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Economy of Libya vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 95/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Libya
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Vanuatu
2024 $48,487,151,215 $1,117,972,034
2023 $44,027,664,915 $1,115,861,056
2022 $43,246,297,922 $1,055,031,361
2021 $35,217,995,647 $950,394,007
2020 $46,854,285,441 $909,421,044
2019 $69,254,496,472 $936,526,268
2018 $76,686,029,772 $914,727,908
2017 $67,157,452,182 $880,043,284
2016 $49,912,073,701 $804,323,577
2015 $48,717,501,321 $759,690,181
2014 $57,372,355,592 $773,717,011
2013 $75,351,107,029 $758,304,466
2012 $92,540,938,129 $747,839,698
2011 $48,169,263,294 $770,153,588
2010 $75,380,825,062 $670,712,980
2009 $60,808,562,033 $592,622,319
2008 $86,710,767,415 $590,748,429
2007 $68,032,978,391 $516,392,923
2006 $60,094,231,607 $439,358,587
2005 $47,334,691,241 $394,962,433
2004 $33,122,307,692 $364,996,869
2003 $26,265,625,000 $314,471,413
2002 $20,481,889,764 $262,596,536
2001 $34,112,093,927 $257,926,882
2000 $38,270,954,138 $272,014,628
1999 $35,975,860,857 $268,006,973
1998 $27,251,301,398 $262,293,411
1997 $30,700,897,875 $272,771,209
1996 $27,884,615,385 $261,370,044
1995 $25,541,379,187 $249,333,250
1994 $28,610,549,763 $233,701,301
1993 $30,660,051,911 $200,491,853
1992 $33,887,047,909 $209,088,825
1991 $31,991,821,265 $201,334,169
1990 $28,904,183,602 $168,879,207
1989 $25,156,707,899 $154,013,202
1988 $24,308,959,591 $158,351,368
1987 $26,697,659,335 $139,464,174
1986 $24,180,400,959 $126,498,935
1985 $31,530,566,324 $131,856,421
1984 $29,476,109,153 $144,482,515
1983 $33,200,520,140 $117,389,554
1982 $33,760,146,991 $114,501,913
1981 $36,374,353,880 $113,781,796
1980 $40,953,924,949 $121,185,498
1979 $30,536,429,497 $119,258,835
1978 $22,136,422,643 -
1977 $22,428,297,108 -
1976 $19,096,943,017 -
1975 $14,710,912,458 -
1974 $15,112,543,717 -
1973 $8,625,889,430 -
1972 $6,299,395,544 -
1971 $5,260,185,125 -
1970 $4,601,649,451 -
1969 $4,380,987,481 -
1968 $3,850,623,095 -
1967 $2,726,986,913 -
1966 $2,312,438,536 -
1965 $1,804,979,680 -
1964 $1,341,395,421 -
1963 $892,327,911 -
1962 $619,725,785 -
1961 $443,905,612 -
1960 $401,644,249 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Vanuatu by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $5,793 - $1,067 -
1988 $5,736 - $1,125 -
1987 $6,465 - $1,017 -
1986 $6,019 - $946 -
1985 $8,087 - $1,012 -
1984 $7,811 - $1,137 -
1983 $8,927 - $947 -
1982 $9,064 - $946 -
1981 $10,044 - $962 -
1980 $11,960 - $1,048 -
1979 $9,443 - $1,055 -
1978 $7,252 - - -
1977 $7,783 - - -
1976 $7,018 - - -
1975 $5,721 - - -
1974 $6,214 - - -
1973 $3,727 - - -
1972 $2,830 - - -
1971 $2,443 - - -
1970 $2,210 - - -
1969 $2,175 - - -
1968 $1,972 - - -
1967 $1,437 - - -
1966 $1,251 - - -
1965 $1,001 - - -
1964 $765 - - -
1963 $528 - - -
1962 $382 - - -
1961 $285.3 - - -
1960 $269 - - -

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

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Libya Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
4.05%
2020
Population
7559873
344750

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Vanuatu
2024 -25.1% -2.34%
2023 8.22% -0.95%
2022 23.6% -6.5%
2021 14.8% 2.38%
2020 -22.3% -1.95%
2019 11.9% 2.81%
2018 9.39% 6.26%
2017 -11.1% -1.2%
2016 -29.3% -0.72%
2015 -28.5% -8.66%
2014 -30.5% 1.44%
2013 -16.3% -0.25%
2012 24.6% -1.7%
2011 -11.5% -2.19%
2010 11.5% -2.63%
2009 -5.46% -0.85%
2008 27.7% -0.04%
2007 28.4% 0.28%
2006 29.1% 0.49%
2005 30.4% 1.86%
2004 11.3% 0.8%
2003 6.17% -1.35%
2002 6.99% -3.63%
2001 0.07% -3.33%
2000 13.6% -6.28%
1999 5.69% -0.55%
1998 -2.36% -6.65%
1997 -2.1% -0.51%
1996 11.3% -1.78%
1995 3.8% -2.59%
1994 -2.67% -1.49%
1993 -5.77% -3.67%
1992 0.11% -2.32%
1991 8.41% -2.81%
1990 3.36% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Libya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $12.1B, equivalent to 25.1% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.77% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Vanuatu
2024 2.13% -
2023 2.37% 11.2%
2022 4.51% 6.68%
2021 2.87% 2.34%
2020 1.45% 5.33%
2019 -2.16% 2.76%
2018 13.2% 2.33%
2017 25.8% 3.08%
2016 25.9% 0.84%
2015 10.4% 2.48%
2014 2.43% 0.8%
2013 2.61% 1.46%
2012 6.06% 1.35%
2011 15.5% 0.87%
2010 2.8% 2.76%
2009 2.46% 4.3%
2008 10.4% 4.84%
2007 6.25% 3.94%
2006 1.46% 2.04%
2005 2.65% 1.2%
2004 -2.2% 1.42%
2003 -2.19% 3.02%
2002 -9.8% 1.96%
2001 -8.81% 3.58%
2000 -2.9% 2.54%
1999 2.65% 2%
1998 3.71% 3.28%
1997 3.55% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.48%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Libya Vanuatu
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$230M
2022
Service exports
$642M
2023
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
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.

Libya Vanuatu
Economic freedom 35.9 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 92/197
Property rights 6.3 62.1
Government integrity 10.3 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 67.9
Tax burden 95 96.9
Government spending 0 48.1
Fiscal health 19.9 78.8
Business freedom 32.4 50.3
Labor freedom 48.2 41
Monetary freedom 75.2 72.1
Trade freedom 80 62
Investment freedom 5 65
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya 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 35.9 56.6
2011 38.6 56.7
2010 40.2 56.4
2009 43.5 58.4
2008 38.7 -
2007 37 -
2006 33.2 -
2005 32.8 -
2004 31.5 -
2003 34.6 -
2002 35.4 -
2001 34 -
2000 34.7 -
1999 32.3 -
1998 32 -
1997 28.9 -
1996 31.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, 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

Libya Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
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/libya/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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.