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Economy of Saint Lucia vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saint Lucia has a GDP of $2.55B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 173/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saint Lucia has $1.97B in government debt (77.2% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Saint Lucia vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Saint Lucia
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saint Lucia Vanuatu
2024 $2,549,062,963 $1,117,972,034
2023 $2,430,166,667 $1,115,861,056
2022 $2,342,714,815 $1,055,031,361
2021 $1,867,185,185 $950,394,007
2020 $1,499,274,074 $909,421,044
2019 $2,095,344,444 $936,526,268
2018 $2,060,955,556 $914,727,908
2017 $1,998,503,704 $880,043,284
2016 $1,868,544,444 $804,323,577
2015 $1,807,640,741 $759,690,181
2014 $1,749,185,185 $773,717,011
2013 $1,660,392,593 $758,304,466
2012 $1,598,207,407 $747,839,698
2011 $1,568,370,370 $770,153,588
2010 $1,482,385,185 $670,712,980
2009 $1,401,507,889 $592,622,319
2008 $1,437,731,111 $590,748,429
2007 $1,336,088,815 $516,392,923
2006 $1,268,319,185 $439,358,587
2005 $1,135,555,556 $394,962,433
2004 $1,066,666,667 $364,996,869
2003 $987,407,407 $314,471,413
2002 $900,000,000 $262,596,536
2001 $892,592,593 $257,926,882
2000 $932,592,593 $272,014,628
1999 $921,851,852 $268,006,973
1998 $877,407,407 $262,293,411
1997 $805,925,926 $272,771,209
1996 $788,888,889 $261,370,044
1995 $762,962,963 $249,333,250
1994 $713,703,704 $233,701,301
1993 $684,814,815 $200,491,853
1992 $674,074,074 $209,088,825
1991 $613,703,704 $201,334,169
1990 $579,629,630 $168,879,207
1989 $486,666,667 $154,013,202
1988 $429,629,630 $158,351,368
1987 $375,555,556 $139,464,174
1986 $340,000,000 $126,498,935
1985 $284,444,444 $131,856,421
1984 $251,481,481 $144,482,515
1983 $197,037,037 $117,389,554
1982 $183,333,333 $114,501,913
1981 $194,444,444 $113,781,796
1980 $170,370,370 $121,185,498
1979 - $119,258,835

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saint Lucia vs Vanuatu by year

Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saint Lucia Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $14,182 $27,567 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $13,555 $25,975 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $13,104 $24,599 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $10,459 $19,101 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $8,411 $14,912 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $11,794 $18,710 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $11,643 $17,433 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $11,333 $16,131 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $10,638 $15,307 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $10,335 $14,353 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $10,045 $14,403 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $9,577 $14,010 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $9,260 $13,443 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $9,129 $13,471 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $8,674 $12,718 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $8,251 $12,600 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $8,517 $12,969 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $7,964 $12,199 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $7,611 $11,758 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $6,863 $10,818 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $6,495 $10,610 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $6,059 $9,707 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $5,568 $9,205 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $5,570 $9,106 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $5,880 $9,314 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $5,883 $9,214 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $5,673 $8,965 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $5,282 $8,456 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $5,244 $8,490 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $5,148 $8,222 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $4,892 $8,041 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $4,765 $7,865 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $4,760 $7,753 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $4,399 $7,127 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $4,205 $6,951 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $3,565 - $1,067 -
1988 $3,182 - $1,125 -
1987 $2,819 - $1,017 -
1986 $2,591 - $946 -
1985 $2,202 - $1,012 -
1984 $1,979 - $1,137 -
1983 $1,576 - $947 -
1982 $1,489 - $946 -
1981 $1,605 - $962 -
1980 $1,428 - $1,048 -
1979 - - $1,055 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/vanuatu | CC BY

Saint Lucia's GDP per capita is $14,182, ranking 70/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Saint Lucia Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$2.55B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
173/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
3.89%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$14,182
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
70/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,567
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
75/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$1.97B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
77.2%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,952
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
52/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,412
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2015
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2015
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.11%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
10.1%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
180638
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saint Lucia Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.5% 77.2% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 25.6% 76.6% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 23% 74.4% 42% 42.8%
2021 27.4% 87% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 34.9% 100% 43.4% 48%
2019 25.1% 62.1% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 23.2% 60.5% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 23.3% 60.4% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 23% 61.3% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 23.7% 61.1% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 23.6% 62.4% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 25.4% 62.1% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 28% 60.8% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 27% 55.2% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 26% 53% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 24.5% 51% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 22.2% 46.7% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 22.6% 49.1% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 24.7% 48.6% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 26% 51.9% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 22.9% 49.6% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 22.9% 45.6% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 23.6% 48.8% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 22.1% 38.1% 22.3% 37%
2000 20.7% 32.5% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 20.9% 28.9% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 18.8% 29.4% 27.9% 28%
1997 19.5% 27.2% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 18.9% 24.1% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 19.2% 22.9% 28% 24.1%
1994 19.1% 23.8% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 21.8% 22.9% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 18.4% 22.2% 31.8% 21%
1991 18.4% 19.8% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 16.7% 17% - -
1989 19% 18.1% - -
1988 18.2% 18.6% - -
1987 19.9% 19.6% - -
1986 21.1% 17.2% - -
1985 20.4% 17.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Saint Lucia's government spending was $625M, accounting for 24.5% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 77.2% in Saint Lucia and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 46/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saint Lucia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saint Lucia Vanuatu
2024 -2.13% -2.34%
2023 -3.09% -0.95%
2022 -1.67% -6.5%
2021 -5.1% 2.38%
2020 -12% -1.95%
2019 -3.51% 2.81%
2018 -1.03% 6.26%
2017 -1.14% -1.2%
2016 -0.79% -0.72%
2015 -2.35% -8.66%
2014 -3.08% 1.44%
2013 -4.84% -0.25%
2012 -7.62% -1.7%
2011 -5.38% -2.19%
2010 -4.17% -2.63%
2009 -2.67% -0.85%
2008 -0.72% -0.04%
2007 -1.62% 0.28%
2006 -5.07% 0.49%
2005 -6.18% 1.86%
2004 -2.63% 0.8%
2003 -3.23% -1.35%
2002 -3.1% -3.63%
2001 -3.08% -3.33%
2000 -1.16% -6.28%
1999 1.62% -0.55%
1998 2.25% -6.65%
1997 -1.13% -0.51%
1996 -0.58% -1.78%
1995 -0.13% -2.59%
1994 -0.02% -1.49%
1993 -0.26% -3.67%
1992 -0.66% -2.32%
1991 -0.43% -2.81%
1990 0.29% -
1989 0.89% -
1988 2.02% -
1987 0.56% -
1986 -1.61% -
1985 -1.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Saint Lucia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $54.2M, equivalent to 2.13% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saint Lucia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Saint Lucia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saint Lucia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saint Lucia Vanuatu
2024 -0.11% -
2023 4.07% 11.2%
2022 6.38% 6.68%
2021 2.41% 2.34%
2020 -1.76% 5.33%
2019 0.54% 2.76%
2018 1.94% 2.33%
2017 0.1% 3.08%
2016 -3.08% 0.84%
2015 -0.98% 2.48%
2014 3.52% 0.8%
2013 1.47% 1.46%
2012 4.18% 1.35%
2011 2.77% 0.87%
2010 3.25% 2.76%
2009 -0.16% 4.3%
2008 5.55% 4.84%
2007 2.82% 3.94%
2006 2.4% 2.04%
2005 3.9% 1.2%
2004 1.46% 1.42%
2003 1.03% 3.02%
2002 -0.26% 1.96%
2001 5.31% 3.58%
2000 3.71% 2.54%
1999 3.5% 2%
1998 3.2% 3.28%
1997 -0.006% 2.83%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Saint Lucia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.12%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was -0.11% in Saint Lucia and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Saint Lucia Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$64.1M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
86/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.52%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$848M
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$137M
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$598M
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$1.46B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19%
2025
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Saint Lucia Vanuatu
Economic freedom 67.5 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 57/197 92/197
Property rights 64.3 62.1
Government integrity 59.7 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 77.3 67.9
Tax burden 77.7 96.9
Government spending 82.6 48.1
Fiscal health 80 78.8
Business freedom 71.9 50.3
Labor freedom 65.2 41
Monetary freedom 81 72.1
Trade freedom 60 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saint Lucia Vanuatu
2026 67.5 61.1
2025 67 61.8
2024 62.2 62.2
2023 60.7 62.1
2022 64.3 62.9
2021 67.5 60.5
2020 68.2 60.7
2019 68.7 56.4
2018 67.6 69.5
2017 65 67.4
2016 70 60.8
2015 70.2 61.1
2014 70.7 59.5
2013 70.4 56.6
2012 71.3 56.6
2011 70.8 56.7
2010 70.5 56.4
2009 68.8 58.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saint Lucia is 67.5, ranking 57/197, 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

Saint Lucia Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
75.9%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
9.75%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.13%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$2.27B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$406M
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
162/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$187M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$187M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$350K
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.42%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25%
2016
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/saint-lucia/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.