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Economy of Iraq vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iraq has a GDP of $254B compared to $577B for Thailand, ranking 54/197 and 30/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $137B in government debt (53.9% of GDP), compared to $373B (64.7% of GDP) in Thailand.

Iraq vs Thailand GDP by year

Iraq
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Thailand
2025 $254,367,293,538 $577,009,981,112
2024 $279,641,257,615 $529,385,520,942
2023 $268,881,051,644 $517,013,369,475
2022 $287,372,232,138 $495,691,837,308
2021 $209,691,945,713 $506,049,783,825
2020 $180,898,797,517 $500,274,927,779
2019 $233,636,097,800 $543,976,691,794
2018 $227,367,469,034 $506,754,208,404
2017 $187,217,660,051 $456,356,813,537
2016 $166,743,557,748 $413,366,349,748
2015 $166,774,104,959 $401,296,238,228
2014 $228,415,656,175 $407,339,040,198
2013 $234,637,675,129 $420,333,654,593
2012 $218,002,476,129 $397,558,325,279
2011 $185,749,664,444 $370,818,739,624
2010 $138,516,722,650 $341,104,766,329
2009 $111,657,580,326 $281,710,630,187
2008 $131,614,434,154 $291,382,982,431
2007 $88,837,057,320 $262,942,621,455
2006 $65,147,051,918 $221,758,296,022
2005 $50,065,104,668 $189,318,408,469
2004 $36,633,669,269 $172,895,685,155
2003 $21,921,569,479 $152,280,615,246
2002 $32,928,454,672 $134,300,904,400
2001 $36,176,430,129 $120,296,476,180
2000 $48,364,250,944 $126,392,224,254
1999 $36,881,601,584 $126,669,211,779
1998 $20,617,405,044 $113,675,596,788
1997 $20,764,857,056 $150,180,456,566
1996 $10,433,698,621 $183,035,237,429
1995 $12,894,029,888 $169,278,916,593
1994 $3,991,349,283 $146,683,778,959
1993 $1,031,944,881 $128,889,262,951
1992 $553,671,958 $111,452,746,518
1991 $407,796,350 $98,234,714,971
1990 $180,408,064,516 $85,343,190,719
1989 $65,831,935,484 $72,250,748,100
1988 $62,684,516,129 $61,667,253,471
1987 $56,774,193,548 $50,535,446,555
1986 $47,264,516,129 $43,096,773,981
1985 $48,425,161,290 $38,900,711,333
1984 $46,938,387,097 $41,797,647,776
1983 $40,712,903,226 $40,042,798,388
1982 $42,382,333,333 $36,589,772,404
1981 $37,823,000,000 $34,846,039,194
1980 $52,569,000,000 $32,353,514,989
1979 $37,816,457,839 $27,371,650,825
1978 $23,762,275,652 $24,006,566,637
1977 $19,838,130,715 $19,779,312,261
1976 $17,754,825,601 $16,985,208,648
1975 $13,458,516,763 $14,882,770,594
1974 $11,516,762,614 $13,702,998,512
1973 $5,134,367,778 $10,838,587,358
1972 $4,113,848,002 $8,177,873,151
1971 $3,865,346,535 $7,375,000,024
1970 $3,281,318,687 $7,086,538,438
1969 $3,007,758,797 $6,695,336,567
1968 $2,896,598,841 $6,081,009,428
1967 $2,551,522,656 $5,638,461,442
1966 $2,530,306,096 $5,279,230,817
1965 $2,335,785,506 $4,388,937,649
1964 $2,136,408,198 $3,889,129,942
1963 $1,805,901,510 $3,540,403,457
1962 $1,784,174,541 $3,308,912,797
1961 $1,671,960,965 $3,034,037,811
1960 $1,537,252,193 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Thailand by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,410 - $8,057 -
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $7,387 $24,712
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $7,211 $23,519
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $6,910 $22,243
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $7,055 $20,243
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $6,983 $19,164
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $818 $6,068 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $901 $7,964 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $936 $6,020 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $485 $5,034 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $619 $4,598 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $23 $2,694 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $10,261 - $1,559 $4,451
1989 $3,791 - $1,342 -
1988 $3,707 - $1,164 -
1987 $3,436 - $970 -
1986 $2,940 - $842 -
1985 $3,088 - $774 -
1984 $3,066 - $847 -
1983 $2,743 - $827 -
1982 $2,942 - $770 -
1981 $2,700 - $748 -
1980 $3,868 - $709 -
1979 $2,871 - $612 -
1978 $1,863 - $548 -
1977 $1,609 - $462 -
1976 $1,489 - $405 -
1975 $1,166 - $364 -
1974 $1,031 - $343 -
1973 $476 - $278.3 -
1972 $394 - $215.6 -
1971 $384 - $199.7 -
1970 $337 - $197.1 -
1969 $320 - $191.4 -
1968 $319 - $178.8 -
1967 $290.6 - $170.7 -
1966 $298.2 - $164.5 -
1965 $284.8 - $140.9 -
1964 $269.4 - $128.6 -
1963 $235.5 - $120.7 -
1962 $240.7 - $116.2 -
1961 $232.4 - $109.7 -
1960 $218.9 - $102.8 -

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

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

Iraq's GDP per capita is $5,410, ranking 119/197, compared to $8,057 in Thailand, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Iraq Thailand
Gross domestic product
$254B
2025
$577B
2025
GDP rank
54/197
2025
30/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.16%
2024-2025
2.44%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,410
2025
$8,057
2025
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2025
97/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$137B
2025
$373B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.9%
2025
64.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,917
2025
$5,211
2025
Government debt per person rank
108/185
2025
83/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,782
2026
$7,438
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$512B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
26%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.7%
2025
23%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.3%
2024-2025
-0.13%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
0.6%
2025
Population
48531417
71565981

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 42.7% 53.9% 23% 64.7%
2024 41.7% 45.2% 22.6% 62.9%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 22.7% 62.2%
2022 33.9% 39% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 26.8% 58.4%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 21.6% 41.8%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 48.2% 32% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 22% 39.8%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 44% 117.1% 20% 36%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 91.5% 344% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 - - 18.3% 47.5%
2002 - - 25.7% 54.9%
2001 - - 20.8% 57.5%
2000 - - 19.3% 57.8%
1999 - - 26.5% 56.6%
1998 - - 23.9% 49.9%
1997 - - 21.6% 40.5%
1996 - - 18% 15.2%
1995 - - 17.2% 5.12%
1994 - - 16% 6.69%
1993 - - 18.8% 9.14%
1992 - - 17.8% 11.4%
1991 - - 17% 14.1%
1990 - - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iraq's government spending was $109B, accounting for 42.7% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $133B, or 23% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.9% in Iraq and 64.7% in Thailand, ranking 95/185 and 67/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Thailand
2025 -6.41% -1.91%
2024 -3.45% -1.29%
2023 -1.14% -1.91%
2022 8.1% -4.61%
2021 -0.38% -6.72%
2020 -12.8% -4.47%
2019 0.83% 0.43%
2018 7.69% 0.2%
2017 -1.52% -0.51%
2016 -14.4% 0.41%
2015 -12.8% 0.19%
2014 -5.63% -0.7%
2013 -6.06% 0.6%
2012 4.09% -0.86%
2011 4.74% 0.09%
2010 -4.18% -1.07%
2009 -14.9% -2.21%
2008 -0.86% 0.8%
2007 9.98% 0.22%
2006 10.7% 1.87%
2005 4.07% 2.17%
2004 -35.4% 1.11%
2003 - 1.98%
2002 - -6.72%
2001 - -1.77%
2000 - -1.79%
1999 - -9.02%
1998 - -6.29%
1997 - -1.68%
1996 - 2.75%
1995 - 3.05%
1994 - 2.78%
1993 - 6.67%
1992 - -0.18%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $11B, or 1.91% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.83% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Thailand
2025 0.3% -0.13%
2024 2.61% 0.4%
2023 4.36% 1.23%
2022 4.99% 6.08%
2021 6.04% 1.23%
2020 0.57% -0.85%
2019 -0.2% 0.71%
2018 0.37% 1.07%
2017 0.18% 0.66%
2016 0.56% 0.19%
2015 1.39% -0.9%
2014 2.24% 1.89%
2013 1.88% 2.19%
2012 6.09% 3.01%
2011 5.6% 3.81%
2010 2.43% 3.25%
2009 6.87% -0.85%
2008 12.7% 5.47%
2007 -10.1% 2.24%
2006 53.2% 4.64%
2005 37% 4.54%
2004 27% 2.76%
2003 33.6% 1.8%
2002 19.3% 0.7%
2001 16.4% 1.63%
2000 4.98% 1.59%
1999 12.6% 0.28%
1998 14.8% 7.99%
1997 23.1% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10%, compared with 2.15% in Thailand. In 2025, inflation was 0.3% in Iraq and -0.13% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Thailand
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $429M
Machinery & equipment $407M
Raw materials & minerals $37.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27.6M
Chemicals & pharma $24.7M
Wood & paper products $24.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.94M
Metals $4.1M
Animal & marine products $1.34M
Precious metals & jewellery $871K

Balance of trade

Iraq Thailand
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$15.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
20/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+2.76%
2025
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$312B
2025
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$335B
2025
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$77.2B
2025
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$76.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.4%
2024
67.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
71.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Thailand
Economic freedom 15.6 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 88/197
Property rights 8.3 41.8
Government integrity 20.2 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 35
Tax burden 85.5 80.8
Government spending 65.3 83.6
Fiscal health 95.7 81
Business freedom 42.8 69.9
Labor freedom 60.6 56.4
Monetary freedom 68.6 73.3
Trade freedom 40 70.2
Investment freedom 10 55
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Thailand
2026 - 62.2
2025 - 60.6
2024 - 59
2023 - 60.6
2022 - 63.2
2021 - 69.7
2020 - 69.4
2019 - 68.3
2018 - 67.1
2017 - 66.2
2016 - 63.9
2015 - 62.4
2014 - 63.3
2013 - 64.1
2012 - 64.9
2011 - 64.7
2010 - 64.1
2009 - 63
2008 - 62.3
2007 - 63.5
2006 - 63.3
2005 - 62.5
2004 - 63.7
2003 - 65.8
2002 15.6 69.1
2001 17.2 68.9
2000 17.2 66.6
1999 17.2 66.9
1998 17.2 67.3
1997 17.2 66.1
1996 17.2 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iraq Thailand
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
60.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
31.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.41%
2025
8.75%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$267B
2025
$551B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,290
2025
$25,570
2025
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$282B
2025
Total reserves ranking
30/177
2024
15/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
-$9.51B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
3.51%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
22.1%
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/iraq/thailand | 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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, 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 (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.