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Economy of Iraq vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iraq has a GDP of $254B compared to $32.5B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 54/197 and 111/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $137B in government debt (53.9% of GDP), compared to $16.9B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Iraq vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Iraq
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Papua New Guinea
2025 $254,367,293,538 $32,498,658,654
2024 $279,641,257,615 $30,803,971,189
2023 $268,881,051,644 $30,816,328,066
2022 $287,372,232,138 $31,653,230,962
2021 $209,691,945,713 $26,113,409,478
2020 $180,898,797,517 $23,848,447,850
2019 $233,636,097,800 $24,750,626,030
2018 $227,367,469,034 $24,109,780,708
2017 $187,217,660,051 $22,742,699,138
2016 $166,743,557,748 $20,758,876,953
2015 $166,774,104,959 $21,723,437,010
2014 $228,415,656,175 $23,210,823,987
2013 $234,637,675,129 $21,261,338,065
2012 $218,002,476,129 $21,295,168,666
2011 $185,749,664,444 $17,985,138,066
2010 $138,516,722,650 $14,250,786,675
2009 $111,657,580,326 $11,619,456,449
2008 $131,614,434,154 $11,670,892,801
2007 $88,837,057,320 $9,545,028,944
2006 $65,147,051,918 $8,354,911,041
2005 $50,065,104,668 $4,865,892,972
2004 $36,633,669,269 $3,927,157,867
2003 $21,921,569,479 $3,536,411,824
2002 $32,928,454,672 $2,999,511,040
2001 $36,176,430,129 $3,081,024,212
2000 $48,364,250,944 $3,521,339,699
1999 $36,881,601,584 $3,477,038,204
1998 $20,617,405,044 $3,789,443,015
1997 $20,764,857,056 $4,936,615,299
1996 $10,433,698,621 $5,155,311,077
1995 $12,894,029,888 $4,636,057,476
1994 $3,991,349,283 $5,502,786,070
1993 $1,031,944,881 $4,974,550,286
1992 $553,671,958 $4,377,980,510
1991 $407,796,350 $3,787,394,958
1990 $180,408,064,516 $3,219,729,083
1989 $65,831,935,484 $3,546,472,566
1988 $62,684,516,129 $3,656,177,881
1987 $56,774,193,548 $3,143,851,794
1986 $47,264,516,129 $2,647,995,602
1985 $48,425,161,290 $2,423,339,172
1984 $46,938,387,097 $2,552,662,617
1983 $40,712,903,226 $2,562,351,551
1982 $42,382,333,333 $2,368,719,683
1981 $37,823,000,000 $2,498,190,847
1980 $52,569,000,000 $2,545,808,456
1979 $37,816,457,839 $2,293,760,511
1978 $23,762,275,652 $1,947,878,831
1977 $19,838,130,715 $1,640,746,619
1976 $17,754,825,601 $1,511,843,235
1975 $13,458,516,763 $1,356,603,608
1974 $11,516,762,614 $1,467,417,672
1973 $5,134,367,778 $1,299,079,410
1972 $4,113,848,002 $858,761,926
1971 $3,865,346,535 $717,750,278
1970 $3,281,318,687 $645,568,215
1969 $3,007,758,797 $551,263,864
1968 $2,896,598,841 $485,184,190
1967 $2,551,522,656 $441,728,183
1966 $2,530,306,096 $390,992,063
1965 $2,335,785,506 $344,176,055
1964 $2,136,408,198 $305,312,049
1963 $1,805,901,510 $275,968,044
1962 $1,784,174,541 $261,184,042
1961 $1,671,960,965 $244,832,039
1960 $1,537,252,193 $230,496,037

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Papua New Guinea by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,410 - $3,020 -
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $2,912 $4,875
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $744 $2,322
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $621 $2,187
2003 $818 $6,068 $577 $2,142
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $506 $2,125
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $538 $2,168
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $636 $2,196
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $650 $2,280
1998 $901 $7,964 $733 $2,285
1997 $936 $6,020 $990 $2,432
1996 $485 $5,034 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $619 $4,598 $998 $2,436
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $23 $2,694 $942 $1,869
1990 $10,261 - $826 $1,703
1989 $3,791 - $934 -
1988 $3,707 - $985 -
1987 $3,436 - $865 -
1986 $2,940 - $745 -
1985 $3,088 - $697 -
1984 $3,066 - $750 -
1983 $2,743 - $769 -
1982 $2,942 - $726 -
1981 $2,700 - $781 -
1980 $3,868 - $813 -
1979 $2,871 - $748 -
1978 $1,863 - $648 -
1977 $1,609 - $558 -
1976 $1,489 - $525 -
1975 $1,166 - $482 -
1974 $1,031 - $533 -
1973 $476 - $483 -
1972 $394 - $327 -
1971 $384 - $279.7 -
1970 $337 - $257.6 -
1969 $320 - $225.3 -
1968 $319 - $202.9 -
1967 $290.6 - $189 -
1966 $298.2 - $171.1 -
1965 $284.8 - $153.9 -
1964 $269.4 - $139.5 -
1963 $235.5 - $128.9 -
1962 $240.7 - $124.7 -
1961 $232.4 - $119.7 -
1960 $218.9 - $115.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Iraq's GDP per capita is $5,410, ranking 119/197, compared to $3,020 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 147/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Iraq Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$254B
2025
$32.5B
2025
GDP rank
54/197
2025
111/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.16%
2024-2025
5.64%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,410
2025
$3,020
2025
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2025
147/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$137B
2025
$16.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.9%
2025
52.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,917
2025
$1,575
2025
Government debt per person rank
108/185
2025
129/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,782
2026
$2,615
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.7%
2025
19.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.3%
2024-2025
4.42%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
2.69%
2022
Population
48531417
11045681

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 42.7% 53.9% 19.7% 52.1%
2024 41.7% 45.2% 20.9% 53.3%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 33.9% 39% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 22% 52.6%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 48.2% 32% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 44% 117.1% 18% 22.2%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 19.4% 26%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 91.5% 344% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 - - 18.7% 40.4%
2002 - - 20.8% 48.4%
2001 - - 21.6% 47.7%
2000 - - 20.5% 42.3%
1999 - - 21.4% 41.8%
1998 - - 20% 45.7%
1997 - - 20.6% 43.9%
1996 - - 17.6% 37.8%
1995 - - 17.1% 36.6%
1994 - - 19.3% 40.1%
1993 - - 23.5% 30%
1992 - - 22.8% 30.4%
1991 - - 22.4% -
1990 - - 24.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2025, Iraq's government spending was $109B, accounting for 42.7% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.4B, or 19.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.9% in Iraq and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 95/185 and 99/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Papua New Guinea
2025 -6.41% -2.36%
2024 -3.45% -3.31%
2023 -1.14% -4.34%
2022 8.1% -5.25%
2021 -0.38% -6.84%
2020 -12.8% -8.85%
2019 0.83% -4.98%
2018 7.69% -2.58%
2017 -1.52% -2.47%
2016 -14.4% -4.75%
2015 -12.8% -4.55%
2014 -5.63% -6.27%
2013 -6.06% -6.87%
2012 4.09% -1.19%
2011 4.74% 2.22%
2010 -4.18% 3.06%
2009 -14.9% -5.48%
2008 -0.86% 2.73%
2007 9.98% 6.9%
2006 10.7% 5.34%
2005 4.07% 2.85%
2004 -35.4% 2.03%
2003 - 0.19%
2002 - -1.75%
2001 - -1.33%
2000 - 0.3%
1999 - -1.94%
1998 - -0.16%
1997 - 0.67%
1996 - 2.05%
1995 - 1.08%
1994 - -1.01%
1993 - -4.9%
1992 - -4.33%
1991 - -0.62%
1990 - -2.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2025, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.3B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Papua New Guinea's deficit of $766M, or 2.36% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.04% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Papua New Guinea
2025 0.3% 4.42%
2024 2.61% 0.6%
2023 4.36% 2.3%
2022 4.99% 5.25%
2021 6.04% 4.48%
2020 0.57% 4.87%
2019 -0.2% 3.93%
2018 0.37% 4.37%
2017 0.18% 5.42%
2016 0.56% 6.67%
2015 1.39% 6%
2014 2.24% 5.22%
2013 1.88% 4.96%
2012 6.09% 4.54%
2011 5.6% 4.44%
2010 2.43% 6.01%
2009 6.87% 6.92%
2008 12.7% 10.8%
2007 -10.1% 0.91%
2006 53.2% 2.37%
2005 37% 1.78%
2004 27% 2.16%
2003 33.6% 14.7%
2002 19.3% 11.8%
2001 16.4% 9.3%
2000 4.98% 15.6%
1999 12.6% 14.9%
1998 14.8% 13.6%
1997 23.1% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10%, compared with 6.29% in Papua New Guinea. In 2025, inflation was 0.3% in Iraq and 4.42% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $28K

Balance of trade

Iraq Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
32/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+15.5%
2024
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.4%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 15.6 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 134/197
Property rights 8.3 45
Government integrity 20.2 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 41.1
Tax burden 85.5 70.9
Government spending 65.3 86.1
Fiscal health 95.7 65.3
Business freedom 42.8 34.2
Labor freedom 60.6 65.1
Monetary freedom 68.6 77.4
Trade freedom 40 80.2
Investment freedom 10 25
Financial freedom 10 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Papua New Guinea
2026 - 54.3
2025 - 52.5
2024 - 49.4
2023 - 51.7
2022 - 54.6
2021 - 58.9
2020 - 58.4
2019 - 58.4
2018 - 55.7
2017 - 50.9
2016 - 53.2
2015 - 53.1
2014 - 53.9
2013 - 53.6
2012 - 53.8
2011 - 52.6
2010 - 53.5
2009 - 54.8
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 15.6 -
2001 17.2 57.2
2000 17.2 55.8
1999 17.2 56.3
1998 17.2 55.2
1997 17.2 56.7
1996 17.2 58.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iraq Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
42%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
36.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.41%
2025
17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$267B
2025
$31.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,290
2025
$4,840
2025
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$3.71B
2024
Total reserves ranking
30/177
2024
114/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
20.4%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
20%
2004

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/iraq/papua-new-guinea | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2021, 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.