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

Updated on by Georank team

The Dominican Republic has a GDP of $124B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 63/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Dominican Republic has $73.1B in government debt (58.8% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Dominican Republic vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Dominican Republic
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Dominican Republic Sao Tome
2024 $124,282,245,639 $822,154,621
2023 $120,456,239,154 $690,456,807
2022 $113,478,087,135 $540,809,499
2021 $94,850,719,517 $524,402,456
2020 $78,546,672,407 $471,229,485
2019 $89,146,130,745 $412,976,083
2018 $84,994,732,049 $383,717,328
2017 $79,070,274,743 $322,002,845
2016 $75,552,902,636 $292,267,272
2015 $70,966,782,572 $259,999,643
2014 $67,014,329,100 $293,119,143
2013 $62,555,417,415 $267,041,748
2012 $60,561,635,556 $225,815,132
2011 $57,948,261,616 $226,455,001
2010 $53,801,053,353 $190,021,192
2009 $48,223,781,477 $200,668,065
2008 $48,091,433,554 $188,021,165
2007 $43,965,458,509 $149,146,919
2006 $37,879,830,084 $142,775,104
2005 $35,777,560,684 $136,450,662
2004 $22,322,387,382 $114,582,284
2003 $21,403,167,848 $102,085,769
2002 $27,137,440,786 $85,171,074
2001 $25,601,823,688 $75,951,133
2000 $24,305,780,629 $76,198,395
1999 $22,136,579,397 $77,302,212
1998 $21,672,215,547 $72,285,404
1997 $20,017,450,041 $91,920,274
1996 $18,241,622,548 $135,188,166
1995 $16,637,370,839 $103,695,237
1994 $14,644,734,599 $131,338,415
1993 $13,081,042,400 $125,742,229
1992 $11,605,382,504 $94,861,781
1991 $9,824,483,340 $107,484,143
1990 $7,073,675,545 $119,297,933
1989 $6,686,593,060 $98,545,367
1988 $5,374,299,981 $99,000,764
1987 $5,827,050,753 $115,952,925
1986 $6,122,128,558 $115,928,907
1985 $5,044,579,979 $82,733,069
1984 $11,594,000,000 $78,213,796
1983 $9,220,600,000 $75,110,289
1982 $8,267,400,000 $80,307,763
1981 $7,561,300,000 $83,499,264
1980 $6,761,300,000 $81,662,231
1979 $5,498,800,000 $65,755,928
1978 $4,734,400,000 $55,044,563
1977 $4,587,100,000 $49,207,692
1976 $3,951,500,000 $52,039,421
1975 $3,599,200,000 $60,101,710
1974 $2,925,700,000 $57,817,591
1973 $2,344,800,000 $56,011,245
1972 $1,987,400,000 $41,430,257
1971 $1,666,500,000 $37,288,845
1970 $1,485,500,000 $37,211,826
1969 $1,230,500,000 -
1968 $1,079,100,000 -
1967 $1,034,800,000 -
1966 $983,900,000 -
1965 $888,100,000 -
1964 $1,025,599,900 -
1963 $940,799,900 -
1962 $824,100,000 -
1961 $654,100,200 -
1960 $672,399,700 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Dominican Republic vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Dominican Republic Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,876 $27,542 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $10,630 $25,840 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $10,104 $24,626 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $8,527 $22,053 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $7,135 $18,998 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $8,183 $19,767 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $7,883 $17,995 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $7,413 $16,846 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $7,160 $16,282 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $6,801 $14,804 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $6,496 $13,465 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $6,137 $12,414 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $6,014 $11,777 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $5,827 $11,695 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $5,479 $11,246 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $4,974 $10,382 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $5,024 $10,346 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $4,650 $9,951 $879 $2,650
2006 $4,055 $9,130 $862 $2,551
2005 $3,878 $8,215 $844 $2,329
2004 $2,452 $7,375 $727 $2,171
2003 $2,383 $7,098 $664 $2,094
2002 $3,066 $7,158 $568 $1,945
2001 $2,936 $6,848 $519 $1,898
2000 $2,831 $6,639 $529 $1,830
1999 $2,621 $6,305 $543 $1,802
1998 $2,608 $5,963 $514 $1,754
1997 $2,449 $5,618 $662 $1,714
1996 $2,271 $5,161 $987 $1,693
1995 $2,109 $4,871 $769 $1,663
1994 $1,892 $4,599 $990 $1,623
1993 $1,722 $4,474 $964 $1,581
1992 $1,558 $4,151 $740 $1,556
1991 $1,346 $3,722 $855 $1,540
1990 $989 $3,641 $970 $1,504
1989 $955 - $821 -
1988 $784 - $847 -
1987 $868 - $1,018 -
1986 $932 - $1,043 -
1985 $784 - $761 -
1984 $1,844 - $735 -
1983 $1,500 - $720 -
1982 $1,376 - $783 -
1981 $1,288 - $830 -
1980 $1,180 - $829 -
1979 $984 - $683 -
1978 $868 - $587 -
1977 $863 - $539 -
1976 $763 - $585 -
1975 $713 - $693 -
1974 $595 - $683 -
1973 $490 - $676 -
1972 $427 - $511 -
1971 $368 - $470 -
1970 $338 - $479 -
1969 $287.7 - - -
1968 $259.6 - - -
1967 $256.2 - - -
1966 $250.9 - - -
1965 $233.2 - - -
1964 $277.3 - - -
1963 $262.2 - - -
1962 $236.8 - - -
1961 $193.9 - - -
1960 $205.7 - - -

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

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

The Dominican Republic's GDP per capita is $10,876, ranking 83/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Dominican Republic Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$124B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
63/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
4.95%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,876
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
83/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,542
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
76/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$73.1B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
58.8%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,394
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,547
2026
$3,111
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2024
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2024
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.31%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
11637906
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Dominican Republic Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 58.8% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 19.1% 60.5% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 18.5% 59.6% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 18.4% 62.8% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 22.2% 71.8% 23.2% 91%
2019 17.8% 53.5% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 16.5% 50.8% 28% 95.9%
2017 17.3% 49.5% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 17% 46.7% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 16.7% 44.8% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 17% 45% 36% 92.5%
2013 18.5% 46.8% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 19.8% 42.4% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 16% 39.1% 53.4% 86%
2010 16.1% 37.4% 51.7% 83%
2009 16.2% 36.8% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 18.5% 33.6% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 16.3% 32.9% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 17% 36% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 15.5% 38.3% 43.7% 334%
2004 17.3% 34.3% 60.6% 354%
2003 17.2% 48.2% 51.9% 329%
2002 16.5% 21.5% 44.3% 367%
2001 14.9% 20.4% 52.8% 418%
2000 14.1% 16.7% 10.7% -
1999 13.4% 16% - -
1998 12.6% 13.2% - -
1997 13.2% 13.8% - -
1996 11.4% 23% - -
1995 11% 25.7% - -
1994 12.1% 28.5% - -
1993 13% 36.1% - -
1992 10.4% 38.5% - -
1991 8.65% 47.3% - -
1990 9.1% 84.7% - -
1989 11.3% 62.5% - -
1988 12.8% 77% - -
1987 11.2% 86.9% - -
1986 10.4% 63.8% - -
1985 9.8% 66.3% - -
1984 9.32% 28.9% - -
1983 10.2% 32.9% - -
1982 10.2% 33.1% - -
1981 12.1% 29.8% - -
1980 12.8% 15.2% - -
1979 13.8% 24% - -
1978 12.3% 20.9% - -
1977 11.4% 16.4% - -
1976 12.5% 15.6% - -
1975 13.7% 13.1% - -
1974 14.6% 14.6% - -
1973 13.7% 14.6% - -
1972 14.1% 16.4% - -
1971 13.8% 17.8% - -
1970 13.3% 18% - -
1969 15.5% 17.4% - -
1968 15.5% 18.1% - -
1967 15% 16.2% - -
1966 15.2% 14.5% - -
1965 12.8% - - -
1964 16.7% - - -
1963 15.1% - - -
1962 15.7% - - -
1961 20% - - -
1960 20.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government spending was $24.2B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 58.8% in the Dominican Republic and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 83/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Dominican Republic

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Dominican Republic Sao Tome
2024 -3.09% 0.92%
2023 -3.28% -2.13%
2022 -3.25% -2.24%
2021 -2.92% -1.52%
2020 -7.94% 2.94%
2019 -3.46% -0.07%
2018 -2.17% -2.02%
2017 -3.12% -3.11%
2016 -3.11% -5.01%
2015 -0.03% -7.6%
2014 -2.76% -6.27%
2013 -4.41% 2.13%
2012 -6.26% -12.3%
2011 -3.07% -13%
2010 -2.97% -12.1%
2009 -2.9% -18%
2008 -3.43% 13.6%
2007 0.28% 125.1%
2006 -1.69% 18%
2005 -0.71% 26.8%
2004 -3.6% -25.1%
2003 -4.24% -15.9%
2002 -2.28% -10.4%
2001 -0.73% -13.5%
2000 -0.86% 51.5%
1999 -0.79% -
1998 -0.29% -
1997 -0.64% -
1996 0.14% -
1995 0.82% -
1994 -0.39% -
1993 -0.16% -
1992 2.35% -
1991 0.11% -
1990 0.39% -
1989 -0.09% -
1988 -1.68% -
1987 -0.75% -
1986 -0.57% -
1985 -1.27% -
1984 -0.95% -
1983 -1.74% -
1982 -2.4% -
1981 -1.92% -
1980 -1.82% -
1979 -3.26% -
1978 -0.82% -
1977 0.15% -
1976 -0.22% -
1975 1.37% -
1974 -0.93% -
1973 -0.53% -
1972 -1.73% -
1971 -0.85% -
1970 -0.68% -
1969 -0.99% -
1968 -0.99% -
1967 -1.68% -
1966 -2.14% -
1965 -1.84% -
1964 -1.36% -
1963 -0.39% -
1962 -1.17% -
1961 -3% -
1960 -0.61% -
1959 -0.29% -
1958 -1.29% -
1957 0.21% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 1.47% -
1954 1.43% -
1953 2.79% -
1952 0% -
1951 -2.58% -
1950 -3.66% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.84B, equivalent to 3.09% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Dominican Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, the Dominican Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.88% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Dominican Republic

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Dominican Republic Sao Tome
2024 3.3% 14.4%
2023 4.79% 21.2%
2022 8.81% 18%
2021 8.24% 8.1%
2020 3.78% 9.8%
2019 1.81% 7.7%
2018 3.56% 7.9%
2017 3.28% 5.7%
2016 1.61% 5.4%
2015 0.84% 6.1%
2014 3% 7%
2013 4.83% 8.1%
2012 3.69% 10.6%
2011 5.8% 14.3%
2010 6.33% 13.3%
2009 1.44% 17%
2008 10.6% 32%
2007 6.14% 18.6%
2006 7.57% 23.1%
2005 4.19% 17.2%
2004 51.5% 13.3%
2003 27.4% 9.8%
2002 5.22% 10.1%
2001 8.88% 9.2%
2000 7.72% 11%
1999 6.47% 11%
1998 4.83% 42.1%
1997 8.3% 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/dominican-republic/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Dominican Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.64%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in the Dominican Republic and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $587K
Precious metals & jewellery $185K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $85K
Metals $31K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Dominican Republic Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$4.17B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
163/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.35%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$29.8B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$13.9B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$6.34B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$14.7B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Dominican Republic Sao Tome
Economic freedom 63.8 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 77/197 93/197
Property rights 53.9 55.2
Government integrity 39.8 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 58 60.8
Tax burden 84.4 88.6
Government spending 89.1 80.6
Fiscal health 76.6 89.5
Business freedom 71.4 59.9
Labor freedom 53.2 40.8
Monetary freedom 72.1 59.4
Trade freedom 67.4 65
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Dominican Republic Sao Tome
2026 63.8 60.6
2025 64.3 60.4
2024 62.9 60.5
2023 62.6 61.5
2022 63 60.3
2021 62.1 55.9
2020 60.9 56.2
2019 61 54
2018 61.6 53.6
2017 62.9 55.4
2016 61 56.7
2015 61 53.3
2014 61.3 48.8
2013 59.7 48
2012 60.2 50.2
2011 60 49.5
2010 60.3 48.8
2009 59.2 43.8
2008 57.7 -
2007 56.8 -
2006 56.3 -
2005 55.1 -
2004 54.6 -
2003 57.8 -
2002 58.6 -
2001 59.1 -
2000 59 -
1999 58.1 -
1998 58.1 -
1997 53.5 -
1996 58.1 -
1995 55.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Dominican Republic is 63.8, ranking 77/197, 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

Dominican Republic Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.45%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,050
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$13.5B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
71/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.52B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.48B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$47.3M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2024
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
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/dominican-republic/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, 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 (2021–2024, 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.