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Economy of Iraq vs Jamaica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a GDP of $280B compared to $22B for Jamaica, ranking 50/197 and 124/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $130B in government debt (46.5% of GDP), compared to $14B (63.4% of GDP) in Jamaica.

Iraq vs Jamaica GDP by year

Iraq
Jamaica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Jamaica
2024 $279,641,257,615 $22,014,397,090
2023 $268,881,051,644 $21,418,804,320
2022 $287,372,232,138 $18,813,516,805
2021 $209,691,945,713 $15,963,885,376
2020 $180,898,797,517 $15,000,214,216
2019 $233,636,097,800 $17,026,269,263
2018 $227,367,469,034 $16,855,447,986
2017 $187,217,660,051 $15,783,583,237
2016 $166,743,557,748 $14,898,999,754
2015 $166,774,104,959 $14,963,589,916
2014 $228,415,656,175 $13,899,217,680
2013 $234,637,675,129 $14,264,205,153
2012 $218,002,476,129 $14,807,086,556
2011 $185,749,664,444 $14,444,661,522
2010 $138,516,722,650 $13,220,549,908
2009 $111,657,580,326 $12,120,458,115
2008 $131,614,434,154 $13,709,401,520
2007 $88,837,057,320 $12,799,600,047
2006 $65,147,051,918 $11,930,179,090
2005 $50,065,104,668 $11,243,865,778
2004 $36,633,669,269 $10,174,664,854
2003 $21,921,569,479 $9,430,234,811
2002 $32,928,454,672 $9,719,009,495
2001 $36,176,430,129 $9,194,727,831
2000 $48,364,250,944 $9,005,064,475
1999 $36,881,601,584 $8,887,057,997
1998 $20,617,405,044 $8,787,195,622
1997 $20,764,857,056 $8,400,041,724
1996 $10,433,698,621 $7,393,891,921
1995 $12,894,029,888 $6,577,520,643
1994 $3,991,349,283 $5,452,558,947
1993 $1,031,944,881 $5,440,075,676
1992 $553,671,958 $3,535,460,090
1991 $407,796,350 $4,106,207,649
1990 $180,408,064,516 $4,592,208,087
1989 $65,831,935,484 $4,404,937,853
1988 $62,684,516,129 $3,828,342,820
1987 $56,774,193,548 $3,287,007,322
1986 $47,264,516,129 $2,754,549,582
1985 $48,425,161,290 $2,100,239,019
1984 $46,938,387,097 $2,373,564,549
1983 $40,712,903,226 $3,619,262,277
1982 $42,382,333,333 $3,293,496,312
1981 $37,823,000,000 $2,979,027,966
1980 $52,569,000,000 $2,679,379,372
1979 $37,816,457,839 $2,425,064,229
1978 $23,762,275,652 $2,644,527,822
1977 $19,838,130,715 $3,249,733,140
1976 $17,754,825,601 $2,966,042,856
1975 $13,458,516,763 $2,860,442,750
1974 $11,516,762,614 $2,375,122,375
1973 $5,134,367,778 $1,905,917,553
1972 $4,113,848,002 $1,875,146,587
1971 $3,865,346,535 $1,539,861,816
1970 $3,281,318,687 $1,404,720,442
1969 $3,007,758,797 $1,191,239,047
1968 $2,896,598,841 $1,083,839,133
1967 $2,551,522,656 $1,148,014,311
1966 $2,530,306,096 $1,096,759,561
1965 $2,335,785,506 $972,159,611
1964 $2,136,408,198 $897,949,001
1963 $1,805,901,510 $826,706,669
1962 $1,784,174,541 $777,727,689
1961 $1,671,960,965 $748,043,501
1960 $1,537,252,193 $699,064,380

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/jamaica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Jamaica by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Jamaica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $7,754 $12,890
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $7,542 $12,651
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $6,626 $11,888
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $5,626 $10,431
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $5,299 $9,764
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $6,031 $10,845
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $5,977 $10,753
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $5,605 $10,466
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $5,302 $9,948
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $5,339 $9,476
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $4,975 $9,210
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $5,124 $9,101
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $5,341 $8,831
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $5,233 $8,809
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $4,810 $8,521
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $4,428 $8,580
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $5,030 $8,952
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $4,716 $8,893
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $4,417 $8,577
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $4,184 $8,127
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $3,808 $7,854
2003 $818 $6,068 $3,550 $7,593
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $3,681 $7,226
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $3,504 $7,019
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $3,453 $6,816
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $3,432 $6,653
1998 $901 $7,964 $3,419 $6,543
1997 $936 $6,020 $3,297 $6,682
1996 $485 $5,034 $2,929 $6,706
1995 $619 $4,598 $2,631 $6,657
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $2,203 $6,435
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $2,221 $6,279
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $1,458 $5,664
1991 $23 $2,694 $1,710 $5,485
1990 $10,261 - $1,930 $5,106
1989 $3,791 - $1,865 -
1988 $3,707 - $1,632 -
1987 $3,436 - $1,411 -
1986 $2,940 - $1,191 -
1985 $3,088 - $917 -
1984 $3,066 - $1,048 -
1983 $2,743 - $1,619 -
1982 $2,942 - $1,494 -
1981 $2,700 - $1,370 -
1980 $3,868 - $1,249 -
1979 $2,871 - $1,144 -
1978 $1,863 - $1,262 -
1977 $1,609 - $1,569 -
1976 $1,489 - $1,450 -
1975 $1,166 - $1,417 -
1974 $1,031 - $1,193 -
1973 $476 - $972 -
1972 $394 - $971 -
1971 $384 - $809 -
1970 $337 - $748 -
1969 $320 - $642 -
1968 $319 - $591 -
1967 $290.6 - $633 -
1966 $298.2 - $612 -
1965 $284.8 - $549 -
1964 $269.4 - $514 -
1963 $235.5 - $480 -
1962 $240.7 - $458 -
1961 $232.4 - $447 -
1960 $218.9 - $424 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/jamaica | CC BY

Iraq's GDP per capita is $6,074, ranking 113/197, compared to $7,754 in Jamaica, ranking 95/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890.

Economic indicators

Iraq Jamaica
Gross domestic product
$280B
2024
$22B
2024
GDP rank
50/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.55%
2023-2024
-0.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$7,754
2024
GDP per capita rank
113/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$12,890
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
121/197
2024
Government debt
$130B
2024
$14B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
63.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
$4,917
2024
Government debt per person rank
105/185
2024
79/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$6,905
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12.4B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
30.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-12.3%
2023-2024
5.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
3.02%
2023
Population
48289334
2834980

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Jamaica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Jamaica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.9% 46.5% 30.5% 63.4%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 28% 67.3%
2022 33.9% 39% 28.4% 73.5%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 29% 90.9%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 29.8% 100.1%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 27.8% 88.6%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 27.8% 89.2%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 27.3% 96.7%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 27% 109.1%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 26.3% 117.6%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 26.5% 136.7%
2013 48.2% 32% 26.9% 138.1%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 29.6% 143%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 31.7% 138.1%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 32.9% 140.1%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 38.6% 141.5%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 34.4% 125.6%
2007 44% 117.1% 31.6% 115.3%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 31.2% 118%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 29.3% 124.5%
2004 91.5% 344% 31.5% 120.1%
2003 - - 32.5% 125.5%
2002 - - 31.1% 119.1%
2001 - - 28.5% 107.9%
2000 - - 26.2% 91.3%
1999 - - 28.9% 83.5%
1998 - - 28.3% 75.6%
1997 - - 28.3% 74.4%
1996 - - 27.7% 70.2%
1995 - - 23.1% 85.2%
1994 - - 21.5% 90.4%
1993 - - 21.5% 106.2%
1992 - - 20% 100.4%
1991 - - 24.5% 175.1%
1990 - - 25.7% 128.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/jamaica | CC BY

In 2024, Iraq's government spending was $120B, accounting for 42.9% of its GDP, while Jamaica spent $6.72B, or 30.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.5% in Iraq and 63.4% in Jamaica, ranking 117/185 and 73/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Jamaica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Jamaica
2024 -4.14% 0.22%
2023 -1.14% 0.04%
2022 8.1% 0.27%
2021 -0.38% 0.89%
2020 -12.8% -2.83%
2019 0.83% 0.85%
2018 7.69% 1.12%
2017 -1.52% 0.43%
2016 -14.4% -0.19%
2015 -12.8% -0.28%
2014 -5.63% -0.49%
2013 -6.06% 0.12%
2012 4.09% -4.05%
2011 4.74% -6.34%
2010 -4.18% -6.27%
2009 -14.9% -11.1%
2008 -0.86% -7.43%
2007 9.98% -3.82%
2006 10.7% -4.9%
2005 4.07% -3.3%
2004 -35.4% -4.68%
2003 - -5.67%
2002 - -6.77%
2001 - -4.89%
2000 - -0.8%
1999 - -3.53%
1998 - -5.82%
1997 - -6.54%
1996 - -5.32%
1995 - 1.6%
1994 - 2.59%
1993 - 2.6%
1992 - 3.11%
1991 - 3.87%
1990 - 2.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/jamaica | CC BY

In 2024, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.6B, equivalent to 4.14% of GDP. This compares to Jamaica's surplus of $49.1M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Jamaica ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.46% of GDP for Jamaica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Jamaica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Jamaica
2024 -12.3% 5.41%
2023 4.36% 6.47%
2022 4.99% 10.3%
2021 6.04% 5.86%
2020 0.57% 5.23%
2019 -0.2% 3.91%
2018 0.37% 3.74%
2017 0.18% 4.38%
2016 0.56% 2.35%
2015 1.39% 3.69%
2014 2.24% 8.27%
2013 1.88% 9.34%
2012 6.09% 6.87%
2011 5.8% 7.56%
2010 2.88% 12.6%
2009 6.87% 9.59%
2008 12.7% 22%
2007 -10.1% 9.24%
2006 53.2% 8.56%
2005 37% 15.1%
2004 27% 13.6%
2003 33.6% 10.1%
2002 19.3% 7.08%
2001 16.4% 6.8%
2000 4.98% 8.17%
1999 12.6% 5.95%
1998 14.8% 8.63%
1997 23.1% 9.66%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/jamaica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.86%, compared with 8.23% in Jamaica. In 2024, inflation was -12.3% in Iraq and 5.41% in Jamaica.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Jamaica
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Iraq Jamaica
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$679M
2024
Current account balance ranking
24/190
2024
56/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+3.08%
2024
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$6.07B
2024
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$1.87B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$3.46B
2024
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$5.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2024
52.1%
2019
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
38%
2019

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Jamaica
Economic freedom 15.6 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 48/197
Property rights 8.3 66.8
Government integrity 20.2 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 75.6
Tax burden 85.5 76.3
Government spending 65.3 76
Fiscal health 95.7 92.2
Business freedom 42.8 68.5
Labor freedom 60.6 59.2
Monetary freedom 68.6 74.2
Trade freedom 40 70.4
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Jamaica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Jamaica
2026 - 68.2
2025 - 68.7
2024 - 68.1
2023 - 68.1
2022 - 67.4
2021 - 69
2020 - 68.5
2019 - 68.6
2018 - 69.1
2017 - 69.5
2016 - 67.5
2015 - 67.7
2014 - 66.7
2013 - 66.8
2012 - 65.1
2011 - 65.7
2010 - 65.5
2009 - 65.2
2008 - 65.7
2007 - 65.5
2006 - 66.4
2005 - 67
2004 - 66.7
2003 - 67
2002 15.6 61.7
2001 17.2 63.7
2000 17.2 65.5
1999 17.2 64.7
1998 17.2 67.1
1997 17.2 67.7
1996 17.2 66.7
1995 - 64.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/jamaica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, compared to 68.2 for Jamaica, ranking 48/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iraq Jamaica
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.39%
2024
7.97%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
$20.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,530
2024
$12,690
2024
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$5.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
28/177
2024
93/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
-$304M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$305M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$1.07M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
8.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.2%
2024
22.6%
2019

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/iraq/jamaica | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2020, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.