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Economy of Papua New Guinea vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $31.8B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 110/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.6B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Papua New Guinea vs Uruguay GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea Uruguay
2024 $31,800,428,266 $80,961,511,074
2023 $30,816,367,067 $77,991,666,838
2022 $31,653,185,953 $70,594,110,920
2021 $26,109,413,521 $60,739,084,241
2020 $23,848,447,850 $53,559,359,262
2019 $24,750,626,030 $62,222,313,619
2018 $24,109,780,708 $65,344,577,416
2017 $22,742,699,138 $65,005,997,963
2016 $20,758,876,953 $57,480,787,465
2015 $21,723,437,010 $57,680,327,999
2014 $23,210,823,987 $61,496,186,974
2013 $21,261,338,065 $61,337,621,934
2012 $21,295,168,666 $54,232,266,359
2011 $17,985,138,066 $50,342,406,067
2010 $14,250,786,675 $41,950,361,212
2009 $11,619,456,449 $32,708,319,078
2008 $11,670,892,801 $31,119,602,539
2007 $9,545,028,944 $23,797,773,024
2006 $8,354,911,041 $19,741,420,740
2005 $4,865,892,972 $17,362,857,684
2004 $3,927,157,867 $13,686,329,890
2003 $3,536,411,824 $12,045,638,352
2002 $2,999,511,040 $13,606,515,723
2001 $3,081,024,212 $20,898,761,742
2000 $3,521,339,699 $22,823,270,892
1999 $3,477,038,204 $23,983,945,191
1998 $3,789,443,015 $25,385,886,978
1997 $4,936,615,299 $23,969,739,234
1996 $5,155,311,077 $20,515,458,114
1995 $4,636,057,476 $19,297,663,097
1994 $5,502,786,070 $17,474,588,896
1993 $4,974,550,286 $15,002,136,971
1992 $4,377,980,510 $12,878,148,791
1991 $3,787,394,958 $11,206,176,651
1990 $3,219,729,083 $9,298,807,850
1989 $3,546,472,566 $8,438,951,476
1988 $3,656,177,881 $8,213,538,369
1987 $3,143,851,794 $7,367,494,080
1986 $2,647,995,602 $5,880,112,788
1985 $2,423,339,172 $4,732,017,873
1984 $2,552,662,617 $4,850,238,550
1983 $2,562,351,551 $5,102,276,308
1982 $2,368,719,683 $9,178,780,077
1981 $2,498,190,847 $11,048,301,421
1980 $2,545,808,456 $10,163,020,116
1979 $2,293,760,511 $7,181,182,224
1978 $1,947,878,831 $4,910,254,566
1977 $1,640,746,619 $4,114,670,014
1976 $1,511,843,235 $3,667,161,241
1975 $1,356,603,608 $3,538,278,047
1974 $1,467,417,672 $4,090,209,682
1973 $1,299,079,410 $3,964,296,443
1972 $858,761,926 $2,189,418,689
1971 $717,750,278 $2,807,258,065
1970 $645,568,215 $2,137,096,774
1969 $551,263,864 $2,004,435,484
1968 $485,184,190 $1,593,674,185
1967 $441,728,183 $1,597,713,469
1966 $390,992,063 $1,809,185,094
1965 $344,176,055 $1,890,767,156
1964 $305,312,049 $1,975,701,816
1963 $275,968,044 $1,539,681,491
1962 $261,184,042 $1,710,004,407
1961 $244,832,039 $1,547,388,781
1960 $230,496,037 $1,242,289,239

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/uruguay | CC BY

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs Uruguay by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,007 $4,875 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $744 $2,322 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $621 $2,187 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $577 $2,142 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $506 $2,125 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $538 $2,168 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $636 $2,196 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $650 $2,280 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $733 $2,285 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $990 $2,432 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $998 $2,436 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $942 $1,869 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $826 $1,703 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $934 - $2,734 -
1988 $985 - $2,677 -
1987 $865 - $2,416 -
1986 $745 - $1,939 -
1985 $697 - $1,568 -
1984 $750 - $1,615 -
1983 $769 - $1,707 -
1982 $726 - $3,085 -
1981 $781 - $3,728 -
1980 $813 - $3,443 -
1979 $748 - $2,443 -
1978 $648 - $1,678 -
1977 $558 - $1,414 -
1976 $525 - $1,268 -
1975 $482 - $1,232 -
1974 $533 - $1,433 -
1973 $483 - $1,397 -
1972 $327 - $776 -
1971 $279.7 - $1,000 -
1970 $257.6 - $766 -
1969 $225.3 - $723 -
1968 $202.9 - $579 -
1967 $189 - $585 -
1966 $171.1 - $668 -
1965 $153.9 - $705 -
1964 $139.5 - $745 -
1963 $128.9 - $587 -
1962 $124.7 - $659 -
1961 $119.7 - $604 -
1960 $115.5 - $491 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/uruguay | CC BY

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,007, ranking 140/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$31.8B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
110/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
3.8%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,007
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,566
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,362
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
8.21%
2024
Population
11002753
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 52.1% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 22.3% 53.9% 30.5% 64%
2022 21.9% 48.2% 30% 59.9%
2021 22% 52.6% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 23.5% 48.7% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 21.3% 38.2% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 20.3% 36.7% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 18.4% 32.5% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 20.9% 33.7% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 22.8% 29.9% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 27.1% 26.9% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 27.6% 24.9% 28.8% 50%
2012 22.4% 19.1% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 19.7% 16.3% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 18.4% 17.3% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 18% 22.2% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 19.4% 26% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 18.7% 40.4% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 20.8% 48.4% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 21.6% 47.7% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 20.5% 42.3% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 21.4% 41.8% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 20% 45.7% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 20.6% 43.9% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 17.6% 37.8% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 17.1% 36.6% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 19.3% 40.1% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 23.5% 30% 27.7% 20%
1992 22.8% 30.4% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 22.4% - 22.2% 20.4%
1990 24.5% - 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/uruguay | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 100/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Uruguay
2024 -3.23% -3.22%
2023 -4.34% -3.13%
2022 -5.25% -2.52%
2021 -6.84% -2.61%
2020 -8.85% -4.64%
2019 -4.98% -2.71%
2018 -2.58% -1.89%
2017 -2.47% -2.51%
2016 -4.75% -2.68%
2015 -4.55% -1.86%
2014 -6.27% -2.6%
2013 -6.87% -1.72%
2012 -1.19% -2.17%
2011 2.22% -0.33%
2010 3.06% -0.39%
2009 -5.48% -1.39%
2008 2.73% -1.31%
2007 6.9% -0.16%
2006 5.34% -0.64%
2005 2.85% -0.28%
2004 2.03% -0.87%
2003 0.19% -2.19%
2002 -1.75% -3.19%
2001 -1.33% -2.85%
2000 0.3% -2.76%
1999 -1.94% -2.76%
1998 -0.16% -0.76%
1997 0.67% -0.97%
1996 2.05% -1.32%
1995 1.08% -1.08%
1994 -1.01% -2.37%
1993 -4.9% -0.47%
1992 -4.33% 0.6%
1991 -0.62% 0.88%
1990 -2.04% 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/uruguay | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.03B, equivalent to 3.23% of GDP. This compares to Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.67% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea Uruguay
2024 0.6% 4.85%
2023 2.3% 5.87%
2022 5.25% 9.1%
2021 4.48% 7.75%
2020 4.87% 9.76%
2019 3.93% 7.88%
2018 4.37% 7.61%
2017 5.42% 6.22%
2016 6.67% 9.64%
2015 6% 8.67%
2014 5.22% 8.88%
2013 4.96% 8.58%
2012 4.54% 8.1%
2011 4.44% 8.09%
2010 6.01% 6.7%
2009 6.92% 7.06%
2008 10.8% 7.88%
2007 0.91% 8.11%
2006 2.37% 6.4%
2005 1.78% 4.7%
2004 2.16% 9.16%
2003 14.7% 19.4%
2002 11.8% 14%
2001 9.3% 4.36%
2000 15.6% 4.76%
1999 14.9% 5.66%
1998 13.6% 10.8%
1997 3.96% 19.8%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/uruguay | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.35%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 0.6% in Papua New Guinea and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $74K
Machinery & equipment $23K

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea Uruguay
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
33/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Papua New Guinea Uruguay
Economic freedom 54.3 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 39/197
Property rights 45 87.4
Government integrity 30.8 79
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 80.9
Tax burden 70.9 73.3
Government spending 86.1 72
Fiscal health 65.3 76.6
Business freedom 34.2 83.8
Labor freedom 65.1 61.7
Monetary freedom 77.4 70.2
Trade freedom 80.2 73.2
Investment freedom 25 50
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Papua New Guinea Uruguay
2026 54.3 69.8
2025 52.5 70.2
2024 49.4 69.8
2023 51.7 70.2
2022 54.6 70
2021 58.9 69.3
2020 58.4 69.1
2019 58.4 68.6
2018 55.7 69.2
2017 50.9 69.7
2016 53.2 68.8
2015 53.1 68.6
2014 53.9 69.3
2013 53.6 69.7
2012 53.8 69.9
2011 52.6 70
2010 53.5 69.8
2009 54.8 69.1
2008 - 67.9
2007 - 68.4
2006 - 65.3
2005 - 66.9
2004 - 66.7
2003 - 69.8
2002 - 68.7
2001 57.2 70.7
2000 55.8 69.3
1999 56.3 68.5
1998 55.2 68.6
1997 56.7 67.5
1996 58.6 63.7
1995 - 62.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/uruguay | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Papua New Guinea is 54.3, ranking 134/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Papua New Guinea Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$30.7B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,580
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.9B
2023
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2023
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
19.7%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
15.6%
2024

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/papua-new-guinea/uruguay | 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 (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, 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.