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

Updated on by Georank team

Bolivia has a GDP of $54.9B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 88/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $53.8B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Bolivia vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Bolivia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Sao Tome
2024 $54,881,327,453 $822,154,621
2023 $52,340,206,946 $690,456,807
2022 $50,959,081,954 $540,809,499
2021 $47,877,892,402 $524,402,456
2020 $42,313,784,081 $471,229,485
2019 $49,056,643,589 $412,976,083
2018 $48,414,038,842 $383,717,328
2017 $45,927,439,595 $322,002,845
2016 $33,941,126,194 $292,267,272
2015 $33,000,198,249 $259,999,643
2014 $32,996,188,017 $293,119,143
2013 $30,659,338,886 $267,041,748
2012 $27,084,497,482 $225,815,132
2011 $23,963,164,697 $226,455,001
2010 $19,649,723,722 $190,021,192
2009 $17,339,992,194 $200,668,065
2008 $16,674,276,286 $188,021,165
2007 $13,120,108,008 $149,146,919
2006 $11,451,844,902 $142,775,104
2005 $9,549,122,905 $136,450,662
2004 $8,773,451,752 $114,582,284
2003 $8,082,399,640 $102,085,769
2002 $7,905,485,146 $85,171,074
2001 $8,141,516,928 $75,951,133
2000 $8,397,855,485 $76,198,395
1999 $8,285,064,435 $77,302,212
1998 $8,497,494,652 $72,285,404
1997 $7,925,736,821 $91,920,274
1996 $7,396,949,126 $135,188,166
1995 $6,715,161,732 $103,695,237
1994 $5,981,222,859 $131,338,415
1993 $5,734,699,489 $125,742,229
1992 $5,643,868,749 $94,861,781
1991 $5,343,262,457 $107,484,143
1990 $4,867,582,598 $119,297,933
1989 $4,715,973,437 $98,545,367
1988 $4,597,612,362 $99,000,764
1987 $4,347,956,338 $115,952,925
1986 $3,959,382,833 $115,928,907
1985 $5,377,276,555 $82,733,069
1984 $6,169,483,225 $78,213,796
1983 $5,422,656,823 $75,110,289
1982 $5,594,126,369 $80,307,763
1981 $5,891,598,695 $83,499,264
1980 $4,537,479,608 $81,662,231
1979 $4,421,336,383 $65,755,928
1978 $3,758,220,890 $55,044,563
1977 $3,227,436,282 $49,207,692
1976 $2,731,984,008 $52,039,421
1975 $2,404,697,651 $60,101,710
1974 $2,100,249,875 $57,817,591
1973 $1,262,968,516 $56,011,245
1972 $1,257,615,645 $41,430,257
1971 $1,095,622,896 $37,288,845
1970 $1,017,003,367 $37,211,826
1969 $929,629,630 -
1968 $857,912,458 -
1967 $755,808,081 -
1966 $669,191,919 -
1965 $604,377,104 -
1964 $544,023,569 -
1963 $482,828,283 -
1962 $448,400,673 -
1961 $410,101,010 -
1960 $377,020,202 -

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

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

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

Bolivia
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $879 $2,650
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $862 $2,551
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $844 $2,329
2004 $953 $4,663 $727 $2,171
2003 $893 $4,433 $664 $2,094
2002 $888 $4,304 $568 $1,945
2001 $930 $4,205 $519 $1,898
2000 $976 $4,113 $529 $1,830
1999 $979 $3,991 $543 $1,802
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $514 $1,754
1997 $970 $3,822 $662 $1,714
1996 $922 $3,645 $987 $1,693
1995 $853 $3,494 $769 $1,663
1994 $774 $3,331 $990 $1,623
1993 $757 $3,177 $964 $1,581
1992 $760 $3,036 $740 $1,556
1991 $734 $2,981 $855 $1,540
1990 $683 $2,797 $970 $1,504
1989 $675 - $821 -
1988 $673 - $847 -
1987 $650 - $1,018 -
1986 $604 - $1,043 -
1985 $838 - $761 -
1984 $982 - $735 -
1983 $882 - $720 -
1982 $930 - $783 -
1981 $1,001 - $830 -
1980 $788 - $829 -
1979 $785 - $683 -
1978 $683 - $587 -
1977 $600 - $539 -
1976 $520 - $585 -
1975 $468 - $693 -
1974 $418 - $683 -
1973 $257.2 - $676 -
1972 $261.9 - $511 -
1971 $233.4 - $470 -
1970 $221.6 - $479 -
1969 $207.1 - - -
1968 $195.5 - - -
1967 $176.1 - - -
1966 $159.3 - - -
1965 $147.1 - - -
1964 $135.2 - - -
1963 $122.6 - - -
1962 $116.2 - - -
1961 $108.5 - - -
1960 $101.8 - - -

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

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4,421, ranking 125/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$54.9B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
88/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.12%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,421
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$53.8B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,331
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,720
2026
$3,111
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2023
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
12798112
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.8% 98% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 38.7% 90.8% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 36% 80.1% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 34.8% 81.4% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 36.8% 78% 23.2% 91%
2019 36.1% 58.6% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 37.7% 53.1% 28% 95.9%
2017 38.6% 51.3% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 40% 46.5% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 44.5% 40.9% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 41.2% 37.6% 36% 92.5%
2013 35.4% 36.1% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 36% 35.4% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 35.4% 35.3% 53.4% 86%
2010 31.5% 37.6% 51.7% 83%
2009 33.2% 39.2% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 35.3% 36.8% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 32.7% 40% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 29.8% 54.4% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 33.2% 82.2% 43.7% 334%
2004 32.3% 89.8% 60.6% 354%
2003 32% 95.6% 51.9% 329%
2002 33.3% 86.7% 44.3% 367%
2001 32% 83% 52.8% 418%
2000 29.3% 74.3% 10.7% -
1999 29.4% 61.7% - -
1998 30% 61.2% - -
1997 28.3% 64.6% - -
1996 26% 72.4% - -
1995 25.8% 81.7% - -
1994 26.8% 87.6% - -
1993 27.2% 83.8% - -
1992 25.3% 92.4% - -
1991 24.2% 92.8% - -
1990 22.8% 102.9% - -
1989 24.4% 98% - -
1988 24% 115.9% - -
1987 24.4% 145.3% - -
1986 22.2% 149% - -
1985 21.8% 205.2% - -
1984 29% 166.5% - -
1983 32.1% 157.3% - -
1982 25% 155.4% - -
1981 16.6% 121.7% - -
1980 19.8% 100% - -
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - -
1976 16.8% 68.9% - -
1975 14.4% 56.2% - -
1974 14.2% 52.7% - -
1973 14.1% 80.9% - -
1972 11.8% 77.7% - -
1971 11.3% 65.7% - -
1970 10% 63.9% - -
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 13.1% - - -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government spending was $21.9B, accounting for 39.8% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in Bolivia and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 26/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Sao Tome
2024 -10.6% 0.92%
2023 -10.9% -2.13%
2022 -7.12% -2.24%
2021 -9.33% -1.52%
2020 -12.7% 2.94%
2019 -7.25% -0.07%
2018 -8.17% -2.02%
2017 -7.86% -3.11%
2016 -7.24% -5.01%
2015 -6.93% -7.6%
2014 -3.41% -6.27%
2013 0.6% 2.13%
2012 1.72% -12.3%
2011 0.83% -13%
2010 1.62% -12.1%
2009 2.63% -18%
2008 3.53% 13.6%
2007 -1.54% 125.1%
2006 4.47% 18%
2005 -2.24% 26.8%
2004 -5.54% -25.1%
2003 -7.88% -15.9%
2002 -8.79% -10.4%
2001 -6.82% -13.5%
2000 -3.73% 51.5%
1999 -3.84% -
1998 -5.1% -
1997 -3.28% -
1996 -1.9% -
1995 -1.82% -
1994 -3% -
1993 -6.1% -
1992 -4.4% -
1991 -4.2% -
1990 -4.4% -
1989 -5.5% -
1988 -6.5% -
1987 -7.7% -
1986 -2.7% -
1985 -9.8% -
1984 -25.4% -
1983 -19.8% -
1982 -15.9% -
1981 -12.3% -
1980 -15.3% -
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -
1967 -4.29% -
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.83B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.51% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Sao Tome
2024 5.1% 14.4%
2023 2.58% 21.2%
2022 1.75% 18%
2021 0.74% 8.1%
2020 0.94% 9.8%
2019 1.84% 7.7%
2018 2.27% 7.9%
2017 2.82% 5.7%
2016 3.62% 5.4%
2015 4.06% 6.1%
2014 5.77% 7%
2013 5.74% 8.1%
2012 4.52% 10.6%
2011 9.88% 14.3%
2010 2.5% 13.3%
2009 3.35% 17%
2008 14% 32%
2007 8.71% 18.6%
2006 4.28% 23.1%
2005 5.39% 17.2%
2004 4.44% 13.3%
2003 3.34% 9.8%
2002 0.93% 10.1%
2001 1.59% 9.2%
2000 4.61% 11%
1999 2.16% 11%
1998 7.67% 42.1%
1997 4.71% 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/bolivia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Bolivia and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Bolivia Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$1.41B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$9.15B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$8.93B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$2.35B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bolivia Sao Tome
Economic freedom 42.4 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 93/197
Property rights 20.2 55.2
Government integrity 27.1 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 60.8
Tax burden 86.4 88.6
Government spending 56.3 80.6
Fiscal health 0.8 89.5
Business freedom 53.6 59.9
Labor freedom 52.2 40.8
Monetary freedom 67.1 59.4
Trade freedom 60.6 65
Investment freedom 15 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Sao Tome
2026 42.4 60.6
2025 44.1 60.4
2024 43.5 60.5
2023 43.4 61.5
2022 43 60.3
2021 42.7 55.9
2020 42.8 56.2
2019 42.3 54
2018 44.1 53.6
2017 47.7 55.4
2016 47.4 56.7
2015 46.8 53.3
2014 48.4 48.8
2013 47.9 48
2012 50.2 50.2
2011 50 49.5
2010 49.4 48.8
2009 53.6 43.8
2008 53.1 -
2007 54.2 -
2006 57.8 -
2005 58.4 -
2004 64.5 -
2003 64.3 -
2002 65.1 -
2001 68 -
2000 65 -
1999 65.6 -
1998 68.8 -
1997 65.1 -
1996 65.2 -
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, 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

Bolivia Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.7B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,620
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.98B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$113M
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$387M
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.5%
2023
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
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/bolivia/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 (1950–1999, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.