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

Updated on by Georank

Egypt has a GDP of $365B compared to $981M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 43/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Egypt has $317B in government debt (86.8% of GDP), compared to $546M (55.7% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Egypt vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Egypt
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Egypt Sao Tome
2025 $365,254,630,180 $981,293,587
2024 $389,059,910,593 $824,992,558
2023 $395,926,071,448 $690,456,807
2022 $476,747,720,365 $540,809,499
2021 $424,671,765,456 $524,402,456
2020 $383,817,841,547 $471,229,485
2019 $318,678,815,490 $412,976,083
2018 $262,588,632,527 $383,717,328
2017 $248,362,771,739 $322,002,845
2016 $332,441,717,791 $292,267,272
2015 $329,366,576,819 $259,999,643
2014 $305,595,408,895 $293,119,143
2013 $288,434,108,527 $267,041,748
2012 $279,116,666,667 $229,371,348
2011 $235,989,672,978 $226,455,001
2010 $218,983,666,062 $190,021,192
2009 $189,147,005,445 $200,668,065
2008 $162,818,181,818 $188,021,165
2007 $130,437,828,371 $149,146,919
2006 $107,426,086,957 $142,775,104
2005 $89,660,339,660 $136,450,662
2004 $78,782,467,532 $114,582,284
2003 $80,288,461,538 $102,085,769
2002 $85,146,067,416 $85,171,074
2001 $96,684,636,119 $75,951,133
2000 $99,838,543,960 $76,198,395
1999 $90,710,704,807 $77,302,212
1998 $84,828,807,556 $72,285,404
1997 $78,436,578,171 $91,920,274
1996 $67,629,716,981 $135,188,166
1995 $60,159,245,060 $103,695,237
1994 $51,897,983,393 $131,338,415
1993 $46,578,631,453 $125,742,229
1992 $41,855,986,519 $94,861,781
1991 $37,387,836,491 $107,484,143
1990 $42,978,914,311 $119,297,933
1989 $39,756,299,050 $98,545,367
1988 $34,980,124,929 $99,000,764
1987 $40,455,616,654 $115,952,925
1986 $41,253,507,951 $115,928,907
1985 $39,053,502,251 $82,733,069
1984 $33,971,188,992 $78,213,796
1983 $30,966,239,814 $75,110,289
1982 $27,655,172,414 $80,307,763
1981 $22,136,081,081 $83,499,264
1980 $21,669,908,176 $81,662,231
1979 $18,020,571,429 $65,755,928
1978 $14,811,704,063 $55,044,563
1977 $14,400,806,876 $49,207,692
1976 $13,315,988,083 $52,039,421
1975 $11,632,178,869 $60,101,710
1974 $9,228,963,225 $57,817,591
1973 $10,098,534,613 $56,011,245
1972 $9,299,638,056 $41,430,257
1971 $8,609,283,346 $37,288,845
1970 $8,042,200,452 $37,211,826
1969 $6,524,455,206 -
1968 $5,932,242,991 -
1967 $5,605,484,299 -
1966 $5,278,005,612 -
1965 $4,948,667,540 -
1964 $4,709,245,762 -
1963 $4,187,146,232 -
1962 $4,035,462,027 -
1961 $4,494,575,611 -
1960 $4,206,270,352 -

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

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

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

Egypt
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Egypt Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,086 - $4,084 -
2024 $3,338 $19,094 $3,503 $6,242
2023 $3,457 $18,525 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $4,233 $17,527 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $3,827 $15,579 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $3,511 $15,232 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $2,963 $13,364 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $2,485 $12,329 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $2,395 $11,125 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $3,271 $10,666 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $3,307 $10,903 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $3,133 $10,256 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $3,026 $10,511 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $2,996 $10,342 $1,211 $2,653
2011 $2,591 $8,988 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $2,455 $8,838 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $2,162 $8,465 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $1,896 $8,191 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $1,548 $7,641 $879 $2,650
2006 $1,299 $7,079 $862 $2,551
2005 $1,106 $6,554 $844 $2,329
2004 $991 $6,207 $727 $2,171
2003 $1,031 $5,928 $664 $2,094
2002 $1,117 $5,753 $568 $1,945
2001 $1,295 $5,650 $519 $1,898
2000 $1,366 $5,452 $529 $1,830
1999 $1,268 $5,121 $543 $1,802
1998 $1,213 $4,869 $514 $1,754
1997 $1,146 $4,661 $662 $1,714
1996 $1,009 $4,434 $987 $1,693
1995 $916 $4,235 $769 $1,663
1994 $807 $4,048 $990 $1,623
1993 $740 $3,895 $964 $1,581
1992 $681 $3,784 $740 $1,556
1991 $623 $3,627 $855 $1,540
1990 $736 $3,566 $970 $1,504
1989 $701 - $821 -
1988 $634 - $847 -
1987 $754 - $1,018 -
1986 $790 - $1,043 -
1985 $770 - $761 -
1984 $690 - $735 -
1983 $648 - $720 -
1982 $596 - $783 -
1981 $490 - $830 -
1980 $493 - $829 -
1979 $421 - $683 -
1978 $355 - $587 -
1977 $353 - $539 -
1976 $335 - $585 -
1975 $299.2 - $693 -
1974 $243.1 - $683 -
1973 $272.2 - $676 -
1972 $256.5 - $511 -
1971 $243 - $470 -
1970 $232.3 - $479 -
1969 $193 - - -
1968 $179.8 - - -
1967 $174.1 - - -
1966 $168.1 - - -
1965 $161.6 - - -
1964 $157.7 - - -
1963 $143.9 - - -
1962 $142.4 - - -
1961 $162.8 - - -
1960 $156.4 - - -

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

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

Egypt's GDP per capita is $3,086, ranking 143/197, compared to $4,084 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Egypt ranks 99th at $19,094, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Egypt Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$365B
2025
$981M
2025
GDP rank
43/197
2025
189/197
2025
GDP growth
4.39%
2024-2025
1.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,086
2025
$4,084
2025
GDP per capita rank
143/197
2025
132/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,094
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
99/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$317B
2025
$546M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
86.8%
2025
55.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,679
2025
$2,275
2025
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2025
115/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,841
2026
$3,249
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$62.9B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
5
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
4.2%
2021
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.7%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.1%
2024-2025
0.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
19%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.95%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
121012163
247495

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Egypt
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Egypt Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.7% 86.8% 21.2% 55.7%
2024 22.9% 90.9% 23.8% 65.2%
2023 22.7% 95.9% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 24.9% 88.5% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 25.5% 89.9% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 25.7% 86.2% 23.2% 91%
2019 26.9% 80.1% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 28.6% 87.9% 28% 95.9%
2017 30.6% 97.8% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 31% 91.6% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 31.3% 83.8% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 33.9% 80.9% 36% 92.5%
2013 32.9% 79.8% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 29.2% 69.9% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 30.5% 72.8% 53.4% 86%
2010 31.4% 69.6% 51.7% 83%
2009 32.5% 69.5% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 32.7% 66.8% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 31.3% 76.3% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 34.5% 85.9% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 30.3% 98.3% 43.7% 334%
2004 30.1% 96.5% 60.6% 354%
2003 30.6% 97.1% 51.9% 329%
2002 30.9% 85.8% 44.3% 367%
2001 27.9% 79.1% 52.8% 418%
2000 26% 71.7% 10.7% -
1999 26.3% 72.4% - -
1998 - 73.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Egypt's government spending was $82.8B, accounting for 22.7% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $208M, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 86.8% in Egypt and 55.7% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 33/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Egypt

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Egypt Sao Tome
2025 -6.55% -2.53%
2024 -7.12% 0.92%
2023 -5.77% -2.13%
2022 -5.74% -2.24%
2021 -6.96% -1.52%
2020 -7.47% 2.94%
2019 -7.6% -0.07%
2018 -8.97% -2.02%
2017 -9.9% -3.11%
2016 -11.8% -5.01%
2015 -10.4% -7.6%
2014 -10.7% -6.27%
2013 -12.3% 2.13%
2012 -9.47% -12.3%
2011 -9.6% -13%
2010 -7.45% -12.1%
2009 -6.2% -18%
2008 -6.05% 13.6%
2007 -4.9% 125.1%
2006 -7.35% 18%
2005 -6.69% 26.8%
2004 -5.76% -25.1%
2003 -5.73% -15.9%
2002 -6.77% -10.4%
2001 -1.07% -13.5%
2000 1.32% 51.5%
1999 2.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Egypt's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $23.9B, equivalent to 6.55% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's deficit of $24.8M, or 2.53% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Egypt recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Egypt posted an annual deficit equal to 7.19% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.39% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Egypt

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Egypt Sao Tome
2025 14.1% 0.9%
2024 28.3% 14.4%
2023 33.9% 21.1%
2022 13.9% 18.1%
2021 5.21% 8.1%
2020 5.04% 9.8%
2019 9.15% 7.7%
2018 14.4% 7.9%
2017 29.5% 5.7%
2016 13.8% 5.4%
2015 10.4% 6.1%
2014 10.1% 7%
2013 9.47% 8.1%
2012 7.11% 10.6%
2011 10.1% 14.3%
2010 11.3% 13.3%
2009 11.8% 17%
2008 18.3% 32%
2007 9.32% 18.6%
2006 7.64% 23.1%
2005 4.87% 17.2%
2004 11.3% 13.3%
2003 4.51% 9.8%
2002 2.74% 10.1%
2001 2.27% 9.2%
2000 2.68% 11%
1999 3.08% 11%
1998 3.87% 42.1%
1997 4.63% 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/egypt/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Egypt has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.8%, compared with 15.2% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2025, inflation was 14.1% in Egypt and 0.9% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Egypt
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $955K
Chemicals & pharma $300K
Machinery & equipment $88K
Raw materials & minerals $45K
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Animal & marine products $11K
Metals $11K
Wood & paper products $3K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Egypt Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$13.9B
2025
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
178/190
2025
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.82%
2025
+5.03%
2024
Goods imports
$85.5B
2025
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$42.4B
2025
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$29.6B
2025
$83M
2024
Service exports
$34.1B
2025
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2025
33.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.8%
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.

Egypt Sao Tome
Economic freedom 50.3 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 160/197 93/197
Property rights 35.5 55.2
Government integrity 27.1 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 24 60.8
Tax burden 85.7 88.6
Government spending 83.4 80.6
Fiscal health 21.8 89.5
Business freedom 51.4 59.9
Labor freedom 43.1 40.8
Monetary freedom 56 59.4
Trade freedom 60.2 65
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Egypt
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Egypt Sao Tome
2026 50.3 60.6
2025 50.9 60.4
2024 49.7 60.5
2023 49.6 61.5
2022 49.1 60.3
2021 55.7 55.9
2020 54 56.2
2019 52.5 54
2018 53.4 53.6
2017 52.6 55.4
2016 56 56.7
2015 55.2 53.3
2014 52.9 48.8
2013 54.8 48
2012 57.9 50.2
2011 59.1 49.5
2010 59 48.8
2009 58 43.8
2008 58.5 -
2007 54.4 -
2006 53.2 -
2005 55.8 -
2004 55.5 -
2003 55.3 -
2002 54.1 -
2001 51.5 -
2000 51.7 -
1999 58 -
1998 55.8 -
1997 54.5 -
1996 52 -
1995 45.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Egypt is 50.3, ranking 160/197, 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

Egypt Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
47.3%
2025
81.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
32.1%
2025
2.23%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
12.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$386B
2025
$913M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,330
2025
$6,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$48.9B
2025
$58.8M
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2025
175/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$14.8B
2025
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$46.6B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$508M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.86%
2024
0.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.5%
2021
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.9%
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/egypt/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 (1998–2025, 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. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.