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Economy of Iraq vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a GDP of $280B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 50/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $130B in government debt (46.5% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Iraq vs Vietnam GDP by year

Iraq
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Vietnam
2024 $279,641,257,615 $476,388,230,307
2023 $268,881,051,644 $433,857,681,378
2022 $287,372,232,138 $413,445,230,669
2021 $209,691,945,713 $366,474,752,771
2020 $180,898,797,517 $346,615,738,538
2019 $233,636,097,800 $334,365,270,497
2018 $227,367,469,034 $310,106,478,395
2017 $187,217,660,051 $281,353,605,987
2016 $166,743,557,748 $257,096,001,178
2015 $166,774,104,959 $239,258,328,382
2014 $228,415,656,175 $233,451,469,643
2013 $234,637,675,129 $213,708,811,665
2012 $218,002,476,129 $195,590,661,129
2011 $185,749,664,444 $172,595,049,184
2010 $138,516,722,650 $147,201,173,197
2009 $111,657,580,326 $106,014,659,565
2008 $131,614,434,154 $99,130,304,099
2007 $88,837,057,320 $77,414,425,532
2006 $65,147,051,918 $66,371,664,817
2005 $50,065,104,668 $57,633,255,738
2004 $36,633,669,269 $45,427,854,693
2003 $21,921,569,479 $39,552,513,232
2002 $32,928,454,672 $35,064,105,501
2001 $36,176,430,129 $32,685,198,809
2000 $48,364,250,944 $31,172,518,403
1999 $36,881,601,584 $28,683,659,007
1998 $20,617,405,044 $27,209,602,050
1997 $20,764,857,056 $26,843,700,442
1996 $10,433,698,621 $24,657,470,575
1995 $12,894,029,888 $20,736,164,459
1994 $3,991,349,283 $16,286,433,533
1993 $1,031,944,881 $13,180,953,598
1992 $553,671,958 $9,866,990,236
1991 $407,796,350 $9,613,369,520
1990 $180,408,064,516 $6,471,740,806
1989 $65,831,935,484 $6,293,304,975
1988 $62,684,516,129 $25,423,812,649
1987 $56,774,193,548 $36,658,108,850
1986 $47,264,516,129 $26,336,616,250
1985 $48,425,161,290 $14,094,687,821
1984 $46,938,387,097 -
1983 $40,712,903,226 -
1982 $42,382,333,333 -
1981 $37,823,000,000 -
1980 $52,569,000,000 -
1979 $37,816,457,839 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Vietnam by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $926 $4,581
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $808 $4,237
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $711 $3,894
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $565 $3,543
2003 $818 $6,068 $497 $3,240
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $445 $3,002
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $419 $2,809
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $404 $2,614
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $376 $2,421
1998 $901 $7,964 $361 $2,308
1997 $936 $6,020 $362 $2,189
1996 $485 $5,034 $337 $2,019
1995 $619 $4,598 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $23 $2,694 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $10,261 - $98.8 $1,210
1989 $3,791 - $98.1 -
1988 $3,707 - $405 -
1987 $3,436 - $595 -
1986 $2,940 - $436 -
1985 $3,088 - $238.6 -
1984 $3,066 - - -
1983 $2,743 - - -
1982 $2,942 - - -
1981 $2,700 - - -
1980 $3,868 - - -
1979 $2,871 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Iraq's GDP per capita is $6,074, ranking 113/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Iraq Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$280B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
50/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.55%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
113/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$130B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
105/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-12.3%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
1.53%
2024
Population
48289334
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.9% 46.5% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 33.9% 39% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 19.8% 41%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 48.2% 32% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 25% 36.2%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 21.4% 31%
2007 44% 117.1% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 91.5% 344% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 - - 22.2% 29.8%
2002 - - 19.7% 27.7%
2001 - - 19.2% 25.4%
2000 - - 17.8% 24.8%
1999 - - 16.7% -
1998 - - 16% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iraq's government spending was $120B, accounting for 42.9% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.5% in Iraq and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 117/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Vietnam
2024 -4.14% -1.54%
2023 -1.14% -1.72%
2022 8.1% 0.67%
2021 -0.38% -1.43%
2020 -12.8% -2.86%
2019 0.83% -0.4%
2018 7.69% -1.02%
2017 -1.52% -1.96%
2016 -14.4% -3.16%
2015 -12.8% -4.98%
2014 -5.63% -5.02%
2013 -6.06% -5.96%
2012 4.09% -5.46%
2011 4.74% -0.9%
2010 -4.18% -2.25%
2009 -14.9% -4.82%
2008 -0.86% -0.45%
2007 9.98% -1.74%
2006 10.7% 0.2%
2005 4.07% -0.95%
2004 -35.4% -0.15%
2003 - -2.56%
2002 - -1.85%
2001 - -2.19%
2000 - -1.61%
1999 - -1.25%
1998 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.19% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Vietnam
2024 -12.3% 3.6%
2023 4.36% 3.3%
2022 4.99% 3.2%
2021 6.04% 1.8%
2020 0.57% 3.2%
2019 -0.2% 2.8%
2018 0.37% 3.5%
2017 0.18% 3.5%
2016 0.56% 2.7%
2015 1.39% 0.6%
2014 2.24% 4.1%
2013 1.88% 6.6%
2012 6.09% 9.1%
2011 5.8% 18.7%
2010 2.88% 9.1%
2009 6.87% 6.7%
2008 12.7% 23.3%
2007 -10.1% 8.4%
2006 53.2% 7.7%
2005 37% 8.3%
2004 27% 7.8%
2003 33.6% 3.1%
2002 19.3% 3.8%
2001 16.4% -0.4%
2000 4.98% -1.8%
1999 12.6% 4.1%
1998 14.8% 8.1%
1997 23.1% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.86%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was -12.3% in Iraq and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $84.5M
Animal & marine products $84.5M
Raw agricultural goods $60.2M
Machinery & equipment $18.4M
Raw materials & minerals $11M
Chemicals & pharma $6.63M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.61M
Wood & paper products $3.68M
Metals $2.9M
Miscellaneous $33K

Balance of trade

Iraq Vietnam
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
24/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Vietnam
Economic freedom 15.6 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 73/197
Property rights 8.3 47.3
Government integrity 20.2 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 31.3
Tax burden 85.5 80.9
Government spending 65.3 89.5
Fiscal health 95.7 96.9
Business freedom 42.8 70
Labor freedom 60.6 54.7
Monetary freedom 68.6 73.2
Trade freedom 40 79.8
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Vietnam
2026 - 64.4
2025 - 65.2
2024 - 62.8
2023 - 61.8
2022 - 60.6
2021 - 61.7
2020 - 58.8
2019 - 55.3
2018 - 53.1
2017 - 52.4
2016 - 54
2015 - 51.7
2014 - 50.8
2013 - 51
2012 - 51.3
2011 - 51.6
2010 - 49.8
2009 - 51
2008 - 50.4
2007 - 49.8
2006 - 50.5
2005 - 48.1
2004 - 46.1
2003 - 46.2
2002 15.6 45.6
2001 17.2 44.3
2000 17.2 43.7
1999 17.2 42.7
1998 17.2 40.4
1997 17.2 38.6
1996 17.2 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iraq Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.39%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,530
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
28/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.2%
2024
30.6%
2024

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/vietnam | 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 (1998–2024, 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. TradeMap (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.