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Economy of Iceland vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iceland has a GDP of $38.6B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 105/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $21.6B in government debt (56.1% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Iceland vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Iceland
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Vanuatu
2025 $38,582,528,789 $1,353,658,841
2024 $33,186,621,855 $1,297,956,615
2023 $31,701,996,434 $1,188,137,265
2022 $29,176,227,825 $1,151,863,790
2021 $26,234,872,402 $1,093,826,089
2020 $22,034,665,041 $1,017,403,363
2019 $24,985,687,022 $1,061,547,513
2018 $26,677,652,544 $1,034,402,941
2017 $25,060,086,488 $998,536,155
2016 $21,083,713,310 $908,725,513
2015 $17,700,486,957 $855,360,240
2014 $18,052,183,515 $879,185,478
2013 $16,244,319,959 $863,347,172
2012 $14,943,757,823 $747,839,698
2011 $15,394,005,872 $770,153,588
2010 $13,922,711,577 $670,712,980
2009 $13,212,543,838 $592,622,319
2008 $18,247,921,360 $590,748,429
2007 $21,960,110,030 $516,392,923
2006 $17,671,649,843 $439,358,587
2005 $17,146,410,561 $394,962,433
2004 $13,963,943,244 $364,996,869
2003 $11,564,687,742 $314,471,413
2002 $9,416,199,700 $262,596,536
2001 $8,323,401,820 $257,926,882
2000 $9,140,168,922 $272,014,628
1999 $9,107,644,691 $268,006,973
1998 $8,637,732,542 $262,293,411
1997 $7,716,781,803 $272,771,209
1996 $7,686,566,105 $261,370,044
1995 $7,372,640,169 $249,333,250
1994 $6,612,804,056 $233,701,301
1993 $6,435,952,174 $200,491,853
1992 $7,328,497,599 $209,088,825
1991 $7,151,260,062 $201,334,169
1990 $6,694,851,159 $168,879,207
1989 $5,870,854,233 $154,013,202
1988 $6,320,093,411 $158,351,368
1987 $5,713,281,235 $139,464,174
1986 $4,129,080,094 $126,498,935
1985 $3,088,359,967 $131,856,421
1984 $2,964,568,006 $144,482,515
1983 $2,862,634,164 $117,389,554
1982 $3,318,714,326 $114,501,913
1981 $3,615,094,820 $113,781,796
1980 $3,499,616,683 $121,185,498
1979 $2,953,176,971 $119,258,835
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Vanuatu by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,323 - $4,039 -
2024 $85,863 $84,257 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $82,201 $81,608 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $76,377 $75,333 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $23,219 - $1,067 -
1988 $25,307 - $1,125 -
1987 $23,238 - $1,017 -
1986 $16,980 - $946 -
1985 $12,793 - $1,012 -
1984 $12,378 - $1,137 -
1983 $12,080 - $947 -
1982 $14,191 - $946 -
1981 $15,666 - $962 -
1980 $15,340 - $1,048 -
1979 $13,082 - $1,055 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $98,323, ranking 8/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Iceland Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$38.6B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
105/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
1.28%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$98,323
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$21.6B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.1%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$55,165
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,153
2026
$2,801
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.09%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
1.41%
2025
Population
398674
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45% 56.1% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 47.1% 60.4% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 45.2% 61.5% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 46.2% 66.4% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 50.4% 76.1% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 43% 65.7% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 43.4% 62.3% 29.4% 40%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 43% 96.3% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 45.3% 114.1% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 47.2% 132.2% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 50% 136.6% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 53.4% 128.2% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 44.2% 67.4% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 18.2% 20%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 47.3% 84.1% 17% 34.6%
2002 45% 81.3% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 47% 82.5% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 23% 32.6%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 40.3% 43.3% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 41.4% 51.1% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 42.5% 53.7% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 43% 56.1% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 43.6% 53% 22% 19.5%
1993 43.7% 50.6% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 43.3% 43.9% 28.8% 19%
1991 41.6% 36.4% 30% 14.4%
1990 41.4% 34.4% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iceland's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 45% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.1% in Iceland and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 86/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Vanuatu
2025 -2.77% -3.88%
2024 -3.71% -2.46%
2023 -2.32% -0.78%
2022 -3.82% -5.96%
2021 -7.96% 2.07%
2020 -8.81% -1.74%
2019 -1.45% 2.48%
2018 1.04% 5.53%
2017 1.28% -1.06%
2016 12.7% -0.64%
2015 -0.14% -8.13%
2014 0.59% 1.26%
2013 -0.88% -0.22%
2012 -2.59% -1.54%
2011 -6.42% -1.98%
2010 -6.56% -2.38%
2009 -8.5% -0.76%
2008 -12% -0.04%
2007 5.57% 0.25%
2006 6.42% 0.44%
2005 4.96% 1.68%
2004 0.33% 0.72%
2003 -2.25% -1.22%
2002 -2.21% -3.29%
2001 -0.27% -3.01%
2000 1.43% -5.67%
1999 1.3% -0.5%
1998 -0.55% -6.01%
1997 0.05% -0.46%
1996 -1.46% -1.61%
1995 -2.77% -2.34%
1994 -4.44% -1.35%
1993 -4.21% -3.32%
1992 -1.8% -2.1%
1991 -0.63% -2.54%
1990 -3.06% -
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.07B, equivalent to 2.77% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Vanuatu
2025 4.09% 0.66%
2024 5.86% 1.14%
2023 8.74% 11.2%
2022 8.31% 6.68%
2021 4.44% 2.34%
2020 2.85% 5.33%
2019 3.01% 2.76%
2018 2.68% 2.33%
2017 1.76% 3.08%
2016 1.7% 0.84%
2015 1.63% 2.48%
2014 2.04% 0.8%
2013 3.87% 1.46%
2012 5.19% 1.35%
2011 4% 0.87%
2010 5.4% 2.76%
2009 12% 4.3%
2008 12.7% 4.84%
2007 5.05% 3.94%
2006 6.69% 2.04%
2005 3.99% 1.2%
2004 3.16% 1.42%
2003 2.06% 3.02%
2002 5.2% 1.96%
2001 6.41% 3.58%
2000 5.14% 2.54%
1999 3.23% 2%
1998 1.66% 3.28%
1997 1.82% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.64%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 4.09% in Iceland and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $54K
Miscellaneous $1K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iceland Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$1.34B
2025
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2025
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.48%
2025
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$10.4B
2025
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$7.4B
2025
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$5.98B
2025
$230M
2022
Service exports
$8.16B
2025
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Vanuatu
Economic freedom 75 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 92/197
Property rights 94.9 62.1
Government integrity 85 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 67.9
Tax burden 72.2 96.9
Government spending 37 48.1
Fiscal health 76.2 78.8
Business freedom 86.8 50.3
Labor freedom 59.3 41
Monetary freedom 73.5 72.1
Trade freedom 79.8 62
Investment freedom 70 65
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Vanuatu
2026 75 61.1
2025 72.8 61.8
2024 70.5 62.2
2023 72.2 62.1
2022 77 62.9
2021 77.4 60.5
2020 77.1 60.7
2019 77.1 56.4
2018 77 69.5
2017 74.4 67.4
2016 73.3 60.8
2015 72 61.1
2014 72.4 59.5
2013 72.1 56.6
2012 70.9 56.6
2011 68.2 56.7
2010 73.7 56.4
2009 75.9 58.4
2008 75.8 -
2007 76 -
2006 75.8 -
2005 76.6 -
2004 72.1 -
2003 73.5 -
2002 73.1 -
2001 73.4 -
2000 74 -
1999 71.4 -
1998 71.2 -
1997 70.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
66.2%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.65%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$35B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$83,250
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.73B
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$650M
2025
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.83B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$300M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2025
26.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.