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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.28T compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 19/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $405B in government debt (31.7% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Saudi Arabia vs Vietnam GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Vietnam
2025 $1,276,942,933,333 $514,697,215,165
2024 $1,254,140,800,000 $476,324,572,784
2023 $1,218,584,800,000 $433,805,036,898
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $413,445,230,669
2021 $982,661,066,667 $366,474,752,771
2020 $767,951,200,000 $346,615,738,538
2019 $888,890,133,333 $334,365,270,497
2018 $886,564,800,000 $310,106,478,395
2017 $741,266,133,333 $281,353,605,987
2016 $689,279,466,667 $257,096,001,178
2015 $693,414,400,000 $239,258,328,382
2014 $787,153,066,667 $233,451,469,643
2013 $769,755,733,333 $213,708,811,665
2012 $751,921,333,333 $195,590,661,129
2011 $680,660,800,000 $172,595,049,184
2010 $528,207,466,667 $147,201,173,197
2009 $429,097,866,667 $106,014,659,565
2008 $519,796,800,000 $99,130,304,099
2007 $415,964,509,673 $77,414,425,532
2006 $376,900,133,511 $66,371,664,817
2005 $328,459,608,764 $57,633,255,738
2004 $258,742,133,333 $45,427,854,693
2003 $215,807,733,333 $39,552,513,232
2002 $189,605,866,667 $35,064,105,501
2001 $184,137,600,000 $32,685,198,809
2000 $189,514,933,333 $31,172,518,403
1999 $161,717,066,667 $28,683,659,007
1998 $146,775,466,667 $27,209,602,050
1997 $165,963,684,913 $26,843,700,442
1996 $158,662,483,311 $24,657,470,575
1995 $143,343,124,166 $20,736,164,459
1994 $135,174,899,866 $16,286,433,533
1993 $132,967,957,276 $13,180,953,598
1992 $137,087,850,467 $9,866,990,236
1991 $132,223,230,975 $9,613,369,520
1990 $117,630,173,565 $6,471,740,806
1989 $95,344,459,279 $6,293,304,975
1988 $88,256,074,766 $25,423,812,649
1987 $85,695,861,148 $36,658,108,850
1986 $86,961,922,765 $26,336,616,250
1985 $103,897,846,494 $14,094,687,821
1984 $119,624,858,116 -
1983 $129,171,635,311 -
1982 $153,240,313,858 -
1981 $184,291,360,139 -
1980 $164,539,660,725 -
1979 $111,858,444,786 -
1978 $80,266,516,687 -
1977 $74,188,986,586 -
1976 $64,005,665,722 -
1975 $46,773,208,643 -
1974 $45,412,957,746 -
1973 $14,947,435,499 -
1972 $9,664,267,087 -
1971 $7,184,806,909 -
1970 $5,377,333,333 -
1969 $4,485,777,644 -
1968 $4,187,777,711 -
1967 $3,257,022,223 -
1966 $2,920,555,557 -
1965 $2,647,955,558 -
1964 $2,371,808,713 -
1963 $2,207,393,172 -
1962 $2,130,606,532 -
1961 $1,920,811,284 -
1960 $1,748,124,064 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Vietnam by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,537 - $5,066 -
2024 $35,528 $71,375 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $926 $4,581
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $808 $4,237
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $711 $3,894
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $565 $3,543
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $497 $3,240
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $445 $3,002
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $419 $2,809
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $404 $2,614
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $376 $2,421
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $361 $2,308
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $362 $2,189
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $337 $2,019
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $9,414 - $98.1 -
1988 $9,165 - $405 -
1987 $9,386 - $595 -
1986 $10,078 - $436 -
1985 $12,745 - $238.6 -
1984 $15,541 - - -
1983 $17,810 - - -
1982 $22,454 - - -
1981 $28,703 - - -
1980 $27,206 - - -
1979 $19,612 - - -
1978 $14,914 - - -
1977 $14,595 - - -
1976 $13,313 - - -
1975 $10,266 - - -
1974 $10,503 - - -
1973 $3,640 - - -
1972 $2,474 - - -
1971 $1,929 - - -
1970 $1,509 - - -
1969 $1,313 - - -
1968 $1,276 - - -
1967 $1,032 - - -
1966 $961 - - -
1965 $904 - - -
1964 $840 - - -
1963 $812 - - -
1962 $813 - - -
1961 $760 - - -
1960 $718 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vietnam | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $34,537, ranking 36/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$1.28T
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
19/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$34,537
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$405B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.7%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$10,956
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
57/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,010
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.36T
2025
$316B
2025
Number of millionaires
348,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2026
5
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.08%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.24%
2025
1.53%
2024
Population
37955120
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29% 31.7% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 29.2% 25.9% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 28.3% 23% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 19.8% 41%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 33% 8.43% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 37.1% 14% 25% 36.2%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 21.4% 31%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 30.3% 103% 16.7% -
1998 34.5% 101.5% 16% -
1997 35.6% 76.7% - -
1996 33.3% 75.2% - -
1995 32.4% 74.2% - -
1994 33.8% 67.9% - -
1993 37.7% 58.6% - -
1992 41.2% 47.8% - -
1991 34.9% 39.4% - -
1990 39.3% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $370B, accounting for 29% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.7% in Saudi Arabia and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 151/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Vietnam
2025 -5.77% -2.2%
2024 -2.46% -1.54%
2023 -1.77% -1.72%
2022 2.24% 0.67%
2021 -1.99% -1.43%
2020 -10.2% -2.86%
2019 -3.96% -0.4%
2018 -5.21% -1.02%
2017 -8.57% -1.96%
2016 -13.2% -3.16%
2015 -14.9% -4.98%
2014 -3.4% -5.02%
2013 5.47% -5.96%
2012 11.7% -5.46%
2011 11.4% -0.9%
2010 4.39% -2.25%
2009 -5.38% -4.82%
2008 29.8% -0.45%
2007 11.8% -1.74%
2006 20.8% 0.2%
2005 18% -0.95%
2004 9.72% -0.15%
2003 1.2% -2.56%
2002 -5.91% -1.85%
2001 -3.91% -2.19%
2000 3.18% -1.61%
1999 -5.99% -1.25%
1998 -8.88% -0.1%
1997 -2.51% -
1996 -3.25% -
1995 -5.12% -
1994 -8.31% -
1993 -9.33% -
1992 -8.12% -
1991 -3.28% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $73.7B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual surplus equal to 1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Vietnam
2025 2.08% 3.3%
2024 1.69% 3.6%
2023 2.33% 3.3%
2022 2.47% 3.2%
2021 3.06% 1.8%
2020 3.37% 3.2%
2019 -1.19% 2.8%
2018 2.47% 3.5%
2017 -0.83% 3.5%
2016 2.05% 2.7%
2015 1.22% 0.6%
2014 2.24% 4.1%
2013 3.51% 6.6%
2012 2.87% 9.1%
2011 5.83% 18.7%
2010 5.34% 10.5%
2009 5.06% 6.7%
2008 9.87% 23.1%
2007 4.17% 8.3%
2006 2.21% 7.5%
2005 0.48% 8.4%
2004 0.52% 7.9%
2003 0.61% 3.3%
2002 0.25% 4.1%
2001 -1.12% -0.3%
2000 -1.12% -1.8%
1999 -1.33% 4.1%
1998 -0.37% 7.2%
1997 0.06% 3.1%

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/saudi-arabia/vietnam | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 2.08% in Saudi Arabia and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $649M
Raw materials & minerals $75.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18.6M
Metals $8.45M
Animal & marine products $2.34M
Machinery & equipment $1.76M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.72M
Wood & paper products $1.55M
Textiles & consumer goods $454K
Miscellaneous $209K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.14B
Raw agricultural goods $152M
Textiles & consumer goods $109M
Animal & marine products $75.2M
Chemicals & pharma $42.3M
Raw materials & minerals $28.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $28M
Metals $25.2M
Wood & paper products $19.6M
Miscellaneous $3.91M

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Vietnam
Current account balance
-$32.7B
2025
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2025
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2025
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$230B
2025
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$311B
2025
$407B
2024
Service imports
$129B
2025
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$69.4B
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Vietnam
Economic freedom 65.4 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 73/197
Property rights 51.4 47.3
Government integrity 52.7 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 31.3
Tax burden 99.2 80.9
Government spending 77 89.5
Fiscal health 97.9 96.9
Business freedom 71.2 70
Labor freedom 41.8 54.7
Monetary freedom 81.2 73.2
Trade freedom 73.8 79.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Vietnam
2026 65.4 64.4
2025 64.4 65.2
2024 61.9 62.8
2023 58.3 61.8
2022 55.5 60.6
2021 66 61.7
2020 62.4 58.8
2019 60.7 55.3
2018 59.6 53.1
2017 64.4 52.4
2016 62.1 54
2015 62.1 51.7
2014 62.2 50.8
2013 60.6 51
2012 62.5 51.3
2011 66.2 51.6
2010 64.1 49.8
2009 64.3 51
2008 62.5 50.4
2007 60.9 49.8
2006 63 50.5
2005 63 48.1
2004 60.4 46.1
2003 63.2 46.2
2002 65.3 45.6
2001 62.2 44.3
2000 66.5 43.7
1999 65.5 42.7
1998 69.3 40.4
1997 68.7 38.6
1996 68.3 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vietnam | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, 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

Saudi Arabia Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
43%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.59%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.33T
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,400
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$505B
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.6B
2025
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.6%
2025
30.8%
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/saudi-arabia/vietnam | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.