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

Updated on by Georank team

Antigua and Barbuda has a GDP of $2.21B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 177/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Antigua and Barbuda has $1.49B in government debt (67.6% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Antigua and Barbuda vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Antigua and Barbuda
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Antigua Sao Tome
2024 $2,207,622,874 $822,154,621
2023 $2,005,785,185 $690,456,807
2022 $1,866,566,667 $540,809,499
2021 $1,602,125,926 $524,402,456
2020 $1,411,637,037 $471,229,485
2019 $1,726,448,148 $412,976,083
2018 $1,661,529,630 $383,717,328
2017 $1,534,855,556 $322,002,845
2016 $1,489,603,704 $292,267,272
2015 $1,437,485,185 $259,999,643
2014 $1,378,707,407 $293,119,143
2013 $1,325,496,296 $267,041,748
2012 $1,364,729,630 $225,815,132
2011 $1,287,359,259 $226,455,001
2010 $1,298,348,148 $190,021,192
2009 $1,386,518,519 $200,668,065
2008 $1,557,640,741 $188,021,165
2007 $1,487,381,481 $149,146,919
2006 $1,303,674,074 $142,775,104
2005 $1,143,896,296 $136,450,662
2004 $1,026,329,630 $114,582,284
2003 $948,100,000 $102,085,769
2002 $898,092,593 $85,171,074
2001 $877,774,074 $75,951,133
2000 $901,003,704 $76,198,395
1999 $835,544,444 $77,302,212
1998 $789,788,889 $72,285,404
1997 $734,422,222 $91,920,274
1996 $679,140,741 $135,188,166
1995 $616,051,852 $103,695,237
1994 $625,081,481 $131,338,415
1993 $565,662,963 $125,742,229
1992 $525,133,333 $94,861,781
1991 $504,337,037 $107,484,143
1990 $478,718,519 $119,297,933
1989 $455,174,074 $98,545,367
1988 $411,396,296 $99,000,764
1987 $346,866,667 $115,952,925
1986 $297,562,963 $115,928,907
1985 $246,370,370 $82,733,069
1984 $212,214,815 $78,213,796
1983 $184,866,667 $75,110,289
1982 $166,444,444 $80,307,763
1981 $149,388,889 $83,499,264
1980 $132,451,852 $81,662,231
1979 $109,596,296 $65,755,928
1978 $88,040,741 $55,044,563
1977 $77,507,407 $49,207,692
1976 - $52,039,421
1975 - $60,101,710
1974 - $57,817,591
1973 - $56,011,245
1972 - $41,430,257
1971 - $37,288,845
1970 - $37,211,826

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Antigua and Barbuda vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Antigua and Barbuda
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Antigua Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,542 $33,386 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $21,495 $31,602 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $20,105 $29,934 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $17,349 $25,745 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $15,370 $22,370 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $18,896 $26,551 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $18,273 $24,524 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $16,966 $21,422 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $16,557 $21,320 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $16,078 $20,985 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $15,532 $21,671 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $15,052 $21,761 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $15,640 $23,012 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $14,912 $23,804 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $15,217 $24,071 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $16,472 $26,157 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $18,787 $29,978 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $18,205 $29,851 $879 $2,650
2006 $16,174 $26,949 $862 $2,551
2005 $14,369 $23,485 $844 $2,329
2004 $13,038 $21,629 $727 $2,171
2003 $12,173 $20,127 $664 $2,094
2002 $11,659 $18,813 $568 $1,945
2001 $11,539 $18,569 $519 $1,898
2000 $12,027 $19,319 $529 $1,830
1999 $11,342 $18,088 $543 $1,802
1998 $10,907 $17,496 $514 $1,754
1997 $10,336 $16,836 $662 $1,714
1996 $9,756 $16,017 $987 $1,693
1995 $9,034 $15,062 $769 $1,663
1994 $9,351 $15,736 $990 $1,623
1993 $8,625 $14,720 $964 $1,581
1992 $8,154 $13,908 $740 $1,556
1991 $7,956 $13,658 $855 $1,540
1990 $7,591 $12,996 $970 $1,504
1989 $7,188 - $821 -
1988 $6,466 - $847 -
1987 $5,424 - $1,018 -
1986 $4,629 - $1,043 -
1985 $3,814 - $761 -
1984 $3,271 - $735 -
1983 $2,847 - $720 -
1982 $2,569 - $783 -
1981 $2,310 - $830 -
1980 $2,053 - $829 -
1979 $1,705 - $683 -
1978 $1,375 - $587 -
1977 $1,214 - $539 -
1976 - - $585 -
1975 - - $693 -
1974 - - $683 -
1973 - - $676 -
1972 - - $511 -
1971 - - $470 -
1970 - - $479 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Antigua and Barbuda's GDP per capita is $23,542, ranking 53/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Antigua and Barbuda ranks 66th at $33,386, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Antigua Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$2.21B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
177/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,542
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
53/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,386
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
66/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$1.49B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.6%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$15,910
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
39/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,563
2026
$3,111
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.2%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.37%
2023
6.66%
2017
Population
94757
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Antigua and Barbuda
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Antigua Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.8% 67.6% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 18.8% 76.3% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 20.7% 82% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 23.4% 93% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 26% 100.5% 23.2% 91%
2019 22.1% 81.6% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 21.5% 84.3% 28% 95.9%
2017 22.6% 88.2% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 23.8% 83.1% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 24.8% 92.1% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 20.9% 91.9% 36% 92.5%
2013 20.7% 85.4% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 18.5% 76.9% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 21.1% 81.1% 53.4% 86%
2010 20% 79.4% 51.7% 83%
2009 32.1% 89.2% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 23.2% 66.8% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 23.8% 68.7% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 26% 79.1% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 21.5% 82.8% 43.7% 334%
2004 21.9% 107.7% 60.6% 354%
2003 24.2% 113% 51.9% 329%
2002 26.3% 114.5% 44.3% 367%
2001 24.2% 107.6% 52.8% 418%
2000 21.1% 96.4% 10.7% -
1999 20.3% 95.9% - -
1998 20.7% 94.6% - -
1997 16.8% 80.6% - -
1996 19.6% 85.5% - -
1995 21% 92.1% - -
1994 21.2% 84.5% - -
1993 19.4% 85.3% - -
1992 18.7% 90.8% - -
1991 20.8% 94.6% - -
1990 18.1% 94.1% - -

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

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

In 2024, Antigua and Barbuda's government spending was $437M, accounting for 19.8% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.6% in Antigua and Barbuda and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 63/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Antigua and Barbuda

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Antigua Sao Tome
2024 1.61% 0.92%
2023 -1.7% -2.13%
2022 -2.84% -2.24%
2021 -4.52% -1.52%
2020 -6.23% 2.94%
2019 -3.64% -0.07%
2018 -2.43% -2.02%
2017 -2.72% -3.11%
2016 -0.14% -5.01%
2015 -2.42% -7.6%
2014 -2.6% -6.27%
2013 -3.83% 2.13%
2012 -0.97% -12.3%
2011 -3.09% -13%
2010 -0.24% -12.1%
2009 -15.8% -18%
2008 -4.72% 13.6%
2007 -4.98% 125.1%
2006 -6.62% 18%
2005 -4.29% 26.8%
2004 -3.9% -25.1%
2003 -7.32% -15.9%
2002 -8.83% -10.4%
2001 -8.58% -13.5%
2000 -4.5% 51.5%
1999 -3.08% -
1998 -1.62% -
1997 0% -
1996 -1.61% -
1995 -3.89% -
1994 -4.33% -
1993 -2.45% -
1992 -0.81% -
1991 -3.91% -
1990 0.12% -

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

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

In 2024, Antigua and Barbuda's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $35.6M, equivalent to 1.61% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Antigua and Barbuda recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Antigua and Barbuda posted an annual deficit equal to 4.21% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Antigua and Barbuda

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Antigua Sao Tome
2024 6.2% 14.4%
2023 5.1% 21.2%
2022 7.5% 18%
2021 1.6% 8.1%
2020 1.1% 9.8%
2019 1.4% 7.7%
2018 1.2% 7.9%
2017 2.4% 5.7%
2016 -0.5% 5.4%
2015 1% 6.1%
2014 1.1% 7%
2013 1.1% 8.1%
2012 3.4% 10.6%
2011 3.5% 14.3%
2010 3.4% 13.3%
2009 -0.6% 17%
2008 5.3% 32%
2007 1.4% 18.6%
2006 1.8% 23.1%
2005 2.1% 17.2%
2004 2% 13.3%
2003 2% 9.8%
2002 2.4% 10.1%
2001 1.9% 9.2%
2000 -0.2% 11%
1999 1.1% 11%
1998 3.3% 42.1%
1997 0.4% 69%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Antigua and Barbuda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.23%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 6.2% in Antigua and Barbuda and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Antigua Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$181M
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
98/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.22%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$726M
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$72.1M
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$557M
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$1.24B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63%
2022
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.7%
2022
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Antigua Sao Tome
Economic freedom 56 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 125/197 93/197
Property rights n/a 55.2
Government integrity n/a 47.2
Judicial effectiveness n/a 60.8
Tax burden n/a 88.6
Government spending n/a 80.6
Fiscal health n/a 89.5
Business freedom n/a 59.9
Labor freedom n/a 40.8
Monetary freedom n/a 59.4
Trade freedom n/a 65
Investment freedom n/a 50
Financial freedom n/a 30

Other economic metrics

Antigua Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
69.1%
2023
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19%
2023
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.94%
2023
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.98B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$31,730
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$358M
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
164/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$253M
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$246M
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$68.4K
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
66.2%
2020

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/antigua-and-barbuda/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. 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.