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Economy of Namibia vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 147/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Namibia vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Namibia
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Vanuatu
2024 $13,372,354,512 $1,117,972,034
2023 $12,408,271,449 $1,115,861,056
2022 $12,569,449,123 $1,055,031,361
2021 $12,402,486,184 $950,394,007
2020 $10,583,748,542 $909,421,044
2019 $12,541,928,303 $936,526,268
2018 $13,682,019,076 $914,727,908
2017 $12,895,153,371 $880,043,284
2016 $10,722,018,732 $804,323,577
2015 $11,335,161,084 $759,690,181
2014 $12,435,430,970 $773,717,011
2013 $12,043,307,277 $758,304,466
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 (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $2,980 $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 (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. 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
$13.4B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$3,164
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
39.9%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
4.05%
2020
Population
3173089
344750

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
2024 39.9% 67.7% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 37% 67.2% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 42% 42.8%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 43.4% 48%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 35% 24.6% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 32% 15.9% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 22.3% 37%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 27.9% 28%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 29.6% 18% 28% 24.1%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 31.8% 21%
1991 33% 11.8% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 30.2% 12.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 61/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Vanuatu
2024 -3.59% -2.34%
2023 -3.14% -0.95%
2022 -6.33% -6.5%
2021 -8.68% 2.38%
2020 -8.07% -1.95%
2019 -5.49% 2.81%
2018 -5.09% 6.26%
2017 -4.99% -1.2%
2016 -9.3% -0.72%
2015 -8.3% -8.66%
2014 -6.44% 1.44%
2013 -4.69% -0.25%
2012 -3.1% -1.7%
2011 -7.09% -2.19%
2010 -4.98% -2.63%
2009 -0.4% -0.85%
2008 3.48% -0.04%
2007 6.01% 0.28%
2006 3.41% 0.49%
2005 -0.31% 1.86%
2004 -2.67% 0.8%
2003 -4.47% -1.35%
2002 -1.38% -3.63%
2001 -2.01% -3.33%
2000 -0.79% -6.28%
1999 -1.88% -0.55%
1998 -2.76% -6.65%
1997 -2.38% -0.51%
1996 -3.7% -1.78%
1995 -1.74% -2.59%
1994 -0.57% -1.49%
1993 -2.73% -3.67%
1992 -2.55% -2.32%
1991 -1.59% -2.81%
1990 1.08% -

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

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

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Vanuatu
2024 4.2% -
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.37%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.28M
Miscellaneous $228K
Metals $23K
Chemicals & pharma $14K
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
-$1.89M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
-12.1%
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
68%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
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.

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 2026-03-09).

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
54.5%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2011–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.