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Economy of United States vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The United States has a GDP of $28.8T compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 1/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United States has $35.2T in government debt (122.3% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

United States vs Vietnam GDP by year

United States
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
United States Vietnam
2024 $28,750,956,130,731 $476,388,230,307
2023 $27,292,170,793,214 $433,857,681,378
2022 $25,604,848,907,611 $413,445,230,669
2021 $23,315,080,560,000 $366,474,752,771
2020 $21,060,473,613,000 $346,615,738,538
2019 $21,380,976,119,000 $334,365,270,497
2018 $20,533,057,312,000 $310,106,478,395
2017 $19,477,336,549,000 $281,353,605,987
2016 $18,695,110,842,000 $257,096,001,178
2015 $18,206,020,741,000 $239,258,328,382
2014 $17,550,680,174,000 $233,451,469,643
2013 $16,843,190,993,000 $213,708,811,665
2012 $16,253,972,230,000 $195,590,661,129
2011 $15,599,728,123,000 $172,595,049,184
2010 $15,048,964,444,000 $147,201,173,197
2009 $14,478,064,934,000 $106,014,659,565
2008 $14,769,857,911,000 $99,130,304,099
2007 $14,474,226,905,000 $77,414,425,532
2006 $13,815,586,948,000 $66,371,664,817
2005 $13,039,199,193,000 $57,633,255,738
2004 $12,217,193,198,000 $45,427,854,693
2003 $11,456,442,041,000 $39,552,513,232
2002 $10,929,112,955,000 $35,064,105,501
2001 $10,581,929,774,000 $32,685,198,809
2000 $10,250,947,997,000 $31,172,518,403
1999 $9,631,174,489,000 $28,683,659,007
1998 $9,062,818,202,000 $27,209,602,050
1997 $8,577,554,457,000 $26,843,700,442
1996 $8,073,122,000,000 $24,657,470,575
1995 $7,639,749,000,000 $20,736,164,459
1994 $7,287,236,000,000 $16,286,433,533
1993 $6,858,559,000,000 $13,180,953,598
1992 $6,520,327,000,000 $9,866,990,236
1991 $6,158,129,000,000 $9,613,369,520
1990 $5,963,144,000,000 $6,471,740,806
1989 $5,641,580,000,000 $6,293,304,975
1988 $5,236,438,000,000 $25,423,812,649
1987 $4,855,215,000,000 $36,658,108,850
1986 $4,579,631,000,000 $26,336,616,250
1985 $4,338,979,000,000 $14,094,687,821
1984 $4,037,613,000,000 -
1983 $3,634,038,000,000 -
1982 $3,343,789,000,000 -
1981 $3,207,041,000,000 -
1980 $2,857,307,000,000 -
1979 $2,627,333,000,000 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in United States vs Vietnam by year

United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
United States Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $84,534 $85,810 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $81,490 $82,305 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $76,829 $77,861 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $70,249 $71,307 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $63,526 $64,402 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $65,120 $65,228 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $62,823 $62,876 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $59,908 $60,048 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $57,867 $57,977 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $56,763 $56,849 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $55,124 $55,153 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $53,291 $53,297 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $51,784 $51,708 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $50,066 $50,025 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $48,651 $48,643 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $47,195 $47,195 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $48,570 $48,570 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $48,050 $48,050 $926 $4,581
2006 $46,302 $46,302 $808 $4,237
2005 $44,123 $44,123 $711 $3,894
2004 $41,725 $41,725 $565 $3,543
2003 $39,490 $39,490 $497 $3,240
2002 $37,998 $37,998 $445 $3,002
2001 $37,134 $37,134 $419 $2,809
2000 $36,330 $36,330 $404 $2,614
1999 $34,484 $34,515 $376 $2,421
1998 $32,823 $32,854 $361 $2,308
1997 $31,430 $31,459 $362 $2,189
1996 $29,937 $29,968 $337 $2,019
1995 $28,661 $28,691 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $27,662 $27,695 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $26,353 $26,387 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $25,381 $25,419 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $24,293 $24,342 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $23,840 $23,889 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $22,857 - $98.1 -
1988 $21,417 - $405 -
1987 $20,039 - $595 -
1986 $19,071 - $436 -
1985 $18,237 - $238.6 -
1984 $17,121 - - -
1983 $15,544 - - -
1982 $14,434 - - -
1981 $13,976 - - -
1980 $12,613 - - -
1979 $11,674 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

The United States' GDP per capita is $84,534, ranking 10/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United States ranks 12th at $85,810, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

United States Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$28.8T
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
1/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
2.79%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$84,534
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
10/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$85,810
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
12/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$35.2T
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
122.3%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$103,404
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
2/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$53,202
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$62.2T
2024
$205B
2024
Number of millionaires
23,831,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
902
2025
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.4%
2023
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.9%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.95%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.75%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.02%
2024
1.53%
2024
Population
344023146
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United States
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
United States Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.9% 122.3% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 37.7% 119.8% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 36.8% 119.1% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 43.2% 125% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 44.7% 132.5% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 35.8% 108.8% 19.8% 41%
2018 35.3% 107.6% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 35.2% 106.4% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 35.3% 107.4% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 35% 105.4% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 35.3% 104.9% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 35.8% 105% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 37.2% 103.7% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 38.8% 100% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 39.8% 95.6% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 41.4% 87.1% 25% 36.2%
2008 37.1% 73.8% 21.4% 31%
2007 34.6% 64.9% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 33.7% 64.5% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 33.9% 65.8% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 33.7% 66.4% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 34% 59% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 33.7% 55.9% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 32.8% 53.5% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 31.7% 54.5% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 32.2% 60.5% 16.7% -
1998 32.8% 64.2% 16% -
1997 33.7% 67.4% - -
1996 34.7% 69.9% - -
1995 35.5% 70.7% - -
1994 35.5% 71.1% - -
1993 36.4% 71.9% - -
1992 36.7% 70.3% - -
1991 35.7% 67.9% - -
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 (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the United States' government spending was $10.9T, accounting for 37.9% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 122.3% in the United States and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 12/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United States

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
United States Vietnam
2024 -8.03% -1.54%
2023 -7.8% -1.72%
2022 -3.72% 0.67%
2021 -11.4% -1.43%
2020 -14.1% -2.86%
2019 -5.81% -0.4%
2018 -5.33% -1.02%
2017 -4.79% -1.96%
2016 -4.36% -3.16%
2015 -3.53% -4.98%
2014 -4.03% -5.02%
2013 -4.56% -5.96%
2012 -8.11% -5.46%
2011 -9.72% -0.9%
2010 -11% -2.25%
2009 -13.2% -4.82%
2008 -6.61% -0.45%
2007 -2.91% -1.74%
2006 -2.04% 0.2%
2005 -3.07% -0.95%
2004 -4.24% -0.15%
2003 -4.77% -2.56%
2002 -3.82% -1.85%
2001 -0.54% -2.19%
2000 3.62% -1.61%
1999 2.71% -1.25%
1998 2.18% -0.1%
1997 0.88% -
1996 -0.46% -
1995 -1.7% -
1994 -2.05% -
1993 -3.35% -
1992 -3.98% -
1991 -2.72% -
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the United States' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.31T, equivalent to 8.03% of GDP. This compares to Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, the United States recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the United States posted an annual deficit equal to 5.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United States

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
United States Vietnam
2024 2.95% 3.6%
2023 4.12% 3.3%
2022 8% 3.2%
2021 4.7% 1.8%
2020 1.23% 3.2%
2019 1.81% 2.8%
2018 2.44% 3.5%
2017 2.13% 3.5%
2016 1.26% 2.7%
2015 0.12% 0.6%
2014 1.62% 4.1%
2013 1.46% 6.6%
2012 2.07% 9.1%
2011 3.16% 18.7%
2010 1.64% 9.1%
2009 -0.36% 6.7%
2008 3.84% 23.3%
2007 2.85% 8.4%
2006 3.23% 7.7%
2005 3.39% 8.3%
2004 2.68% 7.8%
2003 2.27% 3.1%
2002 1.59% 3.8%
2001 2.83% -0.4%
2000 3.38% -1.8%
1999 2.19% 4.1%
1998 1.55% 8.1%
1997 2.34% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the United States has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.52%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 2.95% in the United States and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.53B
Transport & tourism services $1.47B
Chemicals & pharma $1.43B
Raw agricultural goods $1.38B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.1B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.03B
Raw materials & minerals $750M
Wood & paper products $683M
Animal & marine products $599M
Business & finance services $598M
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $47.7B
Textiles & consumer goods $35.2B
Metals $3.04B
Chemicals & pharma $2.95B
Raw materials & minerals $2.2B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.52B
Wood & paper products $1.42B
Raw agricultural goods $1.39B
Animal & marine products $974M
Precious metals & jewellery $605M

Balance of trade

United States Vietnam
Current account balance
-$1.19T
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
190/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.12%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$3.3T
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$2.08T
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$841B
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$1.15T
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.1%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

United States Vietnam
Economic freedom 72.8 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 27/197 73/197
Property rights 91.6 47.3
Government integrity 77.1 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 76.4 31.3
Tax burden 75.3 80.9
Government spending 57.9 89.5
Fiscal health 18.5 96.9
Business freedom 88.6 70
Labor freedom 76.3 54.7
Monetary freedom 84.2 73.2
Trade freedom 67.6 79.8
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

United States
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
United States Vietnam
2026 72.8 64.4
2025 70.2 65.2
2024 70.1 62.8
2023 70.6 61.8
2022 72.1 60.6
2021 74.8 61.7
2020 76.6 58.8
2019 76.8 55.3
2018 75.7 53.1
2017 75.1 52.4
2016 75.4 54
2015 76.2 51.7
2014 75.5 50.8
2013 76 51
2012 76.3 51.3
2011 77.8 51.6
2010 78 49.8
2009 80.7 51
2008 81 50.4
2007 81.2 49.8
2006 81.2 50.5
2005 79.9 48.1
2004 78.7 46.1
2003 78.2 46.2
2002 78.4 45.6
2001 79.1 44.3
2000 76.4 43.7
1999 75.5 42.7
1998 75.4 40.4
1997 75.6 38.6
1996 76.7 40.2
1995 76.7 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the United States is 72.8, ranking 27/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

United States Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.85%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$28.4T
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$85,980
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$910B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
3/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$25.1B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$297B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$322B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.1%
2020
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
30.6%
2024

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/united-states/vietnam | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.