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

Updated on by Georank

Croatia has a GDP of $105B compared to $981M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 73/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $58.7B in government debt (55.9% of GDP), compared to $546M (55.7% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Croatia vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Croatia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia Sao Tome
2025 $105,060,182,186 $981,293,587
2024 $92,981,894,168 $824,992,558
2023 $85,621,337,533 $690,456,807
2022 $71,196,460,237 $540,809,499
2021 $69,002,262,505 $524,402,456
2020 $57,959,824,238 $471,229,485
2019 $61,467,261,345 $412,976,083
2018 $61,668,280,700 $383,717,328
2017 $56,182,225,079 $322,002,845
2016 $52,650,804,052 $292,267,272
2015 $50,999,271,059 $259,999,643
2014 $59,607,109,597 $293,119,143
2013 $59,846,869,999 $267,041,748
2012 $57,547,495,860 $229,371,348
2011 $62,889,150,894 $226,455,001
2010 $58,975,127,201 $190,021,192
2009 $62,315,450,611 $200,668,065
2008 $68,473,103,477 $188,021,165
2007 $59,290,547,254 $149,146,919
2006 $49,583,643,048 $142,775,104
2005 $45,012,776,906 $136,450,662
2004 $41,836,096,243 $114,582,284
2003 $35,244,797,329 $102,085,769
2002 $26,757,633,353 $85,171,074
2001 $23,067,071,478 $75,951,133
2000 $22,134,069,750 $76,198,395
1999 $23,776,940,769 $77,302,212
1998 $25,889,813,449 $72,285,404
1997 $24,175,272,572 $91,920,274
1996 $24,151,469,717 $135,188,166
1995 $22,772,224,146 $103,695,237
1994 $15,062,911,617 $131,338,415
1993 $11,259,647,874 $125,742,229
1992 $10,621,169,291 $94,861,781
1991 $18,760,386,775 $107,484,143
1990 $25,650,213,280 $119,297,933
1989 - $98,545,367
1988 - $99,000,764
1987 - $115,952,925
1986 - $115,928,907
1985 - $82,733,069
1984 - $78,213,796
1983 - $75,110,289
1982 - $80,307,763
1981 - $83,499,264
1980 - $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 (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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

Croatia
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $27,104 - $4,084 -
2024 $24,050 $49,551 $3,503 $6,242
2023 $22,183 $47,760 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $1,211 $2,653
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $879 $2,650
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $862 $2,551
2005 $10,443 $15,451 $844 $2,329
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $727 $2,171
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $664 $2,094
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $568 $1,945
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $519 $1,898
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $529 $1,830
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $543 $1,802
1998 $5,712 $9,890 $514 $1,754
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $662 $1,714
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $987 $1,693
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $769 $1,663
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $990 $1,623
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $964 $1,581
1992 $2,321 $7,326 $740 $1,556
1991 $4,001 $7,918 $855 $1,540
1990 $5,369 $9,526 $970 $1,504
1989 - - $821 -
1988 - - $847 -
1987 - - $1,018 -
1986 - - $1,043 -
1985 - - $761 -
1984 - - $735 -
1983 - - $720 -
1982 - - $783 -
1981 - - $830 -
1980 - - $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 (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Croatia's GDP per capita is $27,104, ranking 49/197, compared to $4,084 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Croatia Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$105B
2025
$981M
2025
GDP rank
73/197
2025
189/197
2025
GDP growth
3.4%
2024-2025
1.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$27,104
2025
$4,084
2025
GDP per capita rank
49/197
2025
132/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$58.7B
2025
$546M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.9%
2025
55.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$15,144
2025
$2,275
2025
Government debt per person rank
44/185
2025
115/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,376
2026
$3,249
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$37.9B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.3%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.69%
2024-2025
0.9%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.9%
2025
6.66%
2017
Population
3849788
247495

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 49.3% 55.9% 21.2% 55.7%
2024 48% 57.4% 23.8% 65.2%
2023 46.3% 60.9% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 45% 68.5% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 48.2% 78.2% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 53.8% 86.5% 23.2% 91%
2019 44.4% 70.9% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 45% 72.8% 28% 95.9%
2017 44.1% 76.2% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 45.9% 79.3% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 47.6% 82.8% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 48.7% 83.2% 36% 92.5%
2013 48% 79.5% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 47.3% 68.9% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 48.6% 63.1% 53.4% 86%
2010 48.2% 56.8% 51.7% 83%
2009 49.3% 47.9% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 46.4% 37.1% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 43.7% 334%
2004 49% 40% 60.6% 354%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 51.9% 329%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 44.3% 367%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 52.8% 418%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 10.7% -
1999 58.9% 30% - -
1998 56.8% 23.3% - -
1997 51.7% 22.5% - -
1996 52.1% - - -
1995 50.3% - - -
1994 45.4% - - -
1993 35.9% - - -
1992 37.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Croatia's government spending was $51.8B, accounting for 49.3% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $208M, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.9% in Croatia and 55.7% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 87/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia Sao Tome
2025 -2.89% -2.53%
2024 -1.95% 0.92%
2023 -0.79% -2.13%
2022 0.14% -2.24%
2021 -2.57% -1.52%
2020 -7.24% 2.94%
2019 2.32% -0.07%
2018 0.22% -2.02%
2017 0.81% -3.11%
2016 -1.04% -5.01%
2015 -3.53% -7.6%
2014 -5.19% -6.27%
2013 -5.51% 2.13%
2012 -5.46% -12.3%
2011 -7.51% -13%
2010 -6.45% -12.1%
2009 -7.15% -18%
2008 -2.33% 13.6%
2007 -2.27% 125.1%
2006 -2% 18%
2005 -3.24% 26.8%
2004 -6.09% -25.1%
2003 -5.03% -15.9%
2002 -4.9% -10.4%
2001 -4.79% -13.5%
2000 -9.2% 51.5%
1999 -11.1% -
1998 -6.36% -
1997 -4.93% -
1996 -4.41% -
1995 -4.23% -
1994 -0.82% -
1993 -2.67% -
1992 -5.69% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Croatia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.04B, equivalent to 2.89% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's deficit of $24.8M, or 2.53% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.6% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.39% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia Sao Tome
2025 3.69% 0.9%
2024 2.97% 14.4%
2023 7.94% 21.1%
2022 10.8% 18.1%
2021 2.55% 8.1%
2020 0.15% 9.8%
2019 0.77% 7.7%
2018 1.5% 7.9%
2017 1.13% 5.7%
2016 -1.12% 5.4%
2015 -0.46% 6.1%
2014 -0.22% 7%
2013 2.22% 8.1%
2012 3.41% 10.6%
2011 2.27% 14.3%
2010 1.03% 13.3%
2009 2.38% 17%
2008 6.08% 32%
2007 2.9% 18.6%
2006 3.19% 23.1%
2005 3.32% 17.2%
2004 2.06% 13.3%
2003 1.77% 9.8%
2002 1.67% 10.1%
2001 3.78% 9.2%
2000 4.61% 11%
1999 4.02% 11%
1998 6.4% 42.1%
1997 4.17% 69%

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/croatia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.93%, compared with 15.2% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2025, inflation was 3.69% in Croatia and 0.9% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Croatia Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$1.93B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
141/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.08%
2024
+5.03%
2024
Goods imports
$42.5B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$8.42B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$24.8B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53%
2025
33.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Croatia Sao Tome
Economic freedom 67.5 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 93/197
Property rights 81.1 55.2
Government integrity 52.6 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 60.8
Tax burden 70 88.6
Government spending 34.9 80.6
Fiscal health 92.2 89.5
Business freedom 79.6 59.9
Labor freedom 58.9 40.8
Monetary freedom 69.9 59.4
Trade freedom 79.4 65
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia Sao Tome
2026 67.5 60.6
2025 68.7 60.4
2024 67.2 60.5
2023 66.4 61.5
2022 67.6 60.3
2021 63.6 55.9
2020 62.2 56.2
2019 61.4 54
2018 61 53.6
2017 59.4 55.4
2016 59.1 56.7
2015 61.5 53.3
2014 60.4 48.8
2013 61.3 48
2012 60.9 50.2
2011 61.1 49.5
2010 59.2 48.8
2009 55.1 43.8
2008 54.1 -
2007 53.4 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 51.9 -
2004 53.1 -
2003 53.3 -
2002 51.1 -
2001 50.7 -
2000 53.6 -
1999 53.1 -
1998 51.7 -
1997 46.7 -
1996 48 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, 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

Croatia Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
60.9%
2025
81.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19%
2025
2.23%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.83%
2025
12.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$98.3B
2025
$913M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$50,410
2025
$6,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.22B
2025
$58.8M
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2025
175/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.74B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.6%
2025
8.74%
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/croatia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.