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Economy of Kenya vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kenya has a GDP of $120B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 64/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $81B in government debt (67.3% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Kenya vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Kenya
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Vanuatu
2024 $120,339,557,906 $1,117,972,034
2023 $107,500,884,685 $1,115,861,056
2022 $114,448,978,153 $1,055,031,361
2021 $109,703,658,905 $950,394,007
2020 $100,657,505,751 $909,421,044
2019 $100,378,436,207 $936,526,268
2018 $92,202,979,985 $914,727,908
2017 $82,036,510,877 $880,043,284
2016 $74,815,144,164 $804,323,577
2015 $70,120,446,897 $759,690,181
2014 $68,285,796,514 $773,717,011
2013 $61,671,440,408 $758,304,466
2012 $56,396,704,672 $747,839,698
2011 $46,869,473,151 $770,153,588
2010 $45,405,615,064 $670,712,980
2009 $42,347,217,913 $592,622,319
2008 $35,895,153,328 $590,748,429
2007 $31,958,195,182 $516,392,923
2006 $25,825,512,284 $439,358,587
2005 $18,737,895,513 $394,962,433
2004 $16,095,337,094 $364,996,869
2003 $14,904,517,650 $314,471,413
2002 $13,147,736,899 $262,596,536
2001 $12,986,007,426 $257,926,882
2000 $12,705,350,098 $272,014,628
1999 $12,896,010,459 $268,006,973
1998 $14,093,998,844 $262,293,411
1997 $13,115,764,358 $272,771,209
1996 $12,045,865,396 $261,370,044
1995 $9,046,320,255 $249,333,250
1994 $7,148,148,564 $233,701,301
1993 $5,751,786,643 $200,491,853
1992 $8,209,120,763 $209,088,825
1991 $8,151,488,783 $201,334,169
1990 $8,572,359,038 $168,879,207
1989 $8,283,114,514 $154,013,202
1988 $8,355,380,879 $158,351,368
1987 $7,970,820,369 $139,464,174
1986 $7,239,126,568 $126,498,935
1985 $6,135,034,214 $131,856,421
1984 $6,191,437,070 $144,482,515
1983 $5,979,198,314 $117,389,554
1982 $6,431,579,357 $114,501,913
1981 $6,854,491,706 $113,781,796
1980 $7,265,315,820 $121,185,498
1979 $6,234,391,113 $119,258,835
1978 $5,303,735,111 -
1977 $4,494,378,764 -
1976 $3,474,542,392 -
1975 $3,259,345,083 -
1974 $2,969,958,812 -
1973 $2,509,001,324 -
1972 $2,107,279,157 -
1971 $1,778,391,289 -
1970 $1,603,447,359 -
1969 $1,458,379,417 -
1968 $1,353,295,459 -
1967 $1,232,559,507 -
1966 $1,164,519,674 -
1965 $997,919,321 -
1964 $998,759,334 -
1963 $926,589,349 -
1962 $868,111,401 -
1961 $792,959,473 -
1960 $791,265,459 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Vanuatu by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,132 $6,644 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $916 $2,459 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $840 $2,481 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $700 $2,330 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $523 $2,189 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $464 $2,066 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $443 $1,975 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $403 $1,940 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $411 $1,961 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $415 $1,907 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $434 $1,910 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $488 $1,895 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $467 $1,865 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $441 $1,875 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $340 $1,818 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $229 $1,723 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $337 $1,728 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $345 $1,756 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $374 $1,729 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $374 - $1,067 -
1988 $391 - $1,125 -
1987 $387 - $1,017 -
1986 $364 - $946 -
1985 $320 - $1,012 -
1984 $334 - $1,137 -
1983 $335 - $947 -
1982 $374 - $946 -
1981 $413 - $962 -
1980 $454 - $1,048 -
1979 $403 - $1,055 -
1978 $355 - - -
1977 $311 - - -
1976 $248.9 - - -
1975 $241.2 - - -
1974 $227.2 - - -
1973 $198.6 - - -
1972 $172.6 - - -
1971 $150.9 - - -
1970 $141 - - -
1969 $133.3 - - -
1968 $128.7 - - -
1967 $121.9 - - -
1966 $119.8 - - -
1965 $106.9 - - -
1964 $111.3 - - -
1963 $107.4 - - -
1962 $104.6 - - -
1961 $99.3 - - -
1960 $102.8 - - -

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

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,132, ranking 154/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Kenya Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
64/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
4.72%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,132
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$81B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.3%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,436
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,229
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.49%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
4.05%
2020
Population
58955623
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.3% 67.3% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 22.7% 73.4% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 23.2% 67.8% 42% 42.8%
2021 24% 68.2% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 24.8% 68% 43.4% 48%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 25.4% 50.4% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 20.3% 36% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 16% 43.8% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 15.7% 42% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 22.3% 37%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 27.9% 28%
1997 15.6% 36% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 28% 24.1%
1994 18.8% 57% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 31.8% 21%
1991 16.4% 43% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 17.2% 37.6% - -
1989 16.3% 33.4% - -
1988 15.9% 33.9% - -
1987 15.5% 36.3% - -
1986 15.3% 31.3% - -
1985 15.6% 28.8% - -
1984 14.9% 25.6% - -
1983 14.6% 26.1% - -
1982 16.2% 26.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kenya's government spending was $28B, accounting for 23.3% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.3% in Kenya and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 64/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Vanuatu
2024 -5.77% -2.34%
2023 -5.71% -0.95%
2022 -6.06% -6.5%
2021 -7.2% 2.38%
2020 -8.13% -1.95%
2019 -7.42% 2.81%
2018 -6.94% 6.26%
2017 -7.4% -1.2%
2016 -7.47% -0.72%
2015 -6.68% -8.66%
2014 -5.75% 1.44%
2013 -5.25% -0.25%
2012 -5.29% -1.7%
2011 -3.64% -2.19%
2010 -3.67% -2.63%
2009 -3.12% -0.85%
2008 -1.95% -0.04%
2007 -0.95% 0.28%
2006 -0.43% 0.49%
2005 -0.19% 1.86%
2004 0.5% 0.8%
2003 -0.73% -1.35%
2002 -1.29% -3.63%
2001 -0.53% -3.33%
2000 0.38% -6.28%
1999 0.84% -0.55%
1998 -0.03% -6.65%
1997 -0.91% -0.51%
1996 -0.49% -1.78%
1995 -0.23% -2.59%
1994 -4.14% -1.49%
1993 -8.57% -3.67%
1992 -8.28% -2.32%
1991 -6.56% -2.81%
1990 -3.28% -
1989 -2.39% -
1988 -1.97% -
1987 -2.27% -
1986 -2.98% -
1985 -3.05% -
1984 -2.55% -
1983 -2.17% -
1982 -3.07% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.94B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Vanuatu
2024 4.49% -
2023 7.67% 11.2%
2022 7.66% 6.68%
2021 6.11% 2.34%
2020 5.41% 5.33%
2019 5.24% 2.76%
2018 4.69% 2.33%
2017 8.01% 3.08%
2016 6.3% 0.84%
2015 6.58% 2.48%
2014 6.88% 0.8%
2013 5.72% 1.46%
2012 9.38% 1.35%
2011 14% 0.87%
2010 3.96% 2.76%
2009 9.23% 4.3%
2008 26.2% 4.84%
2007 9.76% 3.94%
2006 14.5% 2.04%
2005 10.3% 1.2%
2004 11.6% 1.42%
2003 9.82% 3.02%
2002 1.96% 1.96%
2001 5.74% 3.58%
2000 9.98% 2.54%
1999 5.74% 2%
1998 6.72% 3.28%
1997 11.4% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.54%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 4.49% in Kenya and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Metals $3K

Balance of trade

Kenya Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
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.

Kenya Vanuatu
Economic freedom 55.5 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 92/197
Property rights 40.2 62.1
Government integrity 32.7 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 47 67.9
Tax burden 76.3 96.9
Government spending 84.1 48.1
Fiscal health 36.2 78.8
Business freedom 61.5 50.3
Labor freedom 56.5 41
Monetary freedom 75.1 72.1
Trade freedom 52 62
Investment freedom 55 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Vanuatu
2026 55.5 61.1
2025 54.8 61.8
2024 53.6 62.2
2023 52.5 62.1
2022 52.6 62.9
2021 54.9 60.5
2020 55.3 60.7
2019 55.1 56.4
2018 54.7 69.5
2017 53.5 67.4
2016 57.5 60.8
2015 55.6 61.1
2014 57.1 59.5
2013 55.9 56.6
2012 57.5 56.6
2011 57.4 56.7
2010 57.5 56.4
2009 58.7 58.4
2008 59.3 -
2007 59.6 -
2006 59.7 -
2005 57.9 -
2004 57.7 -
2003 58.6 -
2002 58.2 -
2001 57.6 -
2000 59.7 -
1999 58.2 -
1998 58.4 -
1997 60.1 -
1996 56.4 -
1995 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, 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

Kenya Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$118B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,540
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$10.1B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
75/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.79%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/kenya/vanuatu | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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. TradeMap (2011, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.