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Economy of Rwanda vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Rwanda has a GDP of $14.3B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 144/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Rwanda has $9.58B in government debt (67.2% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Rwanda vs Vietnam GDP by year

Rwanda
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Rwanda Vietnam
2024 $14,251,642,235 $476,388,230,307
2023 $14,331,722,703 $433,857,681,378
2022 $13,316,161,002 $413,445,230,669
2021 $11,078,787,090 $366,474,752,771
2020 $10,174,386,857 $346,615,738,538
2019 $10,349,300,277 $334,365,270,497
2018 $9,637,904,521 $310,106,478,395
2017 $9,252,833,891 $281,353,605,987
2016 $8,695,272,058 $257,096,001,178
2015 $8,543,760,200 $239,258,328,382
2014 $8,238,966,124 $233,451,469,643
2013 $7,819,964,030 $213,708,811,665
2012 $7,654,761,050 $195,590,661,129
2011 $6,884,913,658 $172,595,049,184
2010 $6,124,756,654 $147,201,173,197
2009 $5,674,476,969 $106,014,659,565
2008 $5,179,854,065 $99,130,304,099
2007 $4,070,507,895 $77,414,425,532
2006 $3,319,784,539 $66,371,664,817
2005 $2,933,819,766 $57,633,255,738
2004 $2,376,496,067 $45,427,854,693
2003 $2,138,237,279 $39,552,513,232
2002 $1,966,003,468 $35,064,105,501
2001 $1,966,600,715 $32,685,198,809
2000 $2,068,836,754 $31,172,518,403
1999 $2,157,108,263 $28,683,659,007
1998 $1,989,343,546 $27,209,602,050
1997 $1,851,558,197 $26,843,700,442
1996 $1,382,334,879 $24,657,470,575
1995 $1,293,535,193 $20,736,164,459
1994 $753,636,370 $16,286,433,533
1993 $1,971,525,712 $13,180,953,598
1992 $2,029,026,962 $9,866,990,236
1991 $1,911,600,237 $9,613,369,520
1990 $2,550,185,679 $6,471,740,806
1989 $2,405,022,593 $6,293,304,975
1988 $2,395,492,687 $25,423,812,649
1987 $2,157,432,668 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,944,710,684 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,715,626,331 $14,094,687,821
1984 $1,587,413,084 -
1983 $1,479,687,587 -
1982 $1,407,243,139 -
1981 $1,407,062,527 -
1980 $1,254,765,642 -
1979 $1,109,346,131 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Rwanda vs Vietnam by year

Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Rwanda Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,000 $3,711 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $1,027 $3,399 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $975 $3,099 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $830 $2,733 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $779 $2,285 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $810 $2,336 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $772 $2,125 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $758 $1,968 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $730 $1,866 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $734 $1,781 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $725 $1,678 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $705 $1,512 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $707 $1,455 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $651 $1,413 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $594 $1,314 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $564 $1,241 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $528 $1,191 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $426 $1,079 $926 $4,581
2006 $357 $1,002 $808 $4,237
2005 $324 $914 $711 $3,894
2004 $269.5 $832 $565 $3,543
2003 $249 $775 $497 $3,240
2002 $234 $760 $445 $3,002
2001 $237.3 $670 $419 $2,809
2000 $251.9 $609 $404 $2,614
1999 $264.7 $554 $376 $2,421
1998 $246.2 $528 $361 $2,308
1997 $238.7 $500 $362 $2,189
1996 $206 $499 $337 $2,019
1995 $228 $514 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $111 $311 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $247 $521 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $264.1 $575 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $254 $542 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $346 $549 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $335 - $98.1 -
1988 $344 - $405 -
1987 $320 - $595 -
1986 $297.7 - $436 -
1985 $271.6 - $238.6 -
1984 $259.9 - - -
1983 $250.6 - - -
1982 $246.4 - - -
1981 $254.6 - - -
1980 $234.4 - - -
1979 $213.8 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Rwanda's GDP per capita is $1,000, ranking 178/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Rwanda Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$14.3B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
144/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
8.89%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,000
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
178/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
168/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$9.58B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.2%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$672
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
157/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,194
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.75B
2024
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.8%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2024
1.53%
2024
Population
14975051
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Rwanda
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Rwanda Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.8% 67.2% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 27% 63.4% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 29.7% 60.9% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 31.6% 67.3% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 33.5% 68.7% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 28.2% 53.6% 19.8% 41%
2018 26.4% 49.2% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 25.1% 45.6% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 25.1% 41.1% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 26.6% 33.1% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 27.5% 29.1% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 26.2% 26.7% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 24.6% 19.1% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 24.7% 18.7% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 23.8% 18.8% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 22.3% 18.5% 25% 36.2%
2008 22.5% 18.3% 21.4% 31%
2007 22.4% 22.1% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 20.6% 22.5% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 19.9% 58.9% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 17.9% 80.9% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 18.5% 79.5% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 20.5% 92% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 19.1% 84% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 18.2% 86% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 22.4% 78.4% 16.7% -
1998 16.4% 70.1% 16% -
1997 17% 72.2% - -
1996 19.5% 83.4% - -
1995 18% 100.8% - -
1994 13.3% - - -
1993 20.3% - - -
1992 21.5% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Rwanda's government spending was $4.1B, accounting for 28.8% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.2% in Rwanda and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 65/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Rwanda

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Rwanda Vietnam
2024 -6.57% -1.54%
2023 -5.04% -1.72%
2022 -5.74% 0.67%
2021 -7% -1.43%
2020 -9.54% -2.86%
2019 -5.08% -0.4%
2018 -2.57% -1.02%
2017 -2.52% -1.96%
2016 -2.27% -3.16%
2015 -2.68% -4.98%
2014 -3.92% -5.02%
2013 -1.27% -5.96%
2012 -2.38% -5.46%
2011 -0.86% -0.9%
2010 -0.64% -2.25%
2009 0.26% -4.82%
2008 0.83% -0.45%
2007 -1.56% -1.74%
2006 -0.03% 0.2%
2005 1.12% -0.95%
2004 2.27% -0.15%
2003 -1.23% -2.56%
2002 -2.03% -1.85%
2001 -1.8% -2.19%
2000 -0.22% -1.61%
1999 -4.41% -1.25%
1998 -2.59% -0.1%
1997 -2.22% -
1996 -5.01% -
1995 -2.04% -
1994 -9.54% -
1993 -6.6% -
1992 -7.21% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Rwanda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $936M, equivalent to 6.57% of GDP. This compares to Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Rwanda posted an annual deficit equal to 2.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Rwanda

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Rwanda Vietnam
2024 1.77% 3.6%
2023 19.8% 3.3%
2022 17.7% 3.2%
2021 -0.39% 1.8%
2020 9.85% 3.2%
2019 3.35% 2.8%
2018 -0.31% 3.5%
2017 8.28% 3.5%
2016 7.17% 2.7%
2015 2.53% 0.6%
2014 2.35% 4.1%
2013 5.92% 6.6%
2012 10.3% 9.1%
2011 3.08% 18.7%
2010 -0.25% 9.1%
2009 12.9% 6.7%
2008 15.4% 23.3%
2007 9.08% 8.4%
2006 8.88% 7.7%
2005 9.01% 8.3%
2004 12.3% 7.8%
2003 7.45% 3.1%
2002 1.99% 3.8%
2001 3.34% -0.4%
2000 3.9% -1.8%
1999 -2.41% 4.1%
1998 6.21% 8.1%
1997 12% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Rwanda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.83%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 1.77% in Rwanda and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Rwanda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.8M
Raw agricultural goods $1.48M
Textiles & consumer goods $127K
Miscellaneous $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Rwanda Vietnam
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
140/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12.7%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$991M
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.8%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Rwanda Vietnam
Economic freedom 56.5 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 121/197 73/197
Property rights 60.3 47.3
Government integrity 53.9 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 31.3
Tax burden 80.6 80.9
Government spending 75.7 89.5
Fiscal health 37.5 96.9
Business freedom 60.1 70
Labor freedom 49.1 54.7
Monetary freedom 72.3 73.2
Trade freedom 61.8 79.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Rwanda
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Rwanda Vietnam
2026 56.5 64.4
2025 54.8 65.2
2024 51.6 62.8
2023 52.2 61.8
2022 57.1 60.6
2021 68.3 61.7
2020 70.9 58.8
2019 71.1 55.3
2018 69.1 53.1
2017 67.6 52.4
2016 63.1 54
2015 64.8 51.7
2014 64.7 50.8
2013 64.1 51
2012 64.9 51.3
2011 62.7 51.6
2010 59.1 49.8
2009 54.2 51
2008 54.2 50.4
2007 52.4 49.8
2006 52.8 50.5
2005 51.7 48.1
2004 53.3 46.1
2003 47.8 46.2
2002 50.4 45.6
2001 45.4 44.3
2000 42.3 43.7
1999 39.8 42.7
1998 39.1 40.4
1997 38.3 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Rwanda is 56.5, ranking 121/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Rwanda Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
47.6%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.41B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
123/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
30.6%
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/rwanda/vietnam | 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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.