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Economy of Kenya vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kenya has a GDP of $136B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 62/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $94.3B in government debt (69.3% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Kenya vs Vietnam GDP by year

Kenya
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Vietnam
2025 $135,941,278,879 $514,697,215,165
2024 $120,397,537,850 $476,324,572,784
2023 $107,500,884,685 $433,805,036,898
2022 $114,448,978,153 $413,445,230,669
2021 $109,703,658,905 $366,474,752,771
2020 $100,657,505,751 $346,615,738,538
2019 $100,378,436,207 $334,365,270,497
2018 $92,202,979,985 $310,106,478,395
2017 $82,036,510,877 $281,353,605,987
2016 $74,815,144,164 $257,096,001,178
2015 $70,120,446,897 $239,258,328,382
2014 $68,285,796,514 $233,451,469,643
2013 $61,671,440,408 $213,708,811,665
2012 $56,396,704,672 $195,590,661,129
2011 $46,869,473,151 $172,595,049,184
2010 $45,405,615,064 $147,201,173,197
2009 $42,347,217,913 $106,014,659,565
2008 $35,895,153,328 $99,130,304,099
2007 $31,958,195,182 $77,414,425,532
2006 $25,825,512,284 $66,371,664,817
2005 $18,737,895,513 $57,633,255,738
2004 $16,095,337,094 $45,427,854,693
2003 $14,904,517,650 $39,552,513,232
2002 $13,147,736,899 $35,064,105,501
2001 $12,986,007,426 $32,685,198,809
2000 $12,705,350,098 $31,172,518,403
1999 $12,896,010,459 $28,683,659,007
1998 $14,093,998,844 $27,209,602,050
1997 $13,115,764,358 $26,843,700,442
1996 $12,045,865,396 $24,657,470,575
1995 $9,046,320,255 $20,736,164,459
1994 $7,148,148,564 $16,286,433,533
1993 $5,751,786,643 $13,180,953,598
1992 $8,209,120,763 $9,866,990,236
1991 $8,151,488,783 $9,613,369,520
1990 $8,572,359,038 $6,471,740,806
1989 $8,283,114,514 $6,293,304,975
1988 $8,355,380,879 $25,423,812,649
1987 $7,970,820,369 $36,658,108,850
1986 $7,239,126,568 $26,336,616,250
1985 $6,135,034,214 $14,094,687,821
1984 $6,191,437,070 -
1983 $5,979,198,314 -
1982 $6,431,579,357 -
1981 $6,854,491,706 -
1980 $7,265,315,820 -
1979 $6,234,391,113 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Vietnam by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,363 - $5,066 -
2024 $2,133 $6,644 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $916 $2,459 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $840 $2,481 $926 $4,581
2006 $700 $2,330 $808 $4,237
2005 $523 $2,189 $711 $3,894
2004 $464 $2,066 $565 $3,543
2003 $443 $1,975 $497 $3,240
2002 $403 $1,940 $445 $3,002
2001 $411 $1,961 $419 $2,809
2000 $415 $1,907 $404 $2,614
1999 $434 $1,910 $376 $2,421
1998 $488 $1,895 $361 $2,308
1997 $467 $1,865 $362 $2,189
1996 $441 $1,875 $337 $2,019
1995 $340 $1,818 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $229 $1,723 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $337 $1,728 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $345 $1,756 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $374 $1,729 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $374 - $98.1 -
1988 $391 - $405 -
1987 $387 - $595 -
1986 $364 - $436 -
1985 $320 - $238.6 -
1984 $334 - - -
1983 $335 - - -
1982 $374 - - -
1981 $413 - - -
1980 $454 - - -
1979 $403 - - -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,363, ranking 154/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Kenya Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$136B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
62/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
4.63%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,363
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$94.3B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
69.3%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,638
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
126/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,538
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$22.8B
2025
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2022
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.07%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
8.75%
2026
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
1.53%
2024
Population
59218766
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24% 69.3% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 23.2% 67.3% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 22.6% 73.4% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 23.1% 67.8% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 24% 68.2% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 24.8% 68% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 19.8% 41%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 25.3% 50.4% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 20.3% 36% 25% 36.2%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 21.4% 31%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 16% 43.8% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 15.7% 42% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 16.7% -
1998 15.3% 38.5% 16% -
1997 15.6% 36% - -
1996 15.2% 40.5% - -
1995 17.3% 52.1% - -
1994 18.8% 57% - -
1993 18.9% 61.6% - -
1992 17.6% 41.2% - -
1991 16.4% 43% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kenya's government spending was $32.6B, accounting for 24% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 69.3% in Kenya and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 59/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Vietnam
2025 -6.41% -2.2%
2024 -5.74% -1.54%
2023 -5.61% -1.72%
2022 -6.01% 0.67%
2021 -7.2% -1.43%
2020 -8.13% -2.86%
2019 -7.4% -0.4%
2018 -6.91% -1.02%
2017 -7.37% -1.96%
2016 -7.45% -3.16%
2015 -6.68% -4.98%
2014 -5.75% -5.02%
2013 -5.25% -5.96%
2012 -5.29% -5.46%
2011 -3.64% -0.9%
2010 -3.67% -2.25%
2009 -3.12% -4.82%
2008 -1.95% -0.45%
2007 -0.95% -1.74%
2006 -0.43% 0.2%
2005 -0.19% -0.95%
2004 0.5% -0.15%
2003 -0.73% -2.56%
2002 -1.29% -1.85%
2001 -0.53% -2.19%
2000 0.38% -1.61%
1999 0.84% -1.25%
1998 -0.03% -0.1%
1997 -0.91% -
1996 -0.49% -
1995 -0.23% -
1994 -4.14% -
1993 -8.57% -
1992 -8.28% -
1991 -6.56% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $8.72B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Vietnam
2025 4.07% 3.3%
2024 4.49% 3.6%
2023 7.67% 3.3%
2022 7.66% 3.2%
2021 6.11% 1.8%
2020 5.41% 3.2%
2019 5.24% 2.8%
2018 4.69% 3.5%
2017 8.01% 3.5%
2016 6.3% 2.7%
2015 6.58% 0.6%
2014 6.88% 4.1%
2013 5.72% 6.6%
2012 9.38% 9.1%
2011 14% 18.7%
2010 3.96% 10.5%
2009 9.23% 6.7%
2008 26.2% 23.1%
2007 9.76% 8.3%
2006 14.5% 7.5%
2005 10.3% 8.4%
2004 11.6% 7.9%
2003 9.82% 3.3%
2002 1.96% 4.1%
2001 5.74% -0.3%
2000 9.98% -1.8%
1999 5.74% 4.1%
1998 6.72% 7.2%
1997 11.4% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.25%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 4.07% in Kenya and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $12M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.6M
Raw materials & minerals $2.27M
Chemicals & pharma $1.41M
Metals $533K
Animal & marine products $467K
Textiles & consumer goods $114K
Miscellaneous $30K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $31M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $15.6M
Machinery & equipment $14.4M
Raw materials & minerals $7.05M
Metals $5.44M
Miscellaneous $1.83M
Wood & paper products $999K
Raw agricultural goods $727K
Animal & marine products $477K

Balance of trade

Kenya Vietnam
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
130/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$407B
2024
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kenya Vietnam
Economic freedom 55.5 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 73/197
Property rights 40.2 47.3
Government integrity 32.7 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 47 31.3
Tax burden 76.3 80.9
Government spending 84.1 89.5
Fiscal health 36.2 96.9
Business freedom 61.5 70
Labor freedom 56.5 54.7
Monetary freedom 75.1 73.2
Trade freedom 52 79.8
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Vietnam
2026 55.5 64.4
2025 54.8 65.2
2024 53.6 62.8
2023 52.5 61.8
2022 52.6 60.6
2021 54.9 61.7
2020 55.3 58.8
2019 55.1 55.3
2018 54.7 53.1
2017 53.5 52.4
2016 57.5 54
2015 55.6 51.7
2014 57.1 50.8
2013 55.9 51
2012 57.5 51.3
2011 57.4 51.6
2010 57.5 49.8
2009 58.7 51
2008 59.3 50.4
2007 59.6 49.8
2006 59.7 50.5
2005 57.9 48.1
2004 57.7 46.1
2003 58.6 46.2
2002 58.2 45.6
2001 57.6 44.3
2000 59.7 43.7
1999 58.2 42.7
1998 58.4 40.4
1997 60.1 38.6
1996 56.4 40.2
1995 54.5 41.7

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

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

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

Kenya Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
55.1%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$127B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,910
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$12.4B
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
76/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.82%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
2025
30.8%
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/kenya/vietnam | 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.