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

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 67/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Bulgaria vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Bulgaria
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Sao Tome
2024 $113,343,355,780 $822,154,621
2023 $102,199,231,385 $690,456,807
2022 $90,506,153,294 $540,809,499
2021 $84,374,613,233 $524,402,456
2020 $70,486,877,546 $471,229,485
2019 $68,507,731,354 $412,976,083
2018 $66,097,226,262 $383,717,328
2017 $59,167,647,388 $322,002,845
2016 $53,929,397,039 $292,267,272
2015 $50,765,918,159 $259,999,643
2014 $57,080,897,012 $293,119,143
2013 $55,819,262,375 $267,041,748
2012 $54,297,052,002 $225,815,132
2011 $57,681,293,007 $226,455,001
2010 $50,689,051,382 $190,021,192
2009 $52,023,801,230 $200,668,065
2008 $54,480,684,188 $188,021,165
2007 $44,431,257,129 $149,146,919
2006 $34,380,536,496 $142,775,104
2005 $29,868,657,858 $136,450,662
2004 $26,157,743,369 $114,582,284
2003 $21,144,957,990 $102,085,769
2002 $16,403,043,850 $85,171,074
2001 $14,183,446,026 $75,951,133
2000 $13,245,990,274 $76,198,395
1999 $13,637,098,579 $77,302,212
1998 $15,031,055,047 $72,285,404
1997 $11,316,127,379 $91,920,274
1996 $12,294,964,838 $135,188,166
1995 $18,991,484,420 $103,695,237
1994 $9,709,240,034 $131,338,415
1993 $10,832,064,942 $125,742,229
1992 $8,602,887,623 $94,861,781
1991 $7,628,738,475 $107,484,143
1990 $20,632,090,909 $119,297,933
1989 $21,988,444,444 $98,545,367
1988 $22,555,941,176 $99,000,764
1987 $28,101,000,000 $115,952,925
1986 $20,249,294,118 $115,928,907
1985 $17,155,421,053 $82,733,069
1984 $17,594,944,444 $78,213,796
1983 $16,563,666,667 $75,110,289
1982 $19,342,000,000 $80,307,763
1981 $19,870,000,000 $83,499,264
1980 $19,839,230,769 $81,662,231
1979 - $65,755,928
1978 - $55,044,563
1977 - $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/bulgaria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

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

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $879 $2,650
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $862 $2,551
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $844 $2,329
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $727 $2,171
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $664 $2,094
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $568 $1,945
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $519 $1,898
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $529 $1,830
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $543 $1,802
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $514 $1,754
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $662 $1,714
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $987 $1,693
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $769 $1,663
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $990 $1,623
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $964 $1,581
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $740 $1,556
1991 $884 $7,215 $855 $1,540
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $970 $1,504
1989 $2,477 - $821 -
1988 $2,511 - $847 -
1987 $3,132 - $1,018 -
1986 $2,260 - $1,043 -
1985 $1,915 - $761 -
1984 $1,964 - $735 -
1983 $1,853 - $720 -
1982 $2,169 - $783 -
1981 $2,235 - $830 -
1980 $2,239 - $829 -
1979 - - $683 -
1978 - - $587 -
1977 - - $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/bulgaria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
6359449
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 23.2% 91%
2019 36% 18.4% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 28% 95.9%
2017 32% 22.9% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 32.7% 27% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 36% 92.5%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 32% 14.3% 53.4% 86%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 51.7% 83%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 34% 28.5% 43.7% 334%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 60.6% 354%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 51.9% 329%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 44.3% 367%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 52.8% 418%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 10.7% -
1999 36.2% 78.7% - -
1998 30.6% 67.3% - -
1997 32.9% 88.4% - -
1996 44% 113.8% - -
1995 45.4% 72% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 169/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Sao Tome
2024 -3.04% 0.92%
2023 -3.03% -2.13%
2022 -0.8% -2.24%
2021 -2.8% -1.52%
2020 -2.92% 2.94%
2019 -0.96% -0.07%
2018 0.12% -2.02%
2017 0.82% -3.11%
2016 1.54% -5.01%
2015 -2.77% -7.6%
2014 -3.65% -6.27%
2013 -1.75% 2.13%
2012 -0.43% -12.3%
2011 -1.83% -13%
2010 -3.77% -12.1%
2009 -0.86% -18%
2008 2.73% 13.6%
2007 3.09% 125.1%
2006 3.22% 18%
2005 2.19% 26.8%
2004 1.59% -25.1%
2003 0.003% -15.9%
2002 -0.61% -10.4%
2001 -0.58% -13.5%
2000 -0.6% 51.5%
1999 0.15% -
1998 1.08% -
1997 0.83% -
1996 -10.1% -
1995 -7.98% -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 -0.3% -
1941 3.96% -
1940 0.75% -
1939 0.72% -
1938 1% -
1937 1.41% -
1936 1.17% -
1935 1.34% -
1934 -0.12% -
1933 -0.56% -
1932 -2.14% -
1931 -3.07% -
1930 -5.48% -
1929 -6.67% -
1928 -1.09% -
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.44B, equivalent to 3.04% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.6% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Sao Tome
2024 2.6% 14.4%
2023 8.6% 21.2%
2022 13% 18%
2021 2.8% 8.1%
2020 1.2% 9.8%
2019 2.5% 7.7%
2018 2.6% 7.9%
2017 1.2% 5.7%
2016 -1.3% 5.4%
2015 -1.1% 6.1%
2014 -1.6% 7%
2013 0.4% 8.1%
2012 2.4% 10.6%
2011 3.4% 14.3%
2010 3% 13.3%
2009 2.5% 17%
2008 12% 32%
2007 7.6% 18.6%
2006 7.4% 23.1%
2005 6% 17.2%
2004 6.1% 13.3%
2003 2.3% 9.8%
2002 5.8% 10.1%
2001 7.4% 9.2%
2000 10.3% 11%
1999 2.6% 11%
1998 18.7% 42.1%
1997 1,061% 69%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $204K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Sao Tome
Economic freedom 68.9 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 93/197
Property rights 75.8 55.2
Government integrity 48.4 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 60.8
Tax burden 89.1 88.6
Government spending 58.4 80.6
Fiscal health 90.4 89.5
Business freedom 78.2 59.9
Labor freedom 62.4 40.8
Monetary freedom 75.8 59.4
Trade freedom 79.4 65
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Sao Tome
2026 68.9 60.6
2025 68.8 60.4
2024 68.5 60.5
2023 69.3 61.5
2022 71 60.3
2021 70.4 55.9
2020 70.2 56.2
2019 69 54
2018 68.3 53.6
2017 67.9 55.4
2016 65.9 56.7
2015 66.8 53.3
2014 65.7 48.8
2013 65 48
2012 64.7 50.2
2011 64.9 49.5
2010 62.3 48.8
2009 64.6 43.8
2008 63.7 -
2007 62.7 -
2006 64.1 -
2005 62.3 -
2004 59.2 -
2003 57 -
2002 57.1 -
2001 51.9 -
2000 47.3 -
1999 46.2 -
1998 45.7 -
1997 47.6 -
1996 48.6 -
1995 50 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, 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

Bulgaria Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
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/bulgaria/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 (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.