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

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 14/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Australia vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Australia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Sao Tome
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $822,154,621
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $690,456,807
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $540,809,499
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $524,402,456
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $471,229,485
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $412,976,083
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $383,717,328
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $322,002,845
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $292,267,272
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $259,999,643
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $293,119,143
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $267,041,748
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $225,815,132
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $226,455,001
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $190,021,192
2009 $931,761,689,771 $200,668,065
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $188,021,165
2007 $856,603,595,823 $149,146,919
2006 $749,708,370,333 $142,775,104
2005 $696,811,489,613 $136,450,662
2004 $615,643,050,221 $114,582,284
2003 $468,517,181,130 $102,085,769
2002 $396,436,967,263 $85,171,074
2001 $380,360,222,861 $75,951,133
2000 $416,901,962,163 $76,198,395
1999 $390,347,787,943 $77,302,212
1998 $400,361,527,505 $72,285,404
1997 $436,321,902,767 $91,920,274
1996 $401,962,517,479 $135,188,166
1995 $368,725,126,225 $103,695,237
1994 $323,269,456,935 $131,338,415
1993 $312,568,858,910 $125,742,229
1992 $325,982,966,981 $94,861,781
1991 $326,416,407,861 $107,484,143
1990 $311,840,666,465 $119,297,933
1989 $300,264,309,002 $98,545,367
1988 $236,461,079,970 $99,000,764
1987 $189,726,707,253 $115,952,925
1986 $182,707,050,923 $115,928,907
1985 $180,861,108,959 $82,733,069
1984 $193,749,932,078 $78,213,796
1983 $177,523,719,680 $75,110,289
1982 $194,323,071,831 $80,307,763
1981 $177,151,979,566 $83,499,264
1980 $150,200,557,103 $81,662,231
1979 $135,093,718,051 $65,755,928
1978 $118,660,813,780 $55,044,563
1977 $110,504,702,914 $49,207,692
1976 $105,209,354,856 $52,039,421
1975 $97,440,939,506 $60,101,710
1974 $89,086,219,602 $57,817,591
1973 $63,923,126,201 $56,011,245
1972 $52,117,990,654 $41,430,257
1971 $45,283,847,245 $37,288,845
1970 $41,395,206,623 $37,211,826
1969 $36,738,245,878 -
1968 $32,763,365,242 -
1967 $30,487,524,878 -
1966 $27,349,284,376 -
1965 $26,014,244,162 -
1964 $23,835,843,814 -
1963 $21,573,443,452 -
1962 $19,953,923,193 -
1961 $19,713,123,154 -
1960 $18,635,682,982 -

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

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

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

Australia
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $879 $2,650
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $862 $2,551
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $844 $2,329
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $727 $2,171
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $664 $2,094
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $568 $1,945
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $519 $1,898
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $529 $1,830
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $543 $1,802
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $514 $1,754
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $662 $1,714
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $987 $1,693
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $769 $1,663
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $990 $1,623
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $964 $1,581
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $740 $1,556
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $855 $1,540
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $970 $1,504
1989 $17,858 - $821 -
1988 $14,303 - $847 -
1987 $11,666 - $1,018 -
1986 $11,406 - $1,043 -
1985 $11,455 - $761 -
1984 $12,436 - $735 -
1983 $11,532 - $720 -
1982 $12,798 - $783 -
1981 $11,871 - $830 -
1980 $10,223 - $829 -
1979 $9,308 - $683 -
1978 $8,264 - $587 -
1977 $7,786 - $539 -
1976 $7,497 - $585 -
1975 $7,014 - $693 -
1974 $6,492 - $683 -
1973 $4,778 - $676 -
1972 $3,955 - $511 -
1971 $3,500 - $470 -
1970 $3,310 - $479 -
1969 $2,996 - - -
1968 $2,728 - - -
1967 $2,584 - - -
1966 $2,347 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,134 - - -
1963 $1,970 - - -
1962 $1,858 - - -
1961 $1,880 - - -
1960 $1,813 - - -

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

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

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Australia Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
27799169
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 23.2% 91%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 28% 95.9%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 36.7% 34% 36% 92.5%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 36.3% 24% 53.4% 86%
2010 37% 20.3% 51.7% 83%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 43.7% 334%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 60.6% 354%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 51.9% 329%
2002 34.9% 15% 44.3% 367%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 52.8% 418%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 10.7% -
1999 36.2% 22.5% - -
1998 34.6% 23.7% - -
1997 32.8% 25.9% - -
1996 33.5% 29.3% - -
1995 33.7% 31.1% - -
1994 33.7% 31.7% - -
1993 34.1% 30.7% - -
1992 34.1% 27.6% - -
1991 33.1% 21.6% - -
1990 30.5% 16.4% - -
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 104/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Sao Tome
2024 -2.25% 0.92%
2023 -1.27% -2.13%
2022 -2.21% -2.24%
2021 -6.37% -1.52%
2020 -8.73% 2.94%
2019 -4.41% -0.07%
2018 -1.26% -2.02%
2017 -1.72% -3.11%
2016 -2.42% -5.01%
2015 -2.79% -7.6%
2014 -2.92% -6.27%
2013 -2.81% 2.13%
2012 -3.51% -12.3%
2011 -4.53% -13%
2010 -5.12% -12.1%
2009 -4.56% -18%
2008 -1.1% 13.6%
2007 1.47% 125.1%
2006 1.77% 18%
2005 1.71% 26.8%
2004 1.32% -25.1%
2003 1.05% -15.9%
2002 0.19% -10.4%
2001 -0.03% -13.5%
2000 1.25% 51.5%
1999 0.67% -
1998 -0.25% -
1997 -0.49% -
1996 -1.46% -
1995 -2.6% -
1994 -3.79% -
1993 -4.73% -
1992 -4.74% -
1991 -2.79% -
1990 -0.23% -
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Sao Tome
2024 3.16% 14.4%
2023 5.6% 21.2%
2022 6.59% 18%
2021 2.86% 8.1%
2020 0.85% 9.8%
2019 1.61% 7.7%
2018 1.91% 7.9%
2017 1.95% 5.7%
2016 1.28% 5.4%
2015 1.51% 6.1%
2014 2.49% 7%
2013 2.45% 8.1%
2012 1.76% 10.6%
2011 3.3% 14.3%
2010 2.92% 13.3%
2009 1.77% 17%
2008 4.35% 32%
2007 2.33% 18.6%
2006 3.56% 23.1%
2005 2.69% 17.2%
2004 2.34% 13.3%
2003 2.73% 9.8%
2002 2.98% 10.1%
2001 4.41% 9.2%
2000 4.46% 11%
1999 1.48% 11%
1998 0.86% 42.1%
1997 0.22% 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/australia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $33K
Weapons & explosives $10K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Australia Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$109B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Sao Tome
Economic freedom 80.1 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 93/197
Property rights 88.2 55.2
Government integrity 88.1 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 60.8
Tax burden 61.8 88.6
Government spending 56.6 80.6
Fiscal health 89 89.5
Business freedom 92.3 59.9
Labor freedom 61.5 40.8
Monetary freedom 77.2 59.4
Trade freedom 89.8 65
Investment freedom 80 50
Financial freedom 80 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Sao Tome
2026 80.1 60.6
2025 79.3 60.4
2024 76.2 60.5
2023 74.8 61.5
2022 77.7 60.3
2021 82.4 55.9
2020 82.6 56.2
2019 80.9 54
2018 80.9 53.6
2017 81 55.4
2016 80.3 56.7
2015 81.4 53.3
2014 82 48.8
2013 82.6 48
2012 83.1 50.2
2011 82.5 49.5
2010 82.6 48.8
2009 82.6 43.8
2008 82.2 -
2007 81.1 -
2006 79.9 -
2005 79 -
2004 77.9 -
2003 77.4 -
2002 77.3 -
2001 77.4 -
2000 77.1 -
1999 76.4 -
1998 75.6 -
1997 75.5 -
1996 74 -
1995 74.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, 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

Australia Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
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
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
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/australia/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, 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 (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  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.