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Economy of Trinidad and Tobago vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Trinidad and Tobago has a GDP of $25.6B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 115/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Trinidad and Tobago has $16.5B in government debt (64.2% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Trinidad and Tobago vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Trinidad Vanuatu
2024 $25,633,544,529 $1,117,972,034
2023 $25,036,993,423 $1,115,861,056
2022 $28,341,164,301 $1,055,031,361
2021 $24,222,963,263 $950,394,007
2020 $20,888,515,184 $909,421,044
2019 $23,477,745,792 $936,526,268
2018 $23,883,058,083 $914,727,908
2017 $23,830,750,901 $880,043,284
2016 $23,624,322,193 $804,323,577
2015 $26,841,141,793 $759,690,181
2014 $29,474,180,005 $773,717,011
2013 $28,560,537,057 $758,304,466
2012 $27,147,349,937 $747,839,698
2011 $25,433,007,437 $770,153,588
2010 $22,157,920,592 $670,712,980
2009 $19,172,165,226 $592,622,319
2008 $27,871,587,350 $590,748,429
2007 $21,641,620,050 $516,392,923
2006 $18,369,361,094 $439,358,587
2005 $15,982,389,018 $394,962,433
2004 $13,280,291,990 $364,996,869
2003 $11,305,459,802 $314,471,413
2002 $9,008,298,229 $262,596,536
2001 $8,824,849,191 $257,926,882
2000 $8,154,342,116 $272,014,628
1999 $6,808,982,521 $268,006,973
1998 $6,043,686,654 $262,293,411
1997 $5,737,771,523 $272,771,209
1996 $5,759,570,336 $261,370,044
1995 $5,329,217,747 $249,333,250
1994 $4,947,181,646 $233,701,301
1993 $4,669,491,134 $200,491,853
1992 $5,439,552,941 $209,088,825
1991 $5,307,905,882 $201,334,169
1990 $5,068,000,000 $168,879,207
1989 $4,323,058,824 $154,013,202
1988 $4,496,910,569 $158,351,368
1987 $4,797,777,778 $139,464,174
1986 $4,794,444,444 $126,498,935
1985 $7,375,918,367 $131,856,421
1984 $7,757,083,333 $144,482,515
1983 $7,763,750,000 $117,389,554
1982 $8,140,416,667 $114,501,913
1981 $6,992,083,333 $113,781,796
1980 $6,235,833,333 $121,185,498
1979 $4,602,416,625 $119,258,835
1978 $3,562,333,458 -
1977 $3,138,666,667 -
1976 $2,500,424,955 -
1975 $2,442,669,825 -
1974 $2,042,001,071 -
1973 $1,308,785,431 -
1972 $1,083,391,758 -
1971 $896,765,215 -
1970 $821,850,000 -
1969 $779,200,000 -
1968 $758,899,950 -
1967 $761,981,912 -
1966 $723,739,857 -
1965 $736,573,159 -
1964 $711,897,520 -
1963 $678,239,329 -
1962 $619,322,810 -
1961 $584,964,621 -
1960 $535,673,252 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Trinidad and Tobago vs Vanuatu by year

Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Trinidad Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,733 $36,329 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $18,308 $34,623 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $20,751 $32,979 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $17,713 $30,482 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $15,284 $26,731 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $17,213 $29,316 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $17,571 $28,673 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $17,566 $28,484 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $17,449 $28,232 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $19,887 $29,825 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $21,908 $32,027 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $21,305 $31,746 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $20,332 $31,883 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $19,151 $31,078 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $16,815 $30,778 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $14,634 $29,602 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $21,299 $30,807 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $16,607 $29,355 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $14,153 $27,393 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $12,346 $23,536 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $9,871 $20,674 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $8,445 $18,743 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $6,763 $16,141 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $6,657 $14,797 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $6,179 $13,953 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $5,179 $12,812 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $4,613 $11,735 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $4,394 $10,769 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $4,427 $9,883 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $4,115 $9,099 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $3,840 $8,631 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $3,647 $8,209 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $4,277 $8,129 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $4,205 $7,274 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $4,047 $6,878 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $3,482 - $1,067 -
1988 $3,656 - $1,125 -
1987 $3,941 - $1,017 -
1986 $3,985 - $946 -
1985 $6,212 - $1,012 -
1984 $6,613 - $1,137 -
1983 $6,690 - $947 -
1982 $7,091 - $946 -
1981 $6,160 - $962 -
1980 $5,559 - $1,048 -
1979 $4,155 - $1,055 -
1978 $3,258 - - -
1977 $2,907 - - -
1976 $2,345 - - -
1975 $2,319 - - -
1974 $1,962 - - -
1973 $1,273 - - -
1972 $1,067 - - -
1971 $894 - - -
1970 $829 - - -
1969 $795 - - -
1968 $783 - - -
1967 $797 - - -
1966 $768 - - -
1965 $793 - - -
1964 $780 - - -
1963 $756 - - -
1962 $704 - - -
1961 $678 - - -
1960 $634 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/vanuatu | CC BY

Trinidad and Tobago's GDP per capita is $18,733, ranking 61/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Trinidad Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$25.6B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
115/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
2.51%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,733
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
61/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$36,329
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
62/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$16.5B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.2%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$12,028
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
45/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,007
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.89B
2001
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
1992
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
1992
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.3%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.53%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.01%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
1374840
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Trinidad Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.3% 64.2% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 33.5% 62.2% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 27.2% 51.3% 42% 42.8%
2021 30.3% 58.4% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 36.2% 62.5% 43.4% 48%
2019 31.2% 46.2% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 30.2% 41.5% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 30.7% 39.8% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 31.9% 35.4% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 35% 27.1% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 32.8% 23.5% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 31.3% 21.6% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 29.5% 21.8% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 29.4% 26.4% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 30.4% 16.8% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 37% 20.7% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 26.7% 13.5% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 25.7% 16.2% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 31.6% 16.9% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 26.7% 19.8% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 22.5% 24.2% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 22.2% 30.2% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 24.4% 37% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 24.8% 36.6% 22.3% 37%
2000 23.1% 38.9% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 24.1% 42.2% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 26.9% 42.8% 27.9% 28%
1997 27.2% 46.1% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 27.6% 47% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 26.2% 50.1% 28% 24.1%
1994 25.4% 52.6% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 26.9% 58.8% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 28.6% 49.2% 31.8% 21%
1991 29.6% 49.5% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 26.9% 47.7% - -
1989 30.9% 51.9% - -
1988 45.3% 65.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government spending was $8.28B, accounting for 32.3% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 70/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Trinidad and Tobago

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Trinidad Vanuatu
2024 -5.24% -2.34%
2023 -1.24% -0.95%
2022 0.92% -6.5%
2021 -8.1% 2.38%
2020 -12.2% -1.95%
2019 -3.74% 2.81%
2018 -5.89% 6.26%
2017 -10.4% -1.2%
2016 -10.1% -0.72%
2015 -7.56% -8.66%
2014 -4.31% 1.44%
2013 -2.67% -0.25%
2012 -1.26% -1.7%
2011 -0.67% -2.19%
2010 0.13% -2.63%
2009 -5.42% -0.85%
2008 5.39% -0.04%
2007 3.12% 0.28%
2006 1.56% 0.49%
2005 2.36% 1.86%
2004 1.84% 0.8%
2003 1.8% -1.35%
2002 -0.2% -3.63%
2001 0.61% -3.33%
2000 0.17% -6.28%
1999 -0.88% -0.55%
1998 -1.8% -6.65%
1997 0.11% -0.51%
1996 -0.45% -1.78%
1995 0.17% -2.59%
1994 -0.02% -1.49%
1993 0.23% -3.67%
1992 -2.74% -2.32%
1991 -0.21% -2.81%
1990 -1.27% -
1989 -4.46% -
1988 -9.34% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.34B, equivalent to 5.24% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Trinidad and Tobago recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Trinidad and Tobago posted an annual deficit equal to 1.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Trinidad and Tobago

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Trinidad Vanuatu
2024 0.53% -
2023 4.63% 11.2%
2022 5.83% 6.68%
2021 2.06% 2.34%
2020 0.6% 5.33%
2019 1% 2.76%
2018 1.02% 2.33%
2017 1.88% 3.08%
2016 3.07% 0.84%
2015 4.66% 2.48%
2014 5.68% 0.8%
2013 5.2% 1.46%
2012 9.26% 1.35%
2011 5.11% 0.87%
2010 10.5% 2.76%
2009 6.98% 4.3%
2008 12% 4.84%
2007 7.89% 3.94%
2006 8.33% 2.04%
2005 6.87% 1.2%
2004 3.72% 1.42%
2003 3.81% 3.02%
2002 4.15% 1.96%
2001 5.54% 3.58%
2000 3.56% 2.54%
1999 3.44% 2%
1998 5.61% 3.28%
1997 3.63% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.04%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Trinidad Vanuatu
Current account balance
$645M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.52%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$7.54B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$10B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$2.71B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$1.26B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45%
2025
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Trinidad Vanuatu
Economic freedom 62.4 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 87/197 92/197
Property rights 47.3 62.1
Government integrity 45.5 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 58.8 67.9
Tax burden 76.1 96.9
Government spending 71.1 48.1
Fiscal health 86.3 78.8
Business freedom 67.1 50.3
Labor freedom 57.2 41
Monetary freedom 81 72.1
Trade freedom 68.8 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Trinidad Vanuatu
2026 62.4 61.1
2025 63.6 61.8
2024 60.4 62.2
2023 59.5 62.1
2022 58.8 62.9
2021 59 60.5
2020 58.3 60.7
2019 57 56.4
2018 57.7 69.5
2017 61.2 67.4
2016 62.9 60.8
2015 64.1 61.1
2014 62.7 59.5
2013 62.3 56.6
2012 64.4 56.6
2011 66.5 56.7
2010 65.7 56.4
2009 68 58.4
2008 69.5 -
2007 70.6 -
2006 70.4 -
2005 71.5 -
2004 71.3 -
2003 68.8 -
2002 70.1 -
2001 71.8 -
2000 74.5 -
1999 72.4 -
1998 72 -
1997 71.3 -
1996 69.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Trinidad and Tobago is 62.4, ranking 87/197, 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

Trinidad Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
59.2%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.78%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$27B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$36,580
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.6B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
94/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$980M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$453M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$527M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20%
2020
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2023
38.3%
2022

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/trinidad-and-tobago/vanuatu | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.