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Economy of United States vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The United States has a GDP of $30.8T compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 1/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United States has $38.1T in government debt (123.9% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

United States vs Vanuatu GDP by year

United States
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
United States Vanuatu
2025 $30,769,700,000,000 $1,353,658,841
2024 $29,298,013,000,000 $1,297,956,615
2023 $27,811,517,000,000 $1,188,137,265
2022 $26,054,614,000,000 $1,151,863,790
2021 $23,725,645,000,000 $1,093,826,089
2020 $21,375,281,000,000 $1,017,403,363
2019 $21,539,982,000,000 $1,061,547,513
2018 $20,656,516,000,000 $1,034,402,941
2017 $19,612,102,000,000 $998,536,155
2016 $18,804,913,000,000 $908,725,513
2015 $18,295,019,000,000 $855,360,240
2014 $17,608,138,000,000 $879,185,478
2013 $16,880,683,000,000 $863,347,172
2012 $16,253,970,000,000 $747,839,698
2011 $15,599,732,000,000 $770,153,588
2010 $15,048,971,000,000 $670,712,980
2009 $14,478,067,000,000 $592,622,319
2008 $14,769,862,000,000 $590,748,429
2007 $14,474,228,000,000 $516,392,923
2006 $13,815,583,000,000 $439,358,587
2005 $13,039,197,000,000 $394,962,433
2004 $12,217,196,000,000 $364,996,869
2003 $11,456,450,000,000 $314,471,413
2002 $10,929,108,000,000 $262,596,536
2001 $10,581,929,000,000 $257,926,882
2000 $10,250,952,000,000 $272,014,628
1999 $9,631,172,000,000 $268,006,973
1998 $9,062,817,000,000 $262,293,411
1997 $8,577,552,000,000 $272,771,209
1996 $8,073,122,000,000 $261,370,044
1995 $7,639,749,000,000 $249,333,250
1994 $7,287,236,000,000 $233,701,301
1993 $6,858,559,000,000 $200,491,853
1992 $6,520,327,000,000 $209,088,825
1991 $6,158,129,000,000 $201,334,169
1990 $5,963,144,000,000 $168,879,207
1989 $5,641,580,000,000 $154,013,202
1988 $5,236,438,000,000 $158,351,368
1987 $4,855,215,000,000 $139,464,174
1986 $4,579,631,000,000 $126,498,935
1985 $4,338,979,000,000 $131,856,421
1984 $4,037,613,000,000 $144,482,515
1983 $3,634,038,000,000 $117,389,554
1982 $3,343,789,000,000 $114,501,913
1981 $3,207,041,000,000 $113,781,796
1980 $2,857,307,000,000 $121,185,498
1979 $2,627,333,000,000 $119,258,835
1978 $2,351,599,000,000 -
1977 $2,081,826,000,000 -
1976 $1,873,412,000,000 -
1975 $1,684,904,000,000 -
1974 $1,545,243,000,000 -
1973 $1,425,376,000,000 -
1972 $1,279,110,000,000 -
1971 $1,164,850,000,000 -
1970 $1,073,303,000,000 -
1969 $1,017,438,172,414 -
1968 $940,225,000,000 -
1967 $859,620,034,483 -
1966 $813,032,758,621 -
1965 $741,904,862,069 -
1964 $684,144,620,690 -
1963 $637,058,551,724 -
1962 $603,639,413,793 -
1961 $561,940,310,345 -
1960 $541,988,586,207 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in United States vs Vanuatu by year

United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
United States Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $90,027 - $4,039 -
2024 $86,143 $85,810 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $83,041 $82,305 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $78,178 $77,861 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $71,486 $71,307 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $64,475 $64,402 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $65,605 $65,228 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $63,201 $62,876 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $60,322 $60,048 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $58,207 $57,977 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $57,040 $56,849 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $55,304 $55,153 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $53,410 $53,297 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $51,784 $51,708 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $50,066 $50,025 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $48,651 $48,643 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $47,195 $47,195 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $48,570 $48,570 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $48,050 $48,050 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $46,302 $46,302 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $44,123 $44,123 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $41,725 $41,725 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $39,490 $39,490 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $37,998 $37,998 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $37,134 $37,134 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $36,330 $36,330 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $34,484 $34,515 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $32,823 $32,854 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $31,430 $31,459 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $29,937 $29,968 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $28,661 $28,691 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $27,662 $27,695 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $26,353 $26,387 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $25,381 $25,419 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $24,293 $24,342 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $23,840 $23,889 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $22,857 - $1,067 -
1988 $21,417 - $1,125 -
1987 $20,039 - $1,017 -
1986 $19,071 - $946 -
1985 $18,237 - $1,012 -
1984 $17,121 - $1,137 -
1983 $15,544 - $947 -
1982 $14,434 - $946 -
1981 $13,976 - $962 -
1980 $12,613 - $1,048 -
1979 $11,674 - $1,055 -
1978 $10,565 - - -
1977 $9,453 - - -
1976 $8,592 - - -
1975 $7,801 - - -
1974 $7,226 - - -
1973 $6,726 - - -
1972 $6,094 - - -
1971 $5,609 - - -
1970 $5,234 - - -
1969 $5,020 - - -
1968 $4,685 - - -
1967 $4,326 - - -
1966 $4,136 - - -
1965 $3,818 - - -
1964 $3,565 - - -
1963 $3,366 - - -
1962 $3,236 - - -
1961 $3,059 - - -
1960 $3,000 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/vanuatu | CC BY

The United States' GDP per capita is $90,027, ranking 10/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United States ranks 12th at $85,810, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

United States Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$30.8T
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
1/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
2.16%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$90,027
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
10/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$85,810
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
12/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$38.1T
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
123.9%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$111,531
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
2/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,600
2026
$2,801
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$68.9T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
23,627,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
989
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.7%
2024
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.7%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.95%
2023-2024
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.28%
2025
1.41%
2025
Population
344434632
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United States
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
United States Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 37.7% 123.9% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 37.7% 122.3% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 37.5% 120% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 36.8% 119.1% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 43.2% 125% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 44.7% 132.6% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 35.8% 108.8% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 35.3% 107.7% 29.4% 40%
2017 35.2% 106.4% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 35.3% 107.4% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 35% 105.4% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 35.3% 104.9% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 35.8% 105% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 37.2% 103.7% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 38.8% 100% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 39.8% 95.7% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 41.4% 87.1% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 37.1% 73.8% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 34.6% 64.9% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 33.7% 64.5% 18.2% 20%
2005 33.9% 65.8% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 33.7% 66.4% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 34% 59% 17% 34.6%
2002 33.7% 55.9% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 32.8% 53.5% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 31.7% 54.5% 23% 32.6%
1999 32.2% 60.5% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 32.8% 64.2% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 33.7% 67.4% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 34.7% 69.9% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 35.5% 70.7% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 35.5% 71.1% 22% 19.5%
1993 36.4% 71.9% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 36.7% 70.3% 28.8% 19%
1991 35.7% 67.9% 30% 14.4%
1990 34.5% 63.1% - -
1989 33.7% 61.6% - -
1988 33.7% 61.3% - -
1987 34.3% 60.6% - -
1986 34.8% 58.9% - -
1985 34.5% 55.4% - -
1984 34.3% 50.6% - -
1983 35.7% 48.9% - -
1982 35.8% 45.9% - -
1981 33.9% 41.1% - -
1980 33.7% 41.9% - -
1979 32% 41.2% - -
1978 32.6% 42.5% - -
1977 33.4% 43.6% - -
1976 34.2% 44.8% - -
1975 35.2% 44.6% - -
1974 32.9% 41.4% - -
1973 31.9% 42.6% - -
1972 32.8% 45.4% - -
1971 32.3% 47% - -
1970 31.5% 46.4% - -
1969 29.3% 45.9% - -
1968 29.1% 48.5% - -
1967 28.3% 50.4% - -
1966 26.3% 50.6% - -
1965 25.4% 53.7% - -
1964 25.6% 56.7% - -
1963 26% 58.8% - -
1962 26% 60.2% - -
1961 25.9% 62.3% - -
1960 24.9% 61.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, the United States' government spending was $11.6T, accounting for 37.7% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 123.9% in the United States and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 12/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United States

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
United States Vanuatu
2025 -6.82% -3.88%
2024 -7.86% -2.46%
2023 -7.89% -0.78%
2022 -3.72% -5.96%
2021 -11.5% 2.07%
2020 -14.1% -1.74%
2019 -5.81% 2.48%
2018 -5.33% 5.53%
2017 -4.79% -1.06%
2016 -4.36% -0.64%
2015 -3.53% -8.13%
2014 -4.03% 1.26%
2013 -4.56% -0.22%
2012 -8.11% -1.54%
2011 -9.72% -1.98%
2010 -11% -2.38%
2009 -13.2% -0.76%
2008 -6.61% -0.04%
2007 -2.91% 0.25%
2006 -2.04% 0.44%
2005 -3.07% 1.68%
2004 -4.24% 0.72%
2003 -4.77% -1.22%
2002 -3.82% -3.29%
2001 -0.54% -3.01%
2000 3.62% -5.67%
1999 2.71% -0.5%
1998 2.18% -6.01%
1997 0.88% -0.46%
1996 -0.46% -1.61%
1995 -1.7% -2.34%
1994 -2.05% -1.35%
1993 -3.35% -3.32%
1992 -3.98% -2.1%
1991 -2.72% -2.54%
1990 -1.64% -
1989 -0.8% -
1988 -1.06% -
1987 -1.53% -
1986 -2.81% -
1985 -2.63% -
1984 -2.97% -
1983 -4.26% -
1982 -3.78% -
1981 -1.58% -
1980 -2.17% -
1979 -0.79% -
1978 -1.7% -
1977 -2.57% -
1976 -3.63% -
1975 -5.4% -
1974 -1.27% -
1973 -0.86% -
1972 -1.86% -
1971 -2.63% -
1970 -1.21% -
1969 2.11% -
1968 1.23% -
1967 0.47% -
1966 2.07% -
1965 2.38% -
1964 2.18% -
1963 2.87% -
1962 2.32% -
1961 2.28% -
1960 3.2% -
1959 -9.06% -
1958 -8.68% -
1957 -6.72% -
1956 -6.02% -
1955 -7.4% -
1954 -5.55% -
1953 -5.76% -
1952 -5.41% -
1951 -6.93% -
1950 -8.22% -
1949 -7.94% -
1948 -4.16% -
1947 -3.99% -
1946 -6.45% -
1945 -14.1% -
1944 -13.4% -
1943 -19.3% -
1942 -16.3% -
1941 -10.2% -
1940 -9.73% -
1939 -11.9% -
1938 -10.4% -
1937 -9.22% -
1936 -12.1% -
1935 -13.3% -
1934 -14.9% -
1933 -14.3% -
1932 -12.7% -
1931 -9.76% -
1930 -5.46% -
1929 -4.58% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, the United States' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.1T, equivalent to 6.82% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the United States recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the United States posted an annual deficit equal to 4.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United States

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
United States Vanuatu
2025 - 0.66%
2024 2.95% 1.14%
2023 4.12% 11.2%
2022 8% 6.68%
2021 4.7% 2.34%
2020 1.23% 5.33%
2019 1.81% 2.76%
2018 2.44% 2.33%
2017 2.13% 3.08%
2016 1.26% 0.84%
2015 0.12% 2.48%
2014 1.62% 0.8%
2013 1.46% 1.46%
2012 2.07% 1.35%
2011 3.16% 0.87%
2010 1.64% 2.76%
2009 -0.36% 4.3%
2008 3.84% 4.84%
2007 2.85% 3.94%
2006 3.23% 2.04%
2005 3.39% 1.2%
2004 2.68% 1.42%
2003 2.27% 3.02%
2002 1.59% 1.96%
2001 2.83% 3.58%
2000 3.38% 2.54%
1999 2.19% 2%
1998 1.55% 3.28%
1997 2.34% 2.83%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the United States has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.52%, compared with 2.94% in Vanuatu. In 2024, inflation was 2.95% in the United States and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $18M
Miscellaneous $14.4M
Raw materials & minerals $1.03M
Chemicals & pharma $391K
Metals $346K
Textiles & consumer goods $209K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $114K
Wood & paper products $98K
Precious metals & jewellery $29K
Raw agricultural goods $15K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $760K
Animal & marine products $444K
Chemicals & pharma $164K
Wood & paper products $151K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $34K
Miscellaneous $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

United States Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$1.12T
2025
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
190/190
2025
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.63%
2025
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$3.44T
2025
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$2.2T
2025
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$903B
2025
$230M
2022
Service exports
$1.23T
2025
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
14%
2024
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11%
2024
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

United States Vanuatu
Economic freedom 72.8 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 27/197 92/197
Property rights 91.6 62.1
Government integrity 77.1 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 76.4 67.9
Tax burden 75.3 96.9
Government spending 57.9 48.1
Fiscal health 18.5 78.8
Business freedom 88.6 50.3
Labor freedom 76.3 41
Monetary freedom 84.2 72.1
Trade freedom 67.6 62
Investment freedom 80 65
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

United States
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
United States Vanuatu
2026 72.8 61.1
2025 70.2 61.8
2024 70.1 62.2
2023 70.6 62.1
2022 72.1 62.9
2021 74.8 60.5
2020 76.6 60.7
2019 76.8 56.4
2018 75.7 69.5
2017 75.1 67.4
2016 75.4 60.8
2015 76.2 61.1
2014 75.5 59.5
2013 76 56.6
2012 76.3 56.6
2011 77.8 56.7
2010 78 56.4
2009 80.7 58.4
2008 81 -
2007 81.2 -
2006 81.2 -
2005 79.9 -
2004 78.7 -
2003 78.2 -
2002 78.4 -
2001 79.1 -
2000 76.4 -
1999 75.5 -
1998 75.4 -
1997 75.6 -
1996 76.7 -
1995 76.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the United States is 72.8, ranking 27/197, 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

United States Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.85%
2024
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$30.4T
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$89,490
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.39T
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$21.7B
2025
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$297B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$322B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.1%
2020
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
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/united-states/vanuatu | CC BY

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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 (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2026, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.