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Economy of Venezuela vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Venezuela has a GDP of $120B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 65/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Venezuela has $197B in government debt (164.3% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Venezuela vs Vietnam GDP by year

Venezuela
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Venezuela Vietnam
2024 $119,802,963,258 $476,388,230,307
2023 $102,376,526,556 $433,857,681,378
2022 $89,013,255,585 $413,445,230,669
2021 $56,614,976,855 $366,474,752,771
2020 $42,838,020,721 $346,615,738,538
2019 $73,014,084,091 $334,365,270,497
2018 $102,021,093,965 $310,106,478,395
2017 $115,883,275,163 $281,353,605,987
2016 $112,915,034,262 $257,096,001,178
2015 $125,449,241,571 $239,258,328,382
2014 $214,689,614,733 $233,451,469,643
2013 $258,930,655,486 $213,708,811,665
2012 $372,592,062,768 $195,590,661,129
2011 $316,482,190,800 $172,595,049,184
2010 $393,192,354,511 $147,201,173,197
2009 $329,787,628,928 $106,014,659,565
2008 $315,953,388,511 $99,130,304,099
2007 $230,364,012,576 $77,414,425,532
2006 $183,477,522,124 $66,371,664,817
2005 $145,513,489,652 $57,633,255,738
2004 $112,451,400,425 $45,427,854,693
2003 $83,620,628,582 $39,552,513,232
2002 $92,893,587,734 $35,064,105,501
2001 $122,911,036,747 $32,685,198,809
2000 $117,146,466,003 $31,172,518,403
1999 $97,972,842,462 $28,683,659,007
1998 $91,336,763,255 $27,209,602,050
1997 $85,837,678,560 $26,843,700,442
1996 $70,543,211,119 $24,657,470,575
1995 $77,389,487,770 $20,736,164,459
1994 $58,418,666,667 $16,286,433,533
1993 $60,037,460,783 $13,180,953,598
1992 $60,416,519,620 $9,866,990,236
1991 $53,453,444,787 $9,613,369,520
1990 $48,606,952,195 $6,471,740,806
1989 $43,536,709,104 $6,293,304,975
1988 $60,226,413,793 $25,423,812,649
1987 $48,029,034,483 $36,658,108,850
1986 $60,516,123,711 $26,336,616,250
1985 $61,965,466,667 $14,094,687,821
1984 $59,867,743,468 -
1983 $67,556,279,070 -
1982 $67,736,744,186 -
1981 $66,327,441,860 -
1980 $59,116,511,628 -
1979 $48,310,930,233 -
1978 $39,316,279,070 -
1977 $36,210,697,674 -
1976 $31,419,534,884 -
1975 $27,464,651,163 -
1974 $26,100,930,233 -
1973 $17,035,581,395 -
1972 $13,977,727,273 -
1971 $12,986,590,909 -
1970 $11,561,111,111 -
1969 $10,285,111,111 -
1968 $10,034,444,444 -
1967 $9,250,000,000 -
1966 $8,781,333,333 -
1965 $8,427,777,778 -
1964 $8,192,413,793 -
1963 $9,608,717,288 -
1962 $8,814,309,884 -
1961 $8,067,267,031 -
1960 $7,663,938,303 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Venezuela vs Vietnam by year

Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Venezuela Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,218 - $4,717 $16,386
2023 $3,617 - $4,323 $15,034
2022 $3,155 - $4,148 $13,905
2021 $2,005 - $3,704 $12,049
2020 $1,506 - $3,534 $11,609
2019 $2,523 - $3,441 $11,029
2018 $3,423 - $3,222 $10,010
2017 $3,791 - $2,956 $9,170
2016 $3,670 - $2,735 $8,375
2015 $4,103 - $2,578 $7,672
2014 $7,096 - $2,546 $7,297
2013 $8,656 - $2,360 $6,758
2012 $12,607 - $2,185 $6,377
2011 $10,844 $21,241 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $13,646 $20,236 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $11,597 $20,562 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $11,262 $21,402 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $8,332 $20,236 $926 $4,581
2006 $6,739 $18,399 $808 $4,237
2005 $5,432 $16,511 $711 $3,894
2004 $4,269 $14,757 $565 $3,543
2003 $3,230 $12,359 $497 $3,240
2002 $3,652 $13,375 $445 $3,002
2001 $4,920 $14,714 $419 $2,809
2000 $4,776 $14,174 $404 $2,614
1999 $4,071 $13,623 $376 $2,421
1998 $3,870 $14,568 $361 $2,308
1997 $3,711 $14,655 $362 $2,189
1996 $3,113 $13,824 $337 $2,019
1995 $3,487 $13,890 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $2,689 $13,370 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $2,825 $13,702 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $2,907 $13,652 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $2,633 $12,880 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $2,452 $11,628 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $2,250 - $98.1 -
1988 $3,191 - $405 -
1987 $2,611 - $595 -
1986 $3,376 - $436 -
1985 $3,549 - $238.6 -
1984 $3,520 - - -
1983 $4,079 - - -
1982 $4,202 - - -
1981 $4,228 - - -
1980 $3,874 - - -
1979 $3,257 - - -
1978 $2,727 - - -
1977 $2,585 - - -
1976 $2,309 - - -
1975 $2,078 - - -
1974 $2,034 - - -
1973 $1,367 - - -
1972 $1,155 - - -
1971 $1,106 - - -
1970 $1,015 - - -
1969 $932 - - -
1968 $938 - - -
1967 $893 - - -
1966 $876 - - -
1965 $869 - - -
1964 $874 - - -
1963 $1,060 - - -
1962 $1,007 - - -
1961 $954 - - -
1960 $939 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/vietnam | CC BY

Venezuela's GDP per capita is $4,218, ranking 128/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Venezuela Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
65/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
5.3%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,218
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
128/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,241
2011
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
93/197
2011
108/197
2024
Government debt
$197B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
164.3%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,931
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
69/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,792
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.98B
2002
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.2%
2006
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2006
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
49%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
58.4%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2020
1.53%
2024
Population
28661242
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Venezuela
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Venezuela Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 17.6% 164.3% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 13.1% 138.5% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 15.1% 164.4% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 13.1% 254.2% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 11.2% 337% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 21% 206% 19.8% 41%
2018 37.9% 175.3% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 21.8% 133.6% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 19.7% 138.4% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 22.9% 129.8% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 31.6% 84.9% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 36.5% 85.4% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 38% 58.4% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 39.4% 52.5% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 31.1% 37.7% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 33.3% 27.6% 25% 36.2%
2008 34.9% 20.3% 21.4% 31%
2007 35.9% 26.4% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 39.3% 25.7% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 33.5% 34.9% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 31.9% 41.8% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 32.2% 56% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 31% 48.2% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 31.9% 30.7% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 28.3% 27.7% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 26.1% 29.6% 16.7% -
1998 28.8% 30.7% 16% -
1997 31% 34.8% - -
1996 27.7% 45.9% - -
1995 32.9% 45.9% - -
1994 42.2% 63.9% - -
1993 27.7% 57.7% - -
1992 30.6% 54.8% - -
1991 33.9% 62.2% - -
1990 31.9% 63.3% - -
1989 32.5% 61.8% - -
1988 33.2% 46.3% - -
1987 25.1% 58.3% - -
1986 21.5% 45.9% - -
1985 20.3% 34.1% - -
1984 19.7% 36.4% - -
1983 25.3% 21.4% - -
1982 29% 18.6% - -
1981 29.6% 18.9% - -
1980 22% 16.6% - -
1979 22.3% 19.2% - -
1978 29.2% 16.6% - -
1977 30.6% 12.7% - -
1976 26.6% 9.64% - -
1975 33.8% 8.31% - -
1974 35.3% 7.72% - -
1973 20% 9.78% - -
1972 21.3% 10.6% - -
1971 19.6% 9.64% - -
1970 19.5% 10.6% - -
1969 21% 9.91% - -
1968 19.8% 7.84% - -
1967 19.8% 6.74% - -
1966 19.1% 5.84% - -
1965 18.7% 5.46% - -
1964 17.9% 4.95% - -
1963 18.7% 6.3% - -
1962 17.6% 7.24% - -
1961 11.8% 8.79% - -
1960 23.7% 8.28% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/vietnam | CC BY

In 2024, Venezuela's government spending was $21.1B, accounting for 17.6% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 164.3% in Venezuela and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 5/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Venezuela

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Venezuela Vietnam
2024 -3.6% -1.54%
2023 -1.25% -1.72%
2022 -5.29% 0.67%
2021 -5.85% -1.43%
2020 -6.63% -2.86%
2019 -10.9% -0.4%
2018 -31% -1.02%
2017 -13.3% -1.96%
2016 -8.46% -3.16%
2015 -8.06% -4.98%
2014 -9.81% -5.02%
2013 -10.4% -5.96%
2012 -9.86% -5.46%
2011 -8.24% -0.9%
2010 -4.74% -2.25%
2009 -8.69% -4.82%
2008 -3.46% -0.45%
2007 -2.82% -1.74%
2006 -1.6% 0.2%
2005 4.09% -0.95%
2004 2.47% -0.15%
2003 0.17% -2.56%
2002 -1.48% -1.85%
2001 -4.59% -2.19%
2000 4.45% -1.61%
1999 0.74% -1.25%
1998 -4.49% -0.1%
1997 2.58% -
1996 7.94% -
1995 -5.86% -
1994 -11.2% -
1993 -2.92% -
1992 -6.37% -
1991 -2.28% -
1990 3.84% -
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -9.24% -
1987 -7.47% -
1986 0.82% -
1985 6.97% -
1984 5.33% -
1983 1.24% -
1982 -0.17% -
1981 4.74% -
1980 4.41% -
1979 -3.07% -
1978 -5.44% -
1977 -4.69% -
1976 1.65% -
1975 0.88% -
1974 2.76% -
1973 1.98% -
1972 0.42% -
1971 0.78% -
1970 -1.22% -
1969 -2.17% -
1968 -0.32% -
1967 0.51% -
1966 0.23% -
1965 0.39% -
1964 1.91% -
1963 1.92% -
1962 2.14% -
1961 -1.91% -
1960 -4.08% -
1959 -4.98% -
1958 -4.86% -
1957 6.7% -
1956 0.76% -
1955 0.38% -
1954 1.84% -
1953 0.03% -
1952 -0.5% -
1951 -0.24% -
1950 -0.23% -
1949 0.15% -
1948 1.27% -
1947 0.09% -
1946 -0.9% -
1945 2.9% -
1944 1.85% -
1943 -0.27% -
1942 0.2% -
1941 0.01% -
1940 -1.07% -
1939 -0.78% -
1938 0.68% -
1937 0.73% -
1936 -0.52% -
1935 -2.23% -
1934 1.34% -
1933 1.03% -
1932 0.51% -
1931 1.02% -
1930 -2.03% -
1929 -0.34% -
1928 -0.68% -
1927 1.55% -
1926 0.14% -
1925 0.54% -
1924 0.37% -
1923 1.32% -
1922 1.57% -
1921 -0.97% -
1920 -1.75% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/vietnam | CC BY

In 2024, Venezuela's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.31B, equivalent to 3.6% of GDP. This compares to Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Venezuela recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Venezuela posted an annual deficit equal to 5.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Venezuela

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Venezuela Vietnam
2024 49% 3.6%
2023 338% 3.3%
2022 186.5% 3.2%
2021 1,589% 1.8%
2020 2,355% 3.2%
2019 19,906% 2.8%
2018 65,374% 3.5%
2017 438% 3.5%
2016 254.9% 2.7%
2015 121.7% 0.6%
2014 62.2% 4.1%
2013 40.6% 6.6%
2012 21.1% 9.1%
2011 26.1% 18.7%
2010 28.2% 9.1%
2009 26% 6.7%
2008 31.4% 23.3%
2007 18.7% 8.4%
2006 13.7% 7.7%
2005 16% 8.3%
2004 21.7% 7.8%
2003 31.1% 3.1%
2002 22.4% 3.8%
2001 12.5% -0.4%
2000 16.2% -1.8%
1999 23.6% 4.1%
1998 35.8% 8.1%
1997 50% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/vietnam | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Venezuela has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3,254%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 49% in Venezuela and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Venezuela
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $132K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $15.5M
Raw materials & minerals $4.92M
Machinery & equipment $3.93M
Raw agricultural goods $3.5M
Chemicals & pharma $1.88M
Animal & marine products $1.17M
Miscellaneous $1.15M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $793K
Wood & paper products $664K
Metals $395K

Balance of trade

Venezuela Vietnam
Current account balance
-$3.87B
2016
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
161/190
2016
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.43%
2016
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$16.3B
2016
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$27.4B
2016
$406B
2024
Service imports
$9.47B
2016
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$1.28B
2016
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.22%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
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.

Venezuela Vietnam
Economic freedom 27.3 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 194/197 73/197
Property rights 0 47.3
Government integrity 6.9 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 5.1 31.3
Tax burden 73.4 80.9
Government spending 93 89.5
Fiscal health 29.1 96.9
Business freedom 31.1 70
Labor freedom 35.5 54.7
Monetary freedom 0 73.2
Trade freedom 43.2 79.8
Investment freedom 0 60
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Venezuela
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Venezuela Vietnam
2026 27.3 64.4
2025 27.6 65.2
2024 28.1 62.8
2023 25.8 61.8
2022 24.8 60.6
2021 24.7 61.7
2020 25.2 58.8
2019 25.9 55.3
2018 25.2 53.1
2017 27 52.4
2016 33.7 54
2015 34.3 51.7
2014 36.3 50.8
2013 36.1 51
2012 38.1 51.3
2011 37.6 51.6
2010 37.1 49.8
2009 39.9 51
2008 44.7 50.4
2007 47.9 49.8
2006 44.6 50.5
2005 45.2 48.1
2004 46.7 46.1
2003 54.8 46.2
2002 54.7 45.6
2001 54.6 44.3
2000 57.4 43.7
1999 56.1 42.7
1998 54 40.4
1997 52.8 38.6
1996 54.5 40.2
1995 59.8 41.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/vietnam | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Venezuela is 27.3, ranking 194/197, 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

Venezuela Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
51.7%
2014
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2014
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.03%
2014
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$109B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,800
2011
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.79B
2017
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
77/177
2017
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27M
2016
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.63B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.6B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2015
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
4.9%
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/venezuela/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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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. TradeMap (2013–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.