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Economy of China vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 2/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

China vs Samoa GDP by year

China
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Samoa
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $1,287,936,622
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $1,175,749,786
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $1,044,909,500
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $889,554,712
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $859,724,936
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $868,884,903
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $912,950,466
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $878,448,433
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $884,844,384
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $843,924,797
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $824,150,499
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $796,683,520
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $797,736,334
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $773,141,661
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $744,097,050
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $680,260,907
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $628,006,115
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $641,346,192
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $573,548,460
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $499,923,758
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $476,801,793
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $407,747,565
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $333,426,188
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $281,790,134
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $266,299,591
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $258,856,140
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $255,408,060
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $269,485,244
1997 $967,753,570,435 $285,475,592
1996 $868,523,936,530 $249,907,869
1995 $738,190,896,228 $224,865,731
1994 $566,929,539,493 $221,098,107
1993 $446,557,291,212 $133,122,897
1992 $428,502,354,788 $132,303,041
1991 $384,510,452,962 $125,597,205
1990 $361,560,229,446 $125,766,270
1989 $348,380,566,802 $122,888,610
1988 $312,888,888,889 $133,016,065
1987 $273,455,156,951 $111,713,922
1986 $301,310,144,928 $100,947,849
1985 $310,064,625,850 $95,572,173
1984 $260,442,857,143 $109,200,934
1983 $231,130,268,199 $111,862,824
1982 $205,480,916,031 $121,221,652
1981 $196,218,253,968 $118,190,655
1980 $191,487,500,000 $125,747,038
1979 $178,573,913,043 $122,257,393
1978 $149,788,617,886 $108,223,444
1977 $175,226,595,860 $98,295,671
1976 $154,196,810,059 $85,003,078
1975 $163,687,619,736 $93,489,283
1974 $144,418,433,058 $93,549,611
1973 $138,764,340,892 $82,452,985
1972 $113,871,930,714 $62,566,116
1971 $99,959,013,880 $53,719,569
1970 $92,752,930,873 $45,208,338
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Samoa by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - $5,873 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $969 $2,964 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $881 $2,690 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $835 $2,483 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $787 $2,297 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $713 $2,088 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $613 $1,884 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $476 $1,680 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $379 $1,471 $775 $2,323
1992 $368 $1,276 $777 $2,198
1991 $334 $1,105 $742 $2,166
1990 $319 $991 $744 $2,148
1989 $311 - $728 -
1988 $284 - $790 -
1987 $252.3 - $666 -
1986 $282.4 - $604 -
1985 $295 - $573 -
1984 $251.2 - $655 -
1983 $225.9 - $671 -
1982 $203.7 - $728 -
1981 $197.4 - $713 -
1980 $195.1 - $765 -
1979 $184.3 - $751 -
1978 $156.7 - $671 -
1977 $185.7 - $615 -
1976 $165.7 - $541 -
1975 $178.6 - $610 -
1974 $160.4 - $626 -
1973 $157.3 - $563 -
1972 $132.1 - $433 -
1971 $118.8 - $377 -
1970 $113.3 - $322 -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/samoa | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

China Samoa
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$3,918
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
5.05%
2022
Population
1403335670
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 31.1% 41%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 30% 49.4%
2017 32% 53.9% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 31.7% 50% 27.3% 49%
2015 31% 40.8% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 25.2% 34% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 18% 25.9% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 17.6% 26% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 18% 26.4% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 30% 53.8%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 31% -
1996 11% 21.2% 38.9% -
1995 11.1% 21.4% 42.2% -
1994 12.4% - 54.1% -
1993 13.4% - 49.5% -
1992 14.6% - 43.4% -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/samoa | CC BY

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 26/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Samoa
2025 -7.87% 4.68%
2024 -7.11% 9.29%
2023 -6.71% 2.7%
2022 -7.32% 5.03%
2021 -5.9% 1.71%
2020 -9.56% 5.41%
2019 -6% 1.51%
2018 -4.2% 0.06%
2017 -3.34% -1.98%
2016 -3.33% -0.35%
2015 -2.5% -3.79%
2014 -0.67% -5.38%
2013 -0.82% -3.82%
2012 -0.3% -7.43%
2011 -0.1% -5.25%
2010 -0.36% -5.49%
2009 -1.72% -2.98%
2008 -0.02% -0.36%
2007 0.06% 0.55%
2006 -1.13% -0.44%
2005 -1.38% 0.23%
2004 -1.49% -0.74%
2003 -2.36% -0.51%
2002 -2.84% -1.77%
2001 -2.56% -1.96%
2000 -2.81% -0.62%
1999 -2.3% 0.27%
1998 -1.08% 1.64%
1997 -0.73% 1.92%
1996 -0.73% 1.21%
1995 -0.94% -5.82%
1994 -1.68% -9.51%
1993 -0.89% -13.2%
1992 -1.22% -9.89%
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/samoa | CC BY

In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.32% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Samoa
2025 0% 2.21%
2024 0.2% 2.17%
2023 0.2% 7.92%
2022 2% 11%
2021 0.9% 3.13%
2020 2.5% -1.57%
2019 2.9% 0.98%
2018 2.1% 4.2%
2017 1.6% 1.75%
2016 2% 1.3%
2015 1.4% 0.72%
2014 2% -0.41%
2013 2.6% 0.61%
2012 2.6% 2.05%
2011 5.4% 5.24%
2010 3.3% 0.78%
2009 -0.7% 6.32%
2008 5.8% 11.6%
2007 4.8% 5.58%
2006 1.5% 3.7%
2005 1.8% 1.86%
2004 3.9% 16.3%
2003 1.2% 0.12%
2002 -0.8% 8.05%
2001 0.7% 3.84%
2000 0.4% 0.97%
1999 -1.4% 0.27%
1998 -0.8% 2.22%
1997 2.8% 6.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 3.78% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 2.21% in Samoa.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $42.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $23.7M
Chemicals & pharma $17M
Metals $13.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.7M
Wood & paper products $5.6M
Raw materials & minerals $4.15M
Animal & marine products $2.82M
Miscellaneous $2.8M
Raw agricultural goods $720K
Samoa
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $328K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $93K
Metals $70K
Raw agricultural goods $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

China Samoa
Current account balance
$735B
2025
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$623B
2025
$108M
2025
Service exports
$385B
2025
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

China Samoa
Economic freedom 48.3 68
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 52/197
Property rights 40.9 77.1
Government integrity 42.3 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 77.6
Tax burden 69.3 79.3
Government spending 67.8 75.2
Fiscal health 4.4 98.7
Business freedom 68.7 63.7
Labor freedom 57.9 73.7
Monetary freedom 76.1 69.4
Trade freedom 73.4 67.2
Investment freedom 20 40
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Samoa
2026 48.3 68
2025 49 66.6
2024 48.5 67.2
2023 48.3 68.3
2022 48 68.3
2021 58.4 61.9
2020 59.5 62.1
2019 58.4 62.2
2018 57.8 61.5
2017 57.4 58.4
2016 52 63.5
2015 52.7 61.9
2014 52.5 61.1
2013 51.9 57.1
2012 51.2 60.5
2011 52 60.6
2010 51 60.4
2009 53.2 59.5
2008 53.1 -
2007 52 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 53.7 -
2004 52.5 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 63.1
2000 56.4 60.8
1999 54.8 58.7
1998 53.1 49.9
1997 51.7 51.5
1996 51.3 47.6
1995 52 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/samoa | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Samoa
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
30%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/samoa | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.