228,087
1979 $2,953,176,971 $9,804,637,491
1978 $2,599,627,089 $9,261,675,710
1977 $2,285,707,749 $7,732,598,995
1976 $1,727,845,419 $6,472,511,988
1975 $1,456,052,700 $5,729,917,840
1974 $1,568,154,077 $4,977,337,978
1973 $1,194,794,186 $4,144,104,535
1972 $869,002,946 $3,472,787,266
1971 $693,679,545 $3,050,673,517
1970 $545,115,909 $2,851,419,386
1969 $435,659,610 $5,142,066,811
1968 $498,365,200 $4,895,251,824
1967 $652,609,076 $4,565,132,048
1966 $660,663,763 $4,377,998,825
1965 $550,150,988 $3,817,226,546
1964 $456,206,299 $3,748,840,925
1963 $357,240,896 $3,456,579,293
1962 $299,309,938 $3,101,589,993
1961 $266,711,460 $2,826,179,031
1960 $260,984,499 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Tanzania by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $992 $2,728
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $957 $2,472
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $925 $2,435
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $911 $2,317
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $993 $2,221
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $935 $2,176
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $837 $2,083
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $753 $2,211
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $715 $2,069
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $674 $1,972
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $657 $1,908
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $528 $1,820
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $462 $1,707
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $469 $1,598
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $438 $1,482
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $410 $1,379
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $391 $1,302
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $385 $1,229
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $390 $1,164
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $382 $1,120
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $375 $1,082
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $353 $1,059
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $305 $1,026
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $251.2 $981
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $222.5 $958
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $218.2 $959
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $243.4 $955
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $268.8 $952
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $236.9 $925
1989 $23,219 - $252.3 -
1988 $25,307 - $299 -
1987 $23,238 - $326 -
1986 $16,980 - $466 -
1985 $12,793 - $681 -
1984 $12,378 - $593 -
1983 $12,080 - $667 -
1982 $14,191 - $683 -
1981 $15,666 - $665 -
1980 $15,340 - $595 -
1979 $13,082 - $527 -
1978 $11,630 - $515 -
1977 $10,305 - $446 -
1976 $7,848 - $387 -
1975 $6,680 - $355 -
1974 $7,287 - $320 -
1973 $5,627 - $276.1 -
1972 $4,155 - $239.8 -
1971 $3,366 - $218.4 -
1970 $2,666 - $211.3 -
1969 $2,142 - $394 -
1968 $2,473 - $388 -
1967 $3,284 - $374 -
1966 $3,378 - $370 -
1965 $2,861 - $333 -
1964 $2,414 - $337 -
1963 $1,924 - $320 -
1962 $1,641 - $295.7 -
1961 $1,490 - $277.4 -
1960 $1,486 - $267.8 -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Iceland Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
397129
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 45% 61.5% 19% 47.8%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 43% 65.7% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 17.3% 42%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 43% 96.3% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 19.6% 30%
2011 50% 136.6% 19% 28.4%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 17% 44.5%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 45% 81.3% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 45% 54.8% 16.8% 126%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 14.2% 106.5%
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 (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 80/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Tanzania
2024 -3.51% -3.03%
2023 -2.28% -3.67%
2022 -3.93% -3.92%
2021 -8.33% -3.55%
2020 -8.73% -2.56%
2019 -1.57% -2.06%
2018 0.94% -2.01%
2017 0.97% -1.14%
2016 12.4% -2.08%
2015 -0.39% -3.17%
2014 0.29% -2.91%
2013 -1.24% -3.76%
2012 -2.59% -4%
2011 -6.46% -3.51%
2010 -6.58% -4.74%
2009 -8.54% -4.46%
2008 -12% -1.92%
2007 5.52% -1.44%
2006 6.37% -3.38%
2005 4.92% -3.28%
2004 0.28% -2.43%
2003 -2.3% -1.77%
2002 -2.25% -0.73%
2001 -0.28% -0.41%
2000 1.43% -0.73%
1999 1.3% -1.14%
1998 -0.56% 0.13%
1997 0.04% -0.03%
1996 -1.52% 1.57%
1995 -2.87% -2.12%
1994 -4.59% -3.74%
1993 -4.36% -2.02%
1992 -1.86% -4.96%
1991 -0.66% 0.6%
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/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Tanzania
2024 5.86% 3.06%
2023 8.74% 3.8%
2022 8.31% 4.35%
2021 4.44% 3.69%
2020 2.85% 3.29%
2019 3.01% 3.46%
2018 2.68% 3.49%
2017 1.76% 5.32%
2016 1.7% 5.17%
2015 1.63% 5.59%
2014 2.04% 6.13%
2013 3.87% 7.87%
2012 5.19% 16%
2011 4% 12.7%
2010 5.4% 6.2%
2009 12% 12.1%
2008 12.7% 10.3%
2007 5.05% 7.03%
2006 6.69% 7.25%
2005 3.99% 5.03%
2004 3.16% 4.74%
2003 2.06% 5.3%
2002 5.2% 5.32%
2001 6.41% 5.15%
2000 5.14% 5.92%
1999 3.23% 7.89%
1998 1.66% 12.8%
1997 1.82% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $27K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $147K

Balance of trade

Iceland Tanzania
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Tanzania
Economic freedom 75 59
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 106/197
Property rights 94.9 45.2
Government integrity 85 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 29.6
Tax burden 72.2 80.4
Government spending 37 89.1
Fiscal health 76.2 75
Business freedom 86.8 48.1
Labor freedom 59.3 62.3
Monetary freedom 73.5 73.4
Trade freedom 79.8 58.8
Investment freedom 70 55
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Tanzania
2026 75 59
2025 72.8 59.3
2024 70.5 59.1
2023 72.2 60
2022 77 59.5
2021 77.4 61.3
2020 77.1 61.7
2019 77.1 60.2
2018 77 59.9
2017 74.4 58.6
2016 73.3 58.5
2015 72 57.5
2014 72.4 57.8
2013 72.1 57.9
2012 70.9 57
2011 68.2 57
2010 73.7 58.3
2009 75.9 58.3
2008 75.8 56.5
2007 76 56.8
2006 75.8 58.5
2005 76.6 56.3
2004 72.1 60.1
2003 73.5 56.9
2002 73.1 58.3
2001 73.4 54.9
2000 74 56
1999 71.4 60
1998 71.2 59.6
1997 70.5 59.3
1996 - 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (1909–2000, 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 (2022–2024, 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.

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.