Skip to content

Economy of Israel vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Israel has a GDP of $540B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 29/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Israel has $366B in government debt (67.6% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Israel vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Israel
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Israel Saudi Arabia
2024 $540,379,921,262 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $512,184,638,999 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $525,181,008,026 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $489,851,549,972 $982,661,066,667
2020 $410,768,352,658 $767,951,200,000
2019 $400,645,216,359 $888,890,133,333
2018 $376,299,083,108 $886,564,800,000
2017 $358,451,839,053 $741,266,133,333
2016 $321,940,971,558 $689,279,466,667
2015 $303,469,434,072 $693,414,400,000
2014 $315,017,088,117 $787,153,066,667
2013 $298,478,070,673 $769,755,733,333
2012 $263,589,172,712 $751,921,333,333
2011 $268,094,998,225 $680,660,800,000
2010 $239,679,036,634 $528,207,466,667
2009 $213,403,181,853 $429,097,866,667
2008 $221,231,658,863 $519,796,800,000
2007 $184,681,214,673 $415,964,509,673
2006 $158,900,547,825 $376,900,133,511
2005 $147,519,922,009 $328,459,608,764
2004 $140,047,984,605 $258,742,133,333
2003 $131,408,914,824 $215,807,733,333
2002 $125,332,331,884 $189,605,866,667
2001 $135,002,039,613 $184,137,600,000
2000 $136,512,300,542 $189,514,933,333
1999 $121,417,185,062 $161,717,066,667
1998 $120,547,409,279 $146,775,466,667
1997 $119,459,826,347 $165,963,684,913
1996 $115,116,595,545 $158,662,483,311
1995 $105,497,418,059 $143,343,124,166
1994 $90,740,103,829 $135,174,899,866
1993 $79,855,877,174 $132,967,957,276
1992 $79,457,685,757 $137,087,850,467
1991 $70,998,755,007 $132,223,230,975
1990 $62,016,729,541 $117,630,173,565
1989 $52,443,479,454 $95,344,459,279
1988 $52,650,948,910 $88,256,074,766
1987 $43,049,543,635 $85,695,861,148
1986 $35,834,154,874 $86,961,922,765
1985 $28,905,736,367 $103,897,846,494
1984 $30,645,607,293 $119,624,858,116
1983 $32,675,755,462 $129,171,635,311
1982 $29,255,285,401 $153,240,313,858
1981 $26,882,009,819 $184,291,360,139
1980 $25,395,256,478 $164,539,660,725
1979 $22,609,741,060 $111,858,444,786
1978 $17,701,286,907 $80,266,516,687
1977 $18,257,113,904 $74,188,986,586
1976 $15,956,349,550 $64,005,665,722
1975 $16,141,767,373 $46,773,208,643
1974 $17,172,607,138 $45,412,957,746
1973 $11,902,574,259 $14,947,435,499
1972 $9,222,557,539 $9,664,267,087
1971 $7,052,544,000 $7,184,806,909
1970 $7,406,712,876 $5,377,333,333
1969 $6,297,852,761 $4,485,777,644
1968 $5,458,427,928 $4,187,777,711
1967 $4,762,386,783 $3,257,022,223
1966 $4,703,300,098 $2,920,555,557
1965 $4,329,084,429 $2,647,955,558
1964 $4,024,344,853 $2,371,808,713
1963 $3,535,949,089 $2,207,393,172
1962 $2,966,154,031 $2,130,606,532
1961 $3,708,586,471 $1,920,811,284
1960 $3,070,585,807 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/israel/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Israel vs Saudi Arabia by year

Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Israel Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $54,177 $57,236 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $52,004 $55,171 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $54,950 $53,619 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $52,271 $46,162 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $44,576 $40,955 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $44,251 $41,325 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $42,363 $40,190 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $41,138 $39,471 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $37,672 $38,189 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $36,213 $35,871 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $38,343 $34,816 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $37,034 $34,827 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $33,321 $32,484 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $34,523 $31,314 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $31,439 $29,456 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $28,508 $28,087 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $30,269 $28,084 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $25,721 $28,307 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $22,527 $26,385 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $21,287 $25,701 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $20,568 $26,078 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $19,643 $24,702 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $19,076 $26,101 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $20,966 $25,806 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $21,707 $25,766 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $19,823 $23,415 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $20,189 $22,927 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $20,469 $22,279 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $20,224 $21,672 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $19,026 $20,642 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $16,807 $19,478 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $15,179 $18,218 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $15,510 $17,553 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $14,346 $16,486 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $13,308 $15,721 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $11,608 - $9,414 -
1988 $11,853 - $9,165 -
1987 $9,853 - $9,386 -
1986 $8,335 - $10,078 -
1985 $6,829 - $12,745 -
1984 $7,369 - $15,541 -
1983 $7,960 - $17,810 -
1982 $7,258 - $22,454 -
1981 $6,795 - $28,703 -
1980 $6,549 - $27,206 -
1979 $5,972 - $19,612 -
1978 $4,797 - $14,914 -
1977 $5,053 - $14,595 -
1976 $4,516 - $13,313 -
1975 $4,672 - $10,266 -
1974 $5,085 - $10,503 -
1973 $3,631 - $3,640 -
1972 $2,930 - $2,474 -
1971 $2,298 - $1,929 -
1970 $2,490 - $1,509 -
1969 $2,189 - $1,313 -
1968 $1,947 - $1,276 -
1967 $1,735 - $1,032 -
1966 $1,789 - $961 -
1965 $1,689 - $904 -
1964 $1,626 - $840 -
1963 $1,486 - $812 -
1962 $1,294 - $813 -
1961 $1,697 - $760 -
1960 $1,452 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/israel/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Israel's GDP per capita is $54,177, ranking 21/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Israel ranks 36th at $57,236, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Israel Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$540B
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
29/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
0.87%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$54,177
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
21/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$57,236
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
36/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$366B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.6%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$36,645
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
18/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$43,003
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$331B
2024
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires
179,905
2025
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires
41
2025
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.8%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.07%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.5%
2024
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.9%
2024
3.52%
2024
Population
10290887
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Israel
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Israel Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.8% 67.6% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 39.3% 61.3% 28.3% 23%
2022 36.9% 60.3% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 40% 67.7% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 44.8% 71.1% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 38.7% 59.3% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 39.2% 60.1% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 38.3% 59.8% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 37.9% 61.7% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 37.6% 62.8% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 38.3% 64.9% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 39.7% 66% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 39.6% 66.9% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 39.3% 67.2% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 39.7% 69% 33% 8.43%
2009 41.4% 72.6% 37.1% 14%
2008 41.2% 70.2% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 40.2% 70.8% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 41.6% 77.7% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 42.3% 85.2% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 43% 88.3% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 45.4% 89.7% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 50% 87.2% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 46.1% 81.1% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 43.4% 77.2% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 53.6% 94.8% 30.3% 103%
1998 55% 101% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 52.6% 99.3% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 53.2% 100.3% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 52.8% 102.3% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 41.7% 110.2% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 42.2% 118.3% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 44.1% 119.6% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 34.4% 123.7% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 46.8% 138.3% 39.3% -
1989 47.5% 147.4% - -
1988 46.5% 145.4% - -
1987 52.8% 143.2% - -
1986 55.7% 162.5% - -
1985 65.2% 199% - -
1984 - 284% - -
1983 - 260.5% - -
1982 69.7% - - -
1981 71.8% - - -
1980 69.4% 154.3% - -
1979 70.1% 155.5% - -
1978 62.2% 133.6% - -
1977 69.1% 142% - -
1976 66.3% 97.4% - -
1975 62% 85.1% - -
1974 - 79.8% - -
1973 - 62.1% - -
1972 - 63.9% - -
1971 - - - -
1970 41.6% - - -
1969 41.1% - - -
1968 39.4% - - -
1967 33.9% - - -
1966 29.6% - - -
1965 27.8% - - -
1964 28.2% - - -
1963 26.9% - - -
1962 27.7% - - -
1961 30.3% - - -
1960 30.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/israel/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Israel's government spending was $237B, accounting for 43.8% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.6% in Israel and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 62/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Israel

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Israel Saudi Arabia
2024 -8.26% -2.49%
2023 -5.06% -1.77%
2022 0.32% 2.24%
2021 -3.37% -1.99%
2020 -10.7% -10.2%
2019 -3.79% -3.96%
2018 -3.56% -5.21%
2017 -1.13% -8.57%
2016 -1.79% -13.2%
2015 -1.21% -14.9%
2014 -2.29% -3.4%
2013 -4.06% 5.47%
2012 -4.46% 11.7%
2011 -3.43% 11.4%
2010 -3.72% 4.39%
2009 -6.53% -5.38%
2008 -3.5% 29.8%
2007 -0.43% 11.8%
2006 -0.95% 20.8%
2005 -2.74% 18%
2004 -3.4% 9.72%
2003 -5.03% 1.2%
2002 -8.22% -5.91%
2001 -4.06% -3.91%
2000 -0.8% 3.18%
1999 -6.26% -5.99%
1998 -7.99% -8.88%
1997 -4.84% -2.51%
1996 -5.97% -3.25%
1995 -4.28% -5.12%
1994 -5.62% -8.31%
1993 -5.62% -9.33%
1992 -8% -8.12%
1991 -7.04% -3.28%
1990 -9.67% -
1989 -9.03% -
1988 -7.57% -
1987 -7.47% -
1986 -7.51% -
1985 -14.2% -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 -13.8% -
1981 -23.5% -
1980 -19.6% -
1979 -16.7% -
1978 -14.7% -
1977 -20.3% -
1976 -19.4% -
1975 -19.6% -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 -16% -
1969 -15.3% -
1968 -11.7% -
1967 -7.68% -
1966 -4.35% -
1965 -2.72% -
1964 -3.65% -
1963 -4.41% -
1962 -4.09% -
1961 -5.86% -
1960 -6.62% -
1959 -7.23% -
1958 -8.31% -
1957 -7.17% -
1956 -9.3% -
1955 -4.3% -
1954 -7.84% -
1953 -8.32% -
1952 -7.19% -
1951 -8.13% -
1950 -10.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/israel/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Israel's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $44.6B, equivalent to 8.26% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Israel recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Israel posted an annual deficit equal to 4.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Israel

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Israel Saudi Arabia
2024 3.07% 1.69%
2023 4.23% 2.33%
2022 4.41% 2.47%
2021 1.48% 3.06%
2020 -0.58% 3.37%
2019 0.82% -1.19%
2018 0.81% 2.47%
2017 0.25% -0.83%
2016 -0.54% 2.05%
2015 -0.62% 1.22%
2014 0.47% 2.24%
2013 1.59% 3.51%
2012 1.68% 2.87%
2011 3.49% 5.83%
2010 2.7% 5.34%
2009 3.37% 5.06%
2008 4.53% 9.87%
2007 0.47% 4.17%
2006 2.05% 2.21%
2005 1.34% 0.48%
2004 -0.42% 0.52%
2003 0.71% 0.61%
2002 5.8% 0.25%
2001 1.12% -1.12%
2000 1.03% -1.12%
1999 5.19% -1.33%
1998 5.49% -0.37%
1997 8.95% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/israel/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Israel has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 3.07% in Israel and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Balance of trade

Israel Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$15.5B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
21/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.86%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$96.3B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$70B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$44.4B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$83.7B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Israel Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 68.4 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 47/197 65/197
Property rights 73.1 51.4
Government integrity 66.2 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 68.1 38.2
Tax burden 60.2 99.2
Government spending 52 77
Fiscal health 60.8 97.9
Business freedom 72.4 71.2
Labor freedom 56.8 41.8
Monetary freedom 78.2 81.2
Trade freedom 82.8 73.8
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Israel
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Israel Saudi Arabia
2026 68.4 65.4
2025 69.9 64.4
2024 70.1 61.9
2023 68.9 58.3
2022 68 55.5
2021 73.8 66
2020 74 62.4
2019 72.8 60.7
2018 72.2 59.6
2017 69.7 64.4
2016 70.7 62.1
2015 70.5 62.1
2014 68.4 62.2
2013 66.9 60.6
2012 67.8 62.5
2011 68.5 66.2
2010 67.7 64.1
2009 67.6 64.3
2008 66.3 62.5
2007 64.8 60.9
2006 64.4 63
2005 62.6 63
2004 61.4 60.4
2003 62.7 63.2
2002 66.9 65.3
2001 66.1 62.2
2000 65.5 66.5
1999 68.3 65.5
1998 68 69.3
1997 62.7 68.7
1996 62 68.3
1995 61.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/israel/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Israel is 68.4, ranking 47/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Israel Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
72.5%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.28%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$528B
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$56,790
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$215B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
18/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.86B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$14.8B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$9.92B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.4%
2024
30.2%
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/israel/saudi-arabia | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.

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.