Government gross debt in Iceland

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 53.6% 2027: 51.7% 2028: 49.9% 2029: 47.8% 2030: 45.4% 2031: 43.0%

75.5 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	75.5
Jan 1998	43.3
Jan 1997	51.1
Jan 1996	53.7
Jan 1995	56.1
Jan 1994	53.0
Jan 1993	50.6
Jan 1992	43.9
Jan 1991	36.4
Jan 1990	34.4

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Measures the total gross debt owed by Iceland's general government to its creditors. Compiled by Statistics Iceland and, as an EEA member, reported to Eurostat under Maastricht-comparable standards, in absolute terms and as a share of GDP.

How it's calculated

Compiled by summing debt securities, loans and currency and deposits at nominal value, consolidated across general government subsectors. The debt-to-GDP ratio relates this stock to the size of the economy and is released on an annual and quarterly basis.

Market implications

A high or rising level affects the government's funding costs and fiscal room, and is watched by markets and rating agencies. In a small, open economy such as Iceland's, the debt path is a key gauge of macroeconomic resilience.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency series subject to revision. The ratio depends on nominal GDP, so it can move with inflation or growth without a change in borrowing; foreign-currency exposure adds sensitivity to the króna's exchange rate.