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Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 148/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Equatorial Guinea vs Nigeria GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
2024 $12,765,777,677 $252,261,880,141
2023 $12,337,550,584 $487,387,801,881
2022 $13,687,643,436 $646,950,257,578
2021 $12,215,878,033 $609,147,716,973
2020 $9,893,816,008 $598,586,817,819
2019 $11,364,133,550 $668,219,992,691
2018 $13,097,012,134 $421,739,251,509
2017 $12,200,913,879 $375,745,731,053
2016 $11,240,808,848 $404,649,125,252
2015 $13,185,496,881 $493,026,682,801
2014 $21,765,453,082 $574,183,763,412
2013 $21,948,834,284 $520,117,180,314
2012 $22,388,344,144 $463,971,018,239
2011 $21,357,343,669 $414,466,676,831
2010 $16,314,443,436 $366,990,417,129
2009 $15,027,795,173 $295,008,835,381
2008 $19,749,893,536 $339,476,276,258
2007 $13,071,718,759 $278,260,846,800
2006 $10,086,528,699 $238,454,997,161
2005 $8,217,369,093 $175,670,569,969
2004 $4,410,764,339 $135,764,731,646
2003 $2,484,745,935 $104,738,954,264
2002 $1,806,742,742 $95,054,059,303
2001 $1,461,139,022 $73,557,840,064
2000 $1,045,998,496 $69,171,451,627
1999 $621,117,886 $59,145,077,039
1998 $370,687,634 $218,416,200,673
1997 $442,337,871 $200,850,397,618
1996 $232,463,023 $185,730,236,700
1995 $141,853,361 $140,919,776,986
1994 $100,807,003 $80,399,613,064
1993 $136,047,906 $56,721,051,402
1992 $134,707,184 $52,058,181,854
1991 $110,906,029 $59,526,833,412
1990 $112,119,411 $54,035,795,388
1989 $88,265,975 $44,003,061,108
1988 $100,534,657 $49,648,470,440
1987 $93,345,860 $52,676,041,931
1986 $76,407,396 $54,805,852,581
1985 $62,118,570 $73,745,821,158
1984 $50,320,914 $73,484,359,521
1983 $44,442,457 $97,094,911,792
1982 $44,294,648 $142,769,363,314
1981 $36,731,423 $164,475,209,516
1980 $50,642,881 $64,201,788,123
1979 - $47,259,911,894
1978 - $36,527,862,209
1977 $103,987,520 $36,035,407,725
1976 $103,653,050 $36,308,883,249
1975 $104,295,643 $27,778,934,625
1974 $94,159,863 $24,846,641,318
1973 $81,203,227 $15,162,871,287
1972 $65,429,198 $12,274,416,018
1971 $64,946,955 $9,181,769,912
1970 $66,331,429 $12,546,094,982
1969 $67,225,714 $6,634,317,346
1968 $67,514,286 $5,200,997,920
1967 $72,317,447 $5,203,237,919
1966 $69,110,000 $6,366,917,453
1965 $64,748,333 $5,874,537,650
1964 $51,915,000 $5,552,931,319
1963 $44,266,667 $5,165,590,254
1962 $37,253,333 $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/nigeria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs Nigeria by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,745 $17,567 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $6,678 $17,412 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $962 $4,381
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $763 $4,015
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $712 $3,770
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $566 $3,309
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $547 $3,139
1999 $931 $6,470 $481 $3,002
1998 $578 $5,280 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $717 $4,387 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $392 $1,793 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $183.2 $951 $745 $2,853
1993 $256.7 $828 $540 $2,921
1992 $263.7 $756 $509 $2,991
1991 $225.3 $569 $597 $2,870
1990 $236.4 $577 $556 $2,840
1989 $193.2 - $465 -
1988 $228.7 - $540 -
1987 $220.9 - $588 -
1986 $188.8 - $628 -
1985 $161.1 - $869 -
1984 $137.9 - $890 -
1983 $129.4 - $1,207 -
1982 $137.5 - $1,822 -
1981 $121.1 - $2,162 -
1980 $175.5 - $870 -
1979 - - $661 -
1978 - - $527 -
1977 $376 - $536 -
1976 $369 - $556 -
1975 $362 - $438 -
1974 $319 - $403 -
1973 $268.6 - $252.4 -
1972 $211.4 - $209.5 -
1971 $205.6 - $160.5 -
1970 $206.8 - $224.5 -
1969 $208.4 - $121.4 -
1968 $211.7 - $97.3 -
1967 $231.9 - $99.5 -
1966 $226.7 - $124.4 -
1965 $217.1 - $117.3 -
1964 $177.8 - $113.3 -
1963 $154.8 - $107.7 -
1962 $132.9 - $104.5 -
1961 - - $97.1 -
1960 - - $93.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/nigeria | CC BY

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
148/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
0.91%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,745
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
106/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$4.65B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
36.4%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,458
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,042
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.1%
2022
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
3.45%
2024
Population
1998075
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.5% 36.4% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 8.51% 18%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 10% 13%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 11% 6.12%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 13% 25.2%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 510% 216% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 20% 50.4%
1992 595% 136.9% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 212.9% 157% 14.2% 50.9%
1989 116.8% 187% - -
1988 227.9% 154.5% - -
1987 183% 141.3% - -
1986 119% 152.5% - -
1985 115.4% 183.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 143/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
2024 -0.55% -1.57%
2023 2.39% -3.12%
2022 11.7% -4%
2021 2.65% -3.97%
2020 -1.77% -4.03%
2019 1.82% -3.31%
2018 0.52% -3.06%
2017 -2.59% -3.85%
2016 -10.9% -3.3%
2015 -15.1% -2.7%
2014 -7.54% -1.72%
2013 -4.4% -1.89%
2012 -7.24% -0.09%
2011 0.83% 0.31%
2010 -4.53% -2.96%
2009 -6.47% -3.78%
2008 14.6% 4.05%
2007 17.2% -0.79%
2006 21.8% 6.22%
2005 18.5% 3.49%
2004 9.22% 3.9%
2003 9.99% -1.56%
2002 17.6% 0.95%
2001 14.9% -2.29%
2000 -2.67% 2.89%
1999 -0.19% -1.39%
1998 -7.65% -3.47%
1997 3.21% 1.14%
1996 -6.36% 3.37%
1995 -123.4% 2.52%
1994 -487% -2.96%
1993 -217.9% -6.07%
1992 -557% 0.94%
1991 -236% -1.18%
1990 -160.2% -0.48%
1989 -76.2% -
1988 -208.5% -
1987 -158% -
1986 -97.3% -
1985 -89.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $70.8M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
2024 3.4% 33.2%
2023 2.4% 24.7%
2022 4.9% 18.8%
2021 -0.1% 17%
2020 4.8% 13.2%
2019 1.2% 11.4%
2018 1.3% 12.1%
2017 0.7% 16.5%
2016 1.4% 15.7%
2015 1.7% 9.01%
2014 4.3% 8.05%
2013 3.2% 8.5%
2012 3.4% 12.2%
2011 4.8% 10.8%
2010 5.3% 13.7%
2009 5.7% 12.5%
2008 4.7% 11.6%
2007 2.8% 5.39%
2006 4.5% 8.23%
2005 5.6% 17.9%
2004 4.2% 15%
2003 7.3% 14%
2002 7.6% 12.9%
2001 8.7% 18.9%
2000 4.8% 6.93%
1999 0.4% 6.62%
1998 7.9% 10%
1997 3% 8.53%

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/equatorial-guinea/nigeria | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.93%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $12.5M
Raw materials & minerals $8.89M
Machinery & equipment $117K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9.51M
Metals $2.22M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.1M
Miscellaneous $140K
Chemicals & pharma $85K
Textiles & consumer goods $59K
Wood & paper products $37K
Raw materials & minerals $6K

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
101/190
1996
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$53B
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.2%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
Economic freedom 47.4 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 132/197
Property rights 16.9 29.7
Government integrity 6.9 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 34.4
Tax burden 81 84.6
Government spending 90.8 96.3
Fiscal health 97.3 83.5
Business freedom 35.9 50.3
Labor freedom 45.2 75.4
Monetary freedom 73.5 56.1
Trade freedom 43.6 64.4
Investment freedom 40 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
2026 47.4 54.8
2025 47.7 53.4
2024 47.7 53.1
2023 48.3 53.9
2022 47.2 54.4
2021 49.2 58.7
2020 48.3 57.2
2019 41 57.3
2018 42 58.5
2017 45 57.1
2016 43.7 57.5
2015 40.4 55.6
2014 44.4 54.3
2013 42.3 55.1
2012 42.8 56.3
2011 47.5 56.7
2010 48.6 56.8
2009 51.3 55.1
2008 51.6 55.1
2007 53.2 55.6
2006 51.5 48.7
2005 53.3 48.4
2004 53.3 49.2
2003 53.1 49.5
2002 46.4 50.9
2001 47.9 49.6
2000 45.6 53.1
1999 45.1 55.7
1998 - 52.3
1997 - 52.8
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/nigeria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Equatorial Guinea Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
51.1%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.15%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$8.96B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,330
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2023
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2023
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.96%
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/equatorial-guinea/nigeria | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, 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) (2014, 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.