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Economy of East Timor vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

East Timor has a GDP of $1.9B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 181/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $273M in government debt (14.3% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

East Timor vs Samoa GDP by year

East Timor
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Samoa
2025 $1,902,180,258 $1,287,936,622
2024 $1,865,608,515 $1,175,749,786
2023 $2,079,767,200 $1,044,909,500
2022 $3,208,599,900 $889,554,712
2021 $3,625,024,300 $859,724,936
2020 $2,162,619,200 $868,884,903
2019 $2,032,550,400 $912,950,466
2018 $1,555,988,600 $878,448,433
2017 $1,584,878,400 $884,844,384
2016 $1,640,464,600 $843,924,797
2015 $1,590,282,400 $824,150,499
2014 $1,447,535,200 $796,683,520
2013 $1,395,727,400 $797,736,334
2012 $1,160,555,000 $773,141,661
2011 $1,042,534,600 $744,097,050
2010 $881,909,300 $680,260,907
2009 $726,937,800 $628,006,115
2008 $648,523,600 $641,346,192
2007 $542,795,400 $573,548,460
2006 $453,792,400 $499,923,758
2005 $462,268,000 $476,801,793
2004 $440,772,000 $407,747,565
2003 $490,439,100 $333,426,188
2002 $469,455,500 $281,790,134
2001 $477,359,300 $266,299,591
2000 $366,924,300 $258,856,140
1999 $225,357,600 $255,408,060
1998 $325,729,800 $269,485,244
1997 $319,972,700 $285,475,592
1996 $306,956,900 $249,907,869
1995 $262,819,900 $224,865,731
1994 $239,040,500 $221,098,107
1993 $216,914,400 $133,122,897
1992 $187,891,500 $132,303,041
1991 $147,713,000 $125,597,205
1990 $128,210,142 $125,766,270
1989 - $122,888,610
1988 - $133,016,065
1987 - $111,713,922
1986 - $100,947,849
1985 - $95,572,173
1984 - $109,200,934
1983 - $111,862,824
1982 - $121,221,652
1981 - $118,190,655
1980 - $125,747,038
1979 - $122,257,393
1978 - $108,223,444
1977 - $98,295,671
1976 - $85,003,078
1975 - $93,489,283
1974 - $93,549,611
1973 - $82,452,985
1972 - $62,566,116
1971 - $53,719,569
1970 - $45,208,338

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Samoa by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,341 - $5,873 -
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $939 $2,066 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $813 $1,955 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $687 $1,810 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $628 $1,675 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $540 $1,516 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $465 $1,377 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $487 $1,435 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $474 $1,379 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $535 $1,355 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $534 $1,417 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $588 $1,619 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $492 $1,483 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $270 $819 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $346 $1,108 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $349 $1,149 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $344 $1,116 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $303 $1,043 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $283.1 $985 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $264.1 $925 $775 $2,323
1992 $235.1 $843 $777 $2,198
1991 $189.8 $766 $742 $2,166
1990 $168.6 $685 $744 $2,148
1989 - - $728 -
1988 - - $790 -
1987 - - $666 -
1986 - - $604 -
1985 - - $573 -
1984 - - $655 -
1983 - - $671 -
1982 - - $728 -
1981 - - $713 -
1980 - - $765 -
1979 - - $751 -
1978 - - $671 -
1977 - - $615 -
1976 - - $541 -
1975 - - $610 -
1974 - - $626 -
1973 - - $563 -
1972 - - $433 -
1971 - - $377 -
1970 - - $322 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/samoa | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,341, ranking 168/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

East Timor Samoa
Gross domestic product
$1.9B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
181/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
6.98%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,341
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
168/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.3%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$192.3
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,644
2026
$3,918
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
93.9%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.5%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
5.05%
2022
Population
1446322
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 93.9% 14.3% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 98% 14.4% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 31.1% 41%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 30% 49.4%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 27.3% 49%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 111% 1.52% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 133.3% 0% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 121.3% 0% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 121.8% 0% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 122.4% 0% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 75.8% 0% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 59.8% 0% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 58.3% 0% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 74.2% 0% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 80.1% 0% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 93.5% 0% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 95.7% 0% 30% 53.8%
2000 - - 30.4% 55.8%
1999 - - 33.8% 59.4%
1998 - - 28.1% 58.9%
1997 - - 31% -
1996 - - 38.9% -
1995 - - 42.2% -
1994 - - 54.1% -
1993 - - 49.5% -
1992 - - 43.4% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/samoa | CC BY

In 2025, East Timor's government spending was $1.79B, accounting for 93.9% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.3% in East Timor and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 178/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Samoa
2025 -48% 4.68%
2024 -47% 9.29%
2023 -34.7% 2.7%
2022 -29.5% 5.03%
2021 -20.1% 1.71%
2020 -18.9% 5.41%
2019 -25.4% 1.51%
2018 -26.9% 0.06%
2017 -33.8% -1.98%
2016 -55.7% -0.35%
2015 -33.2% -3.79%
2014 -37.5% -5.38%
2013 -14.4% -3.82%
2012 -38.7% -7.43%
2011 -25.4% -5.25%
2010 -19.8% -5.49%
2009 -17.2% -2.98%
2008 -18.6% -0.36%
2007 -29.9% 0.55%
2006 41% -0.44%
2005 -10.5% 0.23%
2004 -7.48% -0.74%
2003 -8.24% -0.51%
2002 -7.64% -1.77%
2001 3.24% -1.96%
2000 - -0.62%
1999 - 0.27%
1998 - 1.64%
1997 - 1.92%
1996 - 1.21%
1995 - -5.82%
1994 - -9.51%
1993 - -13.2%
1992 - -9.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/samoa | CC BY

In 2025, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $914M, equivalent to 48% of GDP. This compares to Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 22.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.44% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Samoa
2025 0.5% 2.21%
2024 2.1% 2.17%
2023 8.4% 7.92%
2022 7% 11%
2021 3.8% 3.13%
2020 0.5% -1.57%
2019 0.9% 0.98%
2018 2.3% 4.2%
2017 0.5% 1.75%
2016 -1.5% 1.3%
2015 0.6% 0.72%
2014 0.8% -0.41%
2013 9.5% 0.61%
2012 10.9% 2.05%
2011 13.2% 5.24%
2010 5.2% 0.78%
2009 -0.2% 6.32%
2008 7.4% 11.6%
2007 8.6% 5.58%
2006 5.2% 3.7%
2005 1.6% 1.86%
2004 2.2% 16.3%
2003 8% 0.12%
2002 4.1% 8.05%
2001 3.6% 3.84%
2000 - 0.97%
1999 - 0.27%
1998 - 2.22%
1997 - 6.86%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.21%, compared with 3.98% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 0.5% in East Timor and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

East Timor Samoa
Current account balance
-$701M
2025
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2025
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-36.9%
2025
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$842M
2025
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$126M
2025
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$475M
2025
$108M
2025
Service exports
$147M
2025
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Samoa
Economic freedom 47.9 68
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 52/197
Property rights 43.5 77.1
Government integrity 43.9 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 77.6
Tax burden 97.1 79.3
Government spending 0 75.2
Fiscal health 19.6 98.7
Business freedom 62.7 63.7
Labor freedom 56.5 73.7
Monetary freedom 72.2 69.4
Trade freedom 79.8 67.2
Investment freedom 45 40
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Samoa
2026 47.9 68
2025 47.9 66.6
2024 50.2 67.2
2023 47.2 68.3
2022 46.3 68.3
2021 44.7 61.9
2020 45.9 62.1
2019 44.2 62.2
2018 48.1 61.5
2017 46.3 58.4
2016 45.8 63.5
2015 45.5 61.9
2014 43.2 61.1
2013 43.7 57.1
2012 43.3 60.5
2011 42.8 60.6
2010 45.8 60.4
2009 50.5 59.5
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - 63.1
2000 - 60.8
1999 - 58.7
1998 - 49.9
1997 - 51.5
1996 - 47.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/samoa | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Samoa
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.14B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,120
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$851M
2025
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
145/177
2025
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$253M
2025
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$225M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
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/east-timor/samoa | 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)

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.