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Economy of Rwanda vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Rwanda has a GDP of $16.4B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 142/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Rwanda has $10.6B in government debt (64.6% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Rwanda vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Rwanda
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Rwanda Vanuatu
2025 $16,372,132,990 $1,353,658,841
2024 $15,111,064,182 $1,297,956,615
2023 $14,806,501,437 $1,188,137,265
2022 $13,747,404,814 $1,151,863,790
2021 $11,252,894,910 $1,093,826,089
2020 $10,487,146,253 $1,017,403,363
2019 $10,519,272,170 $1,061,547,513
2018 $9,650,161,136 $1,034,402,941
2017 $9,164,345,443 $998,536,155
2016 $8,596,812,241 $908,725,513
2015 $8,447,064,079 $855,360,240
2014 $8,129,984,484 $879,185,478
2013 $7,714,276,920 $863,347,172
2012 $7,556,673,276 $747,839,698
2011 $6,802,676,034 $770,153,588
2010 $6,052,276,078 $670,712,980
2009 $5,603,399,015 $592,622,319
2008 $5,120,655,375 $590,748,429
2007 $4,017,977,507 $516,392,923
2006 $3,274,207,945 $439,358,587
2005 $2,933,819,766 $394,962,433
2004 $2,376,496,067 $364,996,869
2003 $2,138,237,279 $314,471,413
2002 $1,966,003,468 $262,596,536
2001 $1,966,600,715 $257,926,882
2000 $2,068,836,754 $272,014,628
1999 $2,157,108,263 $268,006,973
1998 $1,989,343,546 $262,293,411
1997 $1,851,558,197 $272,771,209
1996 $1,382,334,879 $261,370,044
1995 $1,293,535,193 $249,333,250
1994 $753,636,370 $233,701,301
1993 $1,971,525,712 $200,491,853
1992 $2,029,026,962 $209,088,825
1991 $1,911,600,237 $201,334,169
1990 $2,550,185,679 $168,879,207
1989 $2,405,022,593 $154,013,202
1988 $2,395,492,687 $158,351,368
1987 $2,157,432,668 $139,464,174
1986 $1,944,710,684 $126,498,935
1985 $1,715,626,331 $131,856,421
1984 $1,587,413,084 $144,482,515
1983 $1,479,687,587 $117,389,554
1982 $1,407,243,139 $114,501,913
1981 $1,407,062,527 $113,781,796
1980 $1,254,765,642 $121,185,498
1979 $1,109,346,131 $119,258,835
1978 $905,709,076 -
1977 $746,650,613 -
1976 $637,753,853 -
1975 $571,863,500 -
1974 $308,458,423 -
1973 $290,746,157 -
1972 $246,457,838 -
1971 $222,952,504 -
1970 $219,900,006 -
1969 $188,700,037 -
1968 $172,200,018 -
1967 $159,560,018 -
1966 $124,525,703 -
1965 $148,799,980 -
1964 $129,999,994 -
1963 $128,000,000 -
1962 $125,000,008 -
1961 $122,000,016 -
1960 $119,000,024 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Rwanda vs Vanuatu by year

Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Rwanda Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,124 - $4,039 -
2024 $1,060 $3,711 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $1,061 $3,399 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $1,007 $3,099 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $843 $2,733 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $803 $2,285 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $823 $2,336 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $773 $2,125 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $751 $1,968 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $721 $1,866 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $726 $1,781 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $715 $1,678 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $695 $1,512 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $698 $1,455 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $643 $1,413 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $587 $1,314 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $557 $1,241 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $522 $1,191 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $421 $1,079 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $352 $1,002 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $324 $914 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $269.5 $832 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $249 $775 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $234 $760 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $237.3 $670 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $251.9 $609 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $264.7 $554 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $246.2 $528 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $238.7 $500 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $206 $499 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $228 $514 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $111 $311 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $247 $521 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $264.1 $575 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $254 $542 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $346 $549 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $335 - $1,067 -
1988 $344 - $1,125 -
1987 $320 - $1,017 -
1986 $297.7 - $946 -
1985 $271.6 - $1,012 -
1984 $259.9 - $1,137 -
1983 $250.6 - $947 -
1982 $246.4 - $946 -
1981 $254.6 - $962 -
1980 $234.4 - $1,048 -
1979 $213.8 - $1,055 -
1978 $179.9 - - -
1977 $152.7 - - -
1976 $134.4 - - -
1975 $124.1 - - -
1974 $68.9 - - -
1973 $66.9 - - -
1972 $58.4 - - -
1971 $54.4 - - -
1970 $55.2 - - -
1969 $48.9 - - -
1968 $46 - - -
1967 $44 - - -
1966 $35.4 - - -
1965 $43.5 - - -
1964 $39 - - -
1963 $39.3 - - -
1962 $39.2 - - -
1961 $39.3 - - -
1960 $39.4 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Rwanda's GDP per capita is $1,124, ranking 178/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Rwanda Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$16.4B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
142/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
9.38%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,124
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
178/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
168/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.6%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$726
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,614
2026
$2,801
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.2B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.91%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.36%
2025
1.41%
2025
Population
15062056
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Rwanda
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Rwanda Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24.1% 64.6% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 27.1% 63.4% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 26.2% 61.4% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 28.7% 59% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 31% 66.2% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 32.5% 66.7% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 27.7% 52.8% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 26.3% 49.2% 29.4% 40%
2017 25.3% 46.1% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 25.4% 41.5% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 26.9% 33.5% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 27.8% 29.5% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 26.5% 27% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 24.9% 19.3% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 25% 18.9% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 24.1% 19% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 22.6% 18.7% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 22.7% 18.5% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 22.7% 22.4% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 20.9% 22.8% 18.2% 20%
2005 20.2% 59.8% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 18.1% 82.1% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 18.8% 80.7% 17% 34.6%
2002 20.7% 93.4% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 19.3% 85.2% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 18.5% 87.2% 23% 32.6%
1999 22.7% 79.5% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 16.6% 71.1% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 17.2% 73.3% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 19.8% 84.6% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 18.3% 102.2% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 13.5% - 22% 19.5%
1993 20.6% - 23.7% 18.3%
1992 21.8% - 28.8% 19%
1991 - - 30% 14.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Rwanda's government spending was $3.95B, accounting for 24.1% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.6% in Rwanda and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 68/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Rwanda

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Rwanda Vanuatu
2025 -4.49% -3.88%
2024 -6.19% -2.46%
2023 -4.88% -0.78%
2022 -5.56% -5.96%
2021 -6.89% 2.07%
2020 -9.26% -1.74%
2019 -5% 2.48%
2018 -2.57% 5.53%
2017 -2.54% -1.06%
2016 -2.3% -0.64%
2015 -2.71% -8.13%
2014 -3.97% 1.26%
2013 -1.29% -0.22%
2012 -2.41% -1.54%
2011 -0.87% -1.98%
2010 -0.65% -2.38%
2009 0.26% -0.76%
2008 0.84% -0.04%
2007 -1.58% 0.25%
2006 -0.03% 0.44%
2005 1.14% 1.68%
2004 2.31% 0.72%
2003 -1.25% -1.22%
2002 -2.06% -3.29%
2001 -1.83% -3.01%
2000 -0.22% -5.67%
1999 -4.48% -0.5%
1998 -2.63% -6.01%
1997 -2.25% -0.46%
1996 -5.08% -1.61%
1995 -2.07% -2.34%
1994 -9.68% -1.35%
1993 -6.7% -3.32%
1992 -7.31% -2.1%
1991 - -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Rwanda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $736M, equivalent to 4.49% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Rwanda posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.41% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Rwanda

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Rwanda Vanuatu
2025 5.91% 0.66%
2024 1.77% 1.14%
2023 19.8% 11.2%
2022 17.7% 6.68%
2021 -0.39% 2.34%
2020 9.85% 5.33%
2019 3.35% 2.76%
2018 -0.31% 2.33%
2017 8.28% 3.08%
2016 7.17% 0.84%
2015 2.53% 2.48%
2014 2.35% 0.8%
2013 5.92% 1.46%
2012 10.3% 1.35%
2011 3.08% 0.87%
2010 -0.25% 2.76%
2009 12.9% 4.3%
2008 15.4% 4.84%
2007 9.08% 3.94%
2006 8.88% 2.04%
2005 9.01% 1.2%
2004 12.3% 1.42%
2003 7.45% 3.02%
2002 1.99% 1.96%
2001 3.34% 3.58%
2000 3.9% 2.54%
1999 -2.41% 2%
1998 6.21% 3.28%
1997 12% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Rwanda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.8%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 5.91% in Rwanda and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Rwanda Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
136/190
2024
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12%
2024
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$991M
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.6%
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.

Rwanda Vanuatu
Economic freedom 56.5 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 121/197 92/197
Property rights 60.3 62.1
Government integrity 53.9 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 67.9
Tax burden 80.6 96.9
Government spending 75.7 48.1
Fiscal health 37.5 78.8
Business freedom 60.1 50.3
Labor freedom 49.1 41
Monetary freedom 72.3 72.1
Trade freedom 61.8 62
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Rwanda
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Rwanda Vanuatu
2026 56.5 61.1
2025 54.8 61.8
2024 51.6 62.2
2023 52.2 62.1
2022 57.1 62.9
2021 68.3 60.5
2020 70.9 60.7
2019 71.1 56.4
2018 69.1 69.5
2017 67.6 67.4
2016 63.1 60.8
2015 64.8 61.1
2014 64.7 59.5
2013 64.1 56.6
2012 64.9 56.6
2011 62.7 56.7
2010 59.1 56.4
2009 54.2 58.4
2008 54.2 -
2007 52.4 -
2006 52.8 -
2005 51.7 -
2004 53.3 -
2003 47.8 -
2002 50.4 -
2001 45.4 -
2000 42.3 -
1999 39.8 -
1998 39.1 -
1997 38.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Rwanda is 56.5, ranking 121/197, 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

Rwanda Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,070
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.96B
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.91%
2024
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
34.1%
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/rwanda/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 (1991–2025, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.