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Economy of Switzerland vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Switzerland has a GDP of $937B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 20/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Switzerland has $351B in government debt (37.5% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Switzerland vs Yemen GDP by year

Switzerland
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Switzerland Yemen
2024 $936,564,198,049 -
2023 $894,424,821,645 -
2022 $828,508,926,958 -
2021 $815,309,330,987 -
2020 $741,999,406,006 -
2019 $721,369,112,727 -
2018 $725,568,717,468 $21,606,160,663
2017 $695,200,833,086 $26,842,229,045
2016 $687,895,460,903 $31,317,825,274
2015 $694,118,186,380 $42,444,490,074
2014 $726,537,808,338 $43,228,585,321
2013 $706,234,937,371 $40,415,233,436
2012 $686,420,221,558 $35,401,331,610
2011 $715,888,126,682 $32,726,417,878
2010 $598,851,028,907 $30,906,749,533
2009 $554,212,916,092 $25,130,278,213
2008 $567,267,767,519 $26,910,855,807
2007 $490,740,715,595 $21,650,528,674
2006 $441,634,672,197 $19,063,143,370
2005 $418,284,865,885 $16,731,566,717
2004 $403,912,891,033 $13,867,634,371
2003 $362,075,086,508 $11,777,532,662
2002 $309,301,422,430 $10,693,430,511
2001 $286,582,672,434 $9,852,990,693
2000 $279,216,033,870 $9,679,316,770
1999 $297,873,643,323 $7,639,325,296
1998 $303,459,014,347 $6,322,175,566
1997 $294,788,198,856 $6,838,298,531
1996 $340,103,959,547 $6,496,163,616
1995 $352,835,806,342 $12,796,345,679
1994 $301,375,055,202 $28,019,483,764
1993 $272,237,527,071 $21,736,802,664
1992 $279,921,425,828 $17,959,367,194
1991 $268,901,693,863 $14,665,445,462
1990 $265,763,573,999 $12,643,821,569
1989 $208,105,846,934 -
1988 $215,540,625,299 -
1987 $199,236,370,038 -
1986 $159,089,921,063 -
1985 $110,980,314,192 -
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Switzerland vs Yemen by year

Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Switzerland Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $103,998 $96,498 - -
2023 $100,624 $95,142 - -
2022 $94,395 $94,421 - -
2021 $93,665 $81,001 - -
2020 $85,898 $72,998 - -
2019 $84,122 $73,732 - -
2018 $85,217 $70,689 $634 -
2017 $82,254 $68,194 $811 -
2016 $82,153 $67,351 $975 -
2015 $83,806 $65,265 $1,362 -
2014 $88,725 $63,417 $1,430 -
2013 $87,304 $61,656 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $85,836 $59,441 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $90,477 $57,494 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $76,531 $54,426 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $71,568 $52,999 $969 $3,411
2008 $74,175 $53,809 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $64,989 $50,928 $890 $3,294
2006 $59,011 $46,266 $810 $3,205
2005 $56,243 $41,525 $734 $3,113
2004 $54,659 $40,171 $628 $2,949
2003 $49,336 $38,732 $549 $2,844
2002 $42,459 $38,705 $513 $2,768
2001 $39,639 $37,819 $487 $2,702
2000 $38,865 $36,703 $493 $2,624
1999 $41,696 $34,743 $401 $2,492
1998 $42,681 $33,860 $343 $2,442
1997 $41,584 $32,736 $383 $2,351
1996 $48,093 $31,509 $375 $2,268
1995 $50,114 $30,842 $764 $2,201
1994 $43,092 $30,265 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $39,237 $29,495 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $40,714 $29,113 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $39,544 $28,792 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $39,575 $28,461 $910 $1,742
1989 $31,309 - - -
1988 $32,690 - - -
1987 $30,441 - - -
1986 $24,460 - - -
1985 $17,152 - - -
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/yemen | CC BY

Switzerland's GDP per capita is $103,998, ranking 5/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Switzerland Yemen
Gross domestic product
$937B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
20/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
1.3%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$103,998
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
5/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$96,498
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
8/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$351B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.5%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,021
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$85,867
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.97T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,119,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2022
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.06%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.34%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
9107866
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Switzerland
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Switzerland Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.9% 37.5% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 32.1% 38.7% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 31.6% 37.2% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 34.4% 41% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 37% 43.2% 10.6% 87%
2019 32% 39.6% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 31.7% 39.8% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 32.4% 41.8% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 32.4% 40.9% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 32.5% 42.2% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 32.2% 42.1% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 32.5% 41.9% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 31.7% 42.6% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 31.4% 41.9% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 31.4% 41.5% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 31.8% 43.1% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 30% 44.8% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 29.4% 44.8% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 30.5% 48.5% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 32.4% 54.9% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 33.1% 57.8% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 33.2% 56.9% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 34.1% 57.7% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 31.6% 51.1% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 32.2% 52.2% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 33.2% 52.7% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 32.7% 55.9% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 32.9% 53.7% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 33% 51.3% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 32.4% 50% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 32.5% 47.1% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 32.5% 44.4% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 31.3% 39.5% 24.6% 78%
1991 29.5% 35.1% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 27.6% 33.3% 26.6% 91.6%
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 (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Switzerland's government spending was $299B, accounting for 31.9% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.5% in Switzerland and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 141/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Switzerland

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Switzerland Yemen
2024 0.58% -2.48%
2023 0.12% -5.63%
2022 1.19% -2.15%
2021 -0.29% -0.89%
2020 -3.01% -4.3%
2019 1.34% -5.89%
2018 1.29% -7.85%
2017 1.13% -4.9%
2016 0.24% -8.51%
2015 0.55% -8.75%
2014 -0.25% -4.14%
2013 -0.43% -6.9%
2012 0.24% -6.32%
2011 0.68% -4.51%
2010 0.35% -4.06%
2009 0.5% -10.2%
2008 1.93% -4.53%
2007 1.57% -7.18%
2006 0.85% 1.19%
2005 -0.65% -1.82%
2004 -1.39% -2.15%
2003 -1.36% -4.2%
2002 -1.75% -0.56%
2001 0.21% 2.79%
2000 0.28% 6.09%
1999 -1.57% 0.06%
1998 -1.31% -7.77%
1997 -2.33% -1.5%
1996 -2.01% -0.92%
1995 -1.86% -5.74%
1994 -2.59% -14%
1993 -3.15% -12.8%
1992 -2.96% -10.9%
1991 -1.85% -5.76%
1990 -0.05% -10.3%
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/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Switzerland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $9.36B, equivalent to 1.29% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Switzerland recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Switzerland posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Switzerland

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Switzerland Yemen
2024 1.06% 33.9%
2023 2.14% 0.9%
2022 2.84% 29.5%
2021 0.58% 31.5%
2020 -0.73% 21.7%
2019 0.36% 15.7%
2018 0.94% 33.6%
2017 0.53% 30.4%
2016 -0.43% 21.3%
2015 -1.14% 22%
2014 -0.01% 8.2%
2013 -0.22% 11%
2012 -0.69% 9.9%
2011 0.23% 19.5%
2010 0.69% 11.2%
2009 -0.48% 3.7%
2008 2.43% 19%
2007 0.73% 7.9%
2006 1.06% 10.8%
2005 1.17% 9.9%
2004 0.8% 12.5%
2003 0.64% 10.8%
2002 0.64% 12.2%
2001 0.99% 11.9%
2000 1.56% 11%
1999 0.81% 7.9%
1998 0.02% 11.5%
1997 0.52% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Switzerland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.61%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 1.06% in Switzerland and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.97M
Chemicals & pharma $3.73M
Precious metals & jewellery $585K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $569K
Animal & marine products $452K
Textiles & consumer goods $265K
Metals $68K
Raw materials & minerals $25K
Miscellaneous $6K
Wood & paper products $5K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13K
Animal & marine products $10K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7K
Raw agricultural goods $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Switzerland Yemen
Current account balance
$72B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.69%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$371B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$502B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$203B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$186B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.9%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Switzerland Yemen
Economic freedom 83.7 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 2/197 138/197
Property rights 94.4 3.5
Government integrity 93.3 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 98.3 9.9
Tax burden 70.9 93.7
Government spending 69.5 0
Fiscal health 97.2 71.2
Business freedom 86.3 31.3
Labor freedom 60 31.2
Monetary freedom 82.3 48.1
Trade freedom 87 67.4
Investment freedom 85 50
Financial freedom 80 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Switzerland
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Switzerland Yemen
2026 83.7 -
2025 83.7 -
2024 83 -
2023 83.8 -
2022 84.2 -
2021 81.9 -
2020 82 -
2019 81.9 -
2018 81.7 -
2017 81.5 -
2016 81 -
2015 80.5 53.7
2014 81.6 55.5
2013 81 55.9
2012 81.1 55.3
2011 81.9 54.2
2010 81.1 54.4
2009 79.4 56.9
2008 79.5 53.8
2007 78 54.1
2006 78.9 52.6
2005 79.3 53.8
2004 79.5 50.5
2003 79 50.3
2002 79.3 48.6
2001 76 44.3
2000 76.8 44.5
1999 79.1 43.3
1998 79 46.1
1997 78.6 48.4
1996 76.8 49.6
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Switzerland is 83.7, ranking 2/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Switzerland Yemen
Services, % of GDP
72%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.63%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$857B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$93,420
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$909B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
4/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$59.7B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$108B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.8%
2021
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (1899–1998, 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 (2015–2024, 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.