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Economy of Iraq vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a GDP of $280B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 50/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $130B in government debt (46.5% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Iraq vs Qatar GDP by year

Iraq
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Qatar
2024 $279,641,257,615 $219,162,637,363
2023 $268,881,051,644 $217,308,516,484
2022 $287,372,232,138 $235,709,340,659
2021 $209,691,945,713 $179,732,142,857
2020 $180,898,797,517 $144,411,538,462
2019 $233,636,097,800 $176,371,428,571
2018 $227,367,469,034 $183,335,164,835
2017 $187,217,660,051 $161,099,175,824
2016 $166,743,557,748 $151,732,142,857
2015 $166,774,104,959 $161,739,835,165
2014 $228,415,656,175 $206,224,725,275
2013 $234,637,675,129 $198,727,747,253
2012 $218,002,476,129 $186,833,516,484
2011 $185,749,664,444 $167,775,274,725
2010 $138,516,722,650 $123,627,197,802
2009 $111,657,580,326 $97,798,351,648
2008 $131,614,434,154 $115,270,054,945
2007 $88,837,057,320 $79,712,087,912
2006 $65,147,051,918 $60,882,142,857
2005 $50,065,104,668 $44,530,494,505
2004 $36,633,669,269 $31,734,065,934
2003 $21,921,569,479 $23,533,791,209
2002 $32,928,454,672 $19,363,736,264
2001 $36,176,430,129 $17,538,461,538
2000 $48,364,250,944 $17,759,890,110
1999 $36,881,601,584 $12,393,131,868
1998 $20,617,405,044 $10,255,495,027
1997 $20,764,857,056 $11,297,802,115
1996 $10,433,698,621 $9,059,340,385
1995 $12,894,029,888 $8,137,911,978
1994 $3,991,349,283 $7,374,450,769
1993 $1,031,944,881 $7,156,593,654
1992 $553,671,958 $7,646,153,984
1991 $407,796,350 $6,883,516,484
1990 $180,408,064,516 $7,360,439,423
1989 $65,831,935,484 $6,487,912,088
1988 $62,684,516,129 $6,038,187,033
1987 $56,774,193,548 $5,446,428,681
1986 $47,264,516,129 $5,053,021,951
1985 $48,425,161,290 $6,153,296,456
1984 $46,938,387,097 $6,704,395,824
1983 $40,712,903,226 $6,467,582,308
1982 $42,382,333,333 $7,596,703,214
1981 $37,823,000,000 $8,661,263,764
1980 $52,569,000,000 $7,829,165,262
1979 $37,816,457,839 $5,632,962,997
1978 $23,762,275,652 $4,052,000,413
1977 $19,838,130,715 $3,617,564,638
1976 $17,754,825,601 $3,284,273,987
1975 $13,458,516,763 $2,512,773,166
1974 $11,516,762,614 $2,401,403,227
1973 $5,134,367,778 $793,885,560
1972 $4,113,848,002 $510,262,500
1971 $3,865,346,535 $387,703,106
1970 $3,281,318,687 $301,791,302
1969 $3,007,758,797 -
1968 $2,896,598,841 -
1967 $2,551,522,656 -
1966 $2,530,306,096 -
1965 $2,335,785,506 -
1964 $2,136,408,198 -
1963 $1,805,901,510 -
1962 $1,784,174,541 -
1961 $1,671,960,965 -
1960 $1,537,252,193 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Qatar by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $818 $6,068 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $901 $7,964 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $936 $6,020 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $485 $5,034 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $619 $4,598 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $23 $2,694 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $10,261 - $16,722 $55,659
1989 $3,791 - $15,243 -
1988 $3,707 - $14,682 -
1987 $3,436 - $13,719 -
1986 $2,940 - $13,213 -
1985 $3,088 - $16,815 -
1984 $3,066 - $19,272 -
1983 $2,743 - $19,616 -
1982 $2,942 - $24,385 -
1981 $2,700 - $29,505 -
1980 $3,868 - $28,375 -
1979 $2,871 - $21,777 -
1978 $1,863 - $16,757 -
1977 $1,609 - $16,058 -
1976 $1,489 - $15,710 -
1975 $1,166 - $13,014 -
1974 $1,031 - $13,540 -
1973 $476 - $4,905 -
1972 $394 - $3,483 -
1971 $384 - $2,952 -
1970 $337 - $2,594 -
1969 $320 - - -
1968 $319 - - -
1967 $290.6 - - -
1966 $298.2 - - -
1965 $284.8 - - -
1964 $269.4 - - -
1963 $235.5 - - -
1962 $240.7 - - -
1961 $232.4 - - -
1960 $218.9 - - -

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

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

Iraq's GDP per capita is $6,074, ranking 113/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Iraq Qatar
Gross domestic product
$280B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
50/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.55%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
113/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$130B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
105/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-12.3%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
0.13%
2022
Population
48289334
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.9% 46.5% 26% 41.2%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 33.9% 39% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 48.2% 32% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 31% 32.1%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 32% 30.4%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 36.4% 36%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 44% 117.1% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 29% 19.1%
2004 91.5% 344% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 - - 28.5% 38.8%
2002 - - 31.6% 47.7%
2001 - - 32.1% 59.2%
2000 - - 29.8% 51.6%
1999 - - 42.4% 81.8%
1998 - - 55.1% 76.6%
1997 - - 47.6% 54.4%
1996 - - 55.2% 57.8%
1995 - - 52.2% 50.2%
1994 - - 59.8% 54.8%
1993 - - 62.8% 46.3%
1992 - - 54.2% 19.9%
1991 - - 57.5% 21.8%
1990 - - 50% 12.6%

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

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

In 2024, Iraq's government spending was $120B, accounting for 42.9% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.5% in Iraq and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 117/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Qatar
2024 -4.14% 0.69%
2023 -1.14% 5.56%
2022 8.1% 10.4%
2021 -0.38% 0.24%
2020 -12.8% -2.13%
2019 0.83% 1%
2018 7.69% 2.26%
2017 -1.52% -6.82%
2016 -14.4% -9.2%
2015 -12.8% 18.4%
2014 -5.63% 13.4%
2013 -6.06% 19.3%
2012 4.09% 8.55%
2011 4.74% 5.24%
2010 -4.18% 4.6%
2009 -14.9% 14.1%
2008 -0.86% 9.49%
2007 9.98% 10.3%
2006 10.7% 8.39%
2005 4.07% 9.8%
2004 -35.4% 17.7%
2003 - 6.71%
2002 - 7.89%
2001 - 4.48%
2000 - 4.62%
1999 - -4.35%
1998 - -7%
1997 - -9.4%
1996 - -8.73%
1995 - -5.78%
1994 - -11.8%
1993 - -9.53%
1992 - -2.74%
1991 - -2.57%
1990 - 3.23%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 3 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.05% of GDP, compared to surplus of 6.73% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Qatar
2024 -12.3% 1.27%
2023 4.36% 3.03%
2022 4.99% 5%
2021 6.04% 2.3%
2020 0.57% -2.54%
2019 -0.2% -0.67%
2018 0.37% 0.26%
2017 0.18% 0.39%
2016 0.56% 2.68%
2015 1.39% 1.81%
2014 2.24% 3.35%
2013 1.88% 3.22%
2012 6.09% 2.32%
2011 5.8% 1.14%
2010 2.88% -2.43%
2009 6.87% -4.86%
2008 12.7% 15.1%
2007 -10.1% 13.8%
2006 53.2% 11.8%
2005 37% 8.81%
2004 27% 6.8%
2003 33.6% 2.26%
2002 19.3% 0.24%
2001 16.4% 1.47%
2000 4.98% 1.65%
1999 12.6% 2.18%
1998 14.8% 2.95%
1997 23.1% 4.83%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.86%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was -12.3% in Iraq and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $61.8M
Machinery & equipment $54M
Wood & paper products $6.14M
Metals $2.72M
Chemicals & pharma $2.65M
Textiles & consumer goods $805K
Animal & marine products $92K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $57K
Miscellaneous $15K

Balance of trade

Iraq Qatar
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
24/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Qatar
Economic freedom 15.6 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 37/197
Property rights 8.3 66.2
Government integrity 20.2 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 41.5
Tax burden 85.5 99.9
Government spending 65.3 79.9
Fiscal health 95.7 96.6
Business freedom 42.8 68
Labor freedom 60.6 58.5
Monetary freedom 68.6 76
Trade freedom 40 81.8
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Qatar
2026 - 70.2
2025 - 70.2
2024 - 68.8
2023 - 68.6
2022 - 67.7
2021 - 72
2020 - 72.3
2019 - 72.6
2018 - 72.6
2017 - 73.1
2016 - 70.7
2015 - 70.8
2014 - 71.2
2013 - 71.3
2012 - 71.3
2011 - 70.5
2010 - 69
2009 - 65.8
2008 - 62.2
2007 - 62.9
2006 - 62.4
2005 - 63.5
2004 - 66.5
2003 - 65.9
2002 15.6 61.9
2001 17.2 60
2000 17.2 62
1999 17.2 62
1998 17.2 -
1997 17.2 -
1996 17.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iraq Qatar
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.39%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,530
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
28/177
2024
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.2%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.