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Economy of Sri Lanka vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sri Lanka has a GDP of $99B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 72/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sri Lanka has $99.8B in government debt (100.8% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Sri Lanka vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Sri Lanka
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sri Lanka Vanuatu
2024 $98,963,185,510 $1,117,972,034
2023 $83,716,142,582 $1,115,861,056
2022 $74,143,020,263 $1,055,031,361
2021 $88,556,698,938 $950,394,007
2020 $84,335,574,582 $909,421,044
2019 $88,998,706,297 $936,526,268
2018 $94,450,015,983 $914,727,908
2017 $94,369,350,286 $880,043,284
2016 $88,000,211,172 $804,323,577
2015 $85,090,301,052 $759,690,181
2014 $82,531,125,191 $773,717,011
2013 $76,976,203,829 $758,304,466
2012 $70,447,217,164 $747,839,698
2011 $67,753,285,897 $770,153,588
2010 $58,636,049,434 $670,712,980
2009 $42,066,224,093 $592,622,319
2008 $40,713,826,215 $590,748,429
2007 $32,350,238,760 $516,392,923
2006 $28,267,410,543 $439,358,587
2005 $24,405,791,045 $394,962,433
2004 $20,662,525,941 $364,996,869
2003 $18,881,765,437 $314,471,413
2002 $16,536,535,647 $262,596,536
2001 $15,749,753,805 $257,926,882
2000 $16,595,882,819 $272,014,628
1999 $15,711,933,513 $268,006,973
1998 $15,760,736,956 $262,293,411
1997 $15,091,913,884 $272,771,209
1996 $13,897,738,375 $261,370,044
1995 $13,029,697,561 $249,333,250
1994 $11,717,604,209 $233,701,301
1993 $10,338,679,636 $200,491,853
1992 $9,703,011,636 $209,088,825
1991 $9,000,362,582 $201,334,169
1990 $8,032,551,173 $168,879,207
1989 $6,987,267,684 $154,013,202
1988 $6,978,371,581 $158,351,368
1987 $6,682,167,120 $139,464,174
1986 $6,405,210,564 $126,498,935
1985 $5,978,460,972 $131,856,421
1984 $6,043,474,843 $144,482,515
1983 $5,167,913,302 $117,389,554
1982 $4,768,765,017 $114,501,913
1981 $4,415,844,156 $113,781,796
1980 $4,024,621,900 $121,185,498
1979 $3,364,611,432 $119,258,835
1978 $2,733,183,857 -
1977 $4,104,509,583 -
1976 $3,591,319,857 -
1975 $3,791,298,146 -
1974 $3,574,586,466 -
1973 $2,875,625,000 -
1972 $2,553,936,348 -
1971 $2,369,308,600 -
1970 $2,296,470,588 -
1969 $1,965,546,218 -
1968 $1,801,344,538 -
1967 $1,859,465,021 -
1966 $1,751,470,588 -
1965 $1,698,319,328 -
1964 $1,309,747,899 -
1963 $1,240,672,269 -
1962 $1,434,156,379 -
1961 $1,444,327,731 -
1960 $1,409,873,950 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sri Lanka vs Vanuatu by year

Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sri Lanka Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,516 $15,633 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $3,799 $14,456 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $3,343 $14,194 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $3,997 $14,316 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $3,848 $12,941 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $4,082 $14,113 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $4,359 $14,178 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $4,399 $13,610 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $4,149 $13,079 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $4,058 $12,227 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $3,972 $11,721 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $3,739 $11,253 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $3,328 $10,249 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $3,225 $9,076 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $2,808 $8,234 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $2,027 $7,576 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $1,974 $7,317 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $1,579 $6,820 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $1,389 $6,261 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $1,207 $5,679 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $1,029 $5,216 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $946 $4,850 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $835 $4,522 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $804 $4,328 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $860 $4,368 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $829 $4,103 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $848 $3,952 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $827 $3,804 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $776 $3,582 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $742 $3,454 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $678 $3,260 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $607 $3,067 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $580 $2,851 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $546 $2,713 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $491 $2,527 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $430 - $1,067 -
1988 $434 - $1,125 -
1987 $420 - $1,017 -
1986 $407 - $946 -
1985 $385 - $1,012 -
1984 $391 - $1,137 -
1983 $336 - $947 -
1982 $312 - $946 -
1981 $292.5 - $962 -
1980 $271.1 - $1,048 -
1979 $230.8 - $1,055 -
1978 $191 - - -
1977 $292.1 - - -
1976 $260.3 - - -
1975 $279.8 - - -
1974 $268.7 - - -
1973 $220.2 - - -
1972 $199.4 - - -
1971 $188.8 - - -
1970 $186.9 - - -
1969 $163.6 - - -
1968 $153.5 - - -
1967 $162.3 - - -
1966 $156.6 - - -
1965 $155.6 - - -
1964 $122.9 - - -
1963 $119.4 - - -
1962 $141.4 - - -
1961 $145.9 - - -
1960 $145.9 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/vanuatu | CC BY

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $4,516, ranking 124/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Sri Lanka Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$99B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
72/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
5.01%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,516
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
124/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,633
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
111/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$99.8B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.8%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,554
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
85/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,874
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$19.5B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.8%
2019
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.43%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.67%
2023
4.05%
2020
Population
22185425
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sri Lanka Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.3% 100.8% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 19.5% 110.4% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 18.6% 115.9% 42% 42.8%
2021 20% 102.7% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 22.1% 96.9% 43.4% 48%
2019 19.5% 82.6% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 17.5% 83.6% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 17.9% 72.3% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 18.2% 75% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 19.3% 76.3% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 17.2% 69.6% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 16.6% 69.5% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 17.3% 67.5% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 19.1% 69.4% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 19.3% 68.7% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 21% 72.8% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 19.1% 68.8% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 19.9% 71.8% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 20.5% 74.3% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 20.1% 76.6% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 19.3% 86.5% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 19.3% 86.5% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 20.8% 96.3% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 22.4% 84.4% 22.3% 37%
2000 21.7% 79.2% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 20.5% 77.7% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 21.4% 74.2% 27.9% 28%
1997 21.4% 70.1% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 23.1% 76.2% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 24.8% 77.8% 28% 24.1%
1994 24.1% 77.9% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 23.2% 79.2% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 23% 77.9% 31.8% 21%
1991 26.4% 80.5% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 25.4% 78.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.8% in Sri Lanka and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 23/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sri Lanka

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sri Lanka Vanuatu
2024 -5.64% -2.34%
2023 -8.32% -0.95%
2022 -10.2% -6.5%
2021 -11.7% 2.38%
2020 -13.4% -1.95%
2019 -7.52% 2.81%
2018 -4.96% 6.26%
2017 -5.1% -1.2%
2016 -5% -0.72%
2015 -6.64% -8.66%
2014 -5.99% 1.44%
2013 -5% -0.25%
2012 -5.44% -1.7%
2011 -6.01% -2.19%
2010 -6.73% -2.63%
2009 -8.33% -0.85%
2008 -5.93% -0.04%
2007 -5.81% 0.28%
2006 -5.91% 0.49%
2005 -5.93% 1.86%
2004 -6.32% 0.8%
2003 -6.15% -1.35%
2002 -6.9% -3.63%
2001 -8.48% -3.33%
2000 -7.78% -6.28%
1999 -5.58% -0.55%
1998 -6.79% -6.65%
1997 -5.71% -0.51%
1996 -6.89% -1.78%
1995 -7.11% -2.59%
1994 -7.41% -1.49%
1993 -5.77% -3.67%
1992 -4.95% -2.32%
1991 -7.97% -2.81%
1990 -6.39% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.58B, equivalent to 5.64% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Sri Lanka recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Sri Lanka posted an annual deficit equal to 6.86% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sri Lanka

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sri Lanka Vanuatu
2024 -0.43% -
2023 16.5% 11.2%
2022 49.7% 6.68%
2021 7.01% 2.34%
2020 6.15% 5.33%
2019 3.53% 2.76%
2018 2.14% 2.33%
2017 7.7% 3.08%
2016 3.96% 0.84%
2015 3.77% 2.48%
2014 3.18% 0.8%
2013 6.91% 1.46%
2012 7.54% 1.35%
2011 6.72% 0.87%
2010 6.22% 2.76%
2009 3.46% 4.3%
2008 22.6% 4.84%
2007 15.8% 3.94%
2006 10% 2.04%
2005 11.6% 1.2%
2004 7.58% 1.42%
2003 6.31% 3.02%
2002 9.55% 1.96%
2001 14.2% 3.58%
2000 6.18% 2.54%
1999 4.69% 2%
1998 9.36% 3.28%
1997 9.57% 2.83%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Sri Lanka has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.7%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was -0.43% in Sri Lanka and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $156K
Machinery & equipment $94K
Raw agricultural goods $84K
Miscellaneous $17K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Sri Lanka Vanuatu
Current account balance
$1.21B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.22%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$18.8B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$12.8B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$3.48B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$6.91B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Sri Lanka Vanuatu
Economic freedom 50.3 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 162/197 92/197
Property rights 47.3 62.1
Government integrity 37.3 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 47.2 67.9
Tax burden 77 96.9
Government spending 89 48.1
Fiscal health 0 78.8
Business freedom 60.1 50.3
Labor freedom 54.3 41
Monetary freedom 65.9 72.1
Trade freedom 65.6 62
Investment freedom 30 65
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sri Lanka Vanuatu
2026 50.3 61.1
2025 49.4 61.8
2024 49.2 62.2
2023 52.2 62.1
2022 53.3 62.9
2021 55.7 60.5
2020 57.4 60.7
2019 56.4 56.4
2018 57.8 69.5
2017 57.4 67.4
2016 59.9 60.8
2015 58.6 61.1
2014 60 59.5
2013 60.7 56.6
2012 58.3 56.6
2011 57.1 56.7
2010 54.6 56.4
2009 56 58.4
2008 58.4 -
2007 59.4 -
2006 58.7 -
2005 61 -
2004 61.6 -
2003 62.5 -
2002 64 -
2001 66 -
2000 63.2 -
1999 64 -
1998 64.6 -
1997 65.5 -
1996 62.5 -
1995 60.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sri Lanka is 50.3, ranking 162/197, 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

Sri Lanka Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.3%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$84.6B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,240
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.09B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$651M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$761M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.98%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.3%
2019
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
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/sri-lanka/vanuatu | 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 (1990–2024, 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 (2022–2024, 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.