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Economy of Switzerland vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Switzerland has a GDP of $937B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 20/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Switzerland has $351B in government debt (37.5% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Switzerland vs Vietnam GDP by year

Switzerland
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Switzerland Vietnam
2024 $936,564,198,049 $476,388,230,307
2023 $894,424,821,645 $433,857,681,378
2022 $828,508,926,958 $413,445,230,669
2021 $815,309,330,987 $366,474,752,771
2020 $741,999,406,006 $346,615,738,538
2019 $721,369,112,727 $334,365,270,497
2018 $725,568,717,468 $310,106,478,395
2017 $695,200,833,086 $281,353,605,987
2016 $687,895,460,903 $257,096,001,178
2015 $694,118,186,380 $239,258,328,382
2014 $726,537,808,338 $233,451,469,643
2013 $706,234,937,371 $213,708,811,665
2012 $686,420,221,558 $195,590,661,129
2011 $715,888,126,682 $172,595,049,184
2010 $598,851,028,907 $147,201,173,197
2009 $554,212,916,092 $106,014,659,565
2008 $567,267,767,519 $99,130,304,099
2007 $490,740,715,595 $77,414,425,532
2006 $441,634,672,197 $66,371,664,817
2005 $418,284,865,885 $57,633,255,738
2004 $403,912,891,033 $45,427,854,693
2003 $362,075,086,508 $39,552,513,232
2002 $309,301,422,430 $35,064,105,501
2001 $286,582,672,434 $32,685,198,809
2000 $279,216,033,870 $31,172,518,403
1999 $297,873,643,323 $28,683,659,007
1998 $303,459,014,347 $27,209,602,050
1997 $294,788,198,856 $26,843,700,442
1996 $340,103,959,547 $24,657,470,575
1995 $352,835,806,342 $20,736,164,459
1994 $301,375,055,202 $16,286,433,533
1993 $272,237,527,071 $13,180,953,598
1992 $279,921,425,828 $9,866,990,236
1991 $268,901,693,863 $9,613,369,520
1990 $265,763,573,999 $6,471,740,806
1989 $208,105,846,934 $6,293,304,975
1988 $215,540,625,299 $25,423,812,649
1987 $199,236,370,038 $36,658,108,850
1986 $159,089,921,063 $26,336,616,250
1985 $110,980,314,192 $14,094,687,821
1984 $109,455,312,168 -
1983 $114,634,358,535 -
1982 $115,043,365,512 -
1981 $112,244,805,519 -
1980 $122,557,843,886 -
1979 $114,970,094,425 -
1978 $102,280,472,036 -
1977 $73,135,771,167 -
1976 $68,476,524,644 -
1975 $65,466,081,819 -
1974 $57,103,011,446 -
1973 $49,550,006,320 -
1972 $36,844,318,854 -
1971 $30,040,171,751 -
1970 $24,998,066,773 -
1969 $22,442,043,274 -
1968 $20,712,102,794 -
1967 $19,397,044,714 -
1966 $18,019,402,374 -
1965 $16,780,226,225 -
1964 $15,833,133,858 -
1963 $14,283,872,299 -
1962 $12,989,649,694 -
1961 $11,713,348,834 -
1960 $10,412,232,621 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Switzerland vs Vietnam by year

Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Switzerland Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $103,998 $96,498 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $100,624 $95,142 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $94,395 $94,421 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $93,665 $81,001 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $85,898 $72,998 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $84,122 $73,732 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $85,217 $70,689 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $82,254 $68,194 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $82,153 $67,351 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $83,806 $65,265 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $88,725 $63,417 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $87,304 $61,656 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $85,836 $59,441 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $90,477 $57,494 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $76,531 $54,426 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $71,568 $52,999 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $74,175 $53,809 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $64,989 $50,928 $926 $4,581
2006 $59,011 $46,266 $808 $4,237
2005 $56,243 $41,525 $711 $3,894
2004 $54,659 $40,171 $565 $3,543
2003 $49,336 $38,732 $497 $3,240
2002 $42,459 $38,705 $445 $3,002
2001 $39,639 $37,819 $419 $2,809
2000 $38,865 $36,703 $404 $2,614
1999 $41,696 $34,743 $376 $2,421
1998 $42,681 $33,860 $361 $2,308
1997 $41,584 $32,736 $362 $2,189
1996 $48,093 $31,509 $337 $2,019
1995 $50,114 $30,842 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $43,092 $30,265 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $39,237 $29,495 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $40,714 $29,113 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $39,544 $28,792 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $39,575 $28,461 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $31,309 - $98.1 -
1988 $32,690 - $405 -
1987 $30,441 - $595 -
1986 $24,460 - $436 -
1985 $17,152 - $238.6 -
1984 $16,991 - - -
1983 $17,859 - - -
1982 $18,000 - - -
1981 $17,665 - - -
1980 $19,394 - - -
1979 $18,266 - - -
1978 $16,282 - - -
1977 $11,644 - - -
1976 $10,865 - - -
1975 $10,328 - - -
1974 $9,005 - - -
1973 $7,856 - - -
1972 $5,885 - - -
1971 $4,835 - - -
1970 $4,044 - - -
1969 $3,657 - - -
1968 $3,413 - - -
1967 $3,237 - - -
1966 $3,045 - - -
1965 $2,865 - - -
1964 $2,735 - - -
1963 $2,508 - - -
1962 $2,330 - - -
1961 $2,155 - - -
1960 $1,954 - - -

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

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

Switzerland's GDP per capita is $103,998, ranking 5/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Switzerland Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$937B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
20/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
1.3%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$103,998
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
5/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$96,498
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
8/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$351B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.5%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,021
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$85,867
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.97T
2024
$205B
2024
Number of millionaires
1,119,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2022
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.06%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.34%
2024
1.53%
2024
Population
9107866
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Switzerland
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Switzerland Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.9% 37.5% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 32.1% 38.7% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 31.6% 37.2% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 34.4% 41% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 37% 43.2% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 32% 39.6% 19.8% 41%
2018 31.7% 39.8% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 32.4% 41.8% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 32.4% 40.9% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 32.5% 42.2% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 32.2% 42.1% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 32.5% 41.9% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 31.7% 42.6% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 31.4% 41.9% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 31.4% 41.5% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 31.8% 43.1% 25% 36.2%
2008 30% 44.8% 21.4% 31%
2007 29.4% 44.8% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 30.5% 48.5% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 32.4% 54.9% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 33.1% 57.8% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 33.2% 56.9% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 34.1% 57.7% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 31.6% 51.1% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 32.2% 52.2% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 33.2% 52.7% 16.7% -
1998 32.7% 55.9% 16% -
1997 32.9% 53.7% - -
1996 33% 51.3% - -
1995 32.4% 50% - -
1994 32.5% 47.1% - -
1993 32.5% 44.4% - -
1992 31.3% 39.5% - -
1991 29.5% 35.1% - -
1990 27.6% 33.3% - -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Switzerland's government spending was $299B, accounting for 31.9% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.5% in Switzerland and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 141/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Switzerland

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Switzerland Vietnam
2024 0.58% -1.54%
2023 0.12% -1.72%
2022 1.19% 0.67%
2021 -0.29% -1.43%
2020 -3.01% -2.86%
2019 1.34% -0.4%
2018 1.29% -1.02%
2017 1.13% -1.96%
2016 0.24% -3.16%
2015 0.55% -4.98%
2014 -0.25% -5.02%
2013 -0.43% -5.96%
2012 0.24% -5.46%
2011 0.68% -0.9%
2010 0.35% -2.25%
2009 0.5% -4.82%
2008 1.93% -0.45%
2007 1.57% -1.74%
2006 0.85% 0.2%
2005 -0.65% -0.95%
2004 -1.39% -0.15%
2003 -1.36% -2.56%
2002 -1.75% -1.85%
2001 0.21% -2.19%
2000 0.28% -1.61%
1999 -1.57% -1.25%
1998 -1.31% -0.1%
1997 -2.33% -
1996 -2.01% -
1995 -1.86% -
1994 -2.59% -
1993 -3.15% -
1992 -2.96% -
1991 -1.85% -
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Switzerland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.4B, equivalent to 0.58% of GDP. This compares to Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Switzerland recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Switzerland posted an annual surplus equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Switzerland

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Switzerland Vietnam
2024 1.06% 3.6%
2023 2.14% 3.3%
2022 2.84% 3.2%
2021 0.58% 1.8%
2020 -0.73% 3.2%
2019 0.36% 2.8%
2018 0.94% 3.5%
2017 0.53% 3.5%
2016 -0.43% 2.7%
2015 -1.14% 0.6%
2014 -0.01% 4.1%
2013 -0.22% 6.6%
2012 -0.69% 9.1%
2011 0.23% 18.7%
2010 0.69% 9.1%
2009 -0.48% 6.7%
2008 2.43% 23.3%
2007 0.73% 8.4%
2006 1.06% 7.7%
2005 1.17% 8.3%
2004 0.8% 7.8%
2003 0.64% 3.1%
2002 0.64% 3.8%
2001 0.99% -0.4%
2000 1.56% -1.8%
1999 0.81% 4.1%
1998 0.02% 8.1%
1997 0.52% 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/switzerland/vietnam | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Switzerland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.61%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 1.06% in Switzerland and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $287M
Chemicals & pharma $239M
Precious metals & jewellery $27.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $17.3M
Metals $10M
Raw materials & minerals $3.18M
Wood & paper products $2.24M
Raw agricultural goods $1.74M
Animal & marine products $783K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $80.3M
Machinery & equipment $57.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $47.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $41.2M
Chemicals & pharma $20M
Animal & marine products $19.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11.1M
Metals $8.51M
Raw agricultural goods $6.04M
Wood & paper products $1.41M

Balance of trade

Switzerland Vietnam
Current account balance
$72B
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.69%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$371B
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$502B
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$203B
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$186B
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.9%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
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.

Switzerland Vietnam
Economic freedom 83.7 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 2/197 73/197
Property rights 94.4 47.3
Government integrity 93.3 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 98.3 31.3
Tax burden 70.9 80.9
Government spending 69.5 89.5
Fiscal health 97.2 96.9
Business freedom 86.3 70
Labor freedom 60 54.7
Monetary freedom 82.3 73.2
Trade freedom 87 79.8
Investment freedom 85 60
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Switzerland
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Switzerland Vietnam
2026 83.7 64.4
2025 83.7 65.2
2024 83 62.8
2023 83.8 61.8
2022 84.2 60.6
2021 81.9 61.7
2020 82 58.8
2019 81.9 55.3
2018 81.7 53.1
2017 81.5 52.4
2016 81 54
2015 80.5 51.7
2014 81.6 50.8
2013 81 51
2012 81.1 51.3
2011 81.9 51.6
2010 81.1 49.8
2009 79.4 51
2008 79.5 50.4
2007 78 49.8
2006 78.9 50.5
2005 79.3 48.1
2004 79.5 46.1
2003 79 46.2
2002 79.3 45.6
2001 76 44.3
2000 76.8 43.7
1999 79.1 42.7
1998 79 40.4
1997 78.6 38.6
1996 76.8 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

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

Switzerland Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
72%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.63%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$857B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$93,420
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$909B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
4/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$59.7B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$108B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.8%
2021
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
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/switzerland/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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.