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Economy of Iceland vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iceland has a GDP of $38.6B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 105/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $21.6B in government debt (56.1% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Iceland vs Vietnam GDP by year

Iceland
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Vietnam
2025 $38,582,528,789 $514,697,215,165
2024 $33,186,621,855 $476,324,572,784
2023 $31,701,996,434 $433,805,036,898
2022 $29,176,227,825 $413,445,230,669
2021 $26,234,872,402 $366,474,752,771
2020 $22,034,665,041 $346,615,738,538
2019 $24,985,687,022 $334,365,270,497
2018 $26,677,652,544 $310,106,478,395
2017 $25,060,086,488 $281,353,605,987
2016 $21,083,713,310 $257,096,001,178
2015 $17,700,486,957 $239,258,328,382
2014 $18,052,183,515 $233,451,469,643
2013 $16,244,319,959 $213,708,811,665
2012 $14,943,757,823 $195,590,661,129
2011 $15,394,005,872 $172,595,049,184
2010 $13,922,711,577 $147,201,173,197
2009 $13,212,543,838 $106,014,659,565
2008 $18,247,921,360 $99,130,304,099
2007 $21,960,110,030 $77,414,425,532
2006 $17,671,649,843 $66,371,664,817
2005 $17,146,410,561 $57,633,255,738
2004 $13,963,943,244 $45,427,854,693
2003 $11,564,687,742 $39,552,513,232
2002 $9,416,199,700 $35,064,105,501
2001 $8,323,401,820 $32,685,198,809
2000 $9,140,168,922 $31,172,518,403
1999 $9,107,644,691 $28,683,659,007
1998 $8,637,732,542 $27,209,602,050
1997 $7,716,781,803 $26,843,700,442
1996 $7,686,566,105 $24,657,470,575
1995 $7,372,640,169 $20,736,164,459
1994 $6,612,804,056 $16,286,433,533
1993 $6,435,952,174 $13,180,953,598
1992 $7,328,497,599 $9,866,990,236
1991 $7,151,260,062 $9,613,369,520
1990 $6,694,851,159 $6,471,740,806
1989 $5,870,854,233 $6,293,304,975
1988 $6,320,093,411 $25,423,812,649
1987 $5,713,281,235 $36,658,108,850
1986 $4,129,080,094 $26,336,616,250
1985 $3,088,359,967 $14,094,687,821
1984 $2,964,568,006 -
1983 $2,862,634,164 -
1982 $3,318,714,326 -
1981 $3,615,094,820 -
1980 $3,499,616,683 -
1979 $2,953,176,971 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Vietnam by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,323 - $5,066 -
2024 $85,863 $84,257 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $82,201 $81,608 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $76,377 $75,333 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $926 $4,581
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $808 $4,237
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $711 $3,894
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $565 $3,543
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $497 $3,240
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $445 $3,002
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $419 $2,809
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $404 $2,614
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $376 $2,421
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $361 $2,308
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $362 $2,189
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $337 $2,019
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $23,219 - $98.1 -
1988 $25,307 - $405 -
1987 $23,238 - $595 -
1986 $16,980 - $436 -
1985 $12,793 - $238.6 -
1984 $12,378 - - -
1983 $12,080 - - -
1982 $14,191 - - -
1981 $15,666 - - -
1980 $15,340 - - -
1979 $13,082 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $98,323, ranking 8/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Iceland Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$38.6B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
105/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
1.28%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$98,323
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$21.6B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.1%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$55,165
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,153
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2026
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.09%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2026
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
1.53%
2024
Population
398674
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45% 56.1% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 47.1% 60.4% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 45.2% 61.5% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 46.2% 66.4% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 50.4% 76.1% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 43% 65.7% 19.8% 41%
2018 43.4% 62.3% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 43% 96.3% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 45.3% 114.1% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 47.2% 132.2% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 50% 136.6% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 53.4% 128.2% 25% 36.2%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 21.4% 31%
2007 44.2% 67.4% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 47.3% 84.1% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 45% 81.3% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 47% 82.5% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 16.7% -
1998 40.3% 43.3% 16% -
1997 41.4% 51.1% - -
1996 42.5% 53.7% - -
1995 43% 56.1% - -
1994 43.6% 53% - -
1993 43.7% 50.6% - -
1992 43.3% 43.9% - -
1991 41.6% 36.4% - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Iceland's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 45% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.1% in Iceland and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 86/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Vietnam
2025 -2.77% -2.2%
2024 -3.71% -1.54%
2023 -2.32% -1.72%
2022 -3.82% 0.67%
2021 -7.96% -1.43%
2020 -8.81% -2.86%
2019 -1.45% -0.4%
2018 1.04% -1.02%
2017 1.28% -1.96%
2016 12.7% -3.16%
2015 -0.14% -4.98%
2014 0.59% -5.02%
2013 -0.88% -5.96%
2012 -2.59% -5.46%
2011 -6.42% -0.9%
2010 -6.56% -2.25%
2009 -8.5% -4.82%
2008 -12% -0.45%
2007 5.57% -1.74%
2006 6.42% 0.2%
2005 4.96% -0.95%
2004 0.33% -0.15%
2003 -2.25% -2.56%
2002 -2.21% -1.85%
2001 -0.27% -2.19%
2000 1.43% -1.61%
1999 1.3% -1.25%
1998 -0.55% -0.1%
1997 0.05% -
1996 -1.46% -
1995 -2.77% -
1994 -4.44% -
1993 -4.21% -
1992 -1.8% -
1991 -0.63% -
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.34% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Vietnam
2025 4.09% 3.3%
2024 5.86% 3.6%
2023 8.74% 3.3%
2022 8.31% 3.2%
2021 4.44% 1.8%
2020 2.85% 3.2%
2019 3.01% 2.8%
2018 2.68% 3.5%
2017 1.76% 3.5%
2016 1.7% 2.7%
2015 1.63% 0.6%
2014 2.04% 4.1%
2013 3.87% 6.6%
2012 5.19% 9.1%
2011 4% 18.7%
2010 5.4% 10.5%
2009 12% 6.7%
2008 12.7% 23.1%
2007 5.05% 8.3%
2006 6.69% 7.5%
2005 3.99% 8.4%
2004 3.16% 7.9%
2003 2.06% 3.3%
2002 5.2% 4.1%
2001 6.41% -0.3%
2000 5.14% -1.8%
1999 3.23% 4.1%
1998 1.66% 7.2%
1997 1.82% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.64%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 4.09% in Iceland and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $3.41M
Machinery & equipment $138K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $112K
Chemicals & pharma $84K
Raw agricultural goods $37K
Textiles & consumer goods $36K
Miscellaneous $1K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.44M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.14M
Chemicals & pharma $533K
Metals $429K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $343K
Raw agricultural goods $324K
Raw materials & minerals $196K
Miscellaneous $63K
Wood & paper products $45K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Iceland Vietnam
Current account balance
-$1.34B
2025
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2025
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.48%
2025
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$10.4B
2025
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$7.4B
2025
$407B
2024
Service imports
$5.98B
2025
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$8.16B
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Vietnam
Economic freedom 75 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 73/197
Property rights 94.9 47.3
Government integrity 85 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 31.3
Tax burden 72.2 80.9
Government spending 37 89.5
Fiscal health 76.2 96.9
Business freedom 86.8 70
Labor freedom 59.3 54.7
Monetary freedom 73.5 73.2
Trade freedom 79.8 79.8
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Vietnam
2026 75 64.4
2025 72.8 65.2
2024 70.5 62.8
2023 72.2 61.8
2022 77 60.6
2021 77.4 61.7
2020 77.1 58.8
2019 77.1 55.3
2018 77 53.1
2017 74.4 52.4
2016 73.3 54
2015 72 51.7
2014 72.4 50.8
2013 72.1 51
2012 70.9 51.3
2011 68.2 51.6
2010 73.7 49.8
2009 75.9 51
2008 75.8 50.4
2007 76 49.8
2006 75.8 50.5
2005 76.6 48.1
2004 72.1 46.1
2003 73.5 46.2
2002 73.1 45.6
2001 73.4 44.3
2000 74 43.7
1999 71.4 42.7
1998 71.2 40.4
1997 70.5 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
66.2%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.65%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$35B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$83,250
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.73B
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$650M
2025
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.83B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$300M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2025
30.8%
2025

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/vietnam | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.