Skip to content

Economy of Marshall Islands vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Marshall Islands has a GDP of $308M compared to $531B for Norway, ranking 194/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Marshall Islands has $36.3M in government debt (11.8% of GDP), compared to $239B (45% of GDP) in Norway.

Marshall Islands vs Norway GDP by year

Marshall Islands
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Marshall Islands Norway
2025 $308,000,000 $530,755,719,439
2024 $285,000,000 $500,886,328,034
2023 $264,000,000 $502,197,633,323
2022 $258,723,500 $617,321,834,099
2021 $261,245,500 $521,592,200,233
2020 $241,800,000 $382,252,517,922
2019 $232,900,000 $424,244,886,364
2018 $220,000,000 $454,588,871,811
2017 $213,700,000 $415,673,181,543
2016 $201,800,000 $383,284,047,619
2015 $183,700,000 $400,669,174,331
2014 $186,000,000 $515,829,568,897
2013 $186,400,000 $540,132,255,319
2012 $180,700,000 $525,082,939,407
2011 $172,300,000 $512,868,581,628
2010 $161,100,000 $440,132,138,425
2009 $151,200,000 $395,664,488,017
2008 $146,600,000 $472,060,283,688
2007 $150,500,000 $407,813,774,161
2006 $143,200,000 $349,773,283,645
2005 $138,000,000 $311,417,306,946
2004 $132,900,000 $265,662,977,688
2003 $131,128,500 $229,192,678,173
2002 $131,960,000 $195,359,978,957
2001 $122,406,100 $173,590,978,347
2000 $114,838,500 $170,620,327,660
1999 $113,352,100 $161,304,620,987
1998 $112,070,100 $152,955,958,172
1997 $109,884,700 $160,013,571,974
1996 $110,858,000 $162,427,517,132
1995 $120,230,000 $151,083,627,983
1994 $108,071,000 $126,324,387,894
1993 $99,461,000 $119,841,699,440
1992 $91,063,000 $129,998,873,602
1991 $82,507,000 $121,149,331,318
1990 $78,476,000 $119,344,377,526
1989 $72,798,000 $102,226,808,603
1988 $70,688,000 $101,497,621,605
1987 $62,983,000 $93,913,320,965
1986 $55,989,000 $78,438,205,742
1985 $43,879,000 $65,211,464,198
1984 $45,144,000 $61,866,078,539
1983 $41,749,000 $61,417,685,434
1982 $34,918,000 $62,453,362,256
1981 $31,020,000 $63,392,804,251
1980 $26,710,653 $64,176,789,764
1979 $25,545,346 $52,935,763,512
1978 $22,209,370 $46,355,988,784
1977 $20,210,069 $41,362,637,363
1976 $18,153,647 $35,815,449,464
1975 $16,691,301 $32,742,543,381
1974 $15,217,532 $27,033,413,362
1973 $11,607,366 $22,433,660,550
1972 $9,973,652 $17,283,931,878
1971 $9,116,810 $14,523,306,736
1970 $8,408,486 $12,753,503,479
1969 - $11,083,505,596
1968 - $10,178,705,992
1967 - $9,532,076,026
1966 - $8,712,528,095
1965 - $8,073,570,566
1964 - $7,172,430,304
1963 - $6,522,268,053
1962 - $6,078,186,245
1961 - $5,642,867,672
1960 - $5,172,811,442

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/norway | CC BY

GDP per capita in Marshall Islands vs Norway by year

Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Marshall Islands Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,489 - $94,594 -
2024 $7,590 $8,195 $89,889 $102,038
2023 $6,799 $7,549 $90,984 $103,638
2022 $6,456 $7,431 $113,122 $125,490
2021 $6,315 $6,768 $96,443 $88,984
2020 $5,662 $6,137 $71,058 $67,111
2019 $5,292 $6,045 $79,329 $70,940
2018 $4,858 $5,232 $85,579 $70,254
2017 $4,593 $4,719 $78,771 $64,590
2016 $4,230 $4,366 $73,222 $59,280
2015 $3,764 $4,125 $77,221 $60,738
2014 $3,735 $3,931 $100,410 $66,332
2013 $3,678 $3,845 $106,333 $67,378
2012 $3,514 $3,590 $104,628 $65,774
2011 $3,319 $3,537 $103,545 $62,460
2010 $3,095 $3,473 $90,020 $58,213
2009 $2,907 $3,253 $81,940 $55,648
2008 $2,818 $3,118 $99,002 $62,073
2007 $2,892 $3,309 $86,600 $56,179
2006 $2,754 $3,110 $75,048 $54,358
2005 $2,659 $3,017 $67,358 $47,967
2004 $2,566 $2,880 $57,855 $42,667
2003 $2,539 $2,824 $50,208 $38,680
2002 $2,566 $2,825 $43,048 $38,056
2001 $2,394 $2,700 $38,458 $37,829
2000 $2,265 $2,490 $37,992 $36,994
1999 $2,258 $2,400 $36,151 $30,574
1998 $2,254 $2,422 $34,516 $28,200
1997 $2,231 $2,434 $36,324 $28,610
1996 $2,273 $2,583 $37,073 $26,826
1995 $2,491 $2,858 $34,659 $24,360
1994 $2,265 $2,617 $29,130 $23,027
1993 $2,112 $2,452 $27,793 $21,584
1992 $1,963 $2,293 $30,328 $20,623
1991 $1,811 $2,131 $28,427 $19,580
1990 $1,758 $2,102 $28,137 $18,461
1989 $1,670 - $24,185 -
1988 $1,670 - $24,112 -
1987 $1,543 - $22,430 -
1986 $1,425 - $18,822 -
1985 $1,162 - $15,704 -
1984 $1,245 - $14,943 -
1983 $1,199 - $14,877 -
1982 $1,046 - $15,178 -
1981 $969 - $15,463 -
1980 $868 - $15,708 -
1979 $859 - $12,998 -
1978 $771 - $11,421 -
1977 $724 - $10,230 -
1976 $672 - $8,896 -
1975 $638 - $8,171 -
1974 $602 - $6,783 -
1973 $472 - $5,664 -
1972 $416 - $4,395 -
1971 $390 - $3,721 -
1970 $373 - $3,291 -
1969 - - $2,881 -
1968 - - $2,667 -
1967 - - $2,519 -
1966 - - $2,321 -
1965 - - $2,168 -
1964 - - $1,941 -
1963 - - $1,779 -
1962 - - $1,670 -
1961 - - $1,563 -
1960 - - $1,444 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/norway | CC BY

The Marshall Islands' GDP per capita is $8,489, ranking 95/197, compared to $94,594 in Norway, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Marshall Islands Norway
Gross domestic product
$308M
2025
$531B
2025
GDP rank
194/197
2025
32/197
2025
GDP growth
2.28%
2024-2025
1.09%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,489
2025
$94,594
2025
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2025
9/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,195
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
139/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$36.3M
2025
$239B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
11.8%
2025
45%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,000
2025
$42,567
2025
Government debt per person rank
144/185
2025
15/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,308
2026
$50,036
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.5%
2019
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2019
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
65.3%
2025
49.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.5%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
9.82%
2021
4.5%
2025
Population
35039
5660666

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Marshall Islands Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 65.3% 11.8% 49.6% 45%
2024 70.9% 14.2% 46.9% 52.8%
2023 67.5% 18.2% 44.2% 42.4%
2022 65.8% 19.6% 36.2% 34.8%
2021 69.2% 19.9% 44.7% 40.1%
2020 67.8% 21.7% 54.5% 44.3%
2019 65.5% 25.1% 48.4% 39%
2018 60.5% 24.7% 46.1% 38.1%
2017 63.7% 26.5% 47.6% 36.9%
2016 56.8% 29.2% 48.8% 36.7%
2015 56.3% 33.9% 46.7% 33.2%
2014 49.2% 34.9% 44% 28.8%
2013 55% 33.4% 42.3% 30.6%
2012 53.2% 37.6% 41.4% 30.2%
2011 55.9% 35.9% 42.3% 28.9%
2010 59.2% 38.8% 43.6% 42.1%
2009 63.1% 41.2% 44.7% 41.7%
2008 64.3% 44.1% 39.2% 46.8%
2007 67.2% 42.2% 40.5% 48.9%
2006 61.2% 44.4% 40.1% 52.2%
2005 85.3% 45.8% 41.6% 42.1%
2004 54.5% 46.8% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 52.9% 43.7% 47.7% 43.1%
2002 55.2% 37.2% 46.3% 34%
2001 58.8% 32.7% 43.4% 27.3%
2000 56.5% 27.3% 41.5% 28.8%
1999 48.7% 26.1% 46.7% 25.1%
1998 50.5% 18.1% 48.2% 23.8%
1997 55% 8.73% 45.9% 26%
1996 - - 47.4% 28.6%
1995 - - 49.6% 32.9%
1994 - - 49.7% 51%
1993 - - 50.5% 54%
1992 - - 51.6% 45.3%
1991 - - 50.3% 39.5%
1990 - - 49.1% 29.1%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/norway | CC BY

In 2025, the Marshall Islands' government spending was $201M, accounting for 65.3% of its GDP, while Norway spent $263B, or 49.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 11.8% in the Marshall Islands and 45% in Norway, ranking 180/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Marshall Islands

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Marshall Islands Norway
2025 1.35% 9.34%
2024 2.62% 12.8%
2023 1.01% 15.9%
2022 0.51% 24.7%
2021 0.18% 9.93%
2020 2.54% -2.46%
2019 -1.8% 6.28%
2018 2.55% 7.56%
2017 4.38% 4.79%
2016 3.88% 3.91%
2015 2.81% 5.8%
2014 3.2% 8.34%
2013 -0.23% 10.3%
2012 -0.76% 13.4%
2011 2.13% 13%
2010 3.51% 10.6%
2009 1.51% 10%
2008 3.68% 18.3%
2007 0.27% 16.8%
2006 0.24% 17.7%
2005 -22.3% 14.7%
2004 -1.6% 10.8%
2003 10.5% 7.21%
2002 5.12% 9.05%
2001 7.83% 13.2%
2000 7.84% 15.1%
1999 9.01% 5.75%
1998 13.5% 3.09%
1997 7.91% 7.41%
1996 - 6.05%
1995 - 2.98%
1994 - 0.04%
1993 - -1.65%
1992 - -2.08%
1991 - -0.12%
1990 - 1.96%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/norway | CC BY

In 2025, the Marshall Islands' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.17M, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Norway's surplus of $49.6B, or 9.34% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the Marshall Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 1 years. On average, the Marshall Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to surplus of 10.5% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Marshall Islands

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Marshall Islands Norway
2025 5.5% 3.06%
2024 5.2% 3.15%
2023 7.4% 5.52%
2022 2.8% 5.76%
2021 2.2% 3.48%
2020 -0.7% 1.29%
2019 -0.1% 2.17%
2018 0.8% 2.76%
2017 0.1% 1.88%
2016 -1.5% 3.55%
2015 -2.2% 2.17%
2014 1.1% 2.04%
2013 1.9% 2.12%
2012 4.3% 0.7%
2011 5.4% 1.28%
2010 1.8% 2.42%
2009 0.5% 2.2%
2008 14.7% 3.75%
2007 2.6% 0.71%
2006 5.3% 2.33%
2005 3.5% 1.53%
2004 2% 0.45%
2003 - 2.49%
2002 - 1.29%
2001 - 3%
2000 - 3.09%
1999 - 2.37%
1998 - 2.25%
1997 - 2.57%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2004–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/norway | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, the Marshall Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.85%, compared with 2.47% in Norway. In 2025, inflation was 5.5% in the Marshall Islands and 3.06% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Marshall Islands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $11.3M
Metals $246K
Textiles & consumer goods $215K
Raw materials & minerals $120K
Chemicals & pharma $110K
Miscellaneous $21K
Wood & paper products $3K
Animal & marine products $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
Raw agricultural goods $1K

Balance of trade

Marshall Islands Norway
Current account balance
$62.3M
2024
$74.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
10/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+21.9%
2024
+14%
2025
Goods imports
$173M
2024
$105B
2025
Goods exports
$101M
2024
$177B
2025
Service imports
$64.2M
2024
$73.9B
2025
Service exports
$21.1M
2024
$63.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.9%
2025
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36%
2025
45.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Marshall Islands Norway
Economic freedom 58 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 113/197 9/197
Property rights n/a 99.6
Government integrity n/a 94.3
Judicial effectiveness n/a 96.4
Tax burden n/a 63.3
Government spending n/a 42
Fiscal health n/a 96.4
Business freedom n/a 91.2
Labor freedom n/a 69.3
Monetary freedom n/a 72.4
Trade freedom n/a 85.6
Investment freedom n/a 75
Financial freedom n/a 60

Other economic metrics

Marshall Islands Norway
Services, % of GDP
68.2%
2024
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
34.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
1.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$352M
2025
$546B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,590
2025
$107,770
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$85.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
34/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$13.4M
2024
$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.4M
2024
$12.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$5.62B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.2%
2019
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
23.2%
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/marshall-islands/norway | 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.

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.