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Economy of Switzerland vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Switzerland has a GDP of $1.04T compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 20/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Switzerland has $411B in government debt (39.4% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Switzerland vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Switzerland
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Switzerland Vanuatu
2025 $1,043,529,899,251 $1,353,658,841
2024 $969,919,786,395 $1,297,956,615
2023 $928,435,275,852 $1,188,137,265
2022 $858,479,038,994 $1,151,863,790
2021 $840,710,023,481 $1,093,826,089
2020 $756,096,180,222 $1,017,403,363
2019 $736,384,764,157 $1,061,547,513
2018 $740,766,531,454 $1,034,402,941
2017 $706,660,443,624 $998,536,155
2016 $698,607,778,795 $908,725,513
2015 $706,199,008,879 $855,360,240
2014 $741,168,119,617 $879,185,478
2013 $718,748,402,260 $863,347,172
2012 $697,882,536,677 $747,839,698
2011 $727,231,637,102 $770,153,588
2010 $609,999,593,542 $670,712,980
2009 $563,659,557,945 $592,622,319
2008 $574,703,945,157 $590,748,429
2007 $498,993,845,385 $516,392,923
2006 $448,364,681,767 $439,358,587
2005 $424,511,048,024 $394,962,433
2004 $409,012,909,530 $364,996,869
2003 $366,563,952,625 $314,471,413
2002 $313,930,961,761 $262,596,536
2001 $290,160,142,214 $257,926,882
2000 $282,327,351,966 $272,014,628
1999 $301,911,268,140 $268,006,973
1998 $306,907,741,068 $262,293,411
1997 $298,868,250,534 $272,771,209
1996 $345,373,647,249 $261,370,044
1995 $358,152,520,085 $249,333,250
1994 $305,916,331,798 $233,701,301
1993 $276,339,744,180 $200,491,853
1992 $284,139,428,246 $209,088,825
1991 $272,953,645,746 $201,334,169
1990 $269,768,238,555 $168,879,207
1989 $211,241,694,480 $154,013,202
1988 $218,788,504,066 $158,351,368
1987 $202,238,567,597 $139,464,174
1986 $161,487,171,049 $126,498,935
1985 $112,652,623,418 $131,856,421
1984 $111,104,641,869 $144,482,515
1983 $116,361,728,836 $117,389,554
1982 $116,776,899,473 $114,501,913
1981 $113,936,168,924 $113,781,796
1980 $124,404,609,417 $121,185,498
1979 $116,702,524,208 $119,258,835
1978 $103,821,687,919 -
1977 $74,237,819,014 -
1976 $69,508,364,538 -
1975 $66,452,559,176 -
1974 $57,963,469,607 -
1973 $50,296,651,921 -
1972 $37,399,508,287 -
1971 $30,492,832,676 -
1970 $25,374,750,743 -
1969 $22,780,211,812 -
1968 $21,024,203,656 -
1967 $19,689,329,510 -
1966 $18,290,928,227 -
1965 $17,033,079,428 -
1964 $16,071,715,835 -
1963 $14,499,109,270 -
1962 $13,185,384,691 -
1961 $11,889,851,950 -
1960 $10,569,129,806 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/switzerland/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Switzerland vs Vanuatu by year

Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Switzerland Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $114,769 - $4,039 -
2024 $107,702 $96,498 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $104,450 $95,142 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $97,809 $94,421 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $96,583 $81,001 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $87,530 $72,998 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $85,873 $73,732 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $87,002 $70,689 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $83,610 $68,194 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $83,432 $67,351 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $85,265 $65,265 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $90,512 $63,417 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $88,851 $61,656 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $87,270 $59,441 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $91,910 $57,494 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $77,956 $54,426 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $72,788 $52,999 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $75,148 $53,809 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $66,082 $50,928 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $59,910 $46,266 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $57,080 $41,525 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $55,350 $40,171 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $49,947 $38,732 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $43,094 $38,705 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $40,134 $37,819 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $39,298 $36,703 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $42,261 $34,743 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $43,166 $33,860 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $42,160 $32,736 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $48,838 $31,509 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $50,869 $30,842 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $43,741 $30,265 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $39,828 $29,495 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $41,327 $29,113 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $40,140 $28,792 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $40,171 $28,461 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $31,780 - $1,067 -
1988 $33,183 - $1,125 -
1987 $30,899 - $1,017 -
1986 $24,828 - $946 -
1985 $17,411 - $1,012 -
1984 $17,247 - $1,137 -
1983 $18,128 - $947 -
1982 $18,271 - $946 -
1981 $17,931 - $962 -
1980 $19,686 - $1,048 -
1979 $18,541 - $1,055 -
1978 $16,528 - - -
1977 $11,819 - - -
1976 $11,029 - - -
1975 $10,484 - - -
1974 $9,140 - - -
1973 $7,974 - - -
1972 $5,973 - - -
1971 $4,908 - - -
1970 $4,105 - - -
1969 $3,712 - - -
1968 $3,465 - - -
1967 $3,286 - - -
1966 $3,091 - - -
1965 $2,908 - - -
1964 $2,776 - - -
1963 $2,546 - - -
1962 $2,366 - - -
1961 $2,188 - - -
1960 $1,984 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/switzerland/vanuatu | CC BY

Switzerland's GDP per capita is $114,769, ranking 5/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Switzerland Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$1.04T
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
20/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
1.3%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$114,769
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
5/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$96,498
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
8/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$411B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.4%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$45,239
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
12/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$89,347
2026
$2,801
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.51T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
944,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
45
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2022
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.2%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.15%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
0%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.84%
2025
1.41%
2025
Population
9155878
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Switzerland
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Switzerland Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 31.2% 39.4% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 31.3% 40.5% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 30.9% 37.3% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 30.5% 35.9% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 33.4% 39.7% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 36.3% 42.4% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 31.3% 38.8% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 31.1% 39% 29.4% 40%
2017 31.9% 41.1% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 31.9% 40.3% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 31.9% 41.4% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 31.5% 41.2% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 32% 41.2% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 31.1% 41.9% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 31% 41.2% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 30.9% 40.7% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 31.2% 42.4% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 29.6% 44.2% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 29% 44% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 30.1% 47.7% 18.2% 20%
2005 31.9% 54.1% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 32.6% 57.1% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 32.8% 56.2% 17% 34.6%
2002 33.6% 56.9% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 31.2% 50.5% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 31.9% 51.7% 23% 32.6%
1999 32.8% 52% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 32.3% 55.3% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 32.5% 52.9% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 32.5% 50.6% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 32% 49.3% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 32% 46.4% 22% 19.5%
1993 31.9% 43.7% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 30.8% 38.9% 28.8% 19%
1991 29% 34.6% 30% 14.4%
1990 27.2% 32.8% - -
1989 30% 32.5% - -
1988 30.3% 35% - -
1987 29.8% 36.5% - -
1986 29.8% 37.6% - -
1985 30.1% 39.1% - -
1984 30.4% 39.8% - -
1983 31.2% 40.2% - -
1982 30.5% 40% - -
1981 29.4% 40.8% - -
1980 29.9% 43.9% - -
1979 30.5% 44.6% - -
1978 30.4% 46.6% - -
1977 31% 46.9% - -
1976 31.6% 46.7% - -
1975 29.3% 42.3% - -
1974 27.5% 38.4% - -
1973 26.5% 37% - -
1972 25.7% 38% - -
1971 25.4% 38.7% - -
1970 25.8% 38.9% - -
1969 9.45% 7.08% - -
1968 8.87% 6.99% - -
1967 8.68% 7.26% - -
1966 8.95% 7.62% - -
1965 8.33% 8.28% - -
1964 8.85% 9.43% - -
1963 8.2% 10.8% - -
1962 8.1% 12% - -
1961 7.97% 14% - -
1960 7.11% 16.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/switzerland/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, Switzerland's government spending was $326B, accounting for 31.2% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.4% in Switzerland and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 136/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Switzerland

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Switzerland Vanuatu
2025 0.45% -3.88%
2024 0.53% -2.46%
2023 0.12% -0.78%
2022 1.15% -5.96%
2021 -0.28% 2.07%
2020 -2.96% -1.74%
2019 1.31% 2.48%
2018 1.26% 5.53%
2017 1.11% -1.06%
2016 0.23% -0.64%
2015 0.54% -8.13%
2014 -0.24% 1.26%
2013 -0.42% -0.22%
2012 0.23% -1.54%
2011 0.67% -1.98%
2010 0.35% -2.38%
2009 0.49% -0.76%
2008 1.91% -0.04%
2007 1.55% 0.25%
2006 0.83% 0.44%
2005 -0.64% 1.68%
2004 -1.37% 0.72%
2003 -1.34% -1.22%
2002 -1.72% -3.29%
2001 0.2% -3.01%
2000 0.28% -5.67%
1999 -1.55% -0.5%
1998 -1.29% -6.01%
1997 -2.3% -0.46%
1996 -1.98% -1.61%
1995 -1.83% -2.34%
1994 -2.55% -1.35%
1993 -3.1% -3.32%
1992 -2.92% -2.1%
1991 -1.82% -2.54%
1990 -0.05% -
1989 0.2% -
1988 0.42% -
1987 0.78% -
1986 0.93% -
1985 -0.25% -
1984 -0.52% -
1983 -1.23% -
1982 -1.21% -
1981 -0.54% -
1980 -1.34% -
1979 -1.79% -
1978 -1.12% -
1977 -1.64% -
1976 -1.89% -
1975 -0.93% -
1974 -1.01% -
1973 -0.93% -
1972 -1.39% -
1971 -1.41% -
1970 -1.44% -
1969 -0.98% -
1968 -0.73% -
1967 -1.07% -
1966 -0.87% -
1965 0.05% -
1964 0.77% -
1963 0.25% -
1962 0.95% -
1961 0.34% -
1960 1.95% -
1959 0.72% -
1958 0.59% -
1957 0.66% -
1956 2.24% -
1955 1.1% -
1954 1.44% -
1953 0.38% -
1952 -1.17% -
1951 -0.36% -
1950 1.49% -
1949 0.04% -
1948 1.37% -
1947 1.27% -
1946 0.52% -
1945 -7.57% -
1944 -9.37% -
1943 -8.55% -
1942 -7.28% -
1941 -8.78% -
1940 -10% -
1939 -5.05% -
1938 -1.53% -
1937 -0.17% -
1936 -0.33% -
1935 -0.23% -
1934 -0.33% -
1933 -0.88% -
1932 -0.3% -
1931 0.03% -
1930 0.07% -
1929 0.22% -
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -0.12% -
1912 0.03% -
1911 -0.006% -
1910 -0.14% -
1909 -0.78% -
1908 -0.1% -
1907 -0.02% -
1906 0.15% -
1905 0.41% -
1904 0.002% -
1903 0.09% -
1902 0.02% -
1901 -0.14% -
1900 -0.07% -
1899 0.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/switzerland/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, Switzerland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.71B, equivalent to 0.45% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Switzerland recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Switzerland posted an annual deficit equal to 0.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Switzerland

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Switzerland Vanuatu
2025 0.15% 0.66%
2024 1.06% 1.14%
2023 2.14% 11.2%
2022 2.84% 6.68%
2021 0.58% 2.34%
2020 -0.73% 5.33%
2019 0.36% 2.76%
2018 0.94% 2.33%
2017 0.53% 3.08%
2016 -0.43% 0.84%
2015 -1.14% 2.48%
2014 -0.01% 0.8%
2013 -0.22% 1.46%
2012 -0.69% 1.35%
2011 0.23% 0.87%
2010 0.69% 2.76%
2009 -0.48% 4.3%
2008 2.43% 4.84%
2007 0.73% 3.94%
2006 1.06% 2.04%
2005 1.17% 1.2%
2004 0.8% 1.42%
2003 0.64% 3.02%
2002 0.64% 1.96%
2001 0.99% 3.58%
2000 1.56% 2.54%
1999 0.81% 2%
1998 0.02% 3.28%
1997 0.52% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/switzerland/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Switzerland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.59%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 0.15% in Switzerland and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $105K
Chemicals & pharma $34K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Switzerland Vanuatu
Current account balance
$72.9B
2025
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
11/190
2025
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.98%
2025
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$508B
2025
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$617B
2025
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$214B
2025
$230M
2022
Service exports
$195B
2025
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.1%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.1%
2025
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Switzerland Vanuatu
Economic freedom 83.7 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 2/197 92/197
Property rights 94.4 62.1
Government integrity 93.3 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 98.3 67.9
Tax burden 70.9 96.9
Government spending 69.5 48.1
Fiscal health 97.2 78.8
Business freedom 86.3 50.3
Labor freedom 60 41
Monetary freedom 82.3 72.1
Trade freedom 87 62
Investment freedom 85 65
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Switzerland
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Switzerland Vanuatu
2026 83.7 61.1
2025 83.7 61.8
2024 83 62.2
2023 83.8 62.1
2022 84.2 62.9
2021 81.9 60.5
2020 82 60.7
2019 81.9 56.4
2018 81.7 69.5
2017 81.5 67.4
2016 81 60.8
2015 80.5 61.1
2014 81.6 59.5
2013 81 56.6
2012 81.1 56.6
2011 81.9 56.7
2010 81.1 56.4
2009 79.4 58.4
2008 79.5 -
2007 78 -
2006 78.9 -
2005 79.3 -
2004 79.5 -
2003 79 -
2002 79.3 -
2001 76 -
2000 76.8 -
1999 79.1 -
1998 79 -
1997 78.6 -
1996 76.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/switzerland/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Switzerland is 83.7, ranking 2/197, 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

Switzerland Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
71.7%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.64%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1T
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,690
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.08T
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
4/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$37.6B
2025
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$108B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.8%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
26.1%
2024

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/switzerland/vanuatu | 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 (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.