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Economy of Namibia vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 146/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Namibia vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Namibia
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Vanuatu
2025 $15,080,340,654 $1,353,658,841
2024 $13,641,190,683 $1,297,956,615
2023 $12,522,012,874 $1,188,137,265
2022 $12,569,449,123 $1,151,863,790
2021 $12,402,486,184 $1,093,826,089
2020 $10,583,748,542 $1,017,403,363
2019 $12,541,928,303 $1,061,547,513
2018 $13,682,019,076 $1,034,402,941
2017 $12,895,153,371 $998,536,155
2016 $10,722,018,732 $908,725,513
2015 $11,335,161,084 $855,360,240
2014 $12,435,430,970 $879,185,478
2013 $12,043,307,277 $863,347,172
2012 $13,042,053,592 $747,839,698
2011 $12,523,359,441 $770,153,588
2010 $11,431,412,421 $670,712,980
2009 $8,938,847,189 $592,622,319
2008 $8,607,431,497 $590,748,429
2007 $8,839,536,476 $516,392,923
2006 $8,001,779,551 $439,358,587
2005 $7,248,374,838 $394,962,433
2004 $6,609,205,995 $364,996,869
2003 $4,926,439,384 $314,471,413
2002 $3,349,169,826 $262,596,536
2001 $3,557,341,215 $257,926,882
2000 $3,922,232,165 $272,014,628
1999 $3,868,551,730 $268,006,973
1998 $3,873,109,866 $262,293,411
1997 $4,154,989,950 $272,771,209
1996 $3,989,163,197 $261,370,044
1995 $3,978,514,206 $249,333,250
1994 $3,666,503,530 $233,701,301
1993 $3,251,188,833 $200,491,853
1992 $3,429,521,699 $209,088,825
1991 $2,996,869,281 $201,334,169
1990 $2,789,921,854 $168,879,207
1989 $2,535,135,798 $154,013,202
1988 $2,495,094,746 $158,351,368
1987 $2,300,068,217 $139,464,174
1986 $1,809,048,527 $126,498,935
1985 $1,608,237,350 $131,856,421
1984 $1,951,260,038 $144,482,515
1983 $2,297,400,688 $117,389,554
1982 $2,118,710,248 $114,501,913
1981 $2,249,908,578 $113,781,796
1980 $2,421,990,338 $121,185,498
1979 - $119,258,835

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Vanuatu by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - $4,039 -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $4,226 $11,251 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $1,967 - $1,067 -
1988 $2,063 - $1,125 -
1987 $1,969 - $1,017 -
1986 $1,599 - $946 -
1985 $1,466 - $1,012 -
1984 $1,830 - $1,137 -
1983 $2,214 - $947 -
1982 $2,097 - $946 -
1981 $2,267 - $962 -
1980 $2,468 - $1,048 -
1979 - - $1,055 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Namibia Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
146/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$2,801
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
1.41%
2025
Population
3185686
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 37% 67.9% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 29.4% 40%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 35% 24.6% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 32% 15.9% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 18.2% 20%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 17% 34.6%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 23% 32.6%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 29.6% 18% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 22% 19.5%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 28.8% 19%
1991 33% 11.8% 30% 14.4%
1990 30.2% 12.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 57/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Vanuatu
2025 -6.46% -3.88%
2024 -3.84% -2.46%
2023 -3.14% -0.78%
2022 -6.33% -5.96%
2021 -8.68% 2.07%
2020 -8.07% -1.74%
2019 -5.49% 2.48%
2018 -5.09% 5.53%
2017 -4.99% -1.06%
2016 -9.3% -0.64%
2015 -8.3% -8.13%
2014 -6.44% 1.26%
2013 -4.69% -0.22%
2012 -3.1% -1.54%
2011 -7.09% -1.98%
2010 -4.98% -2.38%
2009 -0.4% -0.76%
2008 3.48% -0.04%
2007 6.01% 0.25%
2006 3.41% 0.44%
2005 -0.31% 1.68%
2004 -2.67% 0.72%
2003 -4.47% -1.22%
2002 -1.38% -3.29%
2001 -2.01% -3.01%
2000 -0.79% -5.67%
1999 -1.88% -0.5%
1998 -2.76% -6.01%
1997 -2.38% -0.46%
1996 -3.7% -1.61%
1995 -1.74% -2.34%
1994 -0.57% -1.35%
1993 -2.73% -3.32%
1992 -2.55% -2.1%
1991 -1.59% -2.54%
1990 1.08% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $974M, equivalent to 6.46% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Vanuatu
2025 3.5% 0.66%
2024 4.2% 1.14%
2023 5.9% 11.2%
2022 6.1% 6.68%
2021 3.6% 2.34%
2020 2.2% 5.33%
2019 3.7% 2.76%
2018 4.3% 2.33%
2017 6.1% 3.08%
2016 6.7% 0.84%
2015 3.4% 2.48%
2014 5.3% 0.8%
2013 5.6% 1.46%
2012 6.7% 1.35%
2011 5% 0.87%
2010 4.9% 2.76%
2009 9.5% 4.3%
2008 9.1% 4.84%
2007 6.5% 3.94%
2006 5% 2.04%
2005 2.3% 1.2%
2004 4.1% 1.42%
2003 7.2% 3.02%
2002 12.7% 1.96%
2001 10.2% 3.58%
2000 10.2% 2.54%
1999 9.4% 2%
1998 6.6% 3.28%
1997 9.7% 2.83%

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/namibia/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.2%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $516K
Metals $23K
Chemicals & pharma $20K
Miscellaneous $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Namibia Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
2025
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia Vanuatu
Economic freedom 60.2 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 92/197
Property rights 63.1 62.1
Government integrity 51.5 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 67.9
Tax burden 66.4 96.9
Government spending 57.1 48.1
Fiscal health 60.5 78.8
Business freedom 58 50.3
Labor freedom 62.7 41
Monetary freedom 76.1 72.1
Trade freedom 69.8 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Vanuatu
2026 60.2 61.1
2025 58.7 61.8
2024 57.5 62.2
2023 57.7 62.1
2022 59.2 62.9
2021 62.6 60.5
2020 60.9 60.7
2019 58.7 56.4
2018 58.5 69.5
2017 62.5 67.4
2016 61.9 60.8
2015 59.6 61.1
2014 59.4 59.5
2013 60.3 56.6
2012 61.9 56.6
2011 62.7 56.7
2010 62.2 56.4
2009 62.4 58.4
2008 61.4 -
2007 63.5 -
2006 60.7 -
2005 61.4 -
2004 62.4 -
2003 67.3 -
2002 65.1 -
2001 64.8 -
2000 66.7 -
1999 66.1 -
1998 66.1 -
1997 61.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
26.1%
2024

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/namibia/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2011–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, 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.