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Economy of Algeria vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Algeria has a GDP of $269B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 51/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Algeria has $129B in government debt (48.1% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Algeria vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Algeria
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Algeria Sao Tome
2024 $269,322,281,665 $822,154,621
2023 $247,923,887,215 $690,456,807
2022 $225,581,644,703 $540,809,499
2021 $186,231,205,262 $524,402,456
2020 $164,873,415,325 $471,229,485
2019 $193,459,662,091 $412,976,083
2018 $194,554,483,656 $383,717,328
2017 $189,880,896,903 $322,002,845
2016 $180,763,839,522 $292,267,272
2015 $187,493,855,609 $259,999,643
2014 $238,942,664,193 $293,119,143
2013 $229,701,430,292 $267,041,748
2012 $227,143,746,076 $225,815,132
2011 $218,331,946,925 $226,455,001
2010 $177,785,053,940 $190,021,192
2009 $150,317,292,079 $200,668,065
2008 $180,383,848,331 $188,021,165
2007 $142,482,739,810 $149,146,919
2006 $123,084,258,693 $142,775,104
2005 $107,046,618,670 $136,450,662
2004 $91,913,680,985 $114,582,284
2003 $73,482,264,191 $102,085,769
2002 $61,516,103,406 $85,171,074
2001 $59,413,400,924 $75,951,133
2000 $54,790,398,570 $76,198,395
1999 $48,640,671,735 $77,302,212
1998 $48,187,781,984 $72,285,404
1997 $48,177,612,042 $91,920,274
1996 $46,941,554,225 $135,188,166
1995 $41,764,291,672 $103,695,237
1994 $42,543,176,829 $131,338,415
1993 $49,945,584,453 $125,742,229
1992 $48,003,133,347 $94,861,781
1991 $45,715,676,428 $107,484,143
1990 $62,048,507,531 $119,297,933
1989 $55,634,721,573 $98,545,367
1988 $59,089,396,860 $99,000,764
1987 $66,745,818,375 $115,952,925
1986 $63,692,007,897 $115,928,907
1985 $57,937,868,670 $82,733,069
1984 $53,698,548,293 $78,213,796
1983 $48,801,369,800 $75,110,289
1982 $45,207,167,470 $80,307,763
1981 $44,348,590,461 $83,499,264
1980 $42,345,829,079 $81,662,231
1979 $33,243,706,860 $65,755,928
1978 $26,364,491,313 $55,044,563
1977 $20,972,113,685 $49,207,692
1976 $17,728,240,932 $52,039,421
1975 $15,557,902,754 $60,101,710
1974 $13,209,871,626 $57,817,591
1973 $8,707,858,912 $56,011,245
1972 $6,766,743,957 $41,430,257
1971 $5,077,183,094 $37,288,845
1970 $4,863,526,897 $37,211,826
1969 $4,257,253,264 -
1968 $3,852,147,027 -
1967 $3,370,870,376 -
1966 $3,039,859,187 -
1965 $3,136,284,307 -
1964 $2,909,316,435 -
1963 $2,702,982,018 -
1962 $2,001,444,544 -
1961 $2,434,747,056 -
1960 $2,723,615,451 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Algeria vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Algeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Algeria Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,753 $17,621 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $5,370 $16,824 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $4,960 $15,836 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $4,161 $14,497 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $3,744 $12,677 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $4,468 $13,893 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $4,577 $13,727 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $4,555 $13,494 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $4,425 $13,438 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $4,685 $13,807 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $6,095 $14,694 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $5,980 $14,371 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $6,034 $14,441 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $5,916 $14,640 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $4,913 $14,201 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $4,235 $13,651 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $5,181 $13,666 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $4,167 $13,321 $879 $2,650
2006 $3,661 $12,791 $862 $2,551
2005 $3,233 $12,246 $844 $2,329
2004 $2,817 $11,432 $727 $2,171
2003 $2,284 $10,803 $664 $2,094
2002 $1,937 $10,080 $568 $1,945
2001 $1,896 $9,544 $519 $1,898
2000 $1,773 $9,187 $529 $1,830
1999 $1,596 $8,776 $543 $1,802
1998 $1,603 $8,503 $514 $1,754
1997 $1,629 $8,129 $662 $1,714
1996 $1,617 $8,053 $987 $1,693
1995 $1,467 $7,747 $769 $1,663
1994 $1,526 $7,463 $990 $1,623
1993 $1,831 $7,538 $964 $1,581
1992 $1,803 $7,705 $740 $1,556
1991 $1,759 $7,582 $855 $1,540
1990 $2,445 $7,602 $970 $1,504
1989 $2,247 - $821 -
1988 $2,451 - $847 -
1987 $2,847 - $1,018 -
1986 $2,800 - $1,043 -
1985 $2,633 - $761 -
1984 $2,524 - $735 -
1983 $2,374 - $720 -
1982 $2,275 - $783 -
1981 $2,307 - $830 -
1980 $2,276 - $829 -
1979 $1,843 - $683 -
1978 $1,506 - $587 -
1977 $1,232 - $539 -
1976 $1,080 - $585 -
1975 $992 - $693 -
1974 $873 - $683 -
1973 $590 - $676 -
1972 $469 - $511 -
1971 $360 - $470 -
1970 $353 - $479 -
1969 $316 - - -
1968 $292.4 - - -
1967 $261.8 - - -
1966 $241.4 - - -
1965 $253.6 - - -
1964 $238.9 - - -
1963 $225.6 - - -
1962 $169.6 - - -
1961 $209.4 - - -
1960 $238.4 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Algeria's GDP per capita is $5,753, ranking 114/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Algeria ranks 105th at $17,621, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Algeria Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$269B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
51/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
3.7%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,753
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
114/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,621
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
105/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$129B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.1%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,765
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,787
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$371M
2018
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2011
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2011
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.05%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
12%
2017
6.66%
2017
Population
48222325
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Algeria
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Algeria Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.8% 48.1% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 37.4% 47.7% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 32.7% 48.1% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 32.5% 55.1% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 37.5% 46% 23.2% 91%
2019 37.1% 40.9% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 36.2% 34.5% 28% 95.9%
2017 36.2% 24% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 37.2% 18.1% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 40.9% 7.73% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 36.9% 6.85% 36% 92.5%
2013 33.5% 6.48% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 40% 8.58% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 37.7% 8.48% 53.4% 86%
2010 35.1% 9.51% 51.7% 83%
2009 40.1% 8.92% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 37.3% 7.64% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 33.1% 12.8% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 27.8% 22.5% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 27.8% 25.4% 43.7% 334%
2004 27.1% 32.7% 60.6% 354%
2003 27% 38.2% 51.9% 329%
2002 32.5% 47.3% 44.3% 367%
2001 29.1% 50% 52.8% 418%
2000 26.4% 53.4% 10.7% -
1999 29.4% 69.7% - -
1998 28.7% 79.9% - -
1997 28.5% 79.6% - -
1996 26.9% 90.7% - -
1995 28.9% 95.9% - -
1994 30.9% 106.3% - -
1993 32.6% 76.8% - -
1992 28.2% 69.3% - -
1991 27.6% 86.1% - -
1990 23.3% 63.6% - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government spending was $99.1B, accounting for 36.8% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.1% in Algeria and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 113/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Algeria

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Algeria Sao Tome
2024 -13.8% 0.92%
2023 -5.52% -2.13%
2022 -2.96% -2.24%
2021 -6.32% -1.52%
2020 -10.5% 2.94%
2019 -8.51% -0.07%
2018 -6.15% -2.02%
2017 -7.55% -3.11%
2016 -11.8% -5.01%
2015 -13.9% -7.6%
2014 -7.14% -6.27%
2013 -0.79% 2.13%
2012 -4.04% -12.3%
2011 -1.06% -13%
2010 -1.35% -12.1%
2009 -6.53% -18%
2008 7.79% 13.6%
2007 4.63% 125.1%
2006 12.9% 18%
2005 11.4% 26.8%
2004 6.36% -25.1%
2003 7.22% -15.9%
2002 0.21% -10.4%
2001 3.15% -13.5%
2000 8.91% 51.5%
1999 -1.83% -
1998 -3.52% -
1997 2.19% -
1996 2.7% -
1995 -1.3% -
1994 -4.05% -
1993 -7.79% -
1992 -1.05% -
1991 1.53% -
1990 3.35% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $37.1B, equivalent to 13.8% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Algeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Algeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.81% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Algeria

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Algeria Sao Tome
2024 4.05% 14.4%
2023 9.32% 21.2%
2022 9.27% 18%
2021 7.23% 8.1%
2020 2.42% 9.8%
2019 1.95% 7.7%
2018 4.27% 7.9%
2017 5.59% 5.7%
2016 6.4% 5.4%
2015 4.78% 6.1%
2014 2.92% 7%
2013 3.25% 8.1%
2012 8.89% 10.6%
2011 4.52% 14.3%
2010 3.91% 13.3%
2009 5.74% 17%
2008 4.86% 32%
2007 3.68% 18.6%
2006 2.31% 23.1%
2005 1.38% 17.2%
2004 3.96% 13.3%
2003 4.27% 9.8%
2002 1.42% 10.1%
2001 4.23% 9.2%
2000 0.34% 11%
1999 2.65% 11%
1998 4.95% 42.1%
1997 5.73% 69%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Algeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.44%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 4.05% in Algeria and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Algeria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $46K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Algeria Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$2.75B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.02%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$45.3B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$48.8B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$9.13B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$4.22B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Algeria Sao Tome
Economic freedom 45.8 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 179/197 93/197
Property rights 27.7 55.2
Government integrity 29.4 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 30 60.8
Tax burden 80.3 88.6
Government spending 61.9 80.6
Fiscal health 15.4 89.5
Business freedom 59.3 59.9
Labor freedom 52.2 40.8
Monetary freedom 74.7 59.4
Trade freedom 58.8 65
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Algeria
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Algeria Sao Tome
2026 45.8 60.6
2025 47.5 60.4
2024 43.9 60.5
2023 43.2 61.5
2022 45.8 60.3
2021 49.7 55.9
2020 46.9 56.2
2019 46.2 54
2018 44.7 53.6
2017 46.5 55.4
2016 50.1 56.7
2015 48.9 53.3
2014 50.8 48.8
2013 49.6 48
2012 51 50.2
2011 52.4 49.5
2010 56.9 48.8
2009 56.6 43.8
2008 56.2 -
2007 55.4 -
2006 55.7 -
2005 53.2 -
2004 58.1 -
2003 57.7 -
2002 61 -
2001 57.3 -
2000 56.8 -
1999 57.2 -
1998 55.8 -
1997 54.9 -
1996 54.5 -
1995 55.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Algeria is 45.8, ranking 179/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Algeria Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.2%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,290
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$83B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.23B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.23B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$265K
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.17%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2011
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.1%
2024
n/a

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/algeria/sao-tome-and-principe | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. TradeMap (2017, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.