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Economy of Vanuatu vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Vanuatu has a GDP of $1.35B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 185/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Vanuatu has $554M in government debt (40.9% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Vanuatu vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Vanuatu
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Vanuatu Zimbabwe
2025 $1,353,658,841 $51,215,643,906
2024 $1,297,956,615 $41,521,975,830
2023 $1,188,137,265 $35,871,781,303
2022 $1,151,863,790 $40,757,585,309
2021 $1,093,826,089 $41,287,852,524
2020 $1,017,403,363 $31,979,753,645
2019 $1,061,547,513 $33,360,632,553
2018 $1,034,402,941 $34,141,666,667
2017 $998,536,155 $51,035,657,371
2016 $908,725,513 $20,559,250,000
2015 $855,360,240 $19,973,250,000
2014 $879,185,478 $19,505,500,000
2013 $863,347,172 $19,100,750,000
2012 $747,839,698 $17,123,500,000
2011 $770,153,588 $14,109,000,000
2010 $670,712,980 $12,047,750,000
2009 $592,622,319 $9,670,750,000
2008 $590,748,429 $4,418,000,000
2007 $516,392,923 $5,294,750,000
2006 $439,358,587 $5,446,750,000
2005 $394,962,433 $5,758,250,000
2004 $364,996,869 $5,808,500,000
2003 $314,471,413 $5,730,500,000
2002 $262,596,536 $6,345,250,000
2001 $257,926,882 $6,780,750,000
2000 $272,014,628 $6,693,250,000
1999 $268,006,973 $6,861,500,000
1998 $262,293,411 $6,405,250,000
1997 $272,771,209 $8,534,000,000
1996 $261,370,044 $8,557,500,000
1995 $249,333,250 $7,115,000,000
1994 $233,701,301 $6,894,250,000
1993 $200,491,853 $6,567,250,000
1992 $209,088,825 $6,755,000,000
1991 $201,334,169 $8,646,000,000
1990 $168,879,207 $8,788,301,546
1989 $154,013,202 $8,290,553,535
1988 $158,351,368 $7,818,774,177
1987 $139,464,174 $6,744,657,033
1986 $126,498,935 $6,220,698,247
1985 $131,856,421 $5,640,137,575
1984 $144,482,515 $6,355,369,172
1983 $117,389,554 $7,768,031,182
1982 $114,501,913 $8,544,060,905
1981 $113,781,796 $8,015,464,252
1980 $121,185,498 $6,682,278,300
1979 $119,258,835 $5,180,102,910
1978 - $4,353,822,343
1977 - $4,366,610,469
1976 - $4,320,576,877
1975 - $4,373,532,601
1974 - $3,984,194,614
1973 - $3,311,043,292
1972 - $2,679,096,597
1971 - $2,179,828,710
1970 - $1,885,168,339
1969 - $1,748,891,294
1968 - $1,480,355,355
1967 - $1,397,715,282
1966 - $1,282,403,936
1965 - $1,312,105,394
1964 - $1,217,759,447
1963 - $1,160,103,724
1962 - $1,118,172,226
1961 - $1,097,206,526
1960 - $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Vanuatu vs Zimbabwe by year

Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Vanuatu Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,039 - $3,021 -
2024 $3,960 $3,606 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $3,708 $3,568 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $3,680 $3,453 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $3,576 $3,136 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $3,404 $3,118 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $3,636 $3,315 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $3,626 $3,233 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $3,585 $3,146 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $3,340 $3,030 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $3,214 $2,966 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $3,378 $2,890 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $3,393 $2,832 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $3,005 $2,834 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $3,163 $2,816 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $2,815 $2,733 $902 $2,661
2009 $2,546 $2,730 $736 $2,233
2008 $2,604 $2,701 $341 $1,987
2007 $2,334 $2,573 $414 $2,396
2006 $2,035 $2,496 $431 $2,454
2005 $1,874 $2,287 $461 $2,496
2004 $1,774 $2,157 $470 $2,591
2003 $1,567 $2,070 $468 $2,708
2002 $1,341 $1,995 $525 $3,238
2001 $1,350 $2,125 $566 $3,533
2000 $1,460 $2,206 $563 $3,429
1999 $1,472 $2,084 $582 $3,491
1998 $1,471 $2,091 $552 $3,527
1997 $1,562 $2,087 $751 $3,457
1996 $1,529 $1,998 $767 $3,372
1995 $1,492 $1,961 $648 $3,051
1994 $1,431 $1,946 $634 $3,012
1993 $1,257 $1,789 $605 $2,703
1992 $1,344 $1,777 $631 $2,651
1991 $1,326 $1,737 $831 $2,930
1990 $1,141 $1,670 $867 $2,757
1989 $1,067 - $840 -
1988 $1,125 - $816 -
1987 $1,017 - $726 -
1986 $946 - $693 -
1985 $1,012 - $649 -
1984 $1,137 - $757 -
1983 $947 - $959 -
1982 $946 - $1,096 -
1981 $962 - $1,069 -
1980 $1,048 - $949 -
1979 $1,055 - $779 -
1978 - - $665 -
1977 - - $677 -
1976 - - $687 -
1975 - - $717 -
1974 - - $674 -
1973 - - $579 -
1972 - - $483 -
1971 - - $406 -
1970 - - $361 -
1969 - - $346 -
1968 - - $302 -
1967 - - $294.4 -
1966 - - $278.7 -
1965 - - $294.3 -
1964 - - $281.9 -
1963 - - $277.1 -
1962 - - $275.7 -
1961 - - $279.2 -
1960 - - $276.6 -

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

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

Vanuatu's GDP per capita is $4,039, ranking 133/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Vanuatu Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$1.35B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
185/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
3.05%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,039
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,606
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
170/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$554M
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.9%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,654
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
125/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,801
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2019
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2019
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35.5%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.66%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.41%
2025
12.1%
2024
Population
346488
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Vanuatu Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35.5% 40.9% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 33.1% 39.1% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 38.9% 39.2% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 38.5% 39.2% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 38.6% 42.2% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 38.8% 42.9% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 35.1% 39.8% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 29.4% 40% 14.6% 33%
2017 32.7% 46.4% 21.1% 49%
2016 31.2% 37.6% 17% 35.1%
2015 38.1% 32.2% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 20.5% 17.8% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 20.1% 16.4% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 22.1% 17.4% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 22.7% 19.3% 16.5% 30%
2010 25.6% 18.3% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 24.9% 19.1% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 25.1% 19.2% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 20.3% 17.6% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 18.2% 20% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 16.5% 23.8% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 16.7% 27.5% - -
2003 17% 34.6% - -
2002 20.2% 35.1% - -
2001 20.2% 33.5% - -
2000 23% 32.6% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2025, Vanuatu's government spending was $480M, accounting for 35.5% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.9% in Vanuatu and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 131/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Vanuatu

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Vanuatu Zimbabwe
2025 -3.88% 0.08%
2024 -2.46% -0.76%
2023 -0.78% -9.45%
2022 -5.96% -1%
2021 2.07% -1.83%
2020 -1.74% 0.53%
2019 2.48% -0.06%
2018 5.53% -4.55%
2017 -1.06% -8.68%
2016 -0.64% -4.99%
2015 -8.13% -1.61%
2014 1.26% -0.87%
2013 -0.22% -1.21%
2012 -1.54% -0.35%
2011 -1.98% -1.98%
2010 -2.38% -0.4%
2009 -0.76% -1.48%
2008 -0.04% -1.22%
2007 0.25% -1.71%
2006 0.44% -1.46%
2005 1.68% -3.58%
2004 0.72% -
2003 -1.22% -
2002 -3.29% -
2001 -3.01% -
2000 -5.67% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Vanuatu recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Vanuatu posted an annual deficit equal to 0.85% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Vanuatu

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Vanuatu Zimbabwe
2025 0.66% 81.4%
2024 1.14% 736%
2023 11.2% 667%
2022 6.68% 193.4%
2021 2.34% 98.5%
2020 5.33% 557%
2019 2.76% 255.3%
2018 2.33% 10.6%
2017 3.08% 0.9%
2016 0.84% -1.6%
2015 2.48% -2.4%
2014 0.8% -0.2%
2013 1.46% 1.6%
2012 1.35% 3.7%
2011 0.87% 3.5%
2010 2.76% 3%
2009 4.3% 6.2%
2008 4.84% -
2007 3.94% -
2006 2.04% -
2005 1.2% -
2004 1.42% -
2003 3.02% -
2002 1.96% -
2001 3.58% -
2000 2.54% -
1999 2% -
1998 3.28% -
1997 2.83% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, Vanuatu has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.96%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 0.66% in Vanuatu and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Balance of trade

Vanuatu Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$127M
2022
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
83/190
2022
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-11.1%
2022
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$350M
2022
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$73.6M
2022
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$230M
2022
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$78.5M
2022
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Vanuatu Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 61.1 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 92/197 190/197
Property rights 62.1 19.4
Government integrity 48.3 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 67.9 16.8
Tax burden 96.9 73.6
Government spending 48.1 93.9
Fiscal health 78.8 52.4
Business freedom 50.3 42
Labor freedom 41 33.3
Monetary freedom 72.1 0
Trade freedom 62 50.4
Investment freedom 65 10
Financial freedom 40 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Vanuatu
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Vanuatu Zimbabwe
2026 61.1 35.2
2025 61.8 35.1
2024 62.2 38.2
2023 62.1 39
2022 62.9 33.1
2021 60.5 39.5
2020 60.7 43.1
2019 56.4 40.4
2018 69.5 44
2017 67.4 44
2016 60.8 38.2
2015 61.1 37.6
2014 59.5 35.5
2013 56.6 28.6
2012 56.6 26.3
2011 56.7 22.1
2010 56.4 21.4
2009 58.4 22.7
2008 - 29.5
2007 - 32
2006 - 33.5
2005 - 35.2
2004 - 34.4
2003 - 36.7
2002 - 36.7
2001 - 38.8
2000 - 48.7
1999 - 47.2
1998 - 44.6
1997 - 48
1996 - 46.7
1995 - 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Vanuatu is 61.1, ranking 92/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Vanuatu Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.1%
2024
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
26.6%
2024
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.48B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,970
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$615M
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
152/177
2024
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.21M
2022
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$28.9M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.88%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.9%
2020
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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.