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

Updated on by Georank team

Colombia has a GDP of $419B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 39/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Colombia has $256B in government debt (61.2% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Colombia vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Colombia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Colombia Sao Tome
2024 $418,818,154,879 $822,154,621
2023 $366,291,836,138 $690,456,807
2022 $345,632,492,851 $540,809,499
2021 $318,524,633,225 $524,402,456
2020 $270,348,342,541 $471,229,485
2019 $323,031,701,193 $412,976,083
2018 $334,198,218,098 $383,717,328
2017 $311,866,875,157 $322,002,845
2016 $282,720,100,286 $292,267,272
2015 $293,492,370,193 $259,999,643
2014 $381,240,864,422 $293,119,143
2013 $382,093,697,078 $267,041,748
2012 $370,691,143,018 $225,815,132
2011 $334,966,134,805 $226,455,001
2010 $286,498,534,095 $190,021,192
2009 $232,468,663,110 $200,668,065
2008 $242,504,150,473 $188,021,165
2007 $206,229,540,926 $149,146,919
2006 $161,792,958,905 $142,775,104
2005 $145,600,529,606 $136,450,662
2004 $117,092,416,666 $114,582,284
2003 $94,644,969,157 $102,085,769
2002 $97,945,812,803 $85,171,074
2001 $98,200,641,203 $75,951,133
2000 $99,875,074,951 $76,198,395
1999 $86,186,158,685 $77,302,212
1998 $98,443,739,941 $72,285,404
1997 $106,659,508,271 $91,920,274
1996 $97,160,109,278 $135,188,166
1995 $92,507,279,383 $103,695,237
1994 $81,703,500,846 $131,338,415
1993 $66,446,804,803 $125,742,229
1992 $58,418,985,443 $94,861,781
1991 $49,175,565,911 $107,484,143
1990 $47,844,090,710 $119,297,933
1989 $39,540,080,200 $98,545,367
1988 $39,212,550,050 $99,000,764
1987 $36,373,307,085 $115,952,925
1986 $34,942,489,684 $115,928,907
1985 $34,894,411,352 $82,733,069
1984 $38,253,120,738 $78,213,796
1983 $38,729,822,782 $75,110,289
1982 $38,968,039,722 $80,307,763
1981 $36,388,366,869 $83,499,264
1980 $33,400,735,644 $81,662,231
1979 $27,940,411,250 $65,755,928
1978 $23,263,511,958 $55,044,563
1977 $19,470,960,619 $49,207,692
1976 $15,341,403,660 $52,039,421
1975 $13,098,633,902 $60,101,710
1974 $12,370,029,584 $57,817,591
1973 $10,315,760,000 $56,011,245
1972 $8,671,358,733 $41,430,257
1971 $7,820,380,971 $37,288,845
1970 $7,198,360,460 $37,211,826
1969 $6,450,175,214 -
1968 $5,960,212,869 -
1967 $5,825,170,438 -
1966 $5,428,518,519 -
1965 $5,760,761,905 -
1964 $5,973,366,667 -
1963 $4,836,166,667 -
1962 $4,955,543,963 -
1961 $4,540,447,761 -
1960 $4,031,152,977 -

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

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

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

Colombia
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Colombia Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,919 $22,349 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $7,001 $21,246 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $6,680 $20,854 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $6,223 $17,383 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $5,340 $15,519 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $6,473 $16,182 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $6,817 $15,239 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $6,480 $14,401 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $5,960 $14,027 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $6,249 $13,332 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $8,187 $13,355 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $8,279 $12,780 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $8,109 $12,093 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $7,401 $11,707 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $6,398 $10,841 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $5,251 $10,367 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $5,542 $10,307 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $4,770 $9,909 $879 $2,650
2006 $3,790 $9,154 $862 $2,551
2005 $3,456 $8,432 $844 $2,329
2004 $2,819 $7,909 $727 $2,171
2003 $2,312 $7,420 $664 $2,094
2002 $2,429 $7,109 $568 $1,945
2001 $2,473 $6,935 $519 $1,898
2000 $2,555 $6,776 $529 $1,830
1999 $2,241 $6,544 $543 $1,802
1998 $2,605 $6,854 $514 $1,754
1997 $2,873 $6,861 $662 $1,714
1996 $2,665 $6,639 $987 $1,693
1995 $2,584 $6,506 $769 $1,663
1994 $2,326 $6,174 $990 $1,623
1993 $1,929 $5,826 $964 $1,581
1992 $1,730 $5,509 $740 $1,556
1991 $1,486 $5,281 $855 $1,540
1990 $1,475 $5,109 $970 $1,504
1989 $1,244 - $821 -
1988 $1,260 - $847 -
1987 $1,193 - $1,018 -
1986 $1,169 - $1,043 -
1985 $1,192 - $761 -
1984 $1,336 - $735 -
1983 $1,384 - $720 -
1982 $1,425 - $783 -
1981 $1,362 - $830 -
1980 $1,280 - $829 -
1979 $1,095 - $683 -
1978 $932 - $587 -
1977 $798 - $539 -
1976 $643 - $585 -
1975 $561 - $693 -
1974 $542 - $683 -
1973 $462 - $676 -
1972 $397 - $511 -
1971 $367 - $470 -
1970 $346 - $479 -
1969 $318 - - -
1968 $302 - - -
1967 $303 - - -
1966 $290.3 - - -
1965 $317 - - -
1964 $339 - - -
1963 $282.6 - - -
1962 $298.5 - - -
1961 $282.1 - - -
1960 $258.3 - - -

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

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

Colombia's GDP per capita is $7,919, ranking 94/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Colombia Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$419B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
39/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
1.6%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,919
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
94/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,349
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
87/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$256B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.2%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,849
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
82/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,722
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$72.6B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2023
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.61%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
9.62%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
54105437
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Colombia
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Colombia Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 34.6% 61.2% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 35.1% 55.5% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 34.1% 61.3% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 34.5% 64.4% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 33.7% 65.3% 23.2% 91%
2019 32.9% 51% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 34.7% 51.8% 28% 95.9%
2017 29.3% 49.4% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 30% 49.9% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 31.3% 50.4% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 31.3% 43.3% 36% 92.5%
2013 30% 37.6% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 29.1% 34% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 30.2% 35.8% 53.4% 86%
2010 30.4% 36.5% 51.7% 83%
2009 30.9% 35.4% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 28.4% 32.4% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 28.2% 32.7% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 28.4% 36% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 25.9% 38.5% 43.7% 334%
2004 26.6% 41.5% 60.6% 354%
2003 28% 45% 51.9% 329%
2002 28.1% 47.5% 44.3% 367%
2001 27.5% 41.1% 52.8% 418%
2000 26.6% 38% 10.7% -
1999 28.2% 34% - -
1998 26.3% 27.4% - -
1997 26.2% 25.3% - -
1996 25.1% 23.3% - -
1995 22.2% 13.8% - -
1994 20.6% 12.5% - -
1993 20% 14.2% - -
1992 18.4% 16.1% - -
1991 17.7% 14.5% - -
1990 17.4% 16.7% - -
1989 10.3% 17.3% - -
1988 10.3% 17.9% - -
1987 9.7% 18.9% - -
1986 9.8% 20.2% - -
1985 10.5% 19.3% - -
1984 10.3% 15.5% - -
1983 10.2% 10.8% - -
1982 10.6% 8.8% - -
1981 9.9% 8.5% - -
1980 9.6% 8% - -
1979 8.6% 7.7% - -
1978 8.1% 7.6% - -
1977 7.7% 9.2% - -
1976 8% 12.2% - -
1975 9.4% 14.6% - -
1974 8.8% 15.9% - -
1973 9.4% 16.3% - -
1972 10.3% 16.9% - -
1971 10.3% 16.2% - -
1970 10% 16.7% - -
1969 9.2% 17% - -
1968 8.9% 16.2% - -
1967 8.2% 15.8% - -
1966 8% 15.3% - -
1965 7% 15.2% - -
1964 8.1% 13.1% - -
1963 8.6% 13.9% - -
1962 7.8% 14.8% - -
1961 8.6% 8.7% - -
1960 6.7% 7.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government spending was $145B, accounting for 34.6% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.2% in Colombia and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 75/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Colombia

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Colombia Sao Tome
2024 -6.25% 0.92%
2023 -2.92% -2.13%
2022 -6.34% -2.24%
2021 -7.26% -1.52%
2020 -7.12% 2.94%
2019 -3.48% -0.07%
2018 -4.67% -2.02%
2017 -2.5% -3.11%
2016 -2.27% -5.01%
2015 -3.52% -7.6%
2014 -1.74% -6.27%
2013 -1.02% 2.13%
2012 0.15% -12.3%
2011 -1.99% -13%
2010 -3.3% -12.1%
2009 -2.67% -18%
2008 0.04% 13.6%
2007 -0.82% 125.1%
2006 -0.99% 18%
2005 -0.02% 26.8%
2004 -1.31% -25.1%
2003 -2.7% -15.9%
2002 -3.45% -10.4%
2001 -2.71% -13.5%
2000 -2.94% 51.5%
1999 -5.37% -
1998 -3.86% -
1997 -3.23% -
1996 -2.49% -
1995 -1% -
1994 -0.14% -
1993 -0.24% -
1992 -0.07% -
1991 0.35% -
1990 -0.41% -
1989 -1.4% -
1988 -1.3% -
1987 -0.4% -
1986 -1.4% -
1985 -2.4% -
1984 -3.3% -
1983 -3.1% -
1982 -3.6% -
1981 -2.8% -
1980 -2.2% -
1979 -0.7% -
1978 0.3% -
1977 0.5% -
1976 0.6% -
1975 -0.5% -
1974 -1.2% -
1973 -1.1% -
1972 -1.7% -
1971 -1% -
1970 -0.7% -
1969 -0.5% -
1968 0% -
1967 -0.2% -
1966 0.1% -
1965 -0.6% -
1964 -1.1% -
1963 -1.7% -
1962 -1.6% -
1961 -1.5% -
1960 1.2% -
1959 2% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.4% -
1956 -0.2% -
1955 0.7% -
1954 1.3% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 1.6% -
1951 2.1% -
1950 0.9% -
1949 0.5% -
1948 -0.1% -
1947 0.2% -
1946 -0.5% -
1945 0.1% -
1944 -0.2% -
1943 -0.7% -
1942 -1.5% -
1941 0% -
1940 -1.5% -
1939 0.8% -
1938 0.5% -
1937 1.4% -
1936 1.1% -
1935 1.3% -
1934 0.2% -
1933 -0.4% -
1932 -0.8% -
1931 -0.2% -
1930 0.3% -
1929 0.4% -
1928 -0.4% -
1927 -0.6% -
1926 0% -
1925 1% -
1924 0.5% -
1923 0.3% -
1922 -0.7% -
1921 -1.6% -
1920 0.4% -
1919 -0.8% -
1918 -2.1% -
1917 -0.5% -
1916 0.2% -
1915 -0.2% -
1914 -0.5% -
1913 0.5% -
1912 -0.3% -
1911 -0.1% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -3.3% -
1908 -2.7% -
1907 -2.7% -
1906 0.2% -
1905 -0.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $26.2B, equivalent to 6.25% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Colombia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Colombia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.87% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Colombia

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Colombia Sao Tome
2024 6.61% 14.4%
2023 11.7% 21.2%
2022 10.2% 18%
2021 3.5% 8.1%
2020 2.53% 9.8%
2019 3.52% 7.7%
2018 3.24% 7.9%
2017 4.31% 5.7%
2016 7.51% 5.4%
2015 4.99% 6.1%
2014 2.9% 7%
2013 2.02% 8.1%
2012 3.17% 10.6%
2011 3.42% 14.3%
2010 2.27% 13.3%
2009 4.2% 17%
2008 7% 32%
2007 5.54% 18.6%
2006 4.29% 23.1%
2005 5.05% 17.2%
2004 5.9% 13.3%
2003 7.13% 9.8%
2002 6.35% 10.1%
2001 7.97% 9.2%
2000 9.23% 11%
1999 10.9% 11%
1998 18.7% 42.1%
1997 18.5% 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/colombia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Colombia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.52%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 6.61% in Colombia and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Colombia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Colombia Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$6.88B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
172/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.64%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$60.2B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$51.1B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$18.5B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.1%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Colombia Sao Tome
Economic freedom 59.8 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 101/197 93/197
Property rights 43.1 55.2
Government integrity 41.6 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 57.4 60.8
Tax burden 68.6 88.6
Government spending 64 80.6
Fiscal health 49.8 89.5
Business freedom 71.2 59.9
Labor freedom 59.1 40.8
Monetary freedom 71.9 59.4
Trade freedom 71.4 65
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Colombia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Colombia Sao Tome
2026 59.8 60.6
2025 59.8 60.4
2024 59.2 60.5
2023 63.1 61.5
2022 65.1 60.3
2021 68.1 55.9
2020 69.2 56.2
2019 67.3 54
2018 68.9 53.6
2017 69.7 55.4
2016 70.8 56.7
2015 71.7 53.3
2014 70.7 48.8
2013 69.6 48
2012 68 50.2
2011 68 49.5
2010 65.5 48.8
2009 62.3 43.8
2008 62.2 -
2007 59.9 -
2006 60.4 -
2005 59.6 -
2004 61.2 -
2003 64.2 -
2002 64.2 -
2001 65.6 -
2000 63.3 -
1999 65.3 -
1998 65.5 -
1997 66.4 -
1996 64.3 -
1995 64.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Colombia is 59.8, ranking 101/197, 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

Colombia Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.28%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$372B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,890
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$61.9B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
38/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.17B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.51B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.25%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2024
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/colombia/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 (1905–1995, 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, 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.