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Economy of Norway vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Norway has a GDP of $531B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 32/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $239B in government debt (45% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Norway vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Norway
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Vanuatu
2025 $530,755,719,439 $1,353,658,841
2024 $500,886,328,034 $1,297,956,615
2023 $502,197,633,323 $1,188,137,265
2022 $617,321,834,099 $1,151,863,790
2021 $521,592,200,233 $1,093,826,089
2020 $382,252,517,922 $1,017,403,363
2019 $424,244,886,364 $1,061,547,513
2018 $454,588,871,811 $1,034,402,941
2017 $415,673,181,543 $998,536,155
2016 $383,284,047,619 $908,725,513
2015 $400,669,174,331 $855,360,240
2014 $515,829,568,897 $879,185,478
2013 $540,132,255,319 $863,347,172
2012 $525,082,939,407 $747,839,698
2011 $512,868,581,628 $770,153,588
2010 $440,132,138,425 $670,712,980
2009 $395,664,488,017 $592,622,319
2008 $472,060,283,688 $590,748,429
2007 $407,813,774,161 $516,392,923
2006 $349,773,283,645 $439,358,587
2005 $311,417,306,946 $394,962,433
2004 $265,662,977,688 $364,996,869
2003 $229,192,678,173 $314,471,413
2002 $195,359,978,957 $262,596,536
2001 $173,590,978,347 $257,926,882
2000 $170,620,327,660 $272,014,628
1999 $161,304,620,987 $268,006,973
1998 $152,955,958,172 $262,293,411
1997 $160,013,571,974 $272,771,209
1996 $162,427,517,132 $261,370,044
1995 $151,083,627,983 $249,333,250
1994 $126,324,387,894 $233,701,301
1993 $119,841,699,440 $200,491,853
1992 $129,998,873,602 $209,088,825
1991 $121,149,331,318 $201,334,169
1990 $119,344,377,526 $168,879,207
1989 $102,226,808,603 $154,013,202
1988 $101,497,621,605 $158,351,368
1987 $93,913,320,965 $139,464,174
1986 $78,438,205,742 $126,498,935
1985 $65,211,464,198 $131,856,421
1984 $61,866,078,539 $144,482,515
1983 $61,417,685,434 $117,389,554
1982 $62,453,362,256 $114,501,913
1981 $63,392,804,251 $113,781,796
1980 $64,176,789,764 $121,185,498
1979 $52,935,763,512 $119,258,835
1978 $46,355,988,784 -
1977 $41,362,637,363 -
1976 $35,815,449,464 -
1975 $32,742,543,381 -
1974 $27,033,413,362 -
1973 $22,433,660,550 -
1972 $17,283,931,878 -
1971 $14,523,306,736 -
1970 $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/norway/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Norway vs Vanuatu by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $94,594 - $4,039 -
2024 $89,889 $102,038 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $90,984 $103,638 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $113,122 $125,490 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $96,443 $88,984 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $71,058 $67,111 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $79,329 $70,940 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $85,579 $70,254 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $78,771 $64,590 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $73,222 $59,280 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $77,221 $60,738 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $100,410 $66,332 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $106,333 $67,378 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $104,628 $65,774 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $103,545 $62,460 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $90,020 $58,213 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $81,940 $55,648 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $99,002 $62,073 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $86,600 $56,179 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $75,048 $54,358 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $67,358 $47,967 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $57,855 $42,667 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $50,208 $38,680 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $43,048 $38,056 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $38,458 $37,829 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $37,992 $36,994 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $36,151 $30,574 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $34,516 $28,200 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $36,324 $28,610 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $37,073 $26,826 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $34,659 $24,360 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $29,130 $23,027 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $27,793 $21,584 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $30,328 $20,623 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $28,427 $19,580 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $28,137 $18,461 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $24,185 - $1,067 -
1988 $24,112 - $1,125 -
1987 $22,430 - $1,017 -
1986 $18,822 - $946 -
1985 $15,704 - $1,012 -
1984 $14,943 - $1,137 -
1983 $14,877 - $947 -
1982 $15,178 - $946 -
1981 $15,463 - $962 -
1980 $15,708 - $1,048 -
1979 $12,998 - $1,055 -
1978 $11,421 - - -
1977 $10,230 - - -
1976 $8,896 - - -
1975 $8,171 - - -
1974 $6,783 - - -
1973 $5,664 - - -
1972 $4,395 - - -
1971 $3,721 - - -
1970 $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/norway/vanuatu | CC BY

Norway's GDP per capita is $94,594, ranking 9/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Norway Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$531B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
32/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
1.09%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$94,594
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$239B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$42,567
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,036
2026
$2,801
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
n/a
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
17
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.6%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.06%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
1.41%
2025
Population
5660666
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 49.6% 45% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 46.9% 52.8% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 44.2% 42.4% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 36.2% 34.8% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 44.7% 40.1% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 54.5% 44.3% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 48.4% 39% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 46.1% 38.1% 29.4% 40%
2017 47.6% 36.9% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 48.8% 36.7% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 46.7% 33.2% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 44% 28.8% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 42.3% 30.6% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 41.4% 30.2% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 42.3% 28.9% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 43.6% 42.1% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 44.7% 41.7% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 39.2% 46.8% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 40.5% 48.9% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 40.1% 52.2% 18.2% 20%
2005 41.6% 42.1% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 47.7% 43.1% 17% 34.6%
2002 46.3% 34% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 43.4% 27.3% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 41.5% 28.8% 23% 32.6%
1999 46.7% 25.1% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 48.2% 23.8% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 45.9% 26% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 47.4% 28.6% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 49.6% 32.9% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 49.7% 51% 22% 19.5%
1993 50.5% 54% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 51.6% 45.3% 28.8% 19%
1991 50.3% 39.5% 30% 14.4%
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/norway/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, Norway's government spending was $263B, accounting for 49.6% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45% in Norway and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 117/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Vanuatu
2025 9.34% -3.88%
2024 12.8% -2.46%
2023 15.9% -0.78%
2022 24.7% -5.96%
2021 9.93% 2.07%
2020 -2.46% -1.74%
2019 6.28% 2.48%
2018 7.56% 5.53%
2017 4.79% -1.06%
2016 3.91% -0.64%
2015 5.8% -8.13%
2014 8.34% 1.26%
2013 10.3% -0.22%
2012 13.4% -1.54%
2011 13% -1.98%
2010 10.6% -2.38%
2009 10% -0.76%
2008 18.3% -0.04%
2007 16.8% 0.25%
2006 17.7% 0.44%
2005 14.7% 1.68%
2004 10.8% 0.72%
2003 7.21% -1.22%
2002 9.05% -3.29%
2001 13.2% -3.01%
2000 15.1% -5.67%
1999 5.75% -0.5%
1998 3.09% -6.01%
1997 7.41% -0.46%
1996 6.05% -1.61%
1995 2.98% -2.34%
1994 0.04% -1.35%
1993 -1.65% -3.32%
1992 -2.08% -2.1%
1991 -0.12% -2.54%
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/norway/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $49.6B, equivalent to 9.34% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 8.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Vanuatu
2025 3.06% 0.66%
2024 3.15% 1.14%
2023 5.52% 11.2%
2022 5.76% 6.68%
2021 3.48% 2.34%
2020 1.29% 5.33%
2019 2.17% 2.76%
2018 2.76% 2.33%
2017 1.88% 3.08%
2016 3.55% 0.84%
2015 2.17% 2.48%
2014 2.04% 0.8%
2013 2.12% 1.46%
2012 0.7% 1.35%
2011 1.28% 0.87%
2010 2.42% 2.76%
2009 2.2% 4.3%
2008 3.75% 4.84%
2007 0.71% 3.94%
2006 2.33% 2.04%
2005 1.53% 1.2%
2004 0.45% 1.42%
2003 2.49% 3.02%
2002 1.29% 1.96%
2001 3% 3.58%
2000 3.09% 2.54%
1999 2.37% 2%
1998 2.25% 3.28%
1997 2.57% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 3.06% in Norway and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $70K
Metals $58K
Miscellaneous $12K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Norway Vanuatu
Current account balance
$74.1B
2025
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2025
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14%
2025
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$105B
2025
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$177B
2025
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$73.9B
2025
$230M
2022
Service exports
$63.5B
2025
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.7%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.4%
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.

Norway Vanuatu
Economic freedom 78.8 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 92/197
Property rights 99.6 62.1
Government integrity 94.3 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 67.9
Tax burden 63.3 96.9
Government spending 42 48.1
Fiscal health 96.4 78.8
Business freedom 91.2 50.3
Labor freedom 69.3 41
Monetary freedom 72.4 72.1
Trade freedom 85.6 62
Investment freedom 75 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway Vanuatu
2026 78.8 61.1
2025 78.3 61.8
2024 77.5 62.2
2023 76.9 62.1
2022 76.9 62.9
2021 73.4 60.5
2020 73.4 60.7
2019 73 56.4
2018 74.3 69.5
2017 74 67.4
2016 70.8 60.8
2015 71.8 61.1
2014 70.9 59.5
2013 70.5 56.6
2012 68.8 56.6
2011 70.3 56.7
2010 69.4 56.4
2009 70.2 58.4
2008 68.6 -
2007 67.9 -
2006 67.9 -
2005 64.5 -
2004 66.2 -
2003 67.2 -
2002 67.4 -
2001 67.1 -
2000 70.1 -
1999 68.6 -
1998 68 -
1997 65.1 -
1996 65.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, 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

Norway Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.5%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.64%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$546B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$107,770
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$85.5B
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
34/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$8.93B
2025
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12.1B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.62B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
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/norway/vanuatu | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.

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.