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Economy of Vanuatu vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Vanuatu has a GDP of $1.35B compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 185/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Vanuatu has $554M in government debt (40.9% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

Vanuatu vs Zambia GDP by year

Vanuatu
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Vanuatu Zambia
2025 $1,353,658,841 $28,879,806,220
2024 $1,297,956,615 $25,303,185,342
2023 $1,188,137,265 $27,577,956,471
2022 $1,151,863,790 $29,163,782,140
2021 $1,093,826,089 $22,096,416,932
2020 $1,017,403,363 $18,137,764,931
2019 $1,061,547,513 $23,308,667,781
2018 $1,034,402,941 $26,311,507,274
2017 $998,536,155 $25,873,601,261
2016 $908,725,513 $20,958,412,538
2015 $855,360,240 $21,251,216,799
2014 $879,185,478 $27,141,023,558
2013 $863,347,172 $28,037,239,463
2012 $747,839,698 $25,503,060,420
2011 $770,153,588 $23,459,515,276
2010 $670,712,980 $20,265,559,484
2009 $592,622,319 $15,328,342,304
2008 $590,748,429 $17,910,858,638
2007 $516,392,923 $14,056,957,976
2006 $439,358,587 $12,756,858,899
2005 $394,962,433 $8,331,870,169
2004 $364,996,869 $6,221,110,219
2003 $314,471,413 $4,901,869,764
2002 $262,596,536 $4,193,850,445
2001 $257,926,882 $4,094,441,301
2000 $272,014,628 $3,600,632,111
1999 $268,006,973 $3,404,284,891
1998 $262,293,411 $3,537,741,942
1997 $272,771,209 $4,303,288,480
1996 $261,370,044 $3,597,220,962
1995 $249,333,250 $3,806,983,413
1994 $233,701,301 $3,656,806,166
1993 $200,491,853 $3,273,505,344
1992 $209,088,825 $3,182,810,841
1991 $201,334,169 $3,376,806,697
1990 $168,879,207 $3,288,381,797
1989 $154,013,202 $3,994,673,161
1988 $158,351,368 $3,728,878,149
1987 $139,464,174 $2,265,250,972
1986 $126,498,935 $1,664,413,508
1985 $131,856,421 $2,252,454,500
1984 $144,482,515 $2,719,518,933
1983 $117,389,554 $3,321,048,451
1982 $114,501,913 $3,871,117,093
1981 $113,781,796 $4,008,126,497
1980 $121,185,498 $3,884,530,854
1979 $119,258,835 $3,353,445,378
1978 - $2,811,032,473
1977 - $2,515,296,940
1976 - $2,742,859,263
1975 - $2,442,672,141
1974 - $2,910,981,262
1973 - $2,434,255,237
1972 - $1,872,416,680
1971 - $1,653,259,341
1970 - $1,788,779,285
1969 - $1,926,399,230
1968 - $1,573,739,371
1967 - $1,340,639,464
1966 - $1,238,999,505
1965 - $1,061,199,576
1964 - $822,639,671
1963 - $704,339,719
1962 - $679,279,729
1961 - $682,359,727
1960 - $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Vanuatu vs Zambia by year

Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Vanuatu Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,039 - $1,318 -
2024 $3,960 $3,606 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $3,708 $3,568 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $3,680 $3,453 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $3,576 $3,136 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $3,404 $3,118 $952 $3,157
2019 $3,636 $3,315 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $3,626 $3,233 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $3,585 $3,146 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $3,340 $3,030 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $3,214 $2,966 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $3,378 $2,890 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $3,393 $2,832 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $3,005 $2,834 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $3,163 $2,816 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $2,815 $2,733 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $2,546 $2,730 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $2,604 $2,701 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $2,334 $2,573 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $2,035 $2,496 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $1,874 $2,287 $711 $2,213
2004 $1,774 $2,157 $549 $2,068
2003 $1,567 $2,070 $446 $1,942
2002 $1,341 $1,995 $394 $1,837
2001 $1,350 $2,125 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,460 $2,206 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,472 $2,084 $350 $1,654
1998 $1,471 $2,091 $373 $1,601
1997 $1,562 $2,087 $466 $1,631
1996 $1,529 $1,998 $400 $1,585
1995 $1,492 $1,961 $433 $1,501
1994 $1,431 $1,946 $426 $1,464
1993 $1,257 $1,789 $391 $1,607
1992 $1,344 $1,777 $389 $1,505
1991 $1,326 $1,737 $423 $1,534
1990 $1,141 $1,670 $422 $1,522
1989 $1,067 - $526 -
1988 $1,125 - $504 -
1987 $1,017 - $315 -
1986 $946 - $238.2 -
1985 $1,012 - $332 -
1984 $1,137 - $413 -
1983 $947 - $520 -
1982 $946 - $627 -
1981 $962 - $670 -
1980 $1,048 - $669 -
1979 $1,055 - $595 -
1978 - - $514 -
1977 - - $474 -
1976 - - $533 -
1975 - - $490 -
1974 - - $601 -
1973 - - $518 -
1972 - - $410 -
1971 - - $372 -
1970 - - $414 -
1969 - - $459 -
1968 - - $387 -
1967 - - $341 -
1966 - - $325 -
1965 - - $287.4 -
1964 - - $230 -
1963 - - $203.2 -
1962 - - $202.3 -
1961 - - $209.7 -
1960 - - $221.6 -

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

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

Vanuatu's GDP per capita is $4,039, ranking 133/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Vanuatu Zambia
Gross domestic product
$1.35B
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
185/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
3.05%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,039
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,606
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
170/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$554M
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.9%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,654
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
125/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,801
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$14.9B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2019
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2019
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35.5%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.66%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.41%
2025
5.67%
2024
Population
346488
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Vanuatu Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35.5% 40.9% 29.7% 86%
2024 33.1% 39.1% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 38.9% 39.2% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 38.5% 39.2% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 38.6% 42.2% 30.5% 111%
2020 38.8% 42.9% 34% 140%
2019 35.1% 39.8% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 29.4% 40% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 32.7% 46.4% 25% 66.6%
2016 31.2% 37.6% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 38.1% 32.2% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 20.5% 17.8% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 20.1% 16.4% 24% 25.9%
2012 22.1% 17.4% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 22.7% 19.3% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 25.6% 18.3% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 24.9% 19.1% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 25.1% 19.2% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 20.3% 17.6% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 18.2% 20% 19.7% 25%
2005 16.5% 23.8% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 16.7% 27.5% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 17% 34.6% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 20.2% 35.1% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 20.2% 33.5% 28% 210.2%
2000 23% 32.6% 21.4% 261%
1999 21.6% 27.7% - -
1998 25.2% 25.4% - -
1997 20.1% 20.7% - -
1996 22.1% 20.8% - -
1995 25.3% 21.8% - -
1994 22% 19.5% - -
1993 23.7% 18.3% - -
1992 28.8% 19% - -
1991 30% 14.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Vanuatu's government spending was $480M, accounting for 35.5% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.9% in Vanuatu and 86% in Zambia, ranking 131/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Vanuatu

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Vanuatu Zambia
2025 -3.88% -3.83%
2024 -2.46% -3.46%
2023 -0.78% -5.48%
2022 -5.96% -7.82%
2021 2.07% -8.13%
2020 -1.74% -13.8%
2019 2.48% -9.41%
2018 5.53% -8.31%
2017 -1.06% -7.5%
2016 -0.64% -5.69%
2015 -8.13% -8.88%
2014 1.26% -5.43%
2013 -0.22% -6.4%
2012 -1.54% -3.16%
2011 -1.98% -1.78%
2010 -2.38% -2.43%
2009 -0.76% -2.06%
2008 -0.04% -0.67%
2007 0.25% -1.04%
2006 0.44% 16.9%
2005 1.68% -2.37%
2004 0.72% -2.51%
2003 -1.22% -5.31%
2002 -3.29% -4.5%
2001 -3.01% -5.89%
2000 -5.67% 1.16%
1999 -0.5% -
1998 -6.01% -
1997 -0.46% -
1996 -1.61% -
1995 -2.34% -
1994 -1.35% -
1993 -3.32% -
1992 -2.1% -
1991 -2.54% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Vanuatu's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $52.6M, equivalent to 3.88% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Vanuatu recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Vanuatu posted an annual deficit equal to 1.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Vanuatu

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Vanuatu Zambia
2025 0.66% 13.9%
2024 1.14% 15%
2023 11.2% 10.9%
2022 6.68% 11%
2021 2.34% 22%
2020 5.33% 15.7%
2019 2.76% 9.2%
2018 2.33% 7.5%
2017 3.08% 6.6%
2016 0.84% 17.9%
2015 2.48% 10.1%
2014 0.8% 7.8%
2013 1.46% 7%
2012 1.35% 6.6%
2011 0.87% 8.7%
2010 2.76% 8.5%
2009 4.3% 13.4%
2008 4.84% 12.4%
2007 3.94% 10.7%
2006 2.04% 9%
2005 1.2% 18.3%
2004 1.42% 18%
2003 3.02% 21.4%
2002 1.96% 22.2%
2001 3.58% 21.4%
2000 2.54% 24.1%
1999 2% 23.9%
1998 3.28% 22.7%
1997 2.83% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Vanuatu has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.86%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 0.66% in Vanuatu and 13.9% in Zambia.

Balance of trade

Vanuatu Zambia
Current account balance
-$127M
2022
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2022
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-11.1%
2022
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$350M
2022
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$73.6M
2022
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$230M
2022
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$78.5M
2022
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Vanuatu Zambia
Economic freedom 61.1 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 92/197 152/197
Property rights 62.1 43.9
Government integrity 48.3 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 67.9 45
Tax burden 96.9 74.3
Government spending 48.1 78.1
Fiscal health 78.8 30.9
Business freedom 50.3 53.4
Labor freedom 41 48.8
Monetary freedom 72.1 66.6
Trade freedom 62 62.8
Investment freedom 65 40
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Vanuatu
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Vanuatu Zambia
2026 61.1 51.9
2025 61.8 50.9
2024 62.2 48.4
2023 62.1 47.8
2022 62.9 48.7
2021 60.5 50.4
2020 60.7 53.5
2019 56.4 53.6
2018 69.5 54.3
2017 67.4 55.8
2016 60.8 58.8
2015 61.1 58.7
2014 59.5 60.4
2013 56.6 58.7
2012 56.6 58.3
2011 56.7 59.7
2010 56.4 58
2009 58.4 56.6
2008 - 56.2
2007 - 56.2
2006 - 56.8
2005 - 55
2004 - 54.9
2003 - 55.3
2002 - 59.6
2001 - 59.5
2000 - 62.8
1999 - 64.2
1998 - 62.7
1997 - 62.1
1996 - 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Vanuatu is 61.1, ranking 92/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Vanuatu Zambia
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.1%
2024
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
26.6%
2024
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.48B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,970
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$615M
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
152/177
2024
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.21M
2022
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$28.9M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.88%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.9%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
23.8%
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/vanuatu/zambia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, 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.