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Economy of Taiwan vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Taiwan has a GDP of $802B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 22/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Taiwan has $211B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Taiwan vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Taiwan
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Taiwan Vanuatu
2024 $801,529,000,000 $1,117,972,034
2023 $757,328,000,000 $1,115,861,056
2022 $765,529,000,000 $1,055,031,361
2021 $777,062,000,000 $950,394,007
2020 $676,935,000,000 $909,421,044
2019 $613,453,000,000 $936,526,268
2018 $610,744,000,000 $914,727,908
2017 $591,734,000,000 $880,043,284
2016 $543,002,000,000 $804,323,577
2015 $534,474,000,000 $759,690,181
2014 $535,332,000,000 $773,717,011
2013 $512,957,000,000 $758,304,466
2012 $495,536,000,000 $747,839,698
2011 $483,957,000,000 $770,153,588
2010 $444,245,000,000 $670,712,980
2009 $390,788,000,000 $592,622,319
2008 $415,824,000,000 $590,748,429
2007 $406,940,000,000 $516,392,923
2006 $386,492,000,000 $439,358,587
2005 $374,042,000,000 $394,962,433
2004 $346,881,000,000 $364,996,869
2003 $317,374,000,000 $314,471,413
2002 $307,429,000,000 $262,596,536
2001 $299,303,000,000 $257,926,882
2000 $330,725,000,000 $272,014,628
1999 $303,827,000,000 $268,006,973
1998 $279,926,000,000 $262,293,411
1997 $303,315,000,000 $272,771,209
1996 $292,473,000,000 $261,370,044
1995 $279,013,000,000 $249,333,250
1994 $256,213,000,000 $233,701,301
1993 $234,943,000,000 $200,491,853
1992 $222,947,000,000 $209,088,825
1991 $187,100,000,000 $201,334,169
1990 $166,392,000,000 $168,879,207
1989 $152,687,000,000 $154,013,202
1988 $126,378,000,000 $158,351,368
1987 $104,956,000,000 $139,464,174
1986 $78,347,000,000 $126,498,935
1985 $63,599,000,000 $131,856,421
1984 $61,036,000,000 $144,482,515
1983 $54,155,000,000 $117,389,554
1982 $49,540,000,000 $114,501,913
1981 $49,047,000,000 $113,781,796
1980 $42,292,000,000 $121,185,498
1979 $33,875,000,000 $119,258,835
1978 $27,373,000,000 -
1977 $22,252,000,000 -
1976 $18,988,000,000 -
1975 $15,836,000,000 -
1974 $14,739,000,000 -
1973 $10,940,000,000 -
1972 $8,063,000,000 -
1971 $6,727,000,000 -
1970 $5,785,000,000 -
1969 $5,017,000,000 -
1968 $4,325,000,000 -
1967 $3,709,000,000 -
1966 $3,207,000,000 -
1965 $2,869,000,000 -
1964 $2,592,000,000 -
1963 $2,218,000,000 -
1962 $1,960,000,000 -
1961 $1,778,000,000 -
1960 $1,743,000,000 -
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 (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Taiwan vs Vanuatu by year

Taiwan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Taiwan Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $34,238 - $3,411 $3,606
2023 $32,444 - $3,483 $3,568
2022 $32,827 - $3,370 $3,453
2021 $33,111 - $3,107 $3,136
2020 $28,705 - $3,043 $3,118
2019 $25,998 - $3,207 $3,315
2018 $25,901 - $3,207 $3,233
2017 $25,121 $50,500 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $23,091 - $2,956 $3,030
2015 $22,780 $46,800 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $22,874 - $2,973 $2,890
2013 $21,973 $39,600 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $21,295 $39,400 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $20,866 $38,200 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $19,197 $35,700 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $16,933 $32,000 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $18,081 $31,100 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $17,757 $30,100 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $16,934 $29,500 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $16,456 $27,500 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $15,317 $25,300 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $14,066 $23,400 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $13,686 $18,000 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $13,397 $17,200 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $14,908 $17,400 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $13,804 $16,100 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $12,820 - $1,471 $2,091
1997 $14,020 - $1,562 $2,087
1996 $13,641 - $1,529 $1,998
1995 $13,119 - $1,492 $1,961
1994 $12,150 - $1,431 $1,946
1993 $11,242 - $1,257 $1,789
1992 $10,768 - $1,344 $1,777
1991 $9,125 - $1,326 $1,737
1990 $8,205 - $1,141 $1,670
1989 $7,613 - $1,067 -
1988 $6,370 - $1,125 -
1987 $5,350 - $1,017 -
1986 $4,036 - $946 -
1985 $3,314 - $1,012 -
1984 $3,224 - $1,137 -
1983 $2,903 - $947 -
1982 $2,699 - $946 -
1981 $2,720 - $962 -
1980 $2,389 - $1,048 -
1979 $1,950 - $1,055 -
1978 $1,606 - - -
1977 $1,330 - - -
1976 $1,158 - - -
1975 $985 - - -
1974 $934 - - -
1973 $706 - - -
1972 $530 - - -
1971 $451 - - -
1970 $397 - - -
1969 $357 - - -
1968 $319 - - -
1967 $280.8 - - -
1966 $249.1 - - -
1965 $229.3 - - -
1964 $213.6 - - -
1963 $188.6 - - -
1962 $172 - - -
1961 $161.2 - - -
1960 $163.4 - - -
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 (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2017, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Taiwan's GDP per capita is $34,238, ranking 35/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Taiwan ranks 44th at $50,500, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Taiwan Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$802B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
22/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
2.3%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$34,238
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
35/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$50,500
2017
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
44/197
2017
170/197
2024
Government debt
$211B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,020
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
59/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,163
2026
$3,164
2026
Number of millionaires
759,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
54
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.8%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
2%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.35%
2025
4.05%
2020
Population
23229461
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Taiwan
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Taiwan Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.8% 26.3% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 17.1% 29% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 16% 29.5% 42% 42.8%
2021 15.4% 30.1% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 16.2% 32% 43.4% 48%
2019 15.3% 32.6% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 15.4% 33.8% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 15.4% 34.5% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 15.6% 35.4% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 15.5% 35.9% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 - 37.5% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 - 38.9% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 - 39.2% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 18.3% 38.3% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 - 36.9% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 - 36.7% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 - 33.4% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 - 32.2% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 - 33.3% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 - 34.1% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 - 33.4% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 - 32.1% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 - 29.8% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 22.5% 30.1% 22.3% 37%
2000 - 26.2% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 - 23.7% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 - 23.7% 27.9% 28%
1997 - 25% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 - - 24.5% 23.1%
1995 - - 28% 24.1%
1994 - - 24.4% 21.6%
1993 - - 26.2% 20.3%
1992 - - 31.8% 21%
1991 25.4% - 33.2% 15.9%
1990 - - - -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 23.6% - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - -
1976 21.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09).

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

In 2024, Taiwan's government spending was $127B, accounting for 15.8% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Taiwan and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 160/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Taiwan

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Taiwan Vanuatu
2024 0.43% -2.34%
2023 -0.61% -0.95%
2022 0.17% -6.5%
2021 -0.18% 2.38%
2020 -1.03% -1.95%
2019 0.11% 2.81%
2018 0.02% 6.26%
2017 -0.14% -1.2%
2016 -0.31% -0.72%
2015 0.1% -8.66%
2014 - 1.44%
2013 - -0.25%
2012 - -1.7%
2011 -2.15% -2.19%
2010 - -2.63%
2009 - -0.85%
2008 - -0.04%
2007 - 0.28%
2006 - 0.49%
2005 - 1.86%
2004 - 0.8%
2003 - -1.35%
2002 - -3.63%
2001 -3.71% -3.33%
2000 - -6.28%
1999 - -0.55%
1998 - -6.65%
1997 - -0.51%
1996 - -1.78%
1995 - -2.59%
1994 - -1.49%
1993 - -3.67%
1992 - -2.32%
1991 -4.5% -2.81%
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 -0.78% -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 1.39% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Taiwan recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Taiwan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.91% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Taiwan

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Taiwan Vanuatu
2024 2.2% -
2023 2.5% 11.2%
2022 2.9% 6.68%
2021 2% 2.34%
2020 -0.2% 5.33%
2019 0.6% 2.76%
2018 1.4% 2.33%
2017 0.6% 3.08%
2016 1.4% 0.84%
2015 -0.3% 2.48%
2014 1.2% 0.8%
2013 0.8% 1.46%
2012 1.9% 1.35%
2011 1.4% 0.87%
2010 1% 2.76%
2009 -0.9% 4.3%
2008 3.5% 4.84%
2007 1.8% 3.94%
2006 0.6% 2.04%
2005 2.3% 1.2%
2004 1.6% 1.42%
2003 -0.3% 3.02%
2002 -0.2% 1.96%
2001 0% 3.58%
2000 1.2% 2.54%
1999 0.2% 2%
1998 1.7% 3.28%
1997 0.9% 2.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Taiwan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.1%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 2.2% in Taiwan and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Taiwan Vanuatu
Current account balance
$113B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
4/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.1%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports n/a
$350M
2022
Goods exports n/a
$73.6M
2022
Service imports n/a
$230M
2022
Service exports n/a
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.2%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.3%
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.

Taiwan Vanuatu
Economic freedom 79.8 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 6/197 92/197
Property rights 83.4 62.1
Government integrity 74.3 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 94.3 67.9
Tax burden 78.9 96.9
Government spending 90 48.1
Fiscal health 92.9 78.8
Business freedom 78.6 50.3
Labor freedom 69 41
Monetary freedom 80.3 72.1
Trade freedom 86 62
Investment freedom 70 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Taiwan
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Taiwan Vanuatu
2026 79.8 61.1
2025 79.7 61.8
2024 80 62.2
2023 80.7 62.1
2022 80.1 62.9
2021 78.6 60.5
2020 77.1 60.7
2019 77.3 56.4
2018 76.6 69.5
2017 76.5 67.4
2016 74.7 60.8
2015 75.1 61.1
2014 73.9 59.5
2013 72.7 56.6
2012 71.9 56.6
2011 70.8 56.7
2010 70.4 56.4
2009 69.5 58.4
2008 70.3 -
2007 69.4 -
2006 69.7 -
2005 71.3 -
2004 69.6 -
2003 71.7 -
2002 71.3 -
2001 72.8 -
2000 72.5 -
1999 71.5 -
1998 70.4 -
1997 70 -
1996 74.1 -
1995 74.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Taiwan is 79.8, ranking 6/197, 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

Taiwan Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
58.8%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.47%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$832B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP n/a
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment n/a
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
1.5%
2020
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.7%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2025, retrieved 2026-02-09)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.