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Economy of Norway vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has a GDP of $484B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 32/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $207B in government debt (42.7% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Norway vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Norway
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Vanuatu
2024 $483,592,648,313 $1,117,972,034
2023 $482,949,731,777 $1,115,861,056
2022 $596,297,651,036 $1,055,031,361
2021 $503,367,986,030 $950,394,007
2020 $367,633,418,887 $909,421,044
2019 $408,742,840,909 $936,526,268
2018 $439,788,625,884 $914,727,908
2017 $401,745,275,035 $880,043,284
2016 $370,956,547,619 $804,323,577
2015 $388,159,512,246 $759,690,181
2014 $501,736,471,833 $773,717,011
2013 $526,014,468,085 $758,304,466
2012 $512,777,309,841 $747,839,698
2011 $501,360,549,669 $770,153,588
2010 $431,052,143,940 $670,712,980
2009 $387,976,400,617 $592,622,319
2008 $464,917,553,191 $590,748,429
2007 $402,643,260,488 $516,392,923
2006 $346,915,160,682 $439,358,587
2005 $309,978,579,744 $394,962,433
2004 $265,268,662,473 $364,996,869
2003 $229,385,469,337 $314,471,413
2002 $195,914,852,576 $262,596,536
2001 $174,239,354,071 $257,926,882
2000 $171,457,201,936 $272,014,628
1999 $162,383,706,021 $268,006,973
1998 $154,230,295,158 $262,293,411
1997 $161,356,631,888 $272,771,209
1996 $163,520,109,151 $261,370,044
1995 $152,029,612,325 $249,333,250
1994 $127,131,319,429 $233,701,301
1993 $120,579,213,713 $200,491,853
1992 $130,838,040,068 $209,088,825
1991 $121,872,464,483 $201,334,169
1990 $119,791,843,060 $168,879,207
1989 $102,633,934,391 $154,013,202
1988 $101,900,260,856 $158,351,368
1987 $94,229,907,236 $139,464,174
1986 $78,693,118,044 $126,498,935
1985 $65,416,879,914 $131,856,421
1984 $62,057,955,033 $144,482,515
1983 $61,627,240,831 $117,389,554
1982 $62,647,195,538 $114,501,913
1981 $63,596,654,761 $113,781,796
1980 $64,439,382,896 $121,185,498
1979 $53,132,244,624 $119,258,835
1978 $46,522,900,254 -
1977 $41,508,030,431 -
1976 $35,942,270,686 -
1975 $32,877,805,200 -
1974 $27,145,693,810 -
1973 $22,534,253,703 -
1972 $17,358,610,850 -
1971 $14,583,114,840 -
1970 $12,814,123,115 -
1969 $11,136,187,440 -
1968 $10,227,087,165 -
1967 $9,577,383,653 -
1966 $8,753,940,267 -
1965 $8,111,945,661 -
1964 $7,206,522,122 -
1963 $6,553,269,536 -
1962 $6,107,076,929 -
1961 $5,669,689,210 -
1960 $5,197,398,721 -

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

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
2024 $86,785 $102,038 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $87,497 $103,638 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $109,270 $125,490 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $93,073 $88,984 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $68,340 $67,111 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $76,431 $70,940 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $82,793 $70,254 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $76,132 $64,590 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $70,867 $59,280 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $74,810 $60,738 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $97,667 $66,332 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $103,554 $67,378 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $102,176 $65,774 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $101,222 $62,460 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $88,163 $58,213 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $80,348 $55,648 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $97,504 $62,073 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $85,502 $56,179 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $74,434 $54,358 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $67,047 $47,967 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $57,769 $42,667 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $50,250 $38,680 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $43,171 $38,056 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $38,602 $37,829 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $38,178 $36,994 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $36,393 $30,574 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $34,803 $28,200 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $36,629 $28,610 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $37,322 $26,826 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $34,876 $24,360 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $29,316 $23,027 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $27,964 $21,584 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $30,524 $20,623 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $28,597 $19,580 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $28,243 $18,461 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $24,281 - $1,067 -
1988 $24,207 - $1,125 -
1987 $22,506 - $1,017 -
1986 $18,883 - $946 -
1985 $15,754 - $1,012 -
1984 $14,989 - $1,137 -
1983 $14,928 - $947 -
1982 $15,225 - $946 -
1981 $15,513 - $962 -
1980 $15,772 - $1,048 -
1979 $13,047 - $1,055 -
1978 $11,463 - - -
1977 $10,266 - - -
1976 $8,927 - - -
1975 $8,204 - - -
1974 $6,812 - - -
1973 $5,690 - - -
1972 $4,414 - - -
1971 $3,736 - - -
1970 $3,306 - - -
1969 $2,894 - - -
1968 $2,680 - - -
1967 $2,531 - - -
1966 $2,333 - - -
1965 $2,179 - - -
1964 $1,951 - - -
1963 $1,787 - - -
1962 $1,678 - - -
1961 $1,571 - - -
1960 $1,451 - - -

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

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

Norway's GDP per capita is $86,785, ranking 8/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. 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
$484B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
32/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
2.1%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,785
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$207B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.7%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$37,074
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
17/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,765
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
n/a
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
17
2025
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
48.5%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.15%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.98%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
5671119
344750

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
2024 48.5% 42.7% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 45.9% 44.1% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 37.5% 36.1% 42% 42.8%
2021 46.3% 41.6% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 56.7% 46% 43.4% 48%
2019 50.2% 40.5% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 47.7% 39.3% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 49.2% 38.2% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 50.4% 37.9% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 48.2% 34.3% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 45.2% 29.6% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 43.5% 31.4% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 42.4% 30.9% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 43.3% 29.6% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 44.5% 43% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 45.6% 42.5% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 39.8% 47.5% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 41% 49.5% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 40.5% 52.6% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 41.8% 42.3% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 47.6% 43.1% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 46.1% 33.9% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 43.2% 27.2% 22.3% 37%
2000 41.3% 28.7% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 46.4% 25% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 47.8% 23.6% 27.9% 28%
1997 45.5% 25.8% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 47% 28.4% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 49.3% 32.7% 28% 24.1%
1994 49.4% 50.6% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 50.2% 53.7% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 51.3% 45% 31.8% 21%
1991 50% 39.2% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 48.9% 28.9% - -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Norway's government spending was $234B, accounting for 48.5% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.7% in Norway and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 127/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Vanuatu
2024 13.2% -2.34%
2023 16.6% -0.95%
2022 25.5% -6.5%
2021 10.3% 2.38%
2020 -2.56% -1.95%
2019 6.52% 2.81%
2018 7.81% 6.26%
2017 4.96% -1.2%
2016 4.04% -0.72%
2015 5.99% -8.66%
2014 8.57% 1.44%
2013 10.6% -0.25%
2012 13.7% -1.7%
2011 13.3% -2.19%
2010 10.9% -2.63%
2009 10.2% -0.85%
2008 18.5% -0.04%
2007 17% 0.28%
2006 17.9% 0.49%
2005 14.7% 1.86%
2004 10.8% 0.8%
2003 7.2% -1.35%
2002 9.03% -3.63%
2001 13.2% -3.33%
2000 15% -6.28%
1999 5.71% -0.55%
1998 3.07% -6.65%
1997 7.35% -0.51%
1996 6.01% -1.78%
1995 2.96% -2.59%
1994 0.04% -1.49%
1993 -1.64% -3.67%
1992 -2.07% -2.32%
1991 -0.12% -2.81%
1990 1.95% -
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $64.1B, equivalent to 13.2% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 8.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Vanuatu
2024 3.15% -
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.41%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 3.15% in Norway and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $98K
Metals $58K
Miscellaneous $12K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Norway Vanuatu
Current account balance
$71.6B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
11/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.8%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$97.5B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$162B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$63.6B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$55.6B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.5%
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.

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 2026-03-09).

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
51.8%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.08%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$547B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,830
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$81.2B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
32/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$7.83B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.95B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
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/norway/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.