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Economy of Rwanda vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Rwanda has a GDP of $16.4B compared to $99.7B for Venezuela, ranking 142/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Rwanda has $10.6B in government debt (64.6% of GDP), compared to $308B (309% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Rwanda vs Venezuela GDP by year

Rwanda
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Rwanda Venezuela
2025 $16,372,132,990 $99,661,244,156
2024 $15,111,064,182 $120,566,112,397
2023 $14,806,501,437 $102,377,501,186
2022 $13,747,404,814 $89,013,251,021
2021 $11,252,894,910 $56,615,026,263
2020 $10,487,146,253 $42,837,965,907
2019 $10,519,272,170 $73,014,157,108
2018 $9,650,161,136 $101,987,075,929
2017 $9,164,345,443 $115,892,475,743
2016 $8,596,812,241 $112,948,035,495
2015 $8,447,064,079 $125,249,941,854
2014 $8,129,984,484 $214,838,755,022
2013 $7,714,276,920 $258,512,396,298
2012 $7,556,673,276 $371,846,610,182
2011 $6,802,676,034 $316,482,190,800
2010 $6,052,276,078 $393,192,354,511
2009 $5,603,399,015 $329,787,628,928
2008 $5,120,655,375 $315,953,388,511
2007 $4,017,977,507 $230,364,012,576
2006 $3,274,207,945 $183,477,522,124
2005 $2,933,819,766 $145,513,489,652
2004 $2,376,496,067 $112,451,400,425
2003 $2,138,237,279 $83,620,628,582
2002 $1,966,003,468 $92,893,587,734
2001 $1,966,600,715 $122,911,036,747
2000 $2,068,836,754 $117,146,466,003
1999 $2,157,108,263 $97,972,842,462
1998 $1,989,343,546 $91,336,763,255
1997 $1,851,558,197 $85,837,678,560
1996 $1,382,334,879 $70,543,211,119
1995 $1,293,535,193 $77,389,487,770
1994 $753,636,370 $58,418,666,667
1993 $1,971,525,712 $60,037,460,783
1992 $2,029,026,962 $60,416,519,620
1991 $1,911,600,237 $53,453,444,787
1990 $2,550,185,679 $48,606,952,195
1989 $2,405,022,593 $43,536,709,104
1988 $2,395,492,687 $60,226,413,793
1987 $2,157,432,668 $48,029,034,483
1986 $1,944,710,684 $60,516,123,711
1985 $1,715,626,331 $61,965,466,667
1984 $1,587,413,084 $59,867,743,468
1983 $1,479,687,587 $67,556,279,070
1982 $1,407,243,139 $67,736,744,186
1981 $1,407,062,527 $66,327,441,860
1980 $1,254,765,642 $59,116,511,628
1979 $1,109,346,131 $48,310,930,233
1978 $905,709,076 $39,316,279,070
1977 $746,650,613 $36,210,697,674
1976 $637,753,853 $31,419,534,884
1975 $571,863,500 $27,464,651,163
1974 $308,458,423 $26,100,930,233
1973 $290,746,157 $17,035,581,395
1972 $246,457,838 $13,977,727,273
1971 $222,952,504 $12,986,590,909
1970 $219,900,006 $11,561,111,111
1969 $188,700,037 $10,285,111,111
1968 $172,200,018 $10,034,444,444
1967 $159,560,018 $9,250,000,000
1966 $124,525,703 $8,781,333,333
1965 $148,799,980 $8,427,777,778
1964 $129,999,994 $8,192,413,793
1963 $128,000,000 $9,608,717,288
1962 $125,000,008 $8,814,309,884
1961 $122,000,016 $8,067,267,031
1960 $119,000,024 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Rwanda vs Venezuela by year

Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Rwanda Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,124 - $3,495 -
2024 $1,060 $3,711 $4,244 -
2023 $1,061 $3,399 $3,617 -
2022 $1,007 $3,099 $3,155 -
2021 $843 $2,733 $2,005 -
2020 $803 $2,285 $1,506 -
2019 $823 $2,336 $2,523 -
2018 $773 $2,125 $3,422 -
2017 $751 $1,968 $3,792 -
2016 $721 $1,866 $3,671 -
2015 $726 $1,781 $4,097 -
2014 $715 $1,678 $7,101 -
2013 $695 $1,512 $8,642 -
2012 $698 $1,455 $12,582 -
2011 $643 $1,413 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $587 $1,314 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $557 $1,241 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $522 $1,191 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $421 $1,079 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $352 $1,002 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $324 $914 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $269.5 $832 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $249 $775 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $234 $760 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $237.3 $670 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $251.9 $609 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $264.7 $554 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $246.2 $528 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $238.7 $500 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $206 $499 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $228 $514 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $111 $311 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $247 $521 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $264.1 $575 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $254 $542 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $346 $549 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $335 - $2,250 -
1988 $344 - $3,191 -
1987 $320 - $2,611 -
1986 $297.7 - $3,376 -
1985 $271.6 - $3,549 -
1984 $259.9 - $3,520 -
1983 $250.6 - $4,079 -
1982 $246.4 - $4,202 -
1981 $254.6 - $4,228 -
1980 $234.4 - $3,874 -
1979 $213.8 - $3,257 -
1978 $179.9 - $2,727 -
1977 $152.7 - $2,585 -
1976 $134.4 - $2,309 -
1975 $124.1 - $2,078 -
1974 $68.9 - $2,034 -
1973 $66.9 - $1,367 -
1972 $58.4 - $1,155 -
1971 $54.4 - $1,106 -
1970 $55.2 - $1,015 -
1969 $48.9 - $932 -
1968 $46 - $938 -
1967 $44 - $893 -
1966 $35.4 - $876 -
1965 $43.5 - $869 -
1964 $39 - $874 -
1963 $39.3 - $1,060 -
1962 $39.2 - $1,007 -
1961 $39.3 - $954 -
1960 $39.4 - $939 -

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

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

Rwanda's GDP per capita is $1,124, ranking 178/197, compared to $3,495 in Venezuela, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Rwanda Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$16.4B
2025
$99.7B
2025
GDP rank
142/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP growth
9.38%
2024-2025
1.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,124
2025
$3,495
2025
GDP per capita rank
178/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
168/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$308B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.6%
2025
309%
2025
Government debt per person
$726
2025
$10,790
2025
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2025
58/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,614
2026
$2,659
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.2B
2025
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
20.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.91%
2024-2025
252%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
58.9%
2026
Unemployment rate
5.36%
2025
7.53%
2020
Population
15062056
28692435

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Rwanda
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Rwanda Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24.1% 64.6% 20.3% 309%
2024 27.1% 63.4% 17.5% 169.1%
2023 26.2% 61.4% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 28.7% 59% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 31% 66.2% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 32.5% 66.7% 11.2% 337%
2019 27.7% 52.8% 21% 206%
2018 26.3% 49.2% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 25.3% 46.1% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 25.4% 41.5% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 26.9% 33.5% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 27.8% 29.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 26.5% 27% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 24.9% 19.3% 38% 58.4%
2011 25% 18.9% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 24.1% 19% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 22.6% 18.7% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 22.7% 18.5% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 22.7% 22.4% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 20.9% 22.8% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 20.2% 59.8% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 18.1% 82.1% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 18.8% 80.7% 32.2% 56%
2002 20.7% 93.4% 31% 48.2%
2001 19.3% 85.2% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 18.5% 87.2% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 22.7% 79.5% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 16.6% 71.1% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 17.2% 73.3% 31% 34.8%
1996 19.8% 84.6% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 18.3% 102.2% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 13.5% - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 20.6% - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 21.8% - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Rwanda's government spending was $3.95B, accounting for 24.1% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $20.2B, or 20.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.6% in Rwanda and 309% in Venezuela, ranking 68/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Rwanda

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Rwanda Venezuela
2025 -4.49% -5.84%
2024 -6.19% -3.67%
2023 -4.88% -1.25%
2022 -5.56% -5.29%
2021 -6.89% -5.85%
2020 -9.26% -6.63%
2019 -5% -10.9%
2018 -2.57% -31%
2017 -2.54% -13.3%
2016 -2.3% -8.46%
2015 -2.71% -8.06%
2014 -3.97% -9.81%
2013 -1.29% -10.4%
2012 -2.41% -9.86%
2011 -0.87% -8.24%
2010 -0.65% -4.74%
2009 0.26% -8.69%
2008 0.84% -3.46%
2007 -1.58% -2.82%
2006 -0.03% -1.6%
2005 1.14% 4.09%
2004 2.31% 2.47%
2003 -1.25% 0.17%
2002 -2.06% -1.48%
2001 -1.83% -4.59%
2000 -0.22% 4.45%
1999 -4.48% 0.74%
1998 -2.63% -4.49%
1997 -2.25% 2.58%
1996 -5.08% 7.94%
1995 -2.07% -5.86%
1994 -9.68% -11.2%
1993 -6.7% -2.92%
1992 -7.31% -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $5.82B, or 5.84% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Rwanda posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.13% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Rwanda

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Rwanda Venezuela
2025 5.91% 252%
2024 1.77% 49.4%
2023 19.8% 338%
2022 17.7% 186.5%
2021 -0.39% 1,589%
2020 9.85% 2,355%
2019 3.35% 19,906%
2018 -0.31% 65,374%
2017 8.28% 438%
2016 7.17% 254.9%
2015 2.53% 121.7%
2014 2.35% 62.2%
2013 5.92% 40.6%
2012 10.3% 21.1%
2011 3.08% 26.1%
2010 -0.25% 28.2%
2009 12.9% 26%
2008 15.4% 31.4%
2007 9.08% 18.7%
2006 8.88% 13.7%
2005 9.01% 16%
2004 12.3% 21.7%
2003 7.45% 31.1%
2002 1.99% 22.4%
2001 3.34% 12.5%
2000 3.9% 16.2%
1999 -2.41% 23.6%
1998 6.21% 35.8%
1997 12% 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Rwanda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.8%, compared with 3,150% in Venezuela. In 2025, inflation was 5.91% in Rwanda and 252% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Rwanda Venezuela
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
136/190
2024
155/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$991M
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2025
10.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
14.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Rwanda Venezuela
Economic freedom 56.5 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 121/197 194/197
Property rights 60.3 0
Government integrity 53.9 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 5.1
Tax burden 80.6 73.4
Government spending 75.7 93
Fiscal health 37.5 29.1
Business freedom 60.1 31.1
Labor freedom 49.1 35.5
Monetary freedom 72.3 0
Trade freedom 61.8 43.2
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 40 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Rwanda
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Rwanda Venezuela
2026 56.5 27.3
2025 54.8 27.6
2024 51.6 28.1
2023 52.2 25.8
2022 57.1 24.8
2021 68.3 24.7
2020 70.9 25.2
2019 71.1 25.9
2018 69.1 25.2
2017 67.6 27
2016 63.1 33.7
2015 64.8 34.3
2014 64.7 36.3
2013 64.1 36.1
2012 64.9 38.1
2011 62.7 37.6
2010 59.1 37.1
2009 54.2 39.9
2008 54.2 44.7
2007 52.4 47.9
2006 52.8 44.6
2005 51.7 45.2
2004 53.3 46.7
2003 47.8 54.8
2002 50.4 54.7
2001 45.4 54.6
2000 42.3 57.4
1999 39.8 56.1
1998 39.1 54
1997 38.3 52.8
1996 - 54.5
1995 - 59.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Rwanda is 56.5, ranking 121/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Rwanda Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
22%
2025
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2025
$110B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,070
2025
$20,840
2011
Total reserves including gold
$1.96B
2025
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2025
80/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
34.1%
2025
5.93%
2025

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/venezuela | 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 (1920–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.