Skip to content

Economy of Uganda vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Uganda has a GDP of $53.9B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 89/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Uganda has $27.8B in government debt (51.5% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Uganda vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Uganda
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Uganda Vanuatu
2024 $53,911,907,086 $1,117,972,034
2023 $48,768,955,863 $1,115,861,056
2022 $45,565,333,211 $1,055,031,361
2021 $40,529,788,749 $950,394,007
2020 $37,600,368,242 $909,421,044
2019 $35,353,061,003 $936,526,268
2018 $32,927,025,620 $914,727,908
2017 $30,744,473,841 $880,043,284
2016 $29,203,988,696 $804,323,577
2015 $32,387,183,730 $759,690,181
2014 $32,612,397,257 $773,717,011
2013 $28,915,786,517 $758,304,466
2012 $27,305,915,911 $747,839,698
2011 $27,871,725,241 $770,153,588
2010 $26,673,441,431 $670,712,980
2009 $25,127,805,567 $592,622,319
2008 $14,440,404,132 $590,748,429
2007 $11,902,564,495 $516,392,923
2006 $9,977,647,683 $439,358,587
2005 $9,239,221,763 $394,962,433
2004 $7,939,487,548 $364,996,869
2003 $6,606,884,275 $314,471,413
2002 $6,178,563,591 $262,596,536
2001 $5,840,503,869 $257,926,882
2000 $6,193,246,837 $272,014,628
1999 $5,998,563,258 $268,006,973
1998 $6,584,815,847 $262,293,411
1997 $6,269,333,313 $272,771,209
1996 $6,044,585,327 $261,370,044
1995 $5,755,818,842 $249,333,250
1994 $3,990,430,447 $233,701,301
1993 $3,220,439,044 $200,491,853
1992 $2,857,457,762 $209,088,825
1991 $3,321,729,160 $201,334,169
1990 $4,304,399,310 $168,879,207
1989 $5,276,480,799 $154,013,202
1988 $6,508,931,652 $158,351,368
1987 $6,269,522,042 $139,464,174
1986 $3,923,244,050 $126,498,935
1985 $3,519,695,444 $131,856,421
1984 $3,615,647,477 $144,482,515
1983 $2,240,333,333 $117,389,554
1982 $2,177,500,000 $114,501,913
1981 $1,337,300,000 $113,781,796
1980 $1,244,610,000 $121,185,498
1979 $2,139,025,000 $119,258,835
1978 $2,420,260,870 -
1977 $2,936,470,588 -
1976 $2,447,300,000 -
1975 $2,359,555,556 -
1974 $2,098,944,967 -
1973 $1,701,829,789 -
1972 $1,490,970,181 -
1971 $1,417,191,656 -
1970 $1,259,554,809 -
1969 $1,168,556,629 -
1968 $1,037,379,252 -
1967 $967,240,655 -
1966 $925,381,492 -
1965 $884,502,310 -
1964 $589,247,687 -
1963 $516,315,231 -
1962 $449,158,233 -
1961 $441,667,335 -
1960 $423,145,605 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Uganda vs Vanuatu by year

Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Uganda Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,078 $3,273 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $1,002 $3,098 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $963 $2,919 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $883 $2,685 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $846 $2,532 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $822 $2,441 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $792 $2,312 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $765 $2,158 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $753 $2,165 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $863 $2,190 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $896 $2,134 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $818 $2,045 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $795 $2,032 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $836 $2,268 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $823 $2,092 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $799 $2,015 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $473 $1,931 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $401 $1,795 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $347 $1,660 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $330 $1,497 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $292.4 $1,405 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $250.7 $1,320 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $242 $1,255 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $236 $1,173 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $258.1 $1,124 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $257.9 $1,100 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $292.5 $1,037 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $286.8 $1,007 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $284.7 $969 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $278.5 $897 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $198.4 $809 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $165.6 $770 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $152.1 $719 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $183 $703 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $245 $666 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $310 - $1,067 -
1988 $395 - $1,125 -
1987 $393 - $1,017 -
1986 $253.6 - $946 -
1985 $234.3 - $1,012 -
1984 $247.5 - $1,137 -
1983 $157.5 - $947 -
1982 $157 - $946 -
1981 $98.6 - $962 -
1980 $93.8 - $1,048 -
1979 $164.5 - $1,055 -
1978 $190.7 - - -
1977 $237.6 - - -
1976 $203.3 - - -
1975 $201.2 - - -
1974 $183.7 - - -
1973 $152.7 - - -
1972 $137 - - -
1971 $133.5 - - -
1970 $122 - - -
1969 $116.7 - - -
1968 $106.9 - - -
1967 $102.8 - - -
1966 $101.4 - - -
1965 $100 - - -
1964 $68.6 - - -
1963 $62 - - -
1962 $55.5 - - -
1961 $56.2 - - -
1960 $55.4 - - -

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

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

Uganda's GDP per capita is $1,078, ranking 176/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Uganda Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$53.9B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
89/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
6.06%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,078
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
176/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,273
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
176/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$27.8B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51.5%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$555
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
163/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,466
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.5%
2019
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2019
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.42%
2021
4.05%
2020
Population
53170946
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Uganda
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Uganda Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.7% 51.5% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 19.3% 50.5% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 19.5% 50.2% 42% 42.8%
2021 22% 50.3% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 21.4% 46.3% 43.4% 48%
2019 18.3% 37.5% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 16.2% 34.9% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 16.3% 33.6% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 15.2% 31.3% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 14.9% 28% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 13.6% 24.8% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 13.3% 22.1% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 13.1% 19.5% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 13.2% 18% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 15.4% 18.4% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 11.8% 14.8% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 12.9% 15.7% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 13.2% 17% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 13.7% 27.8% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 14.5% 42.6% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 15.6% 49% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 16.5% 55.1% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 16.8% 54.7% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 16.2% 51.4% 22.3% 37%
2000 15.2% 48.5% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 14.7% 47.7% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 14% 45.1% 27.9% 28%
1997 13.9% 44.2% 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 - - 33.2% 15.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uganda's government spending was $10.1B, accounting for 18.7% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51.5% in Uganda and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 103/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Uganda

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Uganda Vanuatu
2024 -3.99% -2.34%
2023 -4.87% -0.95%
2022 -5.45% -6.5%
2021 -7.76% 2.38%
2020 -7.76% -1.95%
2019 -4.82% 2.81%
2018 -3.02% 6.26%
2017 -3.83% -1.2%
2016 -2.64% -0.72%
2015 -2.59% -8.66%
2014 -2.74% 1.44%
2013 -3.19% -0.25%
2012 -2.39% -1.7%
2011 -2.04% -2.19%
2010 -4.64% -2.63%
2009 -1.61% -0.85%
2008 -1.99% -0.04%
2007 -0.82% 0.28%
2006 -0.64% 0.49%
2005 -0.17% 1.86%
2004 0.34% 0.8%
2003 -0.97% -1.35%
2002 -2.07% -3.63%
2001 -0.99% -3.33%
2000 -0.62% -6.28%
1999 -1.24% -0.55%
1998 -0.7% -6.65%
1997 -0.83% -0.51%
1996 - -1.78%
1995 - -2.59%
1994 - -1.49%
1993 - -3.67%
1992 - -2.32%
1991 - -2.81%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uganda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.15B, equivalent to 3.99% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Uganda recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Uganda posted an annual deficit equal to 2.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.28% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Uganda

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Uganda Vanuatu
2024 3.3% -
2023 5.4% 11.2%
2022 7.2% 6.68%
2021 2.2% 2.34%
2020 2.8% 5.33%
2019 2.1% 2.76%
2018 2.5% 2.33%
2017 5.6% 3.08%
2016 5.2% 0.84%
2015 3.7% 2.48%
2014 4.3% 0.8%
2013 5.5% 1.46%
2012 14% 1.35%
2011 18.7% 0.87%
2010 4% 2.76%
2009 13% 4.3%
2008 12% 4.84%
2007 6.1% 3.94%
2006 7.2% 2.04%
2005 8.6% 1.2%
2004 3.7% 1.42%
2003 8.7% 3.02%
2002 -0.3% 1.96%
2001 1.9% 3.58%
2000 3.4% 2.54%
1999 5.8% 2%
1998 5.8% 3.28%
1997 7.7% 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/uganda/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Uganda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.18%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 3.3% in Uganda and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Uganda Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$4.29B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
164/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.96%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$11.7B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$8.67B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$4.38B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$2.39B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.8%
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.

Uganda Vanuatu
Economic freedom 52.4 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 149/197 92/197
Property rights 42.2 62.1
Government integrity 25.1 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 29.4 67.9
Tax burden 73.4 96.9
Government spending 89 48.1
Fiscal health 58.3 78.8
Business freedom 50.2 50.3
Labor freedom 55.9 41
Monetary freedom 77.1 72.1
Trade freedom 58 62
Investment freedom 30 65
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Uganda
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Uganda Vanuatu
2026 52.4 61.1
2025 51.3 61.8
2024 50.7 62.2
2023 51.4 62.1
2022 54.2 62.9
2021 58.6 60.5
2020 59.5 60.7
2019 59.7 56.4
2018 62 69.5
2017 60.9 67.4
2016 59.3 60.8
2015 59.7 61.1
2014 59.9 59.5
2013 61.1 56.6
2012 61.9 56.6
2011 61.7 56.7
2010 62.2 56.4
2009 63.5 58.4
2008 63.8 -
2007 63.1 -
2006 63.9 -
2005 62.9 -
2004 64.1 -
2003 60.1 -
2002 61 -
2001 60.4 -
2000 58.2 -
1999 64.8 -
1998 64.7 -
1997 66.6 -
1996 66.2 -
1995 62.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Uganda is 52.4, ranking 149/197, 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

Uganda Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
24.9%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,190
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2018
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
114/177
2018
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.26B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.26B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$400K
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.96%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2019
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
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/uganda/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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.