Iceland Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
Iceland's interest payments to revenue was 16.95% in 2025, ranked 19th globally. This represents a 13.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
Iceland's interest payments to revenue stood at 16.95% in 2025, a rise of +2.01pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 16.95% by 2025. Iceland ranked 19th globally.
Iceland's interest payments to revenue ratio has exhibited significant volatility over the past five decades, with a record high of 34.24% in 2009, a peak that was precipitated by the country's fiscal response to the global financial crisis. Conversely, Iceland's interest payments to revenue ratio was at its lowest in 1972, at 2.89%, a level that reflects the country's relatively stable economic environment during the early 1970s. As of 2025, Iceland's interest payments to revenue ratio stands at 16.95%, ranking it 19th globally. This value is slightly lower than that of the Dominican Republic, which ranks 17th, with a ratio of 17.61%. The ratio is also higher than that of Namibia, which ranks 20th, with a ratio of 16.60%. The downward trend in Iceland's interest payments to revenue ratio suggests that the country's fiscal management has been improving, albeit at a slow pace, and may continue to do so if interest rates remain low and the government is able to reduce its debt burden. However, any increase in interest rates or decline in revenue could potentially reverse this trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 17.75% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 16.95% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.95% | +2.01pp | #19 |
| 2023 | 14.94% | −1.41pp | #81 |
| 2022 | 16.35% | +3.99pp | #100 |
| 2021 | 12.36% | +0.22pp | #98 |
| 2020 | 12.14% | −0.92pp | #106 |
| 2019 | 13.07% | −0.80pp | #112 |
| 2018 | 13.86% | −1.92pp | #116 |
| 2017 | 15.79% | +3.99pp | #126 |
| 2016 | 11.79% | −8.12pp | #112 |
| 2015 | 19.92% | +1.43pp | #133 |
| 2014 | 18.49% | −4.68pp | #130 |
| 2013 | 23.17% | −1.91pp | #120 |
| 2012 | 25.08% | −0.32pp | #127 |
| 2011 | 25.40% | +0.95pp | #123 |
| 2010 | 24.45% | −9.79pp | #119 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iceland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw interest payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland's interest payments to revenue was 16.95% in 2025. Ranked 19th globally. This represents a 13.5% increase from the previous year.
Iceland's interest payments to revenue peaked at 34.24% in 2009.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in Iceland was 2.89% in 1972.
Iceland ranks 19th globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iceland's interest payments to revenue is projected to reach 16.95% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The interest payments to revenue of Iceland in 2025 was 16.95%. This ranks 19th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iceland_interest-to-revenue,
title = {Iceland Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iceland/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}