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Economy of Bahrain vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 96/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Bahrain vs Nigeria GDP by year

Bahrain
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Nigeria
2024 $47,109,734,309 $252,261,880,141
2023 $46,192,260,638 $487,387,801,881
2022 $46,458,191,489 $646,950,257,578
2021 $40,840,212,766 $609,147,716,973
2020 $35,837,632,979 $598,586,817,819
2019 $40,446,808,511 $668,219,992,691
2018 $39,567,978,723 $421,739,251,509
2017 $37,204,813,830 $375,745,731,053
2016 $33,884,680,851 $404,649,125,252
2015 $32,523,297,872 $493,026,682,801
2014 $34,772,526,596 $574,183,763,412
2013 $33,823,324,468 $520,117,180,314
2012 $31,963,404,255 $463,971,018,239
2011 $29,914,680,851 $414,466,676,831
2010 $26,805,984,043 $366,990,417,129
2009 $22,938,218,085 $295,008,835,381
2008 $25,710,904,255 $339,476,276,258
2007 $21,730,000,000 $278,260,846,800
2006 $18,504,760,638 $238,454,997,161
2005 $15,968,723,404 $175,670,569,969
2004 $13,150,159,574 $135,764,731,646
2003 $11,074,813,830 $104,738,954,264
2002 $9,593,510,638 $95,054,059,303
2001 $8,976,196,809 $73,557,840,064
2000 $9,062,898,936 $69,171,451,627
1999 $7,528,469,149 $59,145,077,039
1998 $7,031,309,043 $218,416,200,673
1997 $7,219,407,713 $200,850,397,618
1996 $6,938,166,755 $185,730,236,700
1995 $6,651,180,851 $140,919,776,986
1994 $6,330,627,926 $80,399,613,064
1993 $5,913,001,064 $56,721,051,402
1992 $5,402,232,447 $52,058,181,854
1991 $5,248,911,170 $59,526,833,412
1990 $4,809,511,005 $54,035,795,388
1989 $4,393,093,963 $44,003,061,108
1988 $4,209,834,173 $49,648,470,440
1987 $3,856,922,694 $52,676,041,931
1986 $3,470,746,843 $54,805,852,581
1985 $4,152,376,484 $73,745,821,158
1984 $4,440,874,566 $73,484,359,521
1983 $4,247,030,468 $97,094,911,792
1982 $4,145,421,080 $142,769,363,314
1981 $3,943,109,532 $164,475,209,516
1980 $3,493,834,468 $64,201,788,123
1979 $2,710,160,739 $47,259,911,894
1978 $2,272,042,965 $36,527,862,209
1977 $1,989,060,283 $36,035,407,725
1976 $1,581,709,519 $36,308,883,249
1975 $1,099,107,601 $27,778,934,625
1974 $1,042,176,884 $24,846,641,318
1973 $761,132,545 $15,162,871,287
1972 $534,081,184 $12,274,416,018
1971 $422,181,562 $9,181,769,912
1970 $391,577,364 $12,546,094,982
1969 - $6,634,317,346
1968 - $5,200,997,920
1967 - $5,203,237,919
1966 - $6,366,917,453
1965 - $5,874,537,650
1964 - $5,552,931,319
1963 - $5,165,590,254
1962 - $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/nigeria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Nigeria by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $962 $4,381
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $763 $4,015
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $712 $3,770
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $566 $3,309
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $547 $3,139
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $481 $3,002
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $745 $2,853
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $540 $2,921
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $509 $2,991
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $597 $2,870
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $556 $2,840
1989 $8,833 - $465 -
1988 $8,772 - $540 -
1987 $8,333 - $588 -
1986 $7,777 - $628 -
1985 $9,649 - $869 -
1984 $10,697 - $890 -
1983 $10,599 - $1,207 -
1982 $10,712 - $1,822 -
1981 $10,557 - $2,162 -
1980 $9,733 - $870 -
1979 $7,891 - $661 -
1978 $6,926 - $527 -
1977 $6,358 - $536 -
1976 $5,310 - $556 -
1975 $3,880 - $438 -
1974 $3,874 - $403 -
1973 $2,981 - $252.4 -
1972 $2,206 - $209.5 -
1971 $1,830 - $160.5 -
1970 $1,742 - $224.5 -
1969 - - $121.4 -
1968 - - $97.3 -
1967 - - $99.5 -
1966 - - $124.4 -
1965 - - $117.3 -
1964 - - $113.3 -
1963 - - $107.7 -
1962 - - $104.5 -
1961 - - $97.1 -
1960 - - $93.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/nigeria | CC BY

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
96/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
3.45%
2024
Population
1669503
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 29.1% 123% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 30.7% 84% 8.51% 18%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 32% 42.3% 10% 13%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 11% 6.12%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 25% 28.2% 13% 25.2%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 26.5% 25% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 25.7% 20% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 31% 14.8% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 20% 50.4%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 14.2% 50.9%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 9/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Nigeria
2024 -10.6% -1.57%
2023 -9.67% -3.12%
2022 -6.02% -4%
2021 -10.6% -3.97%
2020 -17.3% -4.03%
2019 -8.57% -3.31%
2018 -11.3% -3.06%
2017 -13.4% -3.85%
2016 -16.6% -3.3%
2015 -17.5% -2.7%
2014 -3.32% -1.72%
2013 -8.55% -1.89%
2012 -5.77% -0.09%
2011 -4.9% 0.31%
2010 -9.29% -2.96%
2009 -5.36% -3.78%
2008 4.08% 4.05%
2007 1.52% -0.79%
2006 2.24% 6.22%
2005 2.8% 3.49%
2004 0.24% 3.9%
2003 -1.7% -1.56%
2002 -3.27% 0.95%
2001 0.7% -2.29%
2000 7.33% 2.89%
1999 -4.85% -1.39%
1998 -5.49% -3.47%
1997 -6.39% 1.14%
1996 0.24% 3.37%
1995 -3.99% 2.52%
1994 -5.18% -2.96%
1993 -2.77% -6.07%
1992 -5.41% 0.94%
1991 -3.47% -1.18%
1990 -6.79% -0.48%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Nigeria
2024 0.92% 33.2%
2023 0.07% 24.7%
2022 3.63% 18.8%
2021 -0.61% 17%
2020 -2.32% 13.2%
2019 1.01% 11.4%
2018 2.09% 12.1%
2017 1.39% 16.5%
2016 2.79% 15.7%
2015 1.85% 9.01%
2014 2.65% 8.05%
2013 3.3% 8.5%
2012 2.76% 12.2%
2011 -0.4% 10.8%
2010 1.96% 13.7%
2009 2.8% 12.5%
2008 3.53% 11.6%
2007 3.26% 5.39%
2006 2.01% 8.23%
2005 2.59% 17.9%
2004 2.35% 15%
2003 1.59% 14%
2002 -0.5% 12.9%
2001 -1.21% 18.9%
2000 -0.7% 6.93%
1999 -1.29% 6.62%
1998 -0.37% 10%
1997 2.43% 8.53%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/nigeria | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $14.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.98M
Metals $2.46M
Raw materials & minerals $1.14M
Chemicals & pharma $163K
Animal & marine products $18K
Wood & paper products $8K
Miscellaneous $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Metals $539K
Raw agricultural goods $44K
Wood & paper products $20K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Nigeria
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$17B
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahrain Nigeria
Economic freedom 65.7 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 132/197
Property rights 60.9 29.7
Government integrity 45.9 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 30 34.4
Tax burden 99.9 84.6
Government spending 75 96.3
Fiscal health 0 83.5
Business freedom 75.9 50.3
Labor freedom 55.5 75.4
Monetary freedom 88.8 56.1
Trade freedom 86.8 64.4
Investment freedom 90 30
Financial freedom 80 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Nigeria
2026 65.7 54.8
2025 65.6 53.4
2024 63.4 53.1
2023 62.5 53.9
2022 62 54.4
2021 69.9 58.7
2020 66.3 57.2
2019 66.4 57.3
2018 67.7 58.5
2017 68.5 57.1
2016 74.3 57.5
2015 73.4 55.6
2014 75.1 54.3
2013 75.5 55.1
2012 75.2 56.3
2011 77.7 56.7
2010 76.3 56.8
2009 74.8 55.1
2008 72.2 55.1
2007 71.2 55.6
2006 71.6 48.7
2005 71.2 48.4
2004 75.1 49.2
2003 76.3 49.5
2002 75.6 50.9
2001 75.9 49.6
2000 75.7 53.1
1999 75.2 55.7
1998 75.6 52.3
1997 76.1 52.8
1996 76.4 47.4
1995 76.2 47.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/nigeria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahrain Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
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/bahrain/nigeria | 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. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.