Skip to content

Economy of Iraq vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a GDP of $280B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 50/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $130B in government debt (46.5% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Iraq vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Iraq
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Vanuatu
2024 $279,641,257,615 $1,117,972,034
2023 $268,881,051,644 $1,115,861,056
2022 $287,372,232,138 $1,055,031,361
2021 $209,691,945,713 $950,394,007
2020 $180,898,797,517 $909,421,044
2019 $233,636,097,800 $936,526,268
2018 $227,367,469,034 $914,727,908
2017 $187,217,660,051 $880,043,284
2016 $166,743,557,748 $804,323,577
2015 $166,774,104,959 $759,690,181
2014 $228,415,656,175 $773,717,011
2013 $234,637,675,129 $758,304,466
2012 $218,002,476,129 $747,839,698
2011 $185,749,664,444 $770,153,588
2010 $138,516,722,650 $670,712,980
2009 $111,657,580,326 $592,622,319
2008 $131,614,434,154 $590,748,429
2007 $88,837,057,320 $516,392,923
2006 $65,147,051,918 $439,358,587
2005 $50,065,104,668 $394,962,433
2004 $36,633,669,269 $364,996,869
2003 $21,921,569,479 $314,471,413
2002 $32,928,454,672 $262,596,536
2001 $36,176,430,129 $257,926,882
2000 $48,364,250,944 $272,014,628
1999 $36,881,601,584 $268,006,973
1998 $20,617,405,044 $262,293,411
1997 $20,764,857,056 $272,771,209
1996 $10,433,698,621 $261,370,044
1995 $12,894,029,888 $249,333,250
1994 $3,991,349,283 $233,701,301
1993 $1,031,944,881 $200,491,853
1992 $553,671,958 $209,088,825
1991 $407,796,350 $201,334,169
1990 $180,408,064,516 $168,879,207
1989 $65,831,935,484 $154,013,202
1988 $62,684,516,129 $158,351,368
1987 $56,774,193,548 $139,464,174
1986 $47,264,516,129 $126,498,935
1985 $48,425,161,290 $131,856,421
1984 $46,938,387,097 $144,482,515
1983 $40,712,903,226 $117,389,554
1982 $42,382,333,333 $114,501,913
1981 $37,823,000,000 $113,781,796
1980 $52,569,000,000 $121,185,498
1979 $37,816,457,839 $119,258,835
1978 $23,762,275,652 -
1977 $19,838,130,715 -
1976 $17,754,825,601 -
1975 $13,458,516,763 -
1974 $11,516,762,614 -
1973 $5,134,367,778 -
1972 $4,113,848,002 -
1971 $3,865,346,535 -
1970 $3,281,318,687 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Vanuatu by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $818 $6,068 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $901 $7,964 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $936 $6,020 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $485 $5,034 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $619 $4,598 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $23 $2,694 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $10,261 - $1,141 $1,670
1989 $3,791 - $1,067 -
1988 $3,707 - $1,125 -
1987 $3,436 - $1,017 -
1986 $2,940 - $946 -
1985 $3,088 - $1,012 -
1984 $3,066 - $1,137 -
1983 $2,743 - $947 -
1982 $2,942 - $946 -
1981 $2,700 - $962 -
1980 $3,868 - $1,048 -
1979 $2,871 - $1,055 -
1978 $1,863 - - -
1977 $1,609 - - -
1976 $1,489 - - -
1975 $1,166 - - -
1974 $1,031 - - -
1973 $476 - - -
1972 $394 - - -
1971 $384 - - -
1970 $337 - - -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Iraq's GDP per capita is $6,074, ranking 113/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Iraq Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$280B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
50/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.55%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
113/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$130B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
105/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-12.3%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
4.05%
2020
Population
48289334
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.9% 46.5% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 33.9% 39% 42% 42.8%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 43.4% 48%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 48.2% 32% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 44% 117.1% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 91.5% 344% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 - - 18.8% 38.3%
2002 - - 22.3% 38.8%
2001 - - 22.3% 37%
2000 - - 25.4% 36.1%
1999 - - 23.9% 30.6%
1998 - - 27.9% 28%
1997 - - 22.2% 22.9%
1996 - - 24.5% 23.1%
1995 - - 28% 24.1%
1994 - - 24.4% 21.6%
1993 - - 26.2% 20.3%
1992 - - 31.8% 21%
1991 - - 33.2% 15.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iraq's government spending was $120B, accounting for 42.9% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.5% in Iraq and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 117/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Vanuatu
2024 -4.14% -2.34%
2023 -1.14% -0.95%
2022 8.1% -6.5%
2021 -0.38% 2.38%
2020 -12.8% -1.95%
2019 0.83% 2.81%
2018 7.69% 6.26%
2017 -1.52% -1.2%
2016 -14.4% -0.72%
2015 -12.8% -8.66%
2014 -5.63% 1.44%
2013 -6.06% -0.25%
2012 4.09% -1.7%
2011 4.74% -2.19%
2010 -4.18% -2.63%
2009 -14.9% -0.85%
2008 -0.86% -0.04%
2007 9.98% 0.28%
2006 10.7% 0.49%
2005 4.07% 1.86%
2004 -35.4% 0.8%
2003 - -1.35%
2002 - -3.63%
2001 - -3.33%
2000 - -6.28%
1999 - -0.55%
1998 - -6.65%
1997 - -0.51%
1996 - -1.78%
1995 - -2.59%
1994 - -1.49%
1993 - -3.67%
1992 - -2.32%
1991 - -2.81%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.65% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Vanuatu
2024 -12.3% -
2023 4.36% 11.2%
2022 4.99% 6.68%
2021 6.04% 2.34%
2020 0.57% 5.33%
2019 -0.2% 2.76%
2018 0.37% 2.33%
2017 0.18% 3.08%
2016 0.56% 0.84%
2015 1.39% 2.48%
2014 2.24% 0.8%
2013 1.88% 1.46%
2012 6.09% 1.35%
2011 5.8% 0.87%
2010 2.88% 2.76%
2009 6.87% 4.3%
2008 12.7% 4.84%
2007 -10.1% 3.94%
2006 53.2% 2.04%
2005 37% 1.2%
2004 27% 1.42%
2003 33.6% 3.02%
2002 19.3% 1.96%
2001 16.4% 3.58%
2000 4.98% 2.54%
1999 12.6% 2%
1998 14.8% 3.28%
1997 23.1% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.7%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was -12.3% in Iraq and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Iraq Vanuatu
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
24/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Vanuatu
Economic freedom 15.6 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 92/197
Property rights 8.3 62.1
Government integrity 20.2 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 67.9
Tax burden 85.5 96.9
Government spending 65.3 48.1
Fiscal health 95.7 78.8
Business freedom 42.8 50.3
Labor freedom 60.6 41
Monetary freedom 68.6 72.1
Trade freedom 40 62
Investment freedom 10 65
Financial freedom 10 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Vanuatu
2026 - 61.1
2025 - 61.8
2024 - 62.2
2023 - 62.1
2022 - 62.9
2021 - 60.5
2020 - 60.7
2019 - 56.4
2018 - 69.5
2017 - 67.4
2016 - 60.8
2015 - 61.1
2014 - 59.5
2013 - 56.6
2012 - 56.6
2011 - 56.7
2010 - 56.4
2009 - 58.4
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 15.6 -
2001 17.2 -
2000 17.2 -
1999 17.2 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iraq Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.39%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,530
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
28/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.2%
2024
38.3%
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.