Skip to content

Economy of Thailand vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Thailand has a GDP of $577B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 30/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Thailand has $373B in government debt (64.7% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Thailand vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Thailand
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Thailand Vanuatu
2025 $577,009,981,112 $1,353,658,841
2024 $529,385,520,942 $1,297,956,615
2023 $517,013,369,475 $1,188,137,265
2022 $495,691,837,308 $1,151,863,790
2021 $506,049,783,825 $1,093,826,089
2020 $500,274,927,779 $1,017,403,363
2019 $543,976,691,794 $1,061,547,513
2018 $506,754,208,404 $1,034,402,941
2017 $456,356,813,537 $998,536,155
2016 $413,366,349,748 $908,725,513
2015 $401,296,238,228 $855,360,240
2014 $407,339,040,198 $879,185,478
2013 $420,333,654,593 $863,347,172
2012 $397,558,325,279 $747,839,698
2011 $370,818,739,624 $770,153,588
2010 $341,104,766,329 $670,712,980
2009 $281,710,630,187 $592,622,319
2008 $291,382,982,431 $590,748,429
2007 $262,942,621,455 $516,392,923
2006 $221,758,296,022 $439,358,587
2005 $189,318,408,469 $394,962,433
2004 $172,895,685,155 $364,996,869
2003 $152,280,615,246 $314,471,413
2002 $134,300,904,400 $262,596,536
2001 $120,296,476,180 $257,926,882
2000 $126,392,224,254 $272,014,628
1999 $126,669,211,779 $268,006,973
1998 $113,675,596,788 $262,293,411
1997 $150,180,456,566 $272,771,209
1996 $183,035,237,429 $261,370,044
1995 $169,278,916,593 $249,333,250
1994 $146,683,778,959 $233,701,301
1993 $128,889,262,951 $200,491,853
1992 $111,452,746,518 $209,088,825
1991 $98,234,714,971 $201,334,169
1990 $85,343,190,719 $168,879,207
1989 $72,250,748,100 $154,013,202
1988 $61,667,253,471 $158,351,368
1987 $50,535,446,555 $139,464,174
1986 $43,096,773,981 $126,498,935
1985 $38,900,711,333 $131,856,421
1984 $41,797,647,776 $144,482,515
1983 $40,042,798,388 $117,389,554
1982 $36,589,772,404 $114,501,913
1981 $34,846,039,194 $113,781,796
1980 $32,353,514,989 $121,185,498
1979 $27,371,650,825 $119,258,835
1978 $24,006,566,637 -
1977 $19,779,312,261 -
1976 $16,985,208,648 -
1975 $14,882,770,594 -
1974 $13,702,998,512 -
1973 $10,838,587,358 -
1972 $8,177,873,151 -
1971 $7,375,000,024 -
1970 $7,086,538,438 -
1969 $6,695,336,567 -
1968 $6,081,009,428 -
1967 $5,638,461,442 -
1966 $5,279,230,817 -
1965 $4,388,937,649 -
1964 $3,889,129,942 -
1963 $3,540,403,457 -
1962 $3,308,912,797 -
1961 $3,034,037,811 -
1960 $2,760,750,861 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Thailand vs Vanuatu by year

Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Thailand Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,057 - $4,039 -
2024 $7,387 $24,712 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $7,211 $23,519 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $6,910 $22,243 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $7,055 $20,243 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $6,983 $19,164 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $7,606 $19,963 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $7,100 $18,876 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $6,413 $17,573 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $5,834 $16,671 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $5,689 $15,791 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $5,801 $15,365 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $6,018 $15,216 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $5,726 $14,617 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $5,374 $13,227 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $4,974 $12,932 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $4,135 $11,964 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $4,309 $12,062 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $3,919 $11,723 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $3,331 $10,912 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $2,868 $10,169 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $2,642 $9,545 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $2,348 $8,824 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $2,090 $8,148 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $1,890 $7,632 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $2,006 $7,289 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $2,033 $6,901 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $1,848 $6,590 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $2,473 $7,148 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $3,055 $7,322 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $2,864 $6,901 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $2,518 $6,341 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $2,245 $5,834 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $1,972 $5,347 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $1,766 $4,914 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $1,559 $4,451 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $1,342 - $1,067 -
1988 $1,164 - $1,125 -
1987 $970 - $1,017 -
1986 $842 - $946 -
1985 $774 - $1,012 -
1984 $847 - $1,137 -
1983 $827 - $947 -
1982 $770 - $946 -
1981 $748 - $962 -
1980 $709 - $1,048 -
1979 $612 - $1,055 -
1978 $548 - - -
1977 $462 - - -
1976 $405 - - -
1975 $364 - - -
1974 $343 - - -
1973 $278.3 - - -
1972 $215.6 - - -
1971 $199.7 - - -
1970 $197.1 - - -
1969 $191.4 - - -
1968 $178.8 - - -
1967 $170.7 - - -
1966 $164.5 - - -
1965 $140.9 - - -
1964 $128.6 - - -
1963 $120.7 - - -
1962 $116.2 - - -
1961 $109.7 - - -
1960 $102.8 - - -

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

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

Thailand's GDP per capita is $8,057, ranking 97/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Thailand Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$577B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
30/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
2.44%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,057
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,712
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
85/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$373B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.7%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,211
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
83/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,438
2026
$2,801
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$512B
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
100,001
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
25
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26%
2024
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2024
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.13%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
0.6%
2025
1.41%
2025
Population
71565981
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Thailand
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Thailand Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23% 64.7% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 22.6% 62.9% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 22.7% 62.2% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 24.7% 60.5% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 26.8% 58.4% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 24.9% 49.4% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 20.6% 41.1% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 21.2% 41.9% 29.4% 40%
2017 21.6% 41.8% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 21.4% 41.7% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 22.3% 42.6% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 22.2% 43.3% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 21.6% 42.2% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 22.3% 41.9% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 21.1% 39.1% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 22% 39.8% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 21.7% 42.4% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 19.2% 34.9% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 20% 36% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 18.7% 39.2% 18.2% 20%
2005 19.6% 45.5% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 19.3% 46.3% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 18.3% 47.5% 17% 34.6%
2002 25.7% 54.9% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 20.8% 57.5% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 19.3% 57.8% 23% 32.6%
1999 26.5% 56.6% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 23.9% 49.9% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 21.6% 40.5% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 18% 15.2% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 17.2% 5.12% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 16% 6.69% 22% 19.5%
1993 18.8% 9.14% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 17.8% 11.4% 28.8% 19%
1991 17% 14.1% 30% 14.4%
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 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 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Thailand's government spending was $133B, accounting for 23% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.7% in Thailand and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 67/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Thailand

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Thailand Vanuatu
2025 -1.91% -3.88%
2024 -1.29% -2.46%
2023 -1.91% -0.78%
2022 -4.61% -5.96%
2021 -6.72% 2.07%
2020 -4.47% -1.74%
2019 0.43% 2.48%
2018 0.2% 5.53%
2017 -0.51% -1.06%
2016 0.41% -0.64%
2015 0.19% -8.13%
2014 -0.7% 1.26%
2013 0.6% -0.22%
2012 -0.86% -1.54%
2011 0.09% -1.98%
2010 -1.07% -2.38%
2009 -2.21% -0.76%
2008 0.8% -0.04%
2007 0.22% 0.25%
2006 1.87% 0.44%
2005 2.17% 1.68%
2004 1.11% 0.72%
2003 1.98% -1.22%
2002 -6.72% -3.29%
2001 -1.77% -3.01%
2000 -1.79% -5.67%
1999 -9.02% -0.5%
1998 -6.29% -6.01%
1997 -1.68% -0.46%
1996 2.75% -1.61%
1995 3.05% -2.34%
1994 2.78% -1.35%
1993 6.67% -3.32%
1992 -0.18% -2.1%
1991 1.6% -2.54%
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 -4.07% -
1980 -4.41% -
1979 -3.62% -
1978 -3.31% -
1977 -2.91% -
1976 -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) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Thailand's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11B, equivalent to 1.91% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Thailand recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Thailand posted an annual deficit equal to 0.77% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Thailand

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Thailand Vanuatu
2025 -0.13% 0.66%
2024 0.4% 1.14%
2023 1.23% 11.2%
2022 6.08% 6.68%
2021 1.23% 2.34%
2020 -0.85% 5.33%
2019 0.71% 2.76%
2018 1.07% 2.33%
2017 0.66% 3.08%
2016 0.19% 0.84%
2015 -0.9% 2.48%
2014 1.89% 0.8%
2013 2.19% 1.46%
2012 3.01% 1.35%
2011 3.81% 0.87%
2010 3.25% 2.76%
2009 -0.85% 4.3%
2008 5.47% 4.84%
2007 2.24% 3.94%
2006 4.64% 2.04%
2005 4.54% 1.2%
2004 2.76% 1.42%
2003 1.8% 3.02%
2002 0.7% 1.96%
2001 1.63% 3.58%
2000 1.59% 2.54%
1999 0.28% 2%
1998 7.99% 3.28%
1997 5.63% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Thailand has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.15%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was -0.13% in Thailand and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9.35M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.88M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.6M
Chemicals & pharma $566K
Raw materials & minerals $517K
Wood & paper products $297K
Raw agricultural goods $268K
Miscellaneous $47K
Metals $32K
Precious metals & jewellery $23K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $47K
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

Thailand Vanuatu
Current account balance
$15.9B
2025
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2025
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.76%
2025
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$312B
2025
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$335B
2025
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$77.2B
2025
$230M
2022
Service exports
$76.2B
2025
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
67.3%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.1%
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.

Thailand Vanuatu
Economic freedom 62.2 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 88/197 92/197
Property rights 41.8 62.1
Government integrity 38.9 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 35 67.9
Tax burden 80.8 96.9
Government spending 83.6 48.1
Fiscal health 81 78.8
Business freedom 69.9 50.3
Labor freedom 56.4 41
Monetary freedom 73.3 72.1
Trade freedom 70.2 62
Investment freedom 55 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Thailand
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Thailand Vanuatu
2026 62.2 61.1
2025 60.6 61.8
2024 59 62.2
2023 60.6 62.1
2022 63.2 62.9
2021 69.7 60.5
2020 69.4 60.7
2019 68.3 56.4
2018 67.1 69.5
2017 66.2 67.4
2016 63.9 60.8
2015 62.4 61.1
2014 63.3 59.5
2013 64.1 56.6
2012 64.9 56.6
2011 64.7 56.7
2010 64.1 56.4
2009 63 58.4
2008 62.3 -
2007 63.5 -
2006 63.3 -
2005 62.5 -
2004 63.7 -
2003 65.8 -
2002 69.1 -
2001 68.9 -
2000 66.6 -
1999 66.9 -
1998 67.3 -
1997 66.1 -
1996 71 -
1995 71.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Thailand is 62.2, ranking 88/197, 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

Thailand Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
60.2%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.1%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.75%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$551B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,570
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$282B
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
15/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.51B
2025
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$14.3B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$7.36B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.51%
2024
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.4%
2022
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.1%
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/thailand/vanuatu | 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2011–2025, 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.