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Economy of Uruguay vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Uruguay has a GDP of $81B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 81/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Uruguay has $55.6B in government debt (68.7% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Uruguay vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Uruguay
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Uruguay Vanuatu
2024 $80,961,511,074 $1,117,972,034
2023 $77,991,666,838 $1,115,861,056
2022 $70,594,110,920 $1,055,031,361
2021 $60,739,084,241 $950,394,007
2020 $53,559,359,262 $909,421,044
2019 $62,222,313,619 $936,526,268
2018 $65,344,577,416 $914,727,908
2017 $65,005,997,963 $880,043,284
2016 $57,480,787,465 $804,323,577
2015 $57,680,327,999 $759,690,181
2014 $61,496,186,974 $773,717,011
2013 $61,337,621,934 $758,304,466
2012 $54,232,266,359 $747,839,698
2011 $50,342,406,067 $770,153,588
2010 $41,950,361,212 $670,712,980
2009 $32,708,319,078 $592,622,319
2008 $31,119,602,539 $590,748,429
2007 $23,797,773,024 $516,392,923
2006 $19,741,420,740 $439,358,587
2005 $17,362,857,684 $394,962,433
2004 $13,686,329,890 $364,996,869
2003 $12,045,638,352 $314,471,413
2002 $13,606,515,723 $262,596,536
2001 $20,898,761,742 $257,926,882
2000 $22,823,270,892 $272,014,628
1999 $23,983,945,191 $268,006,973
1998 $25,385,886,978 $262,293,411
1997 $23,969,739,234 $272,771,209
1996 $20,515,458,114 $261,370,044
1995 $19,297,663,097 $249,333,250
1994 $17,474,588,896 $233,701,301
1993 $15,002,136,971 $200,491,853
1992 $12,878,148,791 $209,088,825
1991 $11,206,176,651 $201,334,169
1990 $9,298,807,850 $168,879,207
1989 $8,438,951,476 $154,013,202
1988 $8,213,538,369 $158,351,368
1987 $7,367,494,080 $139,464,174
1986 $5,880,112,788 $126,498,935
1985 $4,732,017,873 $131,856,421
1984 $4,850,238,550 $144,482,515
1983 $5,102,276,308 $117,389,554
1982 $9,178,780,077 $114,501,913
1981 $11,048,301,421 $113,781,796
1980 $10,163,020,116 $121,185,498
1979 $7,181,182,224 $119,258,835
1978 $4,910,254,566 -
1977 $4,114,670,014 -
1976 $3,667,161,241 -
1975 $3,538,278,047 -
1974 $4,090,209,682 -
1973 $3,964,296,443 -
1972 $2,189,418,689 -
1971 $2,807,258,065 -
1970 $2,137,096,774 -
1969 $2,004,435,484 -
1968 $1,593,674,185 -
1967 $1,597,713,469 -
1966 $1,809,185,094 -
1965 $1,890,767,156 -
1964 $1,975,701,816 -
1963 $1,539,681,491 -
1962 $1,710,004,407 -
1961 $1,547,388,781 -
1960 $1,242,289,239 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Uruguay vs Vanuatu by year

Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Uruguay Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,907 $36,418 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $23,019 $34,471 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $20,819 $33,001 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $17,882 $29,432 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $15,758 $25,725 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $18,316 $25,783 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $19,250 $24,386 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $19,185 $23,607 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $17,010 $22,841 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $17,126 $22,169 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $18,322 $21,868 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $18,335 $20,661 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $16,260 $19,495 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $15,132 $19,135 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $12,641 $17,873 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $9,881 $16,422 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $9,424 $15,694 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $7,222 $14,397 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $6,001 $13,179 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $5,284 $12,296 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $4,169 $11,103 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $3,671 $10,303 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $4,150 $10,030 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $6,383 $10,719 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $6,988 $10,929 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $7,371 $10,938 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $7,837 $11,002 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $7,436 $10,461 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $6,398 $9,524 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $6,050 $8,906 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $5,508 $8,897 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $4,753 $8,162 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $4,102 $7,808 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $3,589 $7,112 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $2,995 $6,683 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $2,734 - $1,067 -
1988 $2,677 - $1,125 -
1987 $2,416 - $1,017 -
1986 $1,939 - $946 -
1985 $1,568 - $1,012 -
1984 $1,615 - $1,137 -
1983 $1,707 - $947 -
1982 $3,085 - $946 -
1981 $3,728 - $962 -
1980 $3,443 - $1,048 -
1979 $2,443 - $1,055 -
1978 $1,678 - - -
1977 $1,414 - - -
1976 $1,268 - - -
1975 $1,232 - - -
1974 $1,433 - - -
1973 $1,397 - - -
1972 $776 - - -
1971 $1,000 - - -
1970 $766 - - -
1969 $723 - - -
1968 $579 - - -
1967 $585 - - -
1966 $668 - - -
1965 $705 - - -
1964 $745 - - -
1963 $587 - - -
1962 $659 - - -
1961 $604 - - -
1960 $491 - - -

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

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

Uruguay's GDP per capita is $23,907, ranking 52/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Uruguay Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$81B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
81/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
3.11%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,907
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
52/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$36,418
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
61/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$55.6B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
68.7%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$16,421
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
38/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,433
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$284M
1996
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2024
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2024
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.1%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.85%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
8.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
8.21%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
3382789
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Uruguay
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Uruguay Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.1% 68.7% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 30.5% 64% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 30% 59.9% 42% 42.8%
2021 30.2% 64.1% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 32.8% 68.2% 43.4% 48%
2019 30.6% 59.6% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 30.3% 57.9% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 29.7% 55.8% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 29.7% 56.4% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 28.4% 57.8% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 29.1% 51.1% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 28.8% 50% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 27.7% 49.8% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 26.3% 41.3% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 27.4% 40.9% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 27.2% 46.2% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 26.3% 46.2% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 26.8% 52.8% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 26.8% 61.1% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 26.3% 66.2% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 26.6% 73.7% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 27.7% 91.9% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 27.6% 90.1% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 27.8% 39.4% 22.3% 37%
2000 26.6% 30.5% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 27.2% 24.1% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 27.3% 19.4% 27.9% 28%
1997 27.6% 18.8% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 26.5% 18.3% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 26.2% 18.5% 28% 24.1%
1994 29.5% 19.3% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 27.7% 20% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 23.6% 22.2% 31.8% 21%
1991 22.2% 20.4% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 21.1% 26.2% - -
1989 37% - - -
1988 26% 34.8% - -
1987 24.4% 37.3% - -
1986 25.1% 34.6% - -
1985 24.6% 29% - -
1984 25.6% 39.5% - -
1983 26.5% 21.2% - -
1982 29.5% 13.5% - -
1981 25% 4.32% - -
1980 21.8% 4.59% - -
1979 20.2% 3.98% - -
1978 22.9% 5.64% - -
1977 23.5% 7.26% - -
1976 24.2% 8.67% - -
1975 23% 8.13% - -
1974 23.8% 7.61% - -
1973 22.6% 7% - -
1972 24.6% 9.12% - -
1971 20.1% 9.3% - -
1970 15.1% 6.11% - -
1969 14.6% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 14.7% - - -
1966 14.1% - - -
1965 15.6% - - -
1964 14.3% - - -
1963 14.6% - - -
1962 16% - - -
1961 13% - - -
1960 9.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uruguay's government spending was $25.2B, accounting for 31.1% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 68.7% in Uruguay and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 59/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Uruguay

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Uruguay Vanuatu
2024 -3.22% -2.34%
2023 -3.13% -0.95%
2022 -2.52% -6.5%
2021 -2.61% 2.38%
2020 -4.64% -1.95%
2019 -2.71% 2.81%
2018 -1.89% 6.26%
2017 -2.51% -1.2%
2016 -2.68% -0.72%
2015 -1.86% -8.66%
2014 -2.6% 1.44%
2013 -1.72% -0.25%
2012 -2.17% -1.7%
2011 -0.33% -2.19%
2010 -0.39% -2.63%
2009 -1.39% -0.85%
2008 -1.31% -0.04%
2007 -0.16% 0.28%
2006 -0.64% 0.49%
2005 -0.28% 1.86%
2004 -0.87% 0.8%
2003 -2.19% -1.35%
2002 -3.19% -3.63%
2001 -2.85% -3.33%
2000 -2.76% -6.28%
1999 -2.76% -0.55%
1998 -0.76% -6.65%
1997 -0.97% -0.51%
1996 -1.32% -1.78%
1995 -1.08% -2.59%
1994 -2.37% -1.49%
1993 -0.47% -3.67%
1992 0.6% -2.32%
1991 0.88% -2.81%
1990 0.49% -
1989 -13.1% -
1988 -1.47% -
1987 -0.66% -
1986 -0.34% -
1985 -1.88% -
1984 -4.94% -
1983 -3.54% -
1982 -8.22% -
1981 -1.15% -
1980 0.43% -
1979 0.99% -
1978 -0.47% -
1977 -0.69% -
1976 -2.01% -
1975 -4.38% -
1974 -3.74% -
1973 -1.09% -
1972 -2.25% -
1971 -5.86% -
1970 -1.33% -
1969 -2.37% -
1968 -2.93% -
1967 -4.12% -
1966 -2.01% -
1965 -5.14% -
1964 -3.61% -
1963 -4.4% -
1962 -5.02% -
1961 -0.86% -
1960 0.79% -
1959 0.64% -
1958 -1.38% -
1957 -0.72% -
1956 0.04% -
1955 -1.24% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uruguay's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.6B, equivalent to 3.22% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Uruguay recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Uruguay posted an annual deficit equal to 1.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Uruguay

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Uruguay Vanuatu
2024 4.85% -
2023 5.87% 11.2%
2022 9.1% 6.68%
2021 7.75% 2.34%
2020 9.76% 5.33%
2019 7.88% 2.76%
2018 7.61% 2.33%
2017 6.22% 3.08%
2016 9.64% 0.84%
2015 8.67% 2.48%
2014 8.88% 0.8%
2013 8.58% 1.46%
2012 8.1% 1.35%
2011 8.09% 0.87%
2010 6.7% 2.76%
2009 7.06% 4.3%
2008 7.88% 4.84%
2007 8.11% 3.94%
2006 6.4% 2.04%
2005 4.7% 1.2%
2004 9.16% 1.42%
2003 19.4% 3.02%
2002 14% 1.96%
2001 4.36% 3.58%
2000 4.76% 2.54%
1999 5.66% 2%
1998 10.8% 3.28%
1997 19.8% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Uruguay has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.7%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 4.85% in Uruguay and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Uruguay
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $21K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Uruguay Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
111/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.78%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$13B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$16.3B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$6.22B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$7.1B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
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.

Uruguay Vanuatu
Economic freedom 69.8 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 39/197 92/197
Property rights 87.4 62.1
Government integrity 79 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 80.9 67.9
Tax burden 73.3 96.9
Government spending 72 48.1
Fiscal health 76.6 78.8
Business freedom 83.8 50.3
Labor freedom 61.7 41
Monetary freedom 70.2 72.1
Trade freedom 73.2 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Uruguay
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Uruguay Vanuatu
2026 69.8 61.1
2025 70.2 61.8
2024 69.8 62.2
2023 70.2 62.1
2022 70 62.9
2021 69.3 60.5
2020 69.1 60.7
2019 68.6 56.4
2018 69.2 69.5
2017 69.7 67.4
2016 68.8 60.8
2015 68.6 61.1
2014 69.3 59.5
2013 69.7 56.6
2012 69.9 56.6
2011 70 56.7
2010 69.8 56.4
2009 69.1 58.4
2008 67.9 -
2007 68.4 -
2006 65.3 -
2005 66.9 -
2004 66.7 -
2003 69.8 -
2002 68.7 -
2001 70.7 -
2000 69.3 -
1999 68.5 -
1998 68.6 -
1997 67.5 -
1996 63.7 -
1995 62.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Uruguay is 69.8, ranking 39/197, 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

Uruguay Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
65.3%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.42%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$73.3B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$34,170
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$17.4B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
66/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$2.58B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.94B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.37B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.3%
2024
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.6%
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/uruguay/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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.