Skip to content

Economy of Taiwan vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Taiwan has a GDP of $802B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 22/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Taiwan has $211B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Taiwan vs Thailand GDP by year

Taiwan
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Taiwan Thailand
2024 $801,529,000,000 $526,517,658,842
2023 $757,328,000,000 $515,906,283,941
2022 $765,529,000,000 $495,644,697,588
2021 $777,062,000,000 $506,194,668,790
2020 $676,935,000,000 $500,461,898,480
2019 $613,453,000,000 $543,976,691,794
2018 $610,744,000,000 $506,754,208,404
2017 $591,734,000,000 $456,356,813,537
2016 $543,002,000,000 $413,366,349,748
2015 $534,474,000,000 $401,296,238,228
2014 $535,332,000,000 $407,339,040,198
2013 $512,957,000,000 $420,333,654,593
2012 $495,536,000,000 $397,558,325,279
2011 $483,957,000,000 $370,818,739,624
2010 $444,245,000,000 $341,104,766,329
2009 $390,788,000,000 $281,710,630,187
2008 $415,824,000,000 $291,382,982,431
2007 $406,940,000,000 $262,942,621,455
2006 $386,492,000,000 $221,758,296,022
2005 $374,042,000,000 $189,318,408,469
2004 $346,881,000,000 $172,895,685,155
2003 $317,374,000,000 $152,280,615,246
2002 $307,429,000,000 $134,300,904,400
2001 $299,303,000,000 $120,296,476,180
2000 $330,725,000,000 $126,392,224,254
1999 $303,827,000,000 $126,669,211,779
1998 $279,926,000,000 $113,675,596,788
1997 $303,315,000,000 $150,180,456,566
1996 $292,473,000,000 $183,035,237,429
1995 $279,013,000,000 $169,278,916,593
1994 $256,213,000,000 $146,683,778,959
1993 $234,943,000,000 $128,889,262,951
1992 $222,947,000,000 $111,452,746,518
1991 $187,100,000,000 $98,234,714,971
1990 $166,392,000,000 $85,343,190,719
1989 $152,687,000,000 $72,250,748,100
1988 $126,378,000,000 $61,667,253,471
1987 $104,956,000,000 $50,535,446,555
1986 $78,347,000,000 $43,096,773,981
1985 $63,599,000,000 $38,900,711,333
1984 $61,036,000,000 $41,797,647,776
1983 $54,155,000,000 $40,042,798,388
1982 $49,540,000,000 $36,589,772,404
1981 $49,047,000,000 $34,846,039,194
1980 $42,292,000,000 $32,353,514,989
1979 $33,875,000,000 $27,371,650,825
1978 $27,373,000,000 $24,006,566,637
1977 $22,252,000,000 $19,779,312,261
1976 $18,988,000,000 $16,985,208,648
1975 $15,836,000,000 $14,882,770,594
1974 $14,739,000,000 $13,702,998,512
1973 $10,940,000,000 $10,838,587,358
1972 $8,063,000,000 $8,177,873,151
1971 $6,727,000,000 $7,375,000,024
1970 $5,785,000,000 $7,086,538,438
1969 $5,017,000,000 $6,695,336,567
1968 $4,325,000,000 $6,081,009,428
1967 $3,709,000,000 $5,638,461,442
1966 $3,207,000,000 $5,279,230,817
1965 $2,869,000,000 $4,388,937,649
1964 $2,592,000,000 $3,889,129,942
1963 $2,218,000,000 $3,540,403,457
1962 $1,960,000,000 $3,308,912,797
1961 $1,778,000,000 $3,034,037,811
1960 $1,743,000,000 $2,760,750,861
1959 $1,444,000,000 -
1958 $1,836,000,000 -
1957 $1,636,000,000 -
1956 $1,399,000,000 -
1955 $1,940,000,000 -
1954 $1,628,000,000 -
1953 $1,481,000,000 -
1952 $1,677,000,000 -
1951 $1,197,000,000 -

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/thailand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Taiwan vs Thailand by year

Taiwan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Taiwan Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $34,238 - $7,347 $24,712
2023 $32,444 - $7,195 $23,519
2022 $32,827 - $6,909 $22,243
2021 $33,111 - $7,057 $20,243
2020 $28,705 - $6,986 $19,164
2019 $25,998 - $7,606 $19,963
2018 $25,901 - $7,100 $18,876
2017 $25,121 $50,500 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $23,091 - $5,834 $16,671
2015 $22,780 $46,800 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $22,874 - $5,801 $15,365
2013 $21,973 $39,600 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $21,295 $39,400 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $20,866 $38,200 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $19,197 $35,700 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $16,933 $32,000 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $18,081 $31,100 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $17,757 $30,100 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $16,934 $29,500 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $16,456 $27,500 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $15,317 $25,300 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $14,066 $23,400 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $13,686 $18,000 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $13,397 $17,200 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $14,908 $17,400 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $13,804 $16,100 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $12,820 - $1,848 $6,590
1997 $14,020 - $2,473 $7,148
1996 $13,641 - $3,055 $7,322
1995 $13,119 - $2,864 $6,901
1994 $12,150 - $2,518 $6,341
1993 $11,242 - $2,245 $5,834
1992 $10,768 - $1,972 $5,347
1991 $9,125 - $1,766 $4,914
1990 $8,205 - $1,559 $4,451
1989 $7,613 - $1,342 -
1988 $6,370 - $1,164 -
1987 $5,350 - $970 -
1986 $4,036 - $842 -
1985 $3,314 - $774 -
1984 $3,224 - $847 -
1983 $2,903 - $827 -
1982 $2,699 - $770 -
1981 $2,720 - $748 -
1980 $2,389 - $709 -
1979 $1,950 - $612 -
1978 $1,606 - $548 -
1977 $1,330 - $462 -
1976 $1,158 - $405 -
1975 $985 - $364 -
1974 $934 - $343 -
1973 $706 - $278.3 -
1972 $530 - $215.6 -
1971 $451 - $199.7 -
1970 $397 - $197.1 -
1969 $357 - $191.4 -
1968 $319 - $178.8 -
1967 $280.8 - $170.7 -
1966 $249.1 - $164.5 -
1965 $229.3 - $140.9 -
1964 $213.6 - $128.6 -
1963 $188.6 - $120.7 -
1962 $172 - $116.2 -
1961 $161.2 - $109.7 -
1960 $163.4 - $102.8 -
1959 $140.4 - - -
1958 $185.1 - - -
1957 $170.5 - - -
1956 $150.6 - - -
1955 $216.3 - - -
1954 $188.3 - - -
1953 $177.7 - - -
1952 $208.4 - - -
1951 $154.3 - - -

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2017, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/thailand | CC BY

Taiwan's GDP per capita is $34,238, ranking 35/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Taiwan ranks 44th at $50,500, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Taiwan Thailand
Gross domestic product
$802B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
22/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.3%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$34,238
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
35/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$50,500
2017
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
44/197
2017
85/197
2024
Government debt
$211B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,020
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
59/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,163
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires
759,000
2025
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires
54
2025
25
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.8%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2024
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.35%
2025
0.78%
2024
Population
23229461
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Taiwan
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Taiwan Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.8% 26.3% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 17.1% 29% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 16% 29.5% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 15.4% 30.1% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 16.2% 32% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 15.3% 32.6% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 15.4% 33.8% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 15.4% 34.5% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 15.6% 35.4% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 15.5% 35.9% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 - 37.5% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 - 38.9% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 - 39.2% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 18.3% 38.3% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 - 36.9% 22% 39.8%
2009 - 36.7% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 - 33.4% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 - 32.2% 20% 36%
2006 - 33.3% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 - 34.1% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 - 33.4% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 - 32.1% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 - 29.8% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 22.5% 30.1% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 - 26.2% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 - 23.7% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 - 23.7% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 - 25% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 - - 18% 15.2%
1995 - - 17.2% 5.12%
1994 - - 16% 6.69%
1993 - - 18.8% 9.14%
1992 - - 17.8% 11.4%
1991 25.4% - 17% 14.1%
1990 - - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 23.6% - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 21.4% - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/thailand | CC BY

In 2024, Taiwan's government spending was $127B, accounting for 15.8% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Taiwan and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 160/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Taiwan

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Taiwan Thailand
2024 0.43% -1.29%
2023 -0.61% -1.98%
2022 0.17% -4.61%
2021 -0.18% -6.74%
2020 -1.03% -4.47%
2019 0.11% 0.43%
2018 0.02% 0.2%
2017 -0.14% -0.42%
2016 -0.31% 0.41%
2015 0.1% 0.19%
2014 - -0.7%
2013 - 0.6%
2012 - -0.86%
2011 -2.15% 0.09%
2010 - -1.07%
2009 - -2.21%
2008 - 0.8%
2007 - 0.22%
2006 - 1.87%
2005 - 2.17%
2004 - 1.11%
2003 - 1.98%
2002 - -6.72%
2001 -3.71% -1.77%
2000 - -1.79%
1999 - -9.02%
1998 - -6.29%
1997 - -1.68%
1996 - 2.75%
1995 - 3.05%
1994 - 2.78%
1993 - 6.67%
1992 - -0.18%
1991 -4.5% 1.6%
1990 - 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 -0.78% -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 1.39% -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/thailand | CC BY

In 2024, Taiwan's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.45B, equivalent to 0.43% of GDP. This compares to Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 49 years, Taiwan recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Taiwan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.43% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Taiwan

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Taiwan Thailand
2024 2.2% 1.37%
2023 2.5% 8.48%
2022 2.9% -1.61%
2021 2% 1.23%
2020 -0.2% -0.85%
2019 0.6% 0.71%
2018 1.4% 1.06%
2017 0.6% 0.67%
2016 1.4% 0.19%
2015 -0.3% -0.9%
2014 1.2% 1.9%
2013 0.8% 2.18%
2012 1.9% 3.01%
2011 1.4% 3.81%
2010 1% 3.25%
2009 -0.9% -0.85%
2008 3.5% 5.47%
2007 1.8% 2.24%
2006 0.6% 4.64%
2005 2.3% 4.54%
2004 1.6% 2.76%
2003 -0.3% 1.8%
2002 -0.2% 0.7%
2001 0% 1.63%
2000 1.2% 1.59%
1999 0.2% 0.28%
1998 1.7% 7.99%
1997 0.9% 5.63%

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/taiwan/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Taiwan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.14%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 2.2% in Taiwan and 1.37% in Thailand.

Balance of trade

Taiwan Thailand
Current account balance
$113B
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
4/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.1%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports n/a
$276B
2024
Goods exports n/a
$297B
2024
Service imports n/a
$74B
2024
Service exports n/a
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.2%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.3%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Taiwan Thailand
Economic freedom 79.8 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 6/197 88/197
Property rights 83.4 41.8
Government integrity 74.3 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 94.3 35
Tax burden 78.9 80.8
Government spending 90 83.6
Fiscal health 92.9 81
Business freedom 78.6 69.9
Labor freedom 69 56.4
Monetary freedom 80.3 73.3
Trade freedom 86 70.2
Investment freedom 70 55
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Taiwan
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Taiwan Thailand
2026 79.8 62.2
2025 79.7 60.6
2024 80 59
2023 80.7 60.6
2022 80.1 63.2
2021 78.6 69.7
2020 77.1 69.4
2019 77.3 68.3
2018 76.6 67.1
2017 76.5 66.2
2016 74.7 63.9
2015 75.1 62.4
2014 73.9 63.3
2013 72.7 64.1
2012 71.9 64.9
2011 70.8 64.7
2010 70.4 64.1
2009 69.5 63
2008 70.3 62.3
2007 69.4 63.5
2006 69.7 63.3
2005 71.3 62.5
2004 69.6 63.7
2003 71.7 65.8
2002 71.3 69.1
2001 72.8 68.9
2000 72.5 66.6
1999 71.5 66.9
1998 70.4 67.3
1997 70 66.1
1996 74.1 71
1995 74.2 71.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/thailand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Taiwan is 79.8, ranking 6/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Taiwan Thailand
Services, % of GDP
58.8%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.47%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$832B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP n/a
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment n/a
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
1.5%
2020
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.7%
2024
21.6%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); National Statistics, Taiwan (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/thailand | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2025, retrieved 2026-02-09)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.